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)

One of my new favorite books of all time. A+

It only took until chapter 2 to have me captivated. I think this book has all the markers of a bestseller. I'm recommending this book to all my friends.

The Beginning of an Epic

What did you love best about A Discovery of Witches?

Harkness has created a new world of witches, vampires, and demons that breaks the traditional views and has all three "creatures" co-existing (though their true identity is still secret) with humans. In addition she has created both a conflict and a search for identity that is the basis for most Epic Adventures.

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

I cannot identify a single most memorable moment, but among the memorable events: the kidnapping and escape from a wicked witch, the vampire attack on Mathew, the haunted house with ideas of its own.

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

I have listened to Jennifer Ikeda's recordings of the other two book in this trilogy and she has a good dramatic flare. There are so many characters that it is a challenge for her to change tones, accents, and voices to support all of them, but she manages to keep up with the task.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If I was going to make a film of this book my tag line would be: "A Witch, A Vampire, and A Book.

Any additional comments?

The entire trilogy is long, complex, with many characters skirting in and out. But the story holds together and when it finally comes to an end, you wish it would continue

Very entertaining and addicting!

What made the experience of listening to A Discovery of Witches the most enjoyable?

I didn't know what to expect from this book but I was almost immediately engrossed in the story. I was fairly addicted and finished this story in 1 week.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the easy romance and creature aspect of the book. It was fun to learn about her take on witches, vampires, and demons.

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

I haven't listened to her before that I know of.

fun! outstanding narrator!

this was a lot of fun. it's set apart (at least a little) from the other star-crossed vampire-ish love stories by the quality and depth of the history and literary insight. I loved the house's personality. I almost think it is my favorite character, aside from Diana.

and seriously, this narrator is fantastic!!!!!!

Power combo of amazing story and phenomenal narration

ADOW is a holy grail of audible book: completely engrossing story that sucks you in and won’t let go and absolutely outstanding narration by Jennifer Ikeda. It truly doesn’t get any better than this. Diana and Matthew drove me crazy at different points of this journey but I also think that’s the mark of a good story, when you’re so invested in the characters that your arguing with them in your head. LOVE this wonderful creation of Deborah Harkness wonderfully told by the amazing Jennifer Ikeda.

Smart, classy, and compelling

What made the experience of listening to A Discovery of Witches the most enjoyable?

The author's research is exceptional, and her ability to weave a story of strong characters and intriguing situations has kept me from living in the real world for the entirety of the crisply-delivered performance. BRAVO!

Any additional comments?

Absolutely my favorite historical fiction! I promise that you will love Deborah Harkness.

Jennifer Ikeda Can Read the Phone Book to Me...

What did you love best about A Discovery of Witches?

The book was fun—like a grownup Twilight (and I mean that as a compliment).

What did you like best about this story?

I think having such an interesting female protagonist. Sometimes exasperating, but then, that's to be expected, no?

What does Jennifer Ikeda bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

HOLY COW can this woman do VOICES! (She does even more in the second book--WOWZA!)

A bit long but I think it will be a good series

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

Parts of it reminded me of twilight in particular the romance side of it. A fragile witch falls in love with a vampire. However it did have a lot of historical information and came across as more of an intellectual style of writing. It was a bit drawn out in parts but I think the novel was laying down the ground work for the rest of the series. It's an open ended book so you will have to read the next one.

Clever mix of history, mythology, and supernatural

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matthew Clairmont is my most liked character because he brings historical references into the mix due to his centuries of existence

What aspect of Jennifer Ikeda’s performance would you have changed?

Unsure

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

There were moments when I didn't want to stop listening and other moments where I felt the story dragged a bit, but overall I really enjoyed the book! I have recommended this book to all my girlfriends.

Any additional comments?

I love how this fictional tale has historical detail added to make it feel real to the reader!

Loved everything about it!

Can't wait for the next one! Great story..the narrator was exceptional, transitioning from one character to the other, never missing a beat with the accents. I couldn't put it down.