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)

Satisfaction!

This series is deeply satisfying in so many ways. Additionally the reader is very talented.

Smart and Spellbinding

This book, both the text and the narration, caught my imagination from the beginning. It was a true pleasure.

Superb

Warning-plan to get the next book immediately. This one ends on a cliffhanger. The first time I read this I had to wait , and it was torture.
Deep characters with a strong female lead. A sensual love story and history lesson all in one.
Ms. Harkness's previous work as a historian is evident, but this lets her novelist soul free.

The performance was nice, but a little slow. I listened at X1.25 and it was paced much better.

Best Listening Experience

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

Yes!

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the originality of the story.

What about Jennifer Ikeda’s performance did you like?

I loved the reader's voice and how she was able to adjust the accent and pitch to match the character's. I was able to get lost in the story.

Romantic book -- men beware

Would you try another book from Deborah Harkness and/or Jennifer Ikeda?

nope not the type of books i am into.

Did A Discovery of Witches inspire you to do anything?

to read more about a book before i get it

Any additional comments?

such a sappy romance novel.

Surprisingly fascinating story!

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

I walked in with no expectations on this book but was so pleasantly surprised as the storyline kept me enthralled!

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

The general story of the forbidden love between the Witch and Vampire and their determination to make it work.

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

Her performance of Diana was wonderful! She managed to bring in the innocence of the character and when it was time, the Lionness!

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

I hated having to shut it off as I listen in the car on my way to and from work.

Any additional comments?

Being a student of Wicca, I found that the book, although a fiction, truly held the elements of Wicca at heart and did not blow the basics way out of proportion. Of course, the Witchcraft itself was amusing and fascinating but there was always the element of truth behind the Craft. Bravo!

Enthralling

Wonderful story! I am so excited about the series that I am starting the next book now.

Addictive

I rarely write reviews about books and I have over 100 in my audible library. I could not put this book down always waiting for that twist that was sure to come soon because the book was almost over. It never really comes and leaves you waiting for more, but still held my interest until this end. This book is a combination of Ann Rice and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Deborah Harkness has created a leading character who has exactly the same background as her own. She is a scientific history professor. With Deborah's background I really look forward to the continuation of this series, or at least one more book!

love love love it.

I truly love this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series. like I said love love loved it!

Wonderful!

Loved it! different than expected, in a good way! I recommend it highly to anyone! can't wait to listen to the second book!