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.
more
I really enjoyed this story.
I became so enamored with watching A Discovery of Witches on BBC America that I went out and bought Deborah Harkness’ fabulous book, and was equally bewitched by its story and characters.
Good twist to the paranormal genre!!! Great series!&
I couldn’t wait to finish the series. Now it’s on cable TV, yippee!
Love this story!
AWESOME Book!!!!
Really enjoyable read. Whatever possessed Harkness to drag this out into a listless trilogy, is a mystery.
“A Discovery of Witches” earns 5+/5 Grimoires…Compelling!
If you are watching the mini series based of Deborah Harkness’s “A Discovery of Witches” and believe there is no reason to then read the trilogy, you are so terribly mistaken. You will miss out on so much history of the various creatures, insights into the characters background, and descriptions of the various scientific and historical research, buildings and castles, food, and wine…oh, the tastes and fragrances of wine. If you’re watching and desire more, or you’ve not seen the mini series and are just interested, this is the perfect place to begin!
After having mysteriously called up Ashmole 782, an old book sought by many over the centuries, Dr. Diana Bishop, descended from an ancient and distinguished family of witches, meets Professor Matthew Clairmont, descended from an ancient and distinguished family of de Clermont vampires. There connection is undeniably strong, but their association is strictly, if not dangerously, forbidden. The complex emotional journey of Diana and Matthew brings to mind the conflicts found between the Capulets and the Montagues…without the blood and magic. Their efforts to uncover the origins and future of their species takes the reader from England to France to Italy pitting family against family and species against species. Watching the mini series together with reading the book has strengthened the visuals in my mind’s eye. It is an extraordinary experience I highly recommend.
LOVED IT. Wow. Why?
– awesome world-building
– Magic (who doesn’t like a spot of magic?)
– vampires (never thoughts I would write that as I am NOT a vampire gal, but dammit Harkness nails it)
– plenty o’ inter-species romance and a ton of romantic longing (yay!)
– great characters (not just Diana & Mathew, but all the supporting cast as well)
– setting is incredible. I went to Oxford (law degree) and spent a good chunk of every day at the Bodleian and she evokes it perfectly. She must have actually studied there to get such a good description of the place. Has she? Must find out.
– Diana’s intelligence and academic study add a lovely intellectual bent to the story, which I adored.
Just all around a great read. I have already bought book #2 in the series. 😉
I love books that take old mythology (vampires, witches, demons!) and brings it into the 21st century, giving these characters a totally modern take.
Loved it! I have recommended the series to several of my friends. I enjoyed the characters and getting to the next book. I read all 3 straight through!
Absolutely obsessed with this book and the entire series!!
Great book! Enjoyed the entire trilogy, The characters were likeable and interesting.
Excellent writer and an excellent series. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading a great story that’s written well
I was enjoying this book. The idea is awesome, but a couple hours in it went from being a fantasy novel into a straight romance novel which really isn’t my thing. I enjoy light romance in my books but it can’t really be the main theme or I lose interest.
WOW! This book was terrific! Loved all the characters and the way the story unfolded.
Well thought out story, great characters, good premise
Couldn’t put it down
Have read this whole series. Liked them a lot.
Great new twist on the Vampire / Witch culture. Watched the pilot of the new TV series last night. As usual, the book is sooo much better. One’s imagination can provide a lot better special effects. Still I will be a series fan, of both series – novels and TV.