A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1) by Deborah Harkness

Feb 18, 2012 Squee rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: the-idiocracy-is-here

Upon sighting this book in a soon-to-be-closed Borders store, I was intrigued. The blurb sounded interesting and the first couple of pages seemed competently written. Despite the huge discount, I hesitated, and instead checked the book out from the library.

And am I ever glad that I didn't actually buy it.

The book started out promising. Protagonist Diana Bishop, distinguished history scholar and professor (just like the author! uh oh...), repressed witch, tea aficionado, rower and yoga enthusiast...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Kristina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, vamps-werewolves-zombies-angels, my-book, brain-candy

This is an odd book. Now that I have finished reading it, I'm not sure why I was so enamored of it. With so much discussion of spells and enchantment, I wouldn't be surprised if the book put a spell on me. Despite overall enjoying the book, there are still lots of things about it that irritated me. First, the author needed a better editor. I am finding more often that books surrounded by a certain amount of hype are not well-edited. I don't know if the editors think that every word the author wr...more This is an odd book. Now that I have finished reading it, I'm not sure why I was so enamored of it. With so much discussion of spells and enchantment, I wouldn't be surprised if the book put a spell on me. Despite overall enjoying the book, there are still lots of things about it that irritated me. First, the author needed a better editor. I am finding more often that books surrounded by a certain amount of hype are not well-edited. I don't know if the editors think that every word the author writes is gold or if editors are timid, but in either case they aren't doing their job. Much of this book could have chopped out and the story tightened up. There are too many extraneous details that weigh down the plot (and what exactly the plot is is also a good question). I think the author, in order to differentiate her witch/vampire/supernatural book from all the other supernatural books on the shelves, threw in everything, including the kitchen sink, into her novel. It's exhausting stumbling around the pages trying to figure out what the plot is. I'm going to try not being too specific because even though nothing really happens in this novel (really, nothing does), there is information that shouldn't be divulged until you read the novel. Harkness has several plot lines going: the mysterious Ashmole 782 manuscript, the forbidden love affair between Diana the
relunctant witch and Matthew the 1,000 + years old vamp, the mysterious death of her parents, the possible extinction of the supernatural beings, the Congregation wanting to know the extent of Diana's power, tracing Diana's DNA, and the threat of a witch/vamp war. It's all a little crazy.

This book is some kind of pseudo-science, pseudo-historical novel what with all the science and history. The excessive alchemical details get annoying, as does the DNA discussions(and you'd better know what mtDNA is because I don't think the book does a good job explaining it. Luckily, I knew). However, unlike the alchemy stuff (which I don't see the point of), at least the DNA information is related to the plot(s) of the book. The romance is fairly interesting and intense at first, but it quickly peters out into some of kind of tame, boring, lovey-dovey PG-rated sappy mess. It's not that I need pornographic details, but the author kept telling me how much they loved each other and how intense their passion was, but I never really felt it. Matthew, as a scary vampire, is a huge disappointment to me. I'm sorry,but you cannot have this vampire doing yoga and talking DNA with new-age geeky precision and then have me believe that he is all that scary. Nope, just doesn't work. Diana is also a disappointment. She's extremely annoying. She talks about how she wants to be a strong, independent woman, but in reality she is the wimpiest, most annoying witch ever. She won't use her witchy powers (which, to give the author some credit, I understand why she had this attitude), but when it comes time for her to protect herself, she wimps out, cowers, faints, and in rushes Matthew to save her AGAIN. Give me a break. The book is basically just a description of food, wine, her "stretchy black pants" and all the places Matthew took her to keep her hidden from the Congregation. (I don't like the term Congregation either. Makes me think of church and not a scary group of supernatural beings.)Apparently this book was compared to the Twilight series, which I think odd because I never saw the connection (I have read them all, to my shame). What I will compare this book to is the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse series. Those books are far superior to this book. Sookie is poor little human with just her one skill (she can read minds) and yet she protects herself quite well, rarely needs her supernatural friends to come to her rescue, and has several times saved her vampire boyfriends. Plus, she does it all with a sense of humor. Diana, who apparently has every witchy power
ever known, plus some that aren't, can barely twinkle her nose to make magical tea.

Another point of irritation with me are all the characters who need their backstories told. I don't really need to know or want to know everything about these characters. If they are going to stick around for awhile, tell me their stories later or create a glossary and stick them at the back of the book. The flow of the novel is stopped over and over again to tell me something not all that interesting about a minor character. My last point is about this ridiculous Knights of Lazarus organization. I find this organization absolutely unbelievable and incomprehensible. I'm not giving away any plot secrets by mentioning this because I still can't figure out what the author meant by creating this order of do-gooder vamps who have helped people in need over the centuries. It's so ridiculous. Whenever it was brought up, I tried to skim over it, hoping it would disappear. The haunted Bishop house, the house as a character, was entertaining. I did enjoy that detail. Overall though, now that I've written this review, I'm trying to figure out what exactly I DID like about the book. This book basically sets up the next two books in the trilogy. I will probably read the second book but I doubt I will buy it. I think Harkness, just as with Justin Cronin of The Passage, saw an opportunity to make some money on the current (and lasting way too long) vampire, witch, supernatural creatures popular literature fad. However,Harkness has taken vampires and turned them into wine-loving, gentle, kind creatures who wear business suits or lab coats, have tons of money, and are really kind of boring. (less)

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Jun 30, 2012 Jill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fiction

HOLY. FREAKING. CRAP. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just finished this book last night, and I was blown away by it. This is easily going to be the best book that I will read this year, and is going in my top 10 list of best fiction books of all time! Excellent fiction is not always easy to come by. I don't mind mediocre reads from time to time, but it is SO GREAT to be totally stunned by an indescribably excellent book every once in awhile!

