A Discovery of Witches

A Novel

By: Deborah Harkness

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Length: 23 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Book one of the New York Times best-selling All Souls Series—"a wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People).

Now “[a] hot show that’s like Twilight meets Outlander” (Thrillist) airing on AMC and BBC America, as well as streaming on Sundance Now and Shudder.

Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, book three, The Book of Life, and the fourth in the series, Time’s Convert.

©2011 Deborah Harkness (P)2011 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter or Twilight.... An irresistible tale of wizardry, science and forbidden love.” (People)

“Romantic, erudite, and suspenseful.... Harkness attends to every scholarly and emotional detail with whimsy, sensuality, and humor.” (O, The Oprah Magazine)

“A thoroughly grown-up novel packed with gorgeous historical detail and a gutsy, brainy heroine to match.... Harkness writes with thrilling gusto about the magical world.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Where is the next one?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to those who love vampires, witches, and stories that unravel slowly. I love the way she gives you time to become acquainted with the characters and their relationships to each other. I just hope she doesn't intend to end the story there.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really liked the first part of the book, when eeryone was still a mystery.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The first part

Suprisingly engrossing

I typically do not read the reviews. However, when I have they have been more helpful than not. This one had me on the fence mostly because of the negative comments about the reader. I can tell you the books that a bad reader has killed for me but, not now:) This book was suprising in it's expance of history and supposition. It more than kept my attention and actually had me creating time to listen over and above my norm. I like that. I was thoroughly entertained and am looking forward to her next book in the series.

It's a Witch meets Vampire story with character

I don't hesitate to give this book 5 stars. It is not billed as a fine work of literature... it's a Vampire and Witch book with great character development, good pacing and some fun historical jumps. It is perfectly what it's supposed to be and very enjoyable at that. A delightful yarn! I am wondering what people who are giving it such poor reviews were expecting....

Superbly fills the need for an adult oriented series in the vampire/witch fantasy genre

As an adult reader of fantasy fiction, i often find myself craving something a little more grown up than the typical fare targeted towards teenage readers. This book satisfies that craving admirably.

I'm writing this review after my second listen and having already listened to the remaining books in the series. I really appreciate the narrator and the story. They fit together so nicely.

Love this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of A Discovery of Witches to be better than the print version?

Did not read print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Discovery of Witches?

Love the historical background as well as the build up of characters!

What about Jennifer Ikeda’s performance did you like?

Her voice is very enjoyable to listen to as well as her changing of characters acsents is very believable and well executed.

Any additional comments?

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and love story. There are just a few places where I think it goes a little slow - a little too much detail but overall it is a really exciting plot and moves along at a good pace. It made me want to get in the car and drive since I am listening to it in my car!!

Very Well Written, Beautifully Narrated

Would you listen to A Discovery of Witches again? Why?

Yes, I Enjoyed the Story Immensely and after listening to the 3 Books, I want to start with the first book and listen to some of the details I didn't notice before. Also, I love listening to Jennifer Ikeda's voice, she has the most beautiful compelling voice, that you can listen to for hours.

What other book might you compare A Discovery of Witches to and why?

Since it is my first experience of listening to an Audible Book, I have nothing else to compare it to. The reason I was attracted to the book, was the name of the book. I love reading books and watching movies about Magic and Witches. I decide to buy the Audible Version after hearing the Sample recording Amazon offers and I heard Jennifer's voice, it was so beautiful that I wanted to keep listening to her and I thought I'd take a chance and maybe I would enjoy the book and I'm soooo glad I did.

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

I am a woman and I love the idea of Magic in our lives, so it was of course "Diana" she is my favorite character. I really liked how Matthew was described also. The writer's detailed descriptions were so intricate that you can imagine seeing them and being there in your mind so easily.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The passionate love scenes were tastefully done and yet descriptive enough to emotionally react to. But I loved the descriptions of the Magic, the Magic threads that Diana wove into beautiful sparkling magical knots. I do wish there were more scenes that involved Diana and her magic, I just loved them.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this Trilogy of books to anyone, man or woman that enjoys this type of story. It was so wonderfully written and so beautifully narrated. Not so far out that it was like a fairy tale and not too violent (violence I do not enjoy) there was love, excitement, travel to distant yet believable places and so much more. It keeps your interest and moves forward at a nice pace. In closing I just want to say that I hope there will be more books to extend the story of this Trilogy. The last book didn't seem to have an ending, or I didn't want it to. But if more books come out from this author, with this narrator, I will buy them as an Audible, without hesitation. I want to say Thank you to Deborah Harkness for her Wonderful Books and Thank You to Jennifer Ikeda for her Beautiful and believable Narration of All the Characters, It was so Well done.

Could not put it down

This is a great listen, the characters are well developed and the plot is not predictable. I cannot wait for the next book.

A story to get caught up in

I love this story so much. I listened to it on my way to and from work everyday. Towards the end of the book, I was so caught up some days, that I missed my exits. Once I had gone miles before realizing I was going the wrong way. Very excited to get to book two.

Amazing book and narrator!!!

I loved this book! And the narrator was so good I often forgot it was only one person reading!

Move over Edward

If you could sum up A Discovery of Witches in three words, what would they be?

bewitching, engrosssing, romantic

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Discovery of Witches?

Their first kiss.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but pray, she does the entire series!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

All consuming.

Any additional comments?

How can we wait for July for the second in the trilogy?