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A Discovery of Witches
(All Souls #1)
by
Fall under the spell of Diana and Matthew in the stunning first volume of the No.1 internationally bestsellling ALL SOULS trilogy.
A world of witches, daemons and vampires. A manuscript which holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future. Diana and Matthew - the forbidden love at the heart of it.
When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in th ...more
A world of witches, daemons and vampires. A manuscript which holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future. Diana and Matthew - the forbidden love at the heart of it.
When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in th ...more
Kindle Edition, 610 pages
Published
February 8th 2011
by Headline
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Sep 27, 2011
Squee
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
the-idiocracy-is-here
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

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

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
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

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

For mere two bucks I rescued this book from a dusty shelf of a local Goodwill store, adopting it with high hopes.
For free, I returned it to the same shelf a few weeks later with dejected feeling, sandwiching it between a rejected copy of 'Twilight' and a tattered paperback with a shirtless guy on the cover.
At least it found its rightful spot. And I'm out only two dollars. And I would have gladly paid more to free my own bookshelf of this book.
So it goes.

My books mercilessly rejected the intrude ...more
For free, I returned it to the same shelf a few weeks later with dejected feeling, sandwiching it between a rejected copy of 'Twilight' and a tattered paperback with a shirtless guy on the cover.
At least it found its rightful spot. And I'm out only two dollars. And I would have gladly paid more to free my own bookshelf of this book.
So it goes.

My books mercilessly rejected the intrude ...more

Apr 19, 2011
kari
rated it
did not like it
·
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
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

2.5 stars
Hmmm. At first, I really thought this was going to be at least a 4 star book. It was interesting and full of detail!

Then suddenly, it wasn't.
Wasn't interesting, that is. Oh, it was still full of detail, don't worry.
Details about how they appreciatively sniffed wine.

Details about different kinds of tea.

Details about the layouts of old buildings.
Details about rugs and furniture.

And just when I started to think I couldn't take it anymore...MORE WINE AND TEA!


Yes, yes! I get it! She likes ...more
Hmmm. At first, I really thought this was going to be at least a 4 star book. It was interesting and full of detail!

Then suddenly, it wasn't.
Wasn't interesting, that is. Oh, it was still full of detail, don't worry.
Details about how they appreciatively sniffed wine.

Details about different kinds of tea.

Details about the layouts of old buildings.
Details about rugs and furniture.

And just when I started to think I couldn't take it anymore...MORE WINE AND TEA!


Yes, yes! I get it! She likes ...more

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
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

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
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

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
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

Feb 16, 2011
Amanda
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Absolutely no one.
Recommended to Amanda by:
carol.
In A Discovery of Witches, we clueless humans have no idea that we share our world with witches, vampires and daemons (creatures whose manic bursts of creativity result in some of the world's greatest artistic works). Isn't that exciting? One would certainly think so. So, what kind of shenanigans does this preternatural lot get up to while we live our ordinary lives?
Well . . .
Behold the books that shall be read! Thrill to the revelation that trips to the library will be made time and time again ...more
Well . . .
Behold the books that shall be read! Thrill to the revelation that trips to the library will be made time and time again ...more

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
This book.
Have you ever liked something almost against your will? Something that encompasses roughly half of the things you hate in reference to said thing? Something that makes you scratch your head in wonder, b/c you can’t figure out why on earth you aren’t terribly bothered by those detested things in this situation?
Welcome to my life.
This book has:
1. What can be construed as insta-love. Matthew and Diana are drawn to each other from the moment they meet, BUT it’s ...more
This book.
Have you ever liked something almost against your will? Something that encompasses roughly half of the things you hate in reference to said thing? Something that makes you scratch your head in wonder, b/c you can’t figure out why on earth you aren’t terribly bothered by those detested things in this situation?
Welcome to my life.
This book has:
1. What can be construed as insta-love. Matthew and Diana are drawn to each other from the moment they meet, BUT it’s ...more