For one thing, this book is so well-written. The author...more HOLY. FREAKING. CRAP. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just finished this book last night, and I was blown away by it. This is easily going to be the best book that I will read this year, and is going in my top 10 list of best fiction books of all time! Excellent fiction is not always easy to come by. I don't mind mediocre reads from time to time, but it is SO GREAT to be totally stunned by an indescribably excellent book every once in awhile!

For one thing, this book is so well-written. The author has a beautiful way with words, and her descriptions are eloquent and lovely. There was a seamless flow to this book that was exquisite. Nothing was choppy or out of place; the rhythm, pacing, and phrases used flowed so effortlessly that I was never distracted by the writing or the language (as sometimes happens in fiction). Because of this, I was able to get completely lost in this world; and boy was I! "Spellbound" is the only proper way to describe it.

Also, the characters were strong and interesting. Knowing that this is the first in what is supposed to be a trilogy, you get a good base understanding of the main and supporting characters with the full knowledge that a deeper relationship with them will come as the story continues to unfold.

I have read a few reviews that say the beginning of this book is boring; I did not find it so. I was instantly mesmerized and drawn in. I knew that the author was setting the stage for all that was to come, and while it may seem slow at first, you will be very grateful as you continue in the book. Once I got into the "thick" of things, I was grateful to have waded through the beginning, as it gave me a strong foundation for all of the character developments and plot twists that arose throughout the story.

MY ONLY COMPLAINT: Now I have to wait for the next book! However will I do that?!?! I tend to get very emotionally involved with books and characters that I love; I already miss spending time with these characters and I am desperate to continue living in their magical world! Dear Ms. Harkness, I am under your spell, please put me out of my misery and publish the next installment soon!!!!(less)

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Mar 02, 2011 Kat Hooper rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Dr. Diana Bishop, descendant of the famous Bridget Bishop of Salem, Massachusetts, turned her back on her natural powers after her parents were killed when she was a child. Instead, she relied on her brain power, went to Oxford and Yale, and became a well-known researcher in the field of history of science. Now she’s back at Oxford, spending the year studying old alchemical texts archived at the Bodleian Library. But when she calls the book known as Ashmol...more ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Dr. Diana Bishop, descendant of the famous Bridget Bishop of Salem, Massachusetts, turned her back on her natural powers after her parents were killed when she was a child. Instead, she relied on her brain power, went to Oxford and Yale, and became a well-known researcher in the field of history of science. Now she’s back at Oxford, spending the year studying old alchemical texts archived at the Bodleian Library. But when she calls the book known as Ashmole 782 from the stacks, she can feel its power and she can see hidden writing moving on its pages. It frightens her a bit and she notices that soon after returning it to the stacks, she’s attracted the attention of many creatures — vampires, daemons, and other witches — who are suddenly hanging around the Bodleian. One vampire in particular, Matthew Clairmont, an attractive professor of biochemistry and neuroscience, just won’t leave her alone. What is so special about Ashmole 782 and why are all these creatures hoping she’ll call it back?

After reading the blurbs about A Discovery of Witches, this was a book I was eagerly waiting for. I love academic settings (especially Oxford), old libraries, and the blend of history and science. And I did enjoy much of A Discovery of Witches for this reason. Diana Bishop is an urban fantasy heroine that I can relate to. She spends her time in libraries instead of tattoo parlors; she prepares lectures and writes letters of recommendation instead of training with weapons and kicking peoples’ butts. I understood her goals and interests and the way that her focus on academic pursuits makes her slightly awkward and absent-minded elsewhere. I was also much intrigued by Matthew Clairmont’s genetic research into the evolution of witches, vampires, and daemons and how this related to Diana’s research in alchemy.

Thus, A Discovery of Witches had a lot of potential for me, but there were three problems that sapped my enjoyment:

The first is that the book is simply way too long. With nearly 600 pages to work with, Deborah Harkness should have been able to get these interesting ideas farther off the ground. I was frustrated that, by the end, it had become clear that A Discovery of Witches is the first novel in a series. In this first installment, Harkness carefully develops the characters and sets up the romance. There is a lot of sitting in the library, hanging around various houses, talking, drinking tea, and eating. The story covers only about a month of time and I think I witnessed nearly everything Diana ate and drank during that month.

Secondly — and this is a common problem for me in urban fantasies — I couldn’t appreciate the romance which dominated the plot. Vampires are just not sexy to me and I had a hard time believing that an overprotective, angry, admittedly murderous vampire would be attractive to an independently-minded academic. Not to mention that his body is cold and his heart beats only rarely. He spends a lot of time growling, bossing her around, speaking roughly, giving everyone dark looks, and displaying mate-guarding behaviors — steering her around by her elbow and with his hand at the small of her back, hovering over her, blocking her path, pushing her up against barriers, “scooping” her up, tossing her on horses, grabbing her by the chin and twisting her neck, telling her she’ll catch cold if she sits on the ground (a guy who sequences DNA thinks that sitting on the ground will make her sick?). He even binds her with an oath without her permission. I find this kind of behavior in a courting male insufferable. This is a common problem for me, and one of the reasons I don’t read much vampire lit, but I wasn’t expecting to encounter this issue in such magnitude in a book about a famous researcher from Oxford and Yale. I know she’s scared of what’s going on in her life, but where is this woman’s self-respect? In some ways, A Discovery of Witches felt like Twilight for middle-aged academics. The most unbelievable part of the entire romance, though is that [removed spoiler — Read it here.]

