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)

Good not Great

Any additional comments?

It am not a fan of the Twilight books as I find them offensive. The lead character is weak and annoying and the love scenes are boring and far too chased, lets not even get into the bedazzled vampires. This is better then that as the lead character is stronger and the love story a bit more interesting but not as fun as say a Sookie Stackhouse novel which I really enjoy. I have read all the Stackhouse novels and am on a search for something I like as much. This book is good and I enjoyed it. I would read or listen to more form Deborah Harkness but I did find the main character to be a bit annoying, she is like the witch in the old show bewitched, all this magic and doesn't use it, stupid. The love story a little slow and chased for my taste but until there are more Sookie books this will do.

Loved this book!!!

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

I purchased this book on audible to use up a credit....Boy am I glad I did....I couldn't get enough of it. The story line, the history, the narrator were all great. I lost myself in the telling of the tale. I can't wait for the second book in the trilogy....The Anticipation is killing me....

More Than I Expected...

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

The story line is what had me hooked. Each character had their own definitive personality.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the magic thats weaved into the story, and the love between the two main characters.

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

If I were reading the book, I probably would have set it down. Jennifer gave life to the main character especially.

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

When the witch and vampire realized there love for another.

Any additional comments?

Give it a try!

Fun

Very cute and fun. Not to mushy . Cant wait to read the next book.

Witches, demons, and vampires what else can you ask for?!

Great story about witches, vampires, and demons with some history involved! Book can be very slow at times. But if I were to describe it using other books, it would be a combination of outlander meets twilight and Harry Potter, without the sex from outlander, the teen non sense from twilight, and quidditch from Harry Potter.

Wonderful!

A wonderful concoction of witch, vampire, demon, the elements, power, danger, love, and life. Looking forward to the next book!

Read it twice

Enjoyable read! My only disappointment is that it ended - and no sequel is on the market yet. So read it twice in two weeks. Anxiously await the sequel and another dose of Matthew Clairmont!

Liked it so much, wrote my first review.

Magic and a Love Story

What about Jennifer Ikeda’s performance did you like?

The narrator at times, spoke too softly that I had trouble hearing the book, but I liked how she changed up her tone for the different characters.

Any additional comments?

The story focused a bit too heavily on the love story, rather than the fascinating creatures.....

wonderfully made!

I loved this book. I couldn't stop listening!! It's absolutely magical! The story is well told and it will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Amazing!!

I wish this had come out before twilight! I love this story!! Must read this!