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)

Amazing

Where does A Discovery of Witches rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was a fantastic audiobook, which surprised me because I have disliked this narrator in the past.

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

Satu. Hate Satu.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Diana and Matthew are dancing at Sept Tours

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

Yes. I have listened to it twice now and I hate when I have to stop it for something

Any additional comments?

Read this book, listen to this book, fall in love with this book.

Love them!

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

I'm not sure as I haven't done the print version. I do know that the first book starts slow and if I'd been reading it, I'm not sure I would've pushed on, but so very glad I continued since I was doing the audio version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I totally loved Diana Bishop who had a heritage she tried to deny while excelling in what she thought was a "normal" life. She finally realizes that even though she's special, she's as normal as everyone else and I think that makes her finally more comfortable in her own skin.

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

I really liked them all, I think Jennifer did a great job narrating, but I so wanted to learn more about the yoga teacher and her background!

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

I think when her (and her aunts) home "accepted" her beau and she realized that everything that was happening was supposed to.

Any additional comments?

I found the 2-star ratings that some gave this book to be funny. Honestly, when I read/listened to it (and the following 2 in the trilogy), I felt like it was written in a style that one day will be considered classic and be included in English classes for high school senior AP students or college literary classes. As I thought more about it, I realized that it gave me a feeling of how I felt when I read Little Women. So I'm guessing those that gave it a 2-star rating didn't care for that book either, which is okay. No one likes all authors, nor should they be expected to. But if you're looking for a modern-day classic with a feel of "Louisa May Alcott", try this series out.

In a word...Fantastic

I had looked at the reviews for this book this book numerous times before my purchase, but at the price was put off. However, I finally decided to take a chance and was much more than pleasantly surprised. First, this is not a flash bang, in your face good against evil simplistic story. It is a well developed, dare I call it a scholarly piece catering to the intellectual reader. Though some people rating this call it slow, I call it immersive. I like others would put this book on a most favored status in my library, and I am sure I will return to it again and again over the years. The closest series I could compare this nov3el to is Patrick Rothfus's The name of the wind Series or the Voyager series by Diana Gabaldon. Beyond the story, the narrator is beyond first rate. She has an amazing command of voices and truly makes the Audible version easy to follow and a joy to the ear. Believe me, I rarely give a book five stars. this and the second of the series is underrated in my view at that. I eagerly await the third volume of this series.

Great fantasy for adults

I love true crime novels and books about history . Fans tansy is usually too cheesy for me.
This was not . I was interesting and I want more . I can't wait to read the next 2 books.

What a GREAT Discovery

This was a second time around with this book and this time it was the audio version...it was OUTSTANDING!! I had such a better perspective, got so much more out of the story line and was able to follow it better via the characters portrayed so beautifully by Jennifer Ikeda. Now I cannot wait to move on to the next one.

I NEVER write reviews, BUT....

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

Absorbing, intelligent, addictive

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

Harry Potter goes to grad school? The Ninth Gate, but with a sexy woman at the center? Twillight as a supernatural civil rights movement?

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

No, but I would. Throughout this trilogy she is pitch-perfect. Many voices but not just in the dialog department. Many personalities and points of view.

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

Let's just say I listened to the whole trilogy on a road trip away from home, and listened to it all over again on the way back.

Any additional comments?

In about a zillion hours of listening, this almost never flagged. The scholarly references are all true, it turns out. My favorite storytellers take an existing historical framework and fill it full of new characters, new life, and new meaning. A tour de force.

My Friends are Tired of Hearing It!

LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!

I don't know what else to say. The universe and characters created here are as dear to me as any I have ever encountered. Brilliant story. Brilliant concept. Brilliant narration. Yes, it's a love story. But so much more than that. I have said it's a Harry Potter tale all grown up. That's the closest I can come to a comparison. History, mystery, time travel, fantasy, comedy, drama, romance, family. There is something for everyone here and everyone deserves to find it.

Great Story

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

I would recommend this story to anyone that loves paranormal world. This story is full of witches, vampires, demons (demons in this story have a different story then in most books). Discovery of Witches is a fast paced book that keeps you on your toes.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is aunt Sarah, she loves her family so much and she's not afraid to lay the smack down if she needs too.

"Twilight" for adults

Discovery of Witches is similar to the Twilight saga but is geared more to adults. Even though it was so similar to Twilight, I totally enjoyed it for it's own story.

Amazing

I enjoyed this book so much, never wanted it to end. Cant wait to read more from this author. Hope the next part of this saga comes soon