Thirdly, there are a lot of minor plot issues that just don’t fit into a well-developed fantasy, especially once we leave the academic atmosphere of Oxford and the book starts to feel like Harry Potter. Magic in this world seems arbitrary. We’re told that each power has a genetic marker, which is cool, but its practice is not sufficiently explained. It’s the snap-your-fingers-to-clean-the-dishes, close-your-eyes-and-concentrate-to-fly type. Sparks fly from Diana’s fingers, she cries rivers of tears, witchfire bursts from her outstretched arm. She is suddenly accumulating a host of new skills that make her the most powerful witch alive, but she doesn’t respond with the awe we’d expect. When she finds out that she can time-travel, she practically shrugs it off (and the physics of time-travel don’t even try to make sense).

I truly enjoyed the first part of A Discovery of Witches — the relatable heroine, the university setting, the focus on the history of science. But once the romance got going and we left Oxford, A Discovery of Witches lost its charm. I’m still curious about the blend of genetics, evolution, and alchemy, but the long sick romance dominated this intriguing mystery and the plot could not hold up against it. I may take a look at the sequel, though, just because I really want to know what’s inside Ashmole 782.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.(less)

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Jun 19, 2012 Kelsey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, books-i-want-to-own

First of all, I thought this book was fantastic and I CANNOT wait for the second in the series because the ending of the book, I won't give details, has you CONSTANTLY WONDERING and yearning for more.
Though it doesn't beat the Harry Potter series (and nothing ever will), it sure is up there in the running with my favorites. Have I found a new series after Potter? Well, I won't get too carried away, but this book is one of my favorites.

I have only two complaints about this book.
My first compla...more First of all, I thought this book was fantastic and I CANNOT wait for the second in the series because the ending of the book, I won't give details, has you CONSTANTLY WONDERING and yearning for more.
Though it doesn't beat the Harry Potter series (and nothing ever will), it sure is up there in the running with my favorites. Have I found a new series after Potter? Well, I won't get too carried away, but this book is one of my favorites.

I have only two complaints about this book.
My first complaint is that the beginning/mid-middle was slow, until Matthew came into play, and during select amounts of scientific detail. The more the book went on, the better it got, and the more I couldn't stop reading. I felt like I was in a rut during the middle, but that one thing happened and I kept on trucking, thankfully.
The second is the fact that Diana Bishop, having a P.h.D, seemed immature and naive (during a couple parts of the book). But, I'm sure she will grow as a person throughout the next two books. These complaints are STRICTLY my opinion.

I have read many reviews regarding this book and at some point they irritate me: many readers relate this book to the "Twilight Saga," however, that idea is wonky because the book deals with witches, demons and vampires -- with a history and past intertwining all of them together. Yes, there are some points in the book where the romance seems a bit "Twilight-y." However, that was not the author's intention and I'm sure I just took it that way because I had read Twilight first (the only vampire books I have ever read, and probably the only ones I'll EVER compare other vampire stories to. Sad, I KNOW!).
If you've read Twilight, you may or may not compare the romance to it, but I feel that Diana and Matthew's relationship was far less awkward, more natural, and sweet. I would NOT compare the actual idea and "being" of a Vampire, because Ms. Harkness does an EXCELLENT and far better job at describing a vampire and how they function. I wish Ms. Meyer would have taken some advice from our dear old Deborah.

Moving on from my soap-box, the book was fascinating. The author included so much historic detail that I, a fellow historian, also love and strive to learn about. Her explanations and enormous amounts of detail provided awesome imagery that really helped me read and cherish the book.
I loved it, the characters, and the complete storyline; and until the next book, I will be hanging on by a thin thread.

Thanks for reading! :)(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-list-2011, romance-paranormal

I gave this 7/10 on my blog: Book Chick City

'A Discovery of Witches' is an incredibly atmospheric novel where each page is full of lavish detail that was obviously painstakingly researched. It's a huge book, which took me a long time to finish compared to other paranormal romances. This is due somewhat to the large amount of detail, but it is no reflection on the quality of writing, which is wonderful.

Each sentence has been lovingly crafted and although this isn't a quick read by any means, each...more I gave this 7/10 on my blog: Book Chick City

'A Discovery of Witches' is an incredibly atmospheric novel where each page is full of lavish detail that was obviously painstakingly researched. It's a huge book, which took me a long time to finish compared to other paranormal romances. This is due somewhat to the large amount of detail, but it is no reflection on the quality of writing, which is wonderful.

Each sentence has been lovingly crafted and although this isn't a quick read by any means, each page was a pleasure to read. The research of science and alchemy is immense and gives the book a richness that for me was hard not to like, even if at times it made for slower reading, but then I was in no rush.

I especially loved the descriptions of the old university libraries, it was sumptuous and I could imagine I was actually there, able to smell the musty leather and hear the soft rustle of pages that so often accompanies old libraries and ancient books. The opening scene is one of my favourite passages in the entire novel.

As well as witches and vampires, I really enjoyed having different otherworldly creatures throughout the book too, and although Diana is a witch she's also very human with regards to her emotions. Diane is fiercely independent which I loved and I admired her for the passion she had for her work.

All the characters are well-rounded, believable and true to their personalities. However, I did find that with so much world-building and the laying of foundations, I couldn't connect as much as I would have liked with the two main characters.

The romance between Matthew and Diana is pretty intense, but then the entire book only spans just over a week, and a lot happens in such a short space of time. However, although they are in love there are still secrets between them and they have a lot to learn about each other.

