A Discovery of Witches

A Novel

By: Deborah Harkness

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Book one of the New York Times bestselling All Souls series, from the author of The Black Bird Oracle.

Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on Netflix

“A wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People).

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.

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

“Harkness conjures up a scintillating paranormal story. . . . Discover why everyone’s talking about this magical book.”
—USA Today

“Delightfully well-crafted and enchantingly imaginative . . . It has some of the same ineluctable atmosphere that made Anne Rice’s vampire books such a popular success.”
—Miami Herald

“A debut novel with a big supernatural canvas . . . Its ambitions are world-sized, ranging across history and zeroing in on DNA, human and otherwordly. Age-old tensions between science and magic and between evolution and alchemy erupt as Diana seeks to unlock the secrets of Ashmole 782.”
—Los Angeles Times

“Harkness, an eloquent writer, conjures this world of witches with Ivy League degrees and supernatural creatures completely—and believably—while maintaining a sense of wonder. . . . A Discovery of Witches is that rare historical novel that manages to be as intelligent as it is romantic. And it is supernatural fiction that those of us who usually prefer to stay grounded in reality can get caught up in. Pardon the pun, but Witches is truly spellbinding.”
—San Antonio News-Express

“Readers who thrilled to Elizabeth Kostova’s 2005 blockbuster, The Historian, will note the parallels, but A Discovery of Witches is a modern Romeo and Juliet story, with older, wiser lovers. Blood will flow when a witch and a vampire fall for each other. Author Deborah Harkness, a UCLA history professor, brings vast knowledge and research to the page.”
—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Harkness works her own form of literary alchemy by deftly blending fantasy, romance, history, and horror into one completely bewitching book.”
—Chicago Tribune

“A Discovery of Witches becomes increasingly charming as it goes along. . . . A shrewdly written romp and a satisfying snow-day read for those of us who heartily enjoyed the likes of Anne Rice and Marion Zimmer Bradley. By the book’s rousing end . . . I was impatient for the sequel.”
—NPR

It's a Witch meets Vampire story with character

I don't hesitate to give this book 5 stars. It is not billed as a fine work of literature... it's a Vampire and Witch book with great character development, good pacing and some fun historical jumps. It is perfectly what it's supposed to be and very enjoyable at that. A delightful yarn! I am wondering what people who are giving it such poor reviews were expecting....

Superbly fills the need for an adult oriented series in the vampire/witch fantasy genre

As an adult reader of fantasy fiction, i often find myself craving something a little more grown up than the typical fare targeted towards teenage readers. This book satisfies that craving admirably.

I'm writing this review after my second listen and having already listened to the remaining books in the series. I really appreciate the narrator and the story. They fit together so nicely.

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.

Where is the next one?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to those who love vampires, witches, and stories that unravel slowly. I love the way she gives you time to become acquainted with the characters and their relationships to each other. I just hope she doesn't intend to end the story there.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really liked the first part of the book, when eeryone was still a mystery.

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

The first part

Suprisingly engrossing

I typically do not read the reviews. However, when I have they have been more helpful than not. This one had me on the fence mostly because of the negative comments about the reader. I can tell you the books that a bad reader has killed for me but, not now:) This book was suprising in it's expance of history and supposition. It more than kept my attention and actually had me creating time to listen over and above my norm. I like that. I was thoroughly entertained and am looking forward to her next book in the series.