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A Discovery of Witches (All Souls, #1)

Deborah Harkness

Start date: May 1, 2019

Finish date: May 31, 2019

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: historical fiction
[close] Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: historical fiction

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Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
By Bailey · 4 posts · 30 views

last updated Aug 12, 2025 07:32AM

* New Series- The Princess Trials
By Bailey · 10 posts · 59 views

last updated Aug 27, 2025 04:41PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 09, 2013 Gena rated it it was ok

I really liked this book - okay, I really liked the first 100 pages. This started off just the way I like a book; a lot of historical stuff, great atmosphere, an interesting mystery and a great character. I mean what isn't to like about a historian, who just happens to be a witch, calling up a mysterious old manuscript from the stacks of the Bodleian Library at Oxford and feeling a cool tingle of magic? Diana Bishop comes from a long line of witches but has decided not to use magic, to stand on I really liked this book - okay, I really liked the first 100 pages. This started off just the way I like a book; a lot of historical stuff, great atmosphere, an interesting mystery and a great character. I mean what isn't to like about a historian, who just happens to be a witch, calling up a mysterious old manuscript from the stacks of the Bodleian Library at Oxford and feeling a cool tingle of magic? Diana Bishop comes from a long line of witches but has decided not to use magic, to stand on her own merits and make her own way in the world. So when she discovers this old book has some strange powers - she hastily sends it back. And that's what sets the chain of events in action. Turns out the other magical creatures - demons and vampires also want the book. Enter a fascinating vampire named Matthew Clairmont, a massive, gorgeous, charming man who happens to be nearly 1500 years old - and he, too, wants Ashmole 782. What's a girl to do? Well, according to Deborah Harkness, a girl is suppose to forget she is a woman, give up making any decisions about what to do, where to go and when to sleep, and just do whatever the vampire she just met tells her to do. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE IN LOVE!! Not just in love, they ARE SOULMATES! No, what's stronger than soulmates? Uh, I don't know but whatever it is you will know when it happens to you because no matter how rough, and rude and arrogant a guy is, you will love him more than your own life (or until your friends perform an intervention and make you see that you are in an abusive relationship). I could not get passed how wimpy Diana became. She let's this vampire run her every action, he drugs her, lies to her, doesn't tell her important bits of information that might save her pain and suffering and yet because she loves him, she forgives him over and over again.
Okay, and Diana has renounced magic but when she is being tortured I totally expected her to become bad ass and have some understanding of her magic. She never does in this book - maybe in the second novel but I will never know because I do not plan on reading it. If she is the most powerful and gifted witch in recent years why is it that she can not innately handle her powers? Shouldn't that be part of her gift? Guess not.
The other thing that bugged me was the whole time-travel part. They all act like they are going undercover for years and years - and while technically they are they can return the day they left and it would be as if they were only gone for an hour or two. I was also confused by the author's version of time travel. Do they inhabit the body of someone else there? Does Matthew's 500 year ago self vanish and this modern version appear? Are both versions there? What happens if they run into each other. Matthew sends a note back saying they reached the past safely but unless they were not expected to return why do that? I didn't get it and maybe it's all explained in the next book but after making it through A Discovery of Witches I can't bring myself to start the next one. And you know what? I'm okay with that. Good luck in the past Matthew and Diana, leave me a sign in Shakespeare of Marlow's work but don't expect me to slog along with you. ...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-bought-paper, paranormal, 2013-books-read

The complexity of the world and beautiful, rich writing give this 5 star appeal, but the plot lost major momentum in the last third of the book and I nearly didn't finish it. Glad I did, and am looking forward to the next book. ...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Michael Sherer rated it really liked it

I picked this up expecting a "Twilight" knock-off, but this tale of forbidden love between a witch and a vampire is intelligent, exciting, thought-provoking and very well-written. I'm looking forward to the second installment out this summer. ...more

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Nov 28, 2017 Heidi rated it liked it

This book was a lot longer then it needed to be. It felt redundant in some areas. Overall though, I liked the story. It did make me wonder what happened next.

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