I liked Diana and Matthew but at times I found Diana frustrating that she wouldn't use her witchy powers due to fear and irritated with Matthew for constantly wanting to protect her - it felt suffocating rather than romantic.

In times of danger, I wish they would just stand side by side and fight, equals in every way. I much prefer a woman who can protect herself and isn't afraid to use whatever she has at her disposal to defeat her enemies, this Diana does shine through near the end of the book but it's only a glimpse, maybe there is more to come in future books, as 'A Discovery of Witches', I'm very pleased to say, is the first in a trilogy.

VERDICT:

'A Discovery of Witches' is a delicious, sumptuous read, full of mystery and intrigue and three-dimensional characters. The rich descriptive prose leaves you excited for the next novel in this epic series. I can't wait to find out what the alchemist book holds for the future of Diana and Matthew and all the witches, vampires and demons of the world. A highly recommended read!(less)

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Oct 10, 2012 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-own-have-read, 4-stars, 2012-reads, witches, daemons, vampires, search-for-the-truth, buddy-read-dhasg, magic-spells-witchcraft-curses, heroine-witch, hero-vampire, author-deborah-harkness, series-all-souls-trilogy, first-in-series, first-read-of-an-author, first-person-pov, third-person-pov, must-read-series, must-read-more-by-author, steam-factor-behind-closed-doors, reviewed-by-me, reviewed-at-blithelybookish, format-kindle-or-kindle-compatible, ebook-way-overpriced

A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, and Deborah Harkness's debut novel. It’s a unique story that subtly brings together and addresses many of today’s cultural and societal issues, as they pertain to the All Souls Trilogy world, without beating the reader about the head with messages of political correctness. In fact, the story is so fun, so well written and meaningful that by the time I was through I was left wishing I had the next book right here in my hot little...more
A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, and Deborah Harkness's debut novel. It’s a unique story that subtly brings together and addresses many of today’s cultural and societal issues, as they pertain to the All Souls Trilogy world, without beating the reader about the head with messages of political correctness. In fact, the story is so fun, so well written and meaningful that by the time I was through I was left wishing I had the next book right here in my hot little hands!

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos.

Okay, well, that blurb isn’t the best and while it gives the readers somewhat of an idea of what to expect, the book is actually much, much better than it suggests.

I’m going to give you a heads up here… this story is slow to start, but it’s only due to the very necessary amount of world building and backstory that we readers need in order to understand the complex society these beings exist in. My point is, Do. Not. Give. Up! At about the twenty some percent mark it really picks up and once it does, it doesn’t let go. The romance is slow to build, too, but it’s there and it’s sweet. The sexuality is mild with most scenes taking place behind closed doors, but I loved the sexual tension and passion between Diana and Matthew.

In my opinion, the true excitement of this story lies in the quest to unravel the mystery of vampire, witch and daemon origins and, depending on who existed first, deciding which species is most entitled to the fullness and truth of that knowledge.

The bottom line: Loved it. What an incredible, exciting, thought provoking, fun debut novel! Deborah Harkness is well on her way to making quite a name for herself in the PNR/UF genres and I am so looking forward to watching it happen, each story and every step of the way!

Many thanks to my Goodreads friend, Nomad, for suggesting this book as a buddy read. I'm afraid I would have put it off indefinitely had it not been for your suggestion, girl, so thanks! Also, for those who took part in the DHASG buddy read - Pat, Tammy, Heather, Teresa, Megan and Cindi - I enjoyed discussing this book and sharing thoughts with you all! And lastly, Lady Danielle and Kayla, I hope you'll both have the chance to experience this story, soon, and enjoy it as much as I did!(less)

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Jan 19, 2013 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: your worst enemy?

Shelves: not-a-fan, dnf

I tried really hard, but wow this book was boring. I think it reminded me way too much of The Historian, which was the biggest waste of 900+ pages I've ever read. I think it's because I've done way too much academic research in my 20 years of schooling to ever find it remotely entertaining.

I think the part where the witches, vampires, demons, etc. do yoga together pretty much killed it for me.

(Okay, it's probably more of a calm indifference, but had I wasted any more time this would be more fitt...more

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May 12, 2011 Carol rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: PNR readers

Shelves: paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy, female-lead

Redeemed only through a nice use of language.

Initial assessment: Harlequin romance meets Twilight. Most irritating similarity to Twilight: they discover all sorts of ways to be physically intimate without intercourse. Annoyingest magical quality: a witch that claims she doesn't want to use her powers and has spent yeeeears attempting to ignore her powers, "slips up" and uses said powers to get a book that's out of reach on a high shelf. Yes, that's how strong her moral determination is--looking...more

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May 02, 2011 Arni Vidar Bjorgvinsson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

It's quite difficult to gather my thoughts well enough to manage a review. I don't know how or where to begin.

I started this book 4 evenings ago, and all I really knew about it was that it was a Witches and Vampires book. Fine, I'll give that a go. As the pages wore on, however, I realized that I was barely making any headway on the % counter. Upon checking, I then found that this book is almost 800 pages long, which is more than almost all of my fantasy DTB's. Wow.

