A Discovery of Witches

A Novel

By: Deborah Harkness

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

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)

Can't Please Everyone...

If you decide what you read and/or listen to according to the reviews found on this web site then you will be cheating yourself. As you can tell from the reviews of this novel they run the gamut. I've never read a book that was "perfect"... even the ones that get across the board 5-star reviews aren't perfect. This is my advise... those of you who are hyper critical about narrators take the time to listen to the audio sample of the story offered for every selection on the site, the selection is usually fairly long and should give you amble time to judge the quality of the narration. It should also give you taste of the story. I liked this book and I thought it was a new twist on the vampire story... lots of new material... lots of interesting visualization and I thought the narrator was very good. I know these things are expensive and if you get one that disappoints you then that's wasted money in your mind, but consider that the taste for a story is as varied as our opinions of everything else in life... my father said, "opinions are like .... everyone has one and no one is interested in yours except you!"

Spoke to the author through Facebook!

This book has something for everyone! It has a fast paced plot that includes fantasy, romance, action, suspense, mystery, and historical fiction. The narrator was excellent especially considering the many accents that were required for the characters.

I wrote to the author on her Facebook page and she wrote me back almost immediately! Good news for anyone else who enjoyed this book!

Me: Just finished your book which I purchased from audible.com
I was hooked right away and thought the narrator was wonderful in further bringing the characters to life. I'm so glad to read there's going to be a second book! I was wondering if you were thinking of writing a series? I hope so!!! This is what i have been looking for since Twilight and Harry Potter. I especially love what the true historical parts bring to the story. It helps make the story come to life! Thank you! :)

Reply:
Deborah Harkness: There will be two more books--and I agree that Jennifer Ikeda is fantastic. I've been listening to it as I travel and it's brought the whole book back to life for me, too.


The only thing I wish was different about this book is that, at times, I wish the story would slow down and go into more depth, especially about some of the historical aspects of this book. Perhaps an illustrated version would be available someday? :)

Sad for it to be over!

This was a wonderfully written, engaging book. I just finished listening and wasn't ready for it to be over! But realizing it MUST be the beginning of a series made me happy but sad to have to wait for the next book!

The Great Escape!

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

lush lovely long

Any additional comments?

This book is a treat for anyone looking to escape reality. I loved the world the author painted for me and the narrator set it off perfectly moving between accents and dialects like a champ!

LOVED THIS BOOK

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

This book was awesome, aside from being one of my favorite subjects, witches and vampires, the narrator was excellent, the vampire was sexy and brooding, with a sometimes French and sometimes British accent and the story was exciting with plenty of surprises and bad guys.

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

I loved all of the book. I liked when Matthew and Diana were in France at his family estate probably the best, but all of it was good

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

. She did such a fabulous job with the male characters, which I find to be challenging for female narrators sometimes, but she made each one unique and in depth.

Any additional comments?

Excellent book, and I was really sad when I realized that there was a whole lot more that needed to happen before there was an "end" and I looked at the library to find out this is only the first book in a series...and the next book will not be available until July >.< I hate waiting...

It's nice but should have a pink cover to warn men

The author is intelligent, imaginative and tells a compelling story. She sets you up for a real scholarly mystery that spans the ages. And she was doing great for the first 1/4 of the book and then she introduced us to "Matthew" who is the protagonist's Night in Shining Armor and after that the story got mired down into something I would describe as a Smacked up Twilight. Every once in a while the story would start getting back on track for mystery and intrigue and as soon as she gave me some hope she went back to dwelling on his Broad Shoulders and dreamy eyes (Ugh).

This is probably a good story for women but it should come with a warning for men (which is why I'm writing this review) that says "Girly Book - Stay away".

Oh before I close this out - Kudos to the Narator - She did a great job as well.

Before I get Slammed by other readers as being misogynistic or worse - please not that I rated this a 4 because I think Ms. Harkness is a brilliant author. I just wish I had been warned that it was a Romance novel and not a mystery novel.

Jackpot

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

Captivating. Commanding. Ardent

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

A Game of Thrones, both books have characters that are so well developed that they become part of your family. You are given the chance to understand them slowly but throughly. You are happy when they are happy, sad when they are sad, and cry when they cry. Also, at the end of one book you are just so happy that there is another one because you don't want the story to end.

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

She ia such a gifted narrator. She has the ability to keep each character separate and give each of them their own personalities. She reads with such feeling that you feel what you think they must be experiencing. She is able to draw the reader in and you are happy to be listening. Ms. Ikeda's voice is mesmerizing.

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

Any of the moments that gave me more insight into the relationship between Matthew's mom, Ysabeau and Diana.

Any additional comments?

If there are ever any movies or a series made using these books there must be special attention to detail. I hope they do it with honor and respect. I have listened to this series numerous times and hear something new each time. Deborah Harkness should be commended on her excellent and through research. It is a great treat to listen to such a well written book. Thank you Ms. Harkness.

Great escape

If you're looking for a great read. A discovery of witches won't disappoint. The rich combination of history and fantasy makes it a great escape. One of the very few books I don't mind reading again and again. The reader brings the story alive. It is funny, dramatic and serious at times. If you like history and fantasy then this is the book for you. I highly recommend.

A Must Listen

This debut novel is full of historical reference, fantasy and romance. I have recently been drawn to the Vampire genre with mixed reviews but Ms. Harkness has written a book that has me anxious for more.

Demons and Witches and Vampires, Oh My

Throw in bewitched alchemical manuscript called up from the Oxford's Bodleian Library by Diana Bishop ??? a descendant of the Salem Witches ??? that wants nothing to do with being witch. Throw in a 1500 year old vampire Matthew Clairmont ??? a geneticist. Throw in other daemons and witches and vampires that will do anything to get their hands on Diana Bishop who can break the spell of this magical book. There is magic, romance and suspense as Diana and Matthew try to keep each other safe in London, France and finally America.

This debut novel by novelist Deborah Harkness had me total fascinated and could not put it down. The book (some 24 hours) was narrated by Jennifer Ikeda did an awesome job ..her voice for me was perfect for Diana.

My only regret with this book .. I have to wait until next summer for Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)