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 great read, a few familiar elements.

I really enjoyed a Discovery of Witches overall. The story was easy to get into and Jennifer Ikeda is a wonderfully entertaining narrator as always. I did find a few moments of this book to be a bit predictable. The love interest is easy to spot a mile off and gives off some Twilight-y slightly stalker-y overbearing man vibes for enough of a novel I was almost turned off by it. I really enjoyed the need for the main character to find "non-magical" answers and strategies around as much of her problems as possible, to keep the reader a much of a real-world feeling novel. This book is worth a listen if you can bear the familiar trope, but even with the predictable elements I will continue to recommend the book and the series.

Exhillerating

I could not stop listening to this book! I can't wait to buy the other two books in the series! Must buy!

Spellbinding

This book kept me completely enthralled with it’s spellbinding story. I could not stop listening. Jennifer Ikeda’s nuanced vocal performance captured the essence of numerous characters, both male and female, with a broad range of accents and temperaments. In addition to the high pitched drama and mesmerizing romance a wonderful undercurrent of humour and delight sparkled throughout this adventure. I am spent but eager to begin book II as well as watch ADOC on Sundance. A very high bar has been set so it will be interesting to see if it can match this audio book performance.

Well written

Could not put this down. Kept my attention the whole way through. The characters are well developed and the voices performed consistent and fitting.
Excited to listen to the next book!

A magical read

A magical read, story kept me completely enthralled from start to finish and I can't wait for the next one!!

like it!

I enjoyed this audio book. the story was entertaining and moved along well. Jennifer Ikeda has a very soothing voice as well. looking forward to second book.

Amazing!

A brilliant, complex trilogy of love, danger and hope for a future filled with equality and reason. Please read all three books in order (A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, The Book of Life) to appreciate the full experience. Without a doubt, one of the best performances ever. Jennifer Ikeda did full justice to this wonderful tale by the brilliant author, Deborah Harkness. The only negative I can possibly think of is that I'm done listening to all three books. Thank you to both of these talented women for such a powerful, enjoyable, transcendent experience. Here's hoping your message of love, tolerance and unity replaces our world's current messages of ethnic, racial, national and religious disputes. After all, we have many more similarities than we do differences.

Fantastic story! Did not want to stop listening!!

I loved this book! It was a story that I wanted to listen to all the time until I knew how it would turn it. But I will give one small spoiler... this will be continued. It does not have a final ending. But now I can't wait for the next story to be released. The characters are wonderful and the love story is very sweet. I highly recommend!!!

WOW! I LOVED this book!

I'm not sure what I expected when I purchased this book, but I know now that it was a great idea. The story is compelling and the historical details are phenomenal. I'm a fan of "supernatural" fiction and this book did not disappoint. I found myself lost in the story; in the details both historical and scientific. My advise to you fellow Audible customers...Listen to this book!

Mixed feelings but overall I did enjoy it

This is very much the type of book I'd call a guilty pleasure. A few times the plot really went over the top and was bombastic. BUT while I was rolling my eyes I still completely enjoyed the reading experience. If you are not the kind of reader that can suspended belief and just roll with it you'll probably hate it. Otherwise if your into witches and like having to read more than just one book to get the full story, go for it.