I started reading this book ju...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Catie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011, paranormal, romance, series

This book kept me hanging on just enough to stop me from abandoning it. I’m not really sure who this book is aimed at; it’s a very pedestrian, traditional romance wrapped up in a nearly 600 page, painfully slow tale filled with history and science. It’s a bit like a Hallmark card wrapped up in an encyclopedia. The history and science buffs will be turned off by the cheesy center, and the romance lovers will resent having to wade through pages of endless description and detail just to get to the...more This book kept me hanging on just enough to stop me from abandoning it. I’m not really sure who this book is aimed at; it’s a very pedestrian, traditional romance wrapped up in a nearly 600 page, painfully slow tale filled with history and science. It’s a bit like a Hallmark card wrapped up in an encyclopedia. The history and science buffs will be turned off by the cheesy center, and the romance lovers will resent having to wade through pages of endless description and detail just to get to the good stuff. And speaking of “the good stuff” – there isn’t any. If I am going to struggle my way through a sappy romance, the least I would expect is a good sex scene!

The female lead is Diana, who is a highly intelligent woman and well respected in her field. She’s also the daughter of two powerful witches who were murdered when she was seven years old. Traumatized by their deaths, she turns her back on magic and devotes her life to study. When she accidentally pulls a heavily enchanted manuscript from the Bodleian library and is somehow able to open it, she draws the attention of the supernatural communities. Matthew, a biochemist vampire with many secrets and motivations of his own, seeks out Diana to investigate.

Probably the main thing that turns me off about this book is the cast of characters. Matthew will be startlingly familiar to any reader of paranormal romance. He’s a perfect physical specimen, with vast wealth (including several ancient homes which he built himself), a guilt-inducing past, and a tendency to be an overly protective, patronizing control freak. He also likes to name drop famous historical figures that he’s known, drone on and on about wine, and spout obnoxious lines like, “Will you never wait until I help you?” And, despite being alive for 1,500 years, he apparently still thinks that women are incapable of feeding and clothing themselves or knowing when they’re tired (Don’t worry, he’ll give you sedatives without your knowledge if you try to disagree). He’s the kind of guy who says, “I might not be able to control myself if you step away” after a first kiss, then spends the rest of the book avoiding consummating the relationship, because “there’s plenty of time” even though at this point the characters have (view spoiler) Diana is the otherwise intelligent woman who acts like a child whenever she’s in his presence. She has to be bullied and bated into using her powers, and saved time and time again by Matthew. Despite Matthew’s continual marveling about how powerful and strong she is, her strength is barely in evidence.

This book needs some serious trimming. This author is clearly a very bright, intellectual woman and she has a ton of ideas. I just wish she hadn’t put all of them in this one book. She manages to cram in alchemy, paranormal groups, magic, evolution, mythology, medieval knights, politics, DNA testing, yoga, and wine tasting, not to mention (view spoiler) before this book is done. There are also four chapters (out of about forty) that are written in third person following Matthew, instead of the first person (Diana) perspective that’s used for the rest of the book. It’s as if she feels the need to show the reader absolutely everything that’s going on, everywhere. This book would have been so much better if she had kept a few ideas in reserve. Some of the topics, like the wine tasting and the yoga, serve no purpose to the story, except perhaps to make Matthew seem even more pretentious.

I did enjoy much of the science and history, but there were too many niggling little scientific inaccuracies to keep me spellbound. For instance, Matthew has apparently mapped the DNA of enough witches and other supernatural beings to be able to locate and identify markers of different magical powers, not to mention create a map of the different lineages of witch families. However, he is somehow unable to use the same information to determine whether the different supernatural groups (witches, vampires, and daemons) are genetically related. For all of the author’s vast intelligence, I’m not sure that she really understands evolution either. I’m not one who typically nit-picks stories on the technical details, but this book is so agonizingly slow and the sappy romance is such a turn off for me – I found myself focusing on the little details more and more.

This book is absolutely not for me. However, if you are an intellectual person with a love of sweet, "courtly love" type romances, and macho-man heroes, then I think you might like this one.(less)

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Aug 09, 2011 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Even now, a few weeks later, and when some of the details have become a little fuzzy, I can't stop thinking about this book. I love many different genres of books, but books like this really get me excited; they take me out of myself, to a world that my rational brain tells me doesn't exist, but which my heart whispers could be right under my nose.

I stayed up until after 1am two nights in a row to read more of this book and was even almost late back to work at lunchtime, because I was so complet...more Even now, a few weeks later, and when some of the details have become a little fuzzy, I can't stop thinking about this book. I love many different genres of books, but books like this really get me excited; they take me out of myself, to a world that my rational brain tells me doesn't exist, but which my heart whispers could be right under my nose.

I stayed up until after 1am two nights in a row to read more of this book and was even almost late back to work at lunchtime, because I was so completely absorbed in it. I even forwent an evening meal to finish it.

A Discovery of Witches is one of the most enjoyable books that I have read in a very long time and I loved the feeling of being completely submerged in a different life and a different world.

Matthew Clairmont hits Edward Cullen out of the ball park as far as I'm concerned and I don't think I have swooned over a male character so much since Mr Darcy. Like all greatly likable male characters, he was far from perfect, but these flaws just added more dimensions to him and I could imagine myself enjoying the challenge of loving such a man! In truth, he is a glorious creation!

I really liked Diana and admired her verve and athleticism, so different from my own book-worm, indoors-y nature. I am also fascinated by the idea of being a historian of science and feel like I was cheated out of the belief that I could be anything as a teenager! I really enjoyed the way her relationship with Matthew developed and although the perve in me might have wished for a little less curtailing of their intimate moments, they were still lovely to read about. If you haven't read this book yet, then you haven't been introduced to the wonders of 'bundling'! :-)

Reading this book was so satisfying and I felt that I was getting just the right mix of romance, adventure, history, character development and magic. I don't know how I will contain myself until the release of the next book, as I am quite apprehensive about the "trip" Matthew and Diana embarked upon at the end of the book.

