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)

Loved every minute

What an amazing reader! And a great story. I can't wait to read the next book.

very enjoyable

loved it, i have been watching the series on t.v. & both are very enjoyable.

Worth the 23 hours of listening

I honestly didnt even realize that I was getting to the end when it was over. The story is engaging and the performance was enthralling. I would recommend it to anyone with an affinity for history and magic. Even though it is grounded in the real world it had an otherworldly effect on its audience.

Perfection!

Some years ago I stumbled upon this audiobook not realizing it is the first of a trilogy. Especially at that time I was listening to a LOT of audiobooks and, while I love listening to them, it is very rare that I am excited by a book. I listened to the first book, and the second, and the third, and I've waited for the sequels. When I received a discounted offer from Amazon for an introductory subscription to Audible, the first thing on my mind was downloading the All Souls Trilogy.

Of this book, and in fact of the entire trilogy, I can truly say it is my favorite fiction. As a professor of history, Harkness brings a rare perspective spanning centuries; that the story spans history and romance and courage and conflict and tribulation as well as the world of "creatures" adds breadth that I love; that Harkness is willing to set aside the given templates associated with creatures to add personality and even religious perspective adds a depth that is to be respected; and that she takes time to detail so many nuances and subtleties lends a richness that eclipses the writings of any other author I have experienced. The All Souls Trilogy is truly a masterpiece!

Turned out good

The first 5 or so hour dragged on almost stop twice. Once it picked up I enjoyed it.

Captivating

I've never loved a story so much! Jennifer the narrator brought it to vivid life. Very talented voice. So many glorious details, Deborah is brilliant.

Does NOT rival Diana Gabaldon!

(No spoilers!) I enjoyed this story, but after finishing the whole series and coming back to write my reviews, I can say that this book is the best. Book 2 was frustrating, and by book 3 I was just invested in the story and wanted to know how it finished. I feel like it could be so much better with more character development.

This book is intriguing because it opens the window to a new world. It's new, exciting, and interesting! I wish the momentum would've kept going through the 2nd and 3rd book.

I still recommend starting this series for an easy listen, just don't believe the claim that this world rivals Diana Gabaldon and Outlander! While I like this series for what it is, I feel like that is an insult to Outlander.

mesmerizing!

I absolutely adored this book. I decided to read it after catching the first season on TV. the television show does not do this book Justice. the descriptions, the characters and the story sucked me in a thousand percent. after reading this book I actually want to visit London. this author has a gift and I'm so thankful that she is sharing it with the world

Amazing story line!!

I never write reviews for anything, but I enjoyed this book so much that I felt I should! The story line, characters, mentions of history, danger and love kept me entranced and I didn’t want to stop listening. I found myself listening at time I wouldn’t normally, while driving and cleaning for example. I can’t wait to hear the rest in the series!

I love the descriptor style

I don't mind the highly descriptive style of this book, as some others seem to, it helps me fill in the gaps of time periods I'm not entirely familiar with. I cross-referenced the places that were real & mentioned, and it's clear that the author did a lot of research in order to be able to bring us this fantasy. The architectural descriptions alone... I wouldn't be surprised if Ms. Harkness had someone in her life with such a background, amazing! The museologist in me deeply appreciates the reverence given to the manuscripts and to the past in this book.