Book one of the New York Times-bestselling All Souls trilogy—“a wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People). Look for the hit TV series “A Discovery of Witches,” streaming on AMC Plus, Sundance Now and Shudder. Season 2 premieres January 9, 2021! Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight … 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, and concludes with The Book of Life.
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I’m going to write a general review about the trilogy and copy it for all 3. I LOVED this read. The plot concept was original, the story was well developed (I hate reading short chapters – sure sign development not there) and I could not stop reading until I had finished all 3 books. I’m a big fan and found this story quite entertaining. Hope Harkness is not quite done – seemed to me the final ending left a few things hanging.
This total series is one of the best most enjoyable stories of a vampire and a witch that I have read. Characters are intelligent, romantic,thoughtful and strong. Historical info is well researched and twisted intelligently. I have never referred this series to anyone who hasn’t liked it.
Couldn’t get through it
I don’t know what the fuss is about. Very slow moving. I enjoyed the vampire mother.
Definitely a teen novel. A little too fictional for my taste.
I started this book thinking, sag this is a thick book & the print is so tiny”. Then I started this book & within a week I was in to the 2nd book in the trilogy. Diane Bishop, a witch who seems to have no powers, Matthew de Clermont, a vampire,sorted daemons , good and evil witches & vampires . After Diane gets her powers & she does the unthinkable, marries her vampire Matthew ,adventures ensue. They travel back to the 1500’s and, well, you will just have to read it yourself.
I was so invested in this family and all the connection I finished the trilogy in 3 weeks. I felt like family. A must read!
Whoa, I was hooked right from the start, read the whole series, watched season 1 of the TV series on BBC America (not as good as the books). Loved everything about it, the characters, the time frame(s), wonderful read!
Memorable! The book will be one if the best books that you have ever read! It’s one of those stories that makes you crave more! Better than the most sinful piece of chocolate cake!
I have read this book many times. It is wonderful and captivating. If you love worlds of vampires and witches read this book you won’t be disappointed. Also check out the other 2 books in the trilogy. Soooooooo good.
I love the world Deborah Harkness creates with vampires, witches and deamons. I like her alterations to the typical knowledge of vampires. I enjoyed the book when describing Bodleian Library, Sept-Tours and madison the the book drags in each of these areas!
Thankfully the love affair between Matthew and Diana is not like the Twilight Series, that has been overdone!
Diana’s home is my favorite character!! What does that say, when the object is more memorable than the people?
I wish the book was not so wordy!! It bogs down the rhythm and repeats itself unnecessarily. I typically chow through a book in 2 days but this one took me over a week! It was so easy to put down and forget about it.
I read all three books together. Even with the length of all three I couldn’t wait to get back to reading them each day.
This book is a somewhat more sophisticated version of Twilight, with a dash of Practical Magic mixed in. It found it predictable, with a plot that dragged.
I would give it ten stars if I could. So very well written. Amazing plot. Absolutely loved this book.
I read the book after watching the British TV show. It was very interesting. I have also read the second book in the trilogy, ( I didn’t want to wait for the TV show, had to find out what happens). I still have the last book to read, I’m sure it is going to be an amazing end to a great series.
Not at all what I expected, but glad that I took the time to read it. I plan on reading the balance of the books in the series.
My husband and I listened to this book as we drove back from my parents house in the car. It was so good we hooked it up through the house speakers to finish it.
In my first attempt at reading A Discovery of Witches approximately 3 years ago, I was unfortunately unable to get into it.
I’m so glad I decided to give it another shot. It was kind of a slow start but once it gets going its very difficult to put down.
The characters are somewhat over the top, but it works for the story and subject matter.
Some bits did seem to be added for filler. I think there could’ve been a little less of the library, exercise, the repetitive need for sleep and injuries. It can be overlooked by the rest of the book.
Started out well, I had to stop reading when the vampires had to kill Aniston eat
Loved the entire 3 nook series and was so sad to finish the last book. Highly recommend!
Totally wasn’t sure what to expect. The characters are awesome. The world feels so real. I could not stop reading or talking about this book.