If you have a taste for the supernatural tempered by real life choices and adult dilemmas, then you are in for a treat of the best kind in reading this book.(less)

91 likes · like · see review

Mar 16, 2012 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

WOW - that's all I can say! I picked this up thinking it was going to be another YA paranormal romance, on a recommendation from my sister-in-law. I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't a YA book at all! It was a wonderfully rich story with strong leading characters.

So, like mixing up a potion, this story combines many different elements: One part paranormal romance a la Twilight style, another part Anne Rice's witches (Lasher), yet another part historical fiction in the style of Diana Gab...more

17 likes · like · see review

Mar 21, 2013 Tracey rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century, fantasy, school, urban-fantasy, vampires

I don't know. I just don't know. This is one of those books where a connection with the writing seems to be thisclose … but not quite made. The buildup has been excruciating; I would much have preferred even just a little more forward motion in the plot to what I have instead: an awareness of how much spandex the main character owns and the tale of every time she's gone rowing.

I get it. I do. Diana Bishop is from a very old family of witches in a world where there are, including witches, three t...more I don't know. I just don't know. This is one of those books where a connection with the writing seems to be thisclose … but not quite made. The buildup has been excruciating; I would much have preferred even just a little more forward motion in the plot to what I have instead: an awareness of how much spandex the main character owns and the tale of every time she's gone rowing.

I get it. I do. Diana Bishop is from a very old family of witches in a world where there are, including witches, three types of "creatures", the other two being vampires and daemons. Witches are pretty much what you think and are born so, and vampires are pretty much what you think (except, no fangs? Then how…?) and are made, and daemons … are weird brilliant creatures which pop up unexpectedly in otherwise completely human families, start showing signs of what they are in puberty (of course), and, if they're lucky, find out what they are before they self-destruct. Okay.

Diana, however, is different. This is not just because her parents were both very powerful witches (the term being unisex), or because she's a Bishop, a family associated with witchcraft since Salem. She's different because she blames magic for the deaths of her parents when she was very young, and as a result has determined never to use her own considerable power. Never mind that it's not something that can be punished ("My parents died because of you! Bad magic! Bad! I'll teach you!") or that can really be contained (she finds herself making just-this-once exceptions, or simply using it unintentionally several times a year – she keeps obsessive count). Never mind that having spurned training she has basically turned herself into a loose cannon and a danger to herself and others (powerful but untrained? Never good). Never mind that every. Single. Non. Human. Around. tries to tell her what she's trying to do is a Very Bad Idea, and no matter how much she protests she's not using her power (much) they won't leave her alone. She won't use magic, and that's that, darn it. Well, just this time, but never again! Well… no, really, that last time was it!

Frankly, she's driving me up a wall.

I'm all for occasional irrational behavior in fictional characters. It helps them feel more real, and which makes them interesting. Makes them human. (Ironically.) However, if the character in question is a main character (and in fact the person with whom the reader is sharing headspace), and the irrational behavior is so irrational as to actually be just stupid, it may still be realistic but it stops being interesting and becomes frustrating.

And see, it's the whole "humans vs. creatures" thing I'm not entertained by. I know; in Harry Potter it was all wizards and poor blind helpless powerless muggles, but somehow reading Rowling made the reader feel like part of the wizarding world. I doubt there are too many Potterites who haven't, even if just in the back of their minds, pondered which House they belonged in (Ravenclaw; maybe Hufflepuff) (ETA: Pottermore sorted me into Hufflepuff. Go Badgers!) or what their patronus would look like (a beagle, or maybe a horse). You're not a muggle while you're reading Harry Potter. Here, though, I feel very ordinarily human, and it's not a good feeling. We're so dull, and pointless, and stupid. (Silly? Sure it is. But however silly it may be, it isn't fun.)

It's not fair to this book that so many books written (mostly, I think) later but encountered sooner feature vampires who must learn to control their appetites around the squishy and vulnerable and delicious women they come to care about as something other than dinner – but the fact remains that there is Matthew, every sense at attention as Diana realizes she has a tiny bleeding cut. How strangely familiar.

I made it to 43%, and … honestly, as Diana learns that she's not just powerful but just about all-powerful and continues to use abilities she didn't even know she had with no harm to herself or others … I have too much else I'd rather be reading. Maybe someday I'll come back to this. Probably not, though.(less)

16 likes · like · see review

Oct 13, 2012 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, vampire, romance

A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness' debut novel was quite simply, wonderful! Once I began reading, I realized this was a vampire romance...and it surprised and delighted me! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING, Deborah??

It was like a good vampire novel meets "The Da Vinci Code." The protagonists were interesting and complex and the story was exciting without being too ambitious or overcomplicated. Sure, Harkness did her research on everything witches and vampires and added her own spin which held m...more A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness' debut novel was quite simply, wonderful! Once I began reading, I realized this was a vampire romance...and it surprised and delighted me! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING, Deborah??

It was like a good vampire novel meets "The Da Vinci Code." The protagonists were interesting and complex and the story was exciting without being too ambitious or overcomplicated. Sure, Harkness did her research on everything witches and vampires and added her own spin which held me spellbound; and losing sleep on a number of occasions! I would describe it as a modern day supernatural, romance, with adventure and mystery wrapped into an exceptionally well written book.

Diana Bishop is not going to use her magic! (At least, that's what she keeps telling herself.) She is the last in a long line of powerful witches, with a father as powerful as her mother. Tragically, having lost her parents when she was seven years old has bittered her taste of her heritage and her magic. While researching alchemical manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, she comes in contact with a "volume" that actually recognized her magic. A little freaked out, Diana returns the book to the stacks, but it is too late - word is out that she has discovered the lost "Ashmole 782" and now all species have been made aware and are after her.

