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A Discovery of Witches
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Harkness, Deborah; A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) Start Date June 10 2013 - and again August 1st. ***REVISIT starts July 12, 2018
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Jul 22, 2013 03:10PM)
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rated it 3 stars
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I have this hardcopy version and that is what the page numbers refer to
June 10 - Chapters 1-7 (pages 1-76) - Karen
June 11 - Chapters 8-12 (pages 77-155) - Karen
June 12 - Chapters 13-17 (pages 156-228) - Robin
June 13 - Chapters 18-22 (pages 229-294) - Karen
June 14 - Chapters 23-29 (pages 295-386) - Robin
June 15 - Chapters 30-35 (pages 387-479) - Karen
June 16 - Chapters 36-end (pages 480-592) - Robin
I believe I'm in, Karen. I've read it before, or rather listened to it, and would love to review it as a "buddy read."
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I read this one and its sequel so I'll lurk.
Mod
I just finished the audiobook for this so I'll probably watch the discussion.
I am in to. I wanted to read this for a very long time
I'm in. I'm looking forward to it - I've wanted to read for a while now!
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
(last edited May 24, 2013 05:40AM)
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~ Lisarenee
I'd like to participate in this one. I bought the paperback months ago and now it's growing dust on the shelf! :)
I've had this on my Kindle forever --- can anyone join?
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Yep! The more the Merrier.
Mod
I may lurk on this one, if that's alright. I read this awhile ago and recently finished the second one. Loved them both. I'm interested to read what y'all think.
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
(last edited May 29, 2013 02:40PM)
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~ “Buddy Reads” and the 7% Solution Challenge ~
With regards to the 7% Solution Challenge taking place within the Tower Teams Reading Challenge, the Mods have decided that you do NOT need to create a day’s worth of DQs to satisfy Category #4 - Books of the Month or any impromptu “buddy reads.”
As far as the current BOMs, the Mods would appreciate any help (and there might be a cupcake
or two in it for your Team, if you do a set). Note: We added start dates to the threads’ titles.
Requirement for 7% Completion
Nevertheless, we stipulate that members participating in that challenge need to give more than a two sentence statement. Something more than, “I loved it. But hated the cliffhanger at the end...” repeatedly, member after member.
One example we liked was a comment or two at the end of every chapter or two where people put these under “view spoiler” (view spoiler). This is fine with us, though that makes it difficult to access for members reading on their phones.
Therefore, there needs to be some kind of designated stopping points for discussion - by chapters with view spoilers, as mentioned, or defined sections - agreed upon or defined by someone willing to make the suggestion.
If you like, you may reserve a post that refers the Mods to your comments.
Example (For this example, they all go to the same post; hopefully, you get the idea.)
Steven - link to my comments 6/10 on The Hobbit
Steven - link to my comments 6/12 on The Hobbit
Steven - link to my comments 6/14 on The Hobbit
Mod
Having the reading schedule certainly helps to keep people commenting on about the same spot, and stops the need for lots of spoiler tags which, you are right, are a total pain when using the app! :D
When is this one starting?ETA: Never mind....ROFL I see the start date now. I always look in the first post and not the Title/Heading.Sorry :)
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Amazing book! I read this one a year or two ago, beautifully written and great characters. I would love to re read this story and participate because it has been so long!
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I think reading this book for me will hit two of my goals... Getting a book off my TBR and doing weights (have you seen the size of this thing! lol)
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Man -- I haven't finished The Diviners and I want to read The Passage as well ---- this is going to be tough :-D
Are there going to be questions for this one or are we just discussing after each day's stopping point?
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Jun 10, 2013 04:31AM)
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@Robin - I intend to do questions, and am happy for volunteers too! It has been a long weekend here so although I'm almost at the end of the 10th June I haven't finished today's reading. Questions will be up in the morning my time which is Australian EST (not sure what that is for you, should be evening of the 10th in the US).
EDIT - was able to read the section tonