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A Discovery of Witches  By  cover art

A Discovery of Witches

By: Deborah Harkness
Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda
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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)

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What listeners say about A Discovery of Witches

Average customer ratings
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Love this story

great characters and love story. the narrator played each character very well and the plot

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My new favorite story!

This book is Twilight and Harry Potter combined in a story for adults! I was not bored once! Such a great story and the reading is engaging.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing story with fantastic narration

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

Yes, although I have both and liked to read along while I listened. There were a lot of foreign names and phrases and it was great to hear them pronounced correctly. The narration was amazing! She was great with accents and I always knew who was talking.

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

I would have to say Diana is my favorite character. She felt relatable even though she is a witch. =)

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

The witchwater scene at Sept-Tours when Matthew leaves Diana. I loved the emotions that were involved.

Any additional comments?

I am currently listening/reading the second book and I love it so much already!

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Awesome

This 3 book series has become some of my all time favorites. I’ve actually read/listened to them several time’s and have used them for bed time stories on the occasion I have my nieces and nephews.

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  • ee
  • 06-09-21

Beautiful writing which carried me there...

Transportingly good read....and lovely mix of science and ancient history. This book came recommended to me, and I complete the circle by recommending it to you.

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movie pleasee

loved it! the person reading fit perfectly. this needs to be a movie please and ty

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AMAZING!!!

I'm in love with this. I can't wait to read the others. as it went along I could see and feel the character and be taken away with them.

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Great book

The story was quite engaging and all the little details rely brought the scenes to life.

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one of the best books Ive listen to in a while

this book had everything I really love in a story. a love story, magic, witch's and vampires, and time travel. the cherry on top is how long it is. I highly recommend if you're into this sort of thing

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Great characters, engaging story.

New twist on an old theme...kept me listening til it ended. Waiting for the sequel.

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