Enter Matthew Clairmont, renowned scientist and not so well known, vampire. He has been searching for Ashmole 782 for centuries as it holds answers to secrets of his kind and others that need to be discovered. He is determined to retrieve the book Diana's magic has recalled. Matthew immediately feels drawn to Diana, feeling the need to protect her from the other creatures; despite witches and vampires being notorious separatists. They are thrown into an uneasy friendship when the worlds of witches, vampires and daemons descend upon Diana, all looking for the manuscript.

A Discovery of Witches is one of my all-time favorite books and was clearly written to have a sequel. The conversation Matthew and Diana had when she began asking questions about what being a "vampire" entails was one of my favorite chapters! Additinoally, this novel had moments of humor and sadness and a mix of uneasiness-looking-over-your-shoulder kind of feel throughout and the writing was intelligent with wonderful intrigue, romance and history. I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the release of the second book in July, 2012!

(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Jeann rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-uf, magic, witches, romance, buddy-reads

Actual rating: 3.5

Eh, I'm not quite sure what to think of this. The start was really promising, but the plot sort of loses itself shortly after the two main characters and then it turns into a heavy paranormal romance that was kind of unexpected.

It starts out with Diana, a professor at Oxford stumbling upon the Ashmore 782 manuscript. Diana also happens to be a witch who wants to be a human, and all manner of supernatural creatures turn up and stalk her to see how she summoned the manuscript. O...more

23 likes · like · see review

Sep 01, 2012 Blythe rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: See the last paragraph of my review.

Shelves: 2012-reads, didn-t-see-that-coming, i-totally-saw-that-coming, take-your-insta-love-and-leave, disappointments, read-reviewed, 2-stars, doesn-t-deserve-the-hype

Eight of my friends gave this book five stars.
Ten gave it four stars.
Three gave it three stars.
No one gave it less than three stars.

Then there's me, giving this book two stars. The only explanation? I'm weird. There's not much I can say about this book, not in fear of spoiling something (honestly, I don't think there's much to spoil), but because nothing really happened, and I suppose that is my reason enough for not liking this book as I had hoped I would.

Similar to Hereafter, A Discovery o...more

21 likes · like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 Suzanne (Doppleganger) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, romance, vampires, witches-wizards-magic

A Discovery of Witches is a vampire romance. Let me say that again. A Discovery of Witches is a Vampire Romance.

Oh sure the title mentions ‘witches’ instead of ‘vampires’ or other vampire clichés like blood, darkness, or night. It has witchy symbols on the cover and the synopsis calls it “equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense”. But don’t be deceived, this is a vampire romance.

If you don’t like vampire romances, then this book is not for you.

You say you like vampire romances? So do...more

56 likes · like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 Jenne rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

okay, so the good things: I liked the world/mythology/etc, and was amused by the Anne Rice reference! And I also liked the subtle pro-gay marriage message.
It could have actually been a lot of fun except for the romance part, which went like this: (SPOILERS!)

Diana: I am exceptionally good at being a historian of science, and I even have a job at Yale! I am also a witch, but I don't use my powers. Much.
Gosh this mysterious manuscript sure is mysterious!

Matthew: I AM TALL. I WENT THROUGH YOUR PAPE...more

257 likes · like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Adi (Reading in the Windowseat) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-read-list, class-adult, genre-fantasy, all-time-best, genre-romance, class-young-adult, uncompromising-alpha-males, own-on-paper

Absolutely Loved It!

Though I have found books in various genres that have made me feel that exquisite thrill of reading something you positively adore and it somehow clicks inside of you a level of pleasure other books cannot, I hadn't had a read that so completely enthralled me as this one did for a very long time. Forgetting genres. Forgetting age-orientation. Forgetting style.

I loved it thoroughly!

The story was just my type, full of mystery and tragedy, of drama and irony. It is a tale in w...more Absolutely Loved It!

Though I have found books in various genres that have made me feel that exquisite thrill of reading something you positively adore and it somehow clicks inside of you a level of pleasure other books cannot, I hadn't had a read that so completely enthralled me as this one did for a very long time. Forgetting genres. Forgetting age-orientation. Forgetting style.

I loved it thoroughly!

The story was just my type, full of mystery and tragedy, of drama and irony. It is a tale in which both the magic and the romance are of just the right quantity. There were interesting facts and sarcastic comments which made it both realistic and charging. I couldn't stop reading - the madness lasted for a whole day and a half, till I read the last sentence!

Most people get scared of the size of this first installment and decide it is too full of details and so - too slow. But it is not. On the contrary, the story is dynamic and full of changes, but it also brings every separate part into sharp focus and makes those who have delved into the plot that much more interested.

And the amount of research done for the creation of this book must have been... enormous! Not just that, it is obvious the author is passionate about subjects as far apart as wine, alchemy, geography, mythology, horses and history. Miss Harkness has one great mind, and an admirable encyclopedic knowledge.

Her characters are alive and eccentric, with loads of history, issues and secrets. They are a great number, all of them well-developed and having their own intriguing fates. The power-play and the relationship-ties made for an intense read. I was dying by the end to learn what will happen next in their twisted destinies.

And now I'm waiting for the book to come out with my favourite art cover so I could add it to my paperback collection... and read it again.

For those who even the many praises above won't be enough to intrigue, I'll add this - the book was hardly out when it was translated into Bulgarian and was in the bookstores in my country, and not many book hits have received this treatment, though some have movie-prospects.

