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 most terrific & non-typical treatment of Witches

What did you love best about A Discovery of Witches?

I thought the cautiously developed relationship and then to true love was handled extremely well and very realistic for a fantasy novel. Very tough to deal with archetypes that have been done to death and done to silliness like the Twilight series exemplifies. THIS work is just the first chapter in a Triology. Leaves anyone wanting more and explains why it's been doing so well on the top selling books lists in over two dozen languages,

Who was your favorite character and why?

Actually I like our heroines dead mother and father best because it is they that are truly at the heart of what we have only begun to glimpse.

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

She does a very excellent job of reading, but also bringing life and characters to all the characters she has to read for. It's never confusing which character is talking even when many are in the same scene.

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

It's far too long for such a thing, but I have gotten through this book and the second in a few long road trips and enjoyed the company. Can't wait for the release of the final chapter to this trilogy and hope Hollywood takes notice and chooses to make this with the same quality they are handling Game of Thrones with. Anything less, would be a waste of such excellent writing.

Any additional comments?

I think the books do speak for themselves whether in audio form as I have them, or in the written form.

Amazing book - can't wait for books 2 & 3!

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

Yes. The narrator was wonderful. The accents, different voices and inflections really add to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The details, the slow burn of the romance, the paranormal aspects and how the characters end up becoming a family supporting each other.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the house coughed up the manuscripts pages.

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

Yes, but it's too long and detailed. And then it's done and you can't wait for the next book!

Any additional comments?

Amazing new author!

4 Stars, but way too long

This book would have been so much better if it was about 8 hours shorter. Although I did enjoy the story (I like romance) it did drag in some places. I do plan to read the next book (already downloaded), but I need a little break from such a long story.

Great Escape!

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

Intriguing story with many layers pulled me in and was very satisfying. I really enjoyed the narrator's ability to switch between characters and do all of the accents - highly skilled!!

What did you like best about this story?

The many layers and historical depth of the storyline was great and very interesting

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

Isabeau and Diana

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

I laughed a lot and cared about what was happening to the characters; I almost cried at one point but I won't spoil it for others by saying where or what happened- that would not be fair!!

Love the History, Like the Characters

I was torn because of the reviews but am very glad I got this book. I am 1/2 way through it and am enjoying it greatly. It has a lot of different facets to it and I'm enjoying the different story lines. I love historical fiction and really like the paranormal twist. This isn't "another vampire book." I find those knock-off vampire books annoying... This has depth and you should garner some new knowledge about many different things. The only thing I'd like to have seen is more detail in explaining things such as the house system at Oxford, etc. I get the main idea but don't know how the whole thing works and would have found that interesting. That said, if you like historical fiction mixed with the paranormal, try this one...you'll like it! :)

Not for everyone, but I loved it!

I don't agree that this is just "True Blood" for adults. It's so much more imaginative, and the narration is so wonderful that I've actually listened to it twice. It's a wonderful story full of suspense, mystery, magic, and romance. I'll probably keep coming back to this one, there's never a dull moment.

Very Entertaining!

I enjoyed it! A story about a world inhabited by witches, vamps, daemons & of course humans. The storyline wasn't original but the history, mythology, & science earns this book some merits. Plus, the narrator did an excellent job! Look forward to future books in this series.

Very Entertaining

I enjoyed it so much the first time, I'm listening again....completely entertaining! I'm in agony to find out if or when the story will be continued. This was a fantastic beginning to what I hope is a series.

So worth it!

I loved this story. I fell in love with the characters immediately and bought the rest of the books after only the first few chapters. Can't wait for more of this story.

Wonderful Magical Historical Love Story

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

Magical love story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matthew. Absolutely flawed beautiful man than cares deeply for those he loves and he's never able to protect any of them or himself. He needs Diana for that.

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

Narration is great.

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

Yes.