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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Strong female characters, self-discovery with fantasy and historical connections.
Kind of boring. I had to force myself to read it
Thoroughly entertaining. Could not stop reading this book.
Exceptional writing. Great storytelling.
I adore Ms. Harkness and her world building! I feel like I’m walking along in historical places and experiencing what each of her characters are! An amazing author, My only wish is for more books!!
I love this book and series!! Lots of history. Forbidden love!! Deborah Harkness is truly amazing!!
This is a supernatural love story about an unlikely pair–a witch, who doesn’t know her powers, and a vampire who does. I especially appreciated that the author assumed a certain level of intelligence on the part of the reader.
Loved this book….Loved the whole series…felt like I was there!!
Oh how I love these books!! If I could crawl inside the covers and join the stories, I would not hesitate. It pulled me in from the start, no boring spots, no what the heck moments, just pure attention grabbing reading from beginning to end. My husband,(who is not a reader 🙁 ), has learned that when I love what I am reading, I do not hear or see anything. Including him. He had a very hard time when we were first married, because he did understand how I could be oblivious to the tv, the phone, the door, the cats, or him. After 27 and a half years, he has gotten used to it. He has Star Trek, Marvel, sports and war movies. I have books and music. It has worked well. I sit beside him, oblivious to what is going on, and he is fine. LOL Please read these wonderful, amazing books! You will not be sorry, I promise!
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is the first book in her All Souls Trilogy . The sensationally magical story of an American witch with no desire for her powers and the centuries old vampire that irrevocably changes her life. Diana Bishop is a witch with limited skill and prefers to think of herself as the scholar she is. Focused on historical Alchemy, she journeys to Oxford for work and somehow manages to get her hands on a magical manuscript. Unbeknownst to her at the time, it is a highly coveted, most sought-after, and elusive tome that no one has seen in centuries only to have her call it from the archives of the Bodleian with ease.
Matthew Clairmont has been searching for this book for centuries believing it to be a book of origins of the vampire, witch and daemon species and hoping it has answers to why all the species are dying out and losing power. Learning that a young and inept witch has managed to call the text forth from the archives and going to investigate is a life-changing event for him. Diana Bishop is everything his ancient soul never knew it needed and despite how badly he tries to deny his attraction to her their relationship evolves.
But with an ancient like Matthew there are secrets – he has lived a hundred lifetimes and has a hundred lifetimes of secrets – but the depth of some of what he keeps from Diana may break them before they even have a chance to explore the bizarre dynamics of a witch and vampire relationship.
Addictive! This series is quite possibly as addictive as Matthew’s attraction to Diana! Now also a wonderful TV series on Sundance Channel, I was blown away with how entranced I was with these characters. The main characters, the secondary characters, the world-building. Definitely one of my best reads of 2019! Enjoy!
fun to read, always interesting seeing different vampire/ witch theories.
Enjohyable characters, relationships, and easy-to-read writing.
Deborah Harkness can do no wrong!
I read this book about four ears ago. I recommend reading the first two books or you might get lost
Great book
It is unique among many titles as it has lots of historical detail as well as time travel, witches & other fasinating individuals. Well written.
Loved it!
The author does a great job creating “chemistry” between the main characters. Well woven with historical notes
This was a great book. Be sure to read the rest of the trilogy.
Best time travel I ever read.