Cannot wait to read the next one in the trilogy! But I'll have to. Will have to console myself for now with the upcoming paperback release and following up the author's leaks of what comes next.

P.S. Just finished my third reading, this time my own personal paperback. Many secrets became clearer, others got clogged, and still others emerged in this one - all sent tingles down my spine, and I love that intensity. Now I'm both dying and afraid to read the next installment, for there were dark suggestions about Matthew, which the Book 2 annotation brings even more sharply out.(less)

25 likes · like · see review

Aug 04, 2011 Bonnie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, romance, pn-vampires, pn-witches, adult

Update with super cool link 8/4/2011
A Discovery of Witches: the (possible) Movie + Sequel Title

I... loved this book. When first reading the summary I was skeptical that the author would be able to include vampires, demons, and witches and not end up making it super cheesy. It definitely was not.

I loved the research that was quite obviously involved in the making of this book. I appreciate novels that appear that they took more than a week to write and this was definitely one of them.

The relation...more

12 likes · like · see review

Jan 23, 2013 La-Lionne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: creepy, favorites, own, sweet, unique-different, with-a-twist, witches, vampires, time-travel, deamons, forbidden-love, not-an-easy-read

A Discovery of the Witches

"It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches..."

The Discovery of the Witches is the most fascinating book I have ever read. My God, the amount of knowledge one must possess to be able to write a such complex story.

It's not an easy read and don't go in hoping that it is. I think, that in order to completely enjoy and appreciate the story for what it is, and it is a piece of art, in my opinion, you have to have...more

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 02, 2013 Alex rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

It's going so slow. Why does he ask permission to kiss her now, after he practically devoured her just a short while after meeting her? Where were his manners then? I feel like I'm dying a little inside with every page I read. I'm getting old with this book in my hands. Not my cuppa. Giving up.

7 likes · like · see review

Oct 23, 2012 Christina White rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy, love-stories

The more I got into this book the more sucked into the drama I became. The details that authenticated the story really impressed me. I loved the historical references made regarding Matthews past. I loved the 'House' and it's peculiar opinions on house guests. I felt teased by the small glimpses of power Diana had shown and found myself really invested in seeing what she is capable of. This book is about acceptance and love no matter who you are, what your race, your family background, or even s...more

7 likes · like · see review

May 11, 2012 Phoebe added it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, chick-lit, fantasy, paranormal, horror

My review is up at Strange Horizons. Yay!

5 likes · like · see review

Feb 19, 2011 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-pubs

Deborah Harkness' debut novel, A Discovery of Witches: A Novel, is amazing. I was drawn in from the first and did not want to put it down. It's like a mature Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) meets The Da Vinci Code. The characters are interesting and complex, the story is exciting without being too ambitious or overcomplicated. The book held me spellbound and is responsible for a few hours of lost sleep. It's an historical-supernatural-romance-adventure-mystery--my favorite genres wrapped in...more

66 likes · like · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) by: Gin

Shelves: audio

Quick review:

Cover: Okay
Rating: R
Steaminess: Steam, maybe
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: Well researched and written could have been shorter though
Characters: Well written
Plot: A fight against those who claim to rule our future.
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Matthew

SUMMARY (50 words or less)

This story was entirely too slow for words. At points it picks up only to slow down. I do understand what the author was trying to do, but it was discouraging. Still the last thir...more

8 likes · like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 Maia B. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: beach-reads, fantasy, horrible-ending, mediocre-writing, too-long

Oh, man, does this book need an editor.

It's almost six hundred pages, with too much tea, a lot of really stupid "romance", and no real climax. The heroine drinks so much tea and wine that I wouldn't be surprised if five thousand words weren't simply descriptions of her consumption. She also jogs, rows, and does yoga - there are maybe twenty pages devoted simply to her yoga classes, which have nothing - that's NOTHING - to do with the plot.

Here's a condensed version.

DIANA: I'm a witch who doesn't...more

16 likes · like · see review

Mar 25, 2011 Jenn Estepp rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural-creature-feature

2 1/2, but today is rare occasion, wherein I am rounding down, because while I really liked parts of the book, there was just entirely too much in the middle that was goopy, melodramatic, tortured-love-that-dare-not-be.

I also think that I'm a little burnt out on the "normal boy/girl suddenly discovers that they are secretly/actually something else" - in this case, a witch. Well, Diana knows that she comes from a long-line of witches and can innately sense/do a bit of magic, but with the help of...more

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2011 kari rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-choose-not-to-finish

THIS IS ACTUALLY ZERO stars, but it won't be listed if I put zero, so, just so you know - ZERO!.
I thought this was going to be a really entertaining read, but I'm giving up. The main character makes no sense, whatsoever. We're told that she isn't able to do magic and then she does magic. Huh???
And then we have the vampire sneaking in her window and watching her sleep, fascinated by her sleeping. Where have I read this before? Let's see....... can anyone think of where they might have read this?...more

168 likes · like · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
Nothing but Readi...: * Harkness, Deborah; A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) Start Date June 10 2013	16	26	3 hours, 14 min ago
Who would you like to see play Diana Bishop in the ADOW movie?	173	814	May 15, 2013 06:40am
Who would you like to see play Matthew in the movie, if one were made?	622	2215	May 12, 2013 03:44pm
A bit slow?	4	32	May 12, 2013 01:40am
Goodreads Choice ...: * A Discovery of Witches ~ April 2013	156	276	May 09, 2013 04:16pm
Bookworm Bitches : October 2012: A Discovery of Witches	128	492	Apr 30, 2013 04:43am

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