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)

A Truly Great Author

I did not enjoy this story line. Much too feminine for me. But the author's use of words and phrases, her ability to set and capture a scene, are what intrigued me throughout the entire book. The narrator proved excellent and really enhanced the experience of the book. I have no desire to read the follow on book to this one. The rest of the story is not interesting enough to pursue. But more writings by Deborah Harkness will definitely be investigated.

Great narrator

Loved how the narrator did all the different accents.
Also a pleasant voice to listen to.

Can’t wait to read more!

I am absolutely hooked! Can’t wait to start the second book. I’ve never had 22 hours of listening go so fast.

Riveting

What a long and wonderful story! Looking back at the beginning feels like a lifetime ago for these characters. The narrator did a fantastic job. A redeeming book for the genre!

Something for everyone!

By far, my favorite series of all the audio books I currently own. The author does an amazing job of making you feel immersed with the people, places, and events in the books. I particularly enjoyed the narration.

Captivating

Such a wonderful book, full of every emotion. I couldn’t stop my obsession to know every detail. The historical references were intriguing and the characters captivating!

Could not put it down!!

I lost many hours of sleep listening to this book. It is suspenseful, captivating, and heartwarming. The narrator does a very good job of playing the characters and keeping the voices slightly different so you can tell who is talking (without having to be told) almost all the time. I am not usually a rereader of books or rewatcher of movies, but I will definitely reread this book!!

If you like the Harry Potter and Twilight series, you will also love this book!

Don't Let the Bad Reviews influence You

I read a lot of the reviews before buying this book, and the people who didn't like it didn't go into listening with the right mindset. It is a romance--a forbidden romance--at its heart. If you aren't here for romance, move along.

I read one review that compared it to twilight. While that isn't a bad comparison in my mind--I loved twilight--that isn't a fair one either. Diana has a lot more agency than her compatriot. She is feisty and full of intelligence. Love it and her.

A+

Jennifer Ikeda

Captures every voice so perfectly and makes you feel a part of the story almost as if you can feel each emotion of each character.

Not what I expected

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

Just if it was really non conventional fiction reader. I didnt like it that much, for me it was as if was reading some manga cartoon

Would you be willing to try another book from Deborah Harkness? Why or why not?

No not really. Maybe some day I will read the all saga but not right away

What three words best describe Jennifer Ikeda’s performance?

Need more action

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

Some good lines though, made smile a little as a pagan was very fictional, I mean vampires drinking wine?

Any additional comments?

I didnt care very much for the emotions in the reading of this book. Some other readers make me want to stop, with Ikeda performance, I didnt get that much feeling