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 usually don’t read what I term “chicklit,” but I was intrigued enough by the storyline and the characters. I enjoy book that take place in England and France. This is the first of a trilogy. Te author took several years to write the last book and I waited breathlessly. All the books end on cliffhangers.
I wish she would write more.
I found this to be quite entertaining and it kept my interest all through the book. Well written
I thoroughly devoured this novel the first time I read it and have reread it many times. Each time, I find something new to love about it. The characters are really well-done and the romance between Matthew and Diana will delight readers. Harkness crafts an intricate and layered story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
A Discovery of Witches deftly marries so many elements: magic, history, family relationships, love, paranormal politics. There’s really something for everyone contained in this book and the writing style makes it a fun read. Harkness’s world-building is spot on and this book truly is the ultimate escape. You will feel as though you are right alongside Matthew and Diana as you follow them on their adventures.
Enjoy!
5 Stars. Definitely going down as one of my favorites. I loved it.
I really enjoyed this first book in the series. A fresh take on well-loved tropes. Vampires and witches for adults.
I literally love this book so much along with the whole series!!
Loved how Deborah brought the characters Diana and Matthew to life. I had watched the tv series based on the books and knew I had to read the books as well. Could not put the book down. I am now onto the second book and still a page turner too
The All Souls trilogy are some of the best books I have ever read. They rival the classics and are destined to join them.
The most romantic book I’ve ever read.
A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls trilogy. Fabulous book!
I let A Discovery of Witches sit on my TBR for YEARS and the physical book sit on my shelf for MONTHS before I picked it up to read. There is no good reason so why it took this long to read it, except that the size of it was kinda daunting. Picking up a book in a series and knowing that it will take a while fore me to get through the whole book makes it a struggle for me to start. However, I did start it and within a week I was starting book two in the series.
I fell so inlove with Diana and Mathew. Turning those pages faster and faster. There is a lot to this story, and so many characters to keep track of. But not is a difficult way. It is easy to remember everyone because of how they are introduced throughout. And AND! Every character has a purpose to drive the story along. No one feels like a filler character, the all have a reason and bring something else to the story.
The stars of the story though are obviously Mathew and Diana. Forbidden love at its finest! In a world of magic where vampire and witches are not meant to associate let alone fall in love, they have many factors plotting against their union. But nothing can stop something as pure and natural as Diana and Mathew’s union. They are just so sweet together. I adored how protective they are of each other. It was so nice to read a Paranormal book that gave the female lead strength. She was not dependent of Mathew to save her, she saved her self as well as him on multiple occasions. Strength apart but together unstoppable. So so so so so GOOD! If you have not read A Discovery of Witches yet I highly recommend.
-Mackenzie Bibliophile
Somehow I never heard of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness until a friend recommended it to me recently. I don’t read a lot of fantasy or paranormal literature as a rule. I enjoyed it a lot because it has all the ingredients I look for: interesting, well-developed characters, a bit of humor, mystery, a twisty plot, and great settings (I would so like to visit the Bodleian Library). It also has something I’ve never previously encountered in a novel: characters speaking Old French or Occitan. My copy of the second book in the series is on its way.
This is an Awesome book . It gets you from the start and you won’t be able to put it down..It takes you to a world of magic .
You will Love the characters.
I’ve read it 4 times.
This book was excellent and very well-written. I’ve always been fascinated by stories witches and sorcery, especially ones that move back and forth between days of long ago and the present and this book did not disappoint. I was sad to turn over the last page, but the ending was written so that you knew there would be more to come…and there was! The other two books in the trilogy are just as well done and I highly recommend reading them.
I liked this book, but it was too focused on the romance and I’m not really fond of vampire stories. Well written and I liked the characters.
Love this series!
Read all 3
I love this series. It’s not your typical witch/vampire love story. Highly recommend this to anyone.
Love this book!!!