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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One of the best books of my experience. A unique story, well crafted with remarkable characters! Happily its the first in a trilogy and now there is a fourth!
It captures the reader in the first chapter and never lets you go.
This is one of my fave books of all time! The vampire, witch and demon lore is off-the-charts! This is right up my alley. The history, magic, and world-building are beyond enthralling on every level! The show is incredible as well. I’m totally addicted to his book and the series!
This book contains mystery, suspense, romance and a fascinating view of the otherworlds. A great read, the complete trilogy.
I watched the tv series before I found out it was based off of the books. So I started reading the series and it was the best story I have heard. I love the story between Matthew and Diana. The more you read the more you find out how connected they are. The way she astounds him everytime he thinks she can’t handle something is just so much fun to read. She is a strong woman and he is not used to that. If you like mythical reads, then this is for you. Makes you question a lot of things as well.
A great series!! They even made it into a TV aeries
All three books read as one and you need to read them in order. Well done.
I think it is a fantastic book filled with so much alchemical and scientific elements; everything is so interesting to read and I love that determination of Matthew and Diana to be together despite the Covenant.
It is a fantastic book that I would recommend to everyone, particularly those who are interested in science or history.
I loved this series!!
Thanks to my kindle and BARD App audio, I got lost in this world!
I enjoyed this book so much, I read and listened to it slowly and savored every chapter. These characters come alive and draw you into their world of mystery and romance! The pandemic disappeared, and I got some much needed relief. Isn’t that what a great book should do?
When I first read this series all I could say was… Wow! Very original and just an awesome read! Not just a fluffy read either, there is some hard core medical, DNA, historic, and other such information in here. Not a light read, but we’ll worth it!
Damn it.
I finished A Discovery of Witches, ignored my intuition not to buy book 2, then bought book 2 immediately upon finishing book 1.
I can’t help it, I love the concept. I love the bookish witchiness of the first chapters. The protagonist is a witch that’s a historian, that works with books in fancy English libraries, she drinks tea, damn it…that’s very seductive to bookish folk. Well done, Harkness.
Then, Diana, the protagonist meets a vampire.
Plus, there are demons.
Then… the romance happens at an alarming Twilight rate. Yup, I’ve said it again, Twilight. A Discovery of Witches will remind you ALOT of Twilight if you’ve ever had the misfortune of reading a book in the Twilight saga.
As an author, I never speak ill about other books. Not everyone is a golden coin. Some readers might love my work, some might hate it.
However, when I talk shit about Twilight, I do so as a reader. I hate Twilight. Edward is a creepy MOFO, but kudos to Meyers for having the type of literary success that I can only dream about.
Witches will remind you a great deal of Twilight. I had to work hard to get past that. In fact, when it got a little over the top with the romance, I just skipped ahead.
I recommend A Discovery of Witches to anyone who loves witches, vampires, demons and all the wonderful things that go with these creatures.
One of my favorite novels. Intelligent plot, knowledge and very well written.
Such a rich universe of characters. Upended typical vampire & witch stories, added daemons to the mix and re-defined them all. Incredible personal tension along with thrilling, twisty, fantasy plot.
But, wait there’s more (follow up books)! Read a few years ago and diving back into them. Many an hour has been and will be lost again.
What a wonderful book and series! I’m addicted. Great storyline, fast read. Can’t wait for more.
Diana Bishop is a descendant from the first witch executed in Salem, MA. She has denied her power ever since her parents died when she was a child. That may not be possible anymore since she recalled a manuscript that seems to be bewitched, and thought to be missing. Not only are the witches looking for it, but demons, and vampires as well. amd they are descending on Diana believing she has it. One vampire in particular Matthew Clairmont has been looking for it for 150 years. When he sought out Diana to recover the manuscript, he never expected it to change his life forever.
I have wanted to read this for a while, but never got around to it. So, when the TV show came out I thought I would read it before watching.
It doesn’t exactly stand out amongst all the other urban fantasies. Diana is the same stubborn, headstrong heroine, and Matthew is the same overly protective, cautious vampire we have read in other urban fantasies. Possibly the author is holding too much of the lore back as a mystery. That being said I still enjoyed it, and will keep reading the series.
An interesting take on the vampire myth.
The 1st in the series. The vampires and witches live among us.
Loved how their worlds Collided yet their relationship flourished
Wonderful book I couldn’t put it down. I started book 2 in this trilogy. A must read for all lovers of paranormal romantic suspense.