Well well, Mary Sue, Mary Sue, Mary Sue. I haven't encountered you for a few books. Now I know where you've been keeping yourself.
-------
Updated: March 3, 2011.
I struggled to finish this novel. The book started out so well with an interesting protagonist, a bibliophile's dream setting, and wonderful descriptions of illustrated manuscripts. The plot tugs at the small thread of 'paranormalcy' in the protagonist's life, and everything goes south from there. Literally south. They leave England and g ...more
-------
Updated: March 3, 2011.
I struggled to finish this novel. The book started out so well with an interesting protagonist, a bibliophile's dream setting, and wonderful descriptions of illustrated manuscripts. The plot tugs at the small thread of 'paranormalcy' in the protagonist's life, and everything goes south from there. Literally south. They leave England and g ...more

my gosh, i really wanted to like this one. it looks good. it is nice and big and so i imagined getting lost with it for days. the subject matter is enticing. even the cover looks appealing - elegant and mysterious and sorta bold. but unfortunately this book is just a big, perpetually flaccid penis. it looks good, like it could be a fun time, but nothing is happening, it's limp, it's useless.
hmmm, where do i even start? this was an experience where a lot of bored sighs found life. i got about hal ...more
hmmm, where do i even start? this was an experience where a lot of bored sighs found life. i got about hal ...more

Re-Read 12/15/17:
Beyond what I said in my original review, I really enjoyed all the interwoven devices that carry all the way through all three books. I knew I'd enjoy a re-read even as I finished the third book since there are so many great historical details as well as more developed characters, later on, but I think I may have enjoyed this novel more this time around purely for its own sake.
Just knowing what happens at the end and where Diana winds up is good enough to chortle over, all by it ...more
Beyond what I said in my original review, I really enjoyed all the interwoven devices that carry all the way through all three books. I knew I'd enjoy a re-read even as I finished the third book since there are so many great historical details as well as more developed characters, later on, but I think I may have enjoyed this novel more this time around purely for its own sake.
Just knowing what happens at the end and where Diana winds up is good enough to chortle over, all by it ...more

Well, this was the dumbest shit I’ve read in quite a while.
I picked it up thinking it would be some good escapist fantasy book with some romance thrown in but it turned out to be Twilight meets Instagram. We had some vampires, demons, and witches but they never did anything remotely interesting. It was all about yoga, fitness routines, early morning runs, elaborate and photogenic meals, wine drunk in old chateaus, cosy interiors and, I swear to you, there was a scene where the heroine drew her ...more
I picked it up thinking it would be some good escapist fantasy book with some romance thrown in but it turned out to be Twilight meets Instagram. We had some vampires, demons, and witches but they never did anything remotely interesting. It was all about yoga, fitness routines, early morning runs, elaborate and photogenic meals, wine drunk in old chateaus, cosy interiors and, I swear to you, there was a scene where the heroine drew her ...more

Sep 24, 2018
High Lady of The Night Court
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
paranormal-read
"It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches."
This trilogy is like no other paranormal book I’ve ever read. The world is huge and the author not only takes us around the world but also tells us about its history through the Book of Life. The protagonist of the story has distanced herself from her magic and any other supernatural concept in the world after she lost her parents as a child. The protagonist’s lack of knowledge allows the ...more
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches."
This trilogy is like no other paranormal book I’ve ever read. The world is huge and the author not only takes us around the world but also tells us about its history through the Book of Life. The protagonist of the story has distanced herself from her magic and any other supernatural concept in the world after she lost her parents as a child. The protagonist’s lack of knowledge allows the ...more

Nov 06, 2012
seak
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
your worst enemy?
Shelves:
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
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

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
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

[In the interests of full disclosure, I edited this review in September 2018. Upon reflection, some of my initial comments were a little too fangirl in style and my initial reference to Twilight was being misconstrued or used to make a point.. After many years and quite a few rereadings of this book, my enthusiasm for it has not waned, but I can appreciate why it troubles some readers. I believe one can be a thinking, modern and independent woman and yet still appreciate a male character who pos
...more

Let me preface this review with me saying that this is my personal opinion. I know this book is very beloved by very many, and that’s awesome. Nothing makes me happier than books making people happy, and if A Discovery of Witches is your favorite book, than I am truly happy for you. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t work for me.
Nothing offended me or anything like that, this book was just ungodly boring. I mean, there is a very alpha vampire in here that marks his territory and claims what h ...more
Nothing offended me or anything like that, this book was just ungodly boring. I mean, there is a very alpha vampire in here that marks his territory and claims what h ...more

Mar 08, 2011
Kelsey
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-want-to-own,
favorites
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
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

