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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This book probably deserves a higher rating, but I just had high expectations that weren’t met so I was left a bit disappointed. It has some of the middling-to-good bits of Twilight, some of the middling bits of Harry Potter, and some flaws of it’s own. The book itself did not feel fast-paced, which is a problem because it all takes place in something like 40 days? Which, yes, does seem like a long enough time, but we have characters moving into romantic relationships, mystery solving, and a lot of other things going on that felt like they needed more chronological time to come together than they actually had. And it’s not like the date isn’t mentioned- there is dialogue about how long it has been between events and things, so it’s not like you can ignore the fact that (and the romance was the sticking point for me in particular for this- it felt like too much too soon, and not in the swept-of-your-feet kind of way but the girlfriend-what-are-your-life-choices-I’m-concerned kind of way) things are happening FAST.
The romance itself and the relationships characters develop with each other seem to be built up at first like they are going to have to deal with a lot of obstacles, or that they will have to overcome a lot of personal prejudice, but that potential tension ends up fizzling out pretty quickly and everyone gets along great after about ten pages of meeting each other. I can forgive this, actually, for the romance- it is a refreshing changes from romances that keep tension going unnecessarily to prolong the will-they-won’t-they past reasonable expectations. I need to find some books where the main characters start off in an already-established and healthy relationship just to change things up. That would be so interesting to read! I’m hopeful for the next books in this series (I will read them- but the Kindle version of the sequel is $14 dollars which, at that point, I might as well buy the paper or hardback. So will definitely be waiting on a sale for that one because that price for a Kindle book kind of offends me.) as the main plot (not the romance portion of it, because it is very central to the main plot so if you’re looking for romantic subplot, this isn’t it) has some promise. Three…they call them creatures in the books so, three types of creatures fighting amongst themselves with deep prejudice for each other. And a group with members who are Witches, Vampires, and Deamons, all coming together and saying: enough. People should be free to be friends with who they want to be, to love who they want to love. It is, yes, a plot and a concept that has been done many times, but this is something I think that really can’t be done too much. And I appreciate that it’s flat-out-stated that they main group isn’t fighting for one couple to be able to be together- they are fighting for everyone in the past who wasn’t able to be truly happy due to this law, and everyone in the future who deserves to have the choice open to them. And that’s pretty powerful. The fight is about more than just the main characters, and that puts everything on a grander scale.
There were twists I didn’t see coming, some I did. The characters were interesting and flawed and not always great at dealing with each other’s flaws. Again, I just had higher expectations that weren’t met so I was left a bit disappointed. Maybe someday I’ll give it a reread and like it more without having all the hype in my head to make me think I might be picking up something like LOTR or Harry Potter.
I’ve been meaning to delve into this trilogy for years and finally got inspired to start it when I read reviews of the TV adaptation televised recently in the UK. Loved this book and have already begun on book two. Can’t wait until the TV series is available in the US.
Loved this whole series.
This book draws you in from the characters- who are brought to life so well you want to be friends with them- to the plot which covers new ideas on vampires, witches & daemons! Riveting! A Must read for anyone in fantasy!!!
I loved this book, I can’t wait for the other 2 books I the trilogy.
I love this series! One of my favorites.
Fabulous read! A little bit of everything!
I’ve read these books twice and I’m sure I’ll read them again.
Good read with interesting premise. Dragged a bit in the middle.
I thoroughly enjoyed A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness. The story is a page-turner with wonderful characters, and it’s part of the All-Souls Trilogy. A fantastic Halloween read!
I enjoyed it very much.
I would recommend the whole series. I cannot tell you how many times I have read the series, but this is the book that started it all! Love, LOve, LOVE!!!!!!! Read it, you won’t be disappointed.
Love it,
Oh, my. Took my time to absorb all of the informaion. Wondeful complete information to help me follow the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the characters.
A great paranormal love story that has great character development in the rest of the series.
I loved this book and I can’t wait to start the next book in the series!
What an amazing book and story. It was a wonderful journey and I am so looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I definitely recommend this book, this author and this series.
I really enjoyed this book. The science adds a layer of reality that is really cool.
I read this book a few years ago and still think about it often. It’s got magic, time travel, witches, vampire’s…it’s really good.
3.5 *** t’s was a bit insta-lovey for me but I enjoyed it.