DNF @ 181 Pages
I thought I was gonna love this so much that I spent years trolling my favorite used book stores to find excellent quality hardcover copies of the whole series. Meaning: I own the WHOLE series. And seriously wasted my time. Which makes this even more of a bummer.
This was just SOOOOOOO incredibly boring.
I read 181 pages of this...and 150 of that was probably about wine, tea, wine, architecture, tea, Oxford, wine, tea, gross under-cooked food, wine, tea...hey, did I mention there ...more
I thought I was gonna love this so much that I spent years trolling my favorite used book stores to find excellent quality hardcover copies of the whole series. Meaning: I own the WHOLE series. And seriously wasted my time. Which makes this even more of a bummer.
This was just SOOOOOOO incredibly boring.
I read 181 pages of this...and 150 of that was probably about wine, tea, wine, architecture, tea, Oxford, wine, tea, gross under-cooked food, wine, tea...hey, did I mention there ...more

This could have been a great book.
The series has a lot going for it. The author has achieved a perfect level of magic combined with mystery and academia.
Sounds strange doesn’t it?
But this is very much in a similar vein to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters explore libraries (yay libraries!) to gain knowledge about the supernatural. The protagonist comes across a very unusual book, a book of magic. The tension is here very early on, the narrative drive is here very on, though it all goe ...more
The series has a lot going for it. The author has achieved a perfect level of magic combined with mystery and academia.
Sounds strange doesn’t it?
But this is very much in a similar vein to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters explore libraries (yay libraries!) to gain knowledge about the supernatural. The protagonist comes across a very unusual book, a book of magic. The tension is here very early on, the narrative drive is here very on, though it all goe ...more

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
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

I read this book back in 2011. I marked it five stars. I put it on my favorites list.
I'm hunting 2011 Shelby down to kick her ass.
I wanted so much to enjoy this. I'm reading it with some of the bestest people..I just give up. The wording..the insta love..the clueless female.
Just can't. I sorry.
Book you got kicked off the favorite list. ...more
I'm hunting 2011 Shelby down to kick her ass.

I wanted so much to enjoy this. I'm reading it with some of the bestest people..I just give up. The wording..the insta love..the clueless female.
Just can't. I sorry.

Book you got kicked off the favorite list. ...more

A Discovery of a Crappy Book. This book is terrible. Why oh why were the stupid witches discovered. Here is the plot:
Day One.
I went to the library. I am a witch; he is a vampire. I shouldn't love him. But he is so cold and I am so hot for him. I had lunch and did some yoga.
Day Two.
I went to the library. Some people may or may not have been there, and they may or may not have been magical. I am a witch; he is a vampire. I shouldn't love him. But he is so cold and I am so hot for him. I had lunch ...more
Day One.
I went to the library. I am a witch; he is a vampire. I shouldn't love him. But he is so cold and I am so hot for him. I had lunch and did some yoga.
Day Two.
I went to the library. Some people may or may not have been there, and they may or may not have been magical. I am a witch; he is a vampire. I shouldn't love him. But he is so cold and I am so hot for him. I had lunch ...more

UPDATE AUGUST 2016:
This was my 4th time reading this book and I enjoyed it more than ever! No doubts about this being my most favorite paranormal story of all times.
My Diana and Matthew:

I am not exaggerating when I say that this is the most fascinating paranormal story I have ever read in my life.
Discovery of Witches is splendid combination of history, science, romance and action. This bo ...more
This was my 4th time reading this book and I enjoyed it more than ever! No doubts about this being my most favorite paranormal story of all times.
My Diana and Matthew:

“It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches."
I am not exaggerating when I say that this is the most fascinating paranormal story I have ever read in my life.
Discovery of Witches is splendid combination of history, science, romance and action. This bo ...more
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Deborah Harkness is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who draws on her expertise as an historian of science, medicine, and the history of the book to create rich narratives steeped in magical realism, historical curiosity, and deeply human questions about what it is that makes us who we are.
The first book in Harkness’s beloved All Souls series, A Discovery of Witches, was an instant New York ...more
The first book in Harkness’s beloved All Souls series, A Discovery of Witches, was an instant New York ...more
Other books in the series
All Souls
(4 books)
Articles featuring this book
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“Just because something seems impossible doesn’t make it untrue,”
—
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“It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches.”
—
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More quotes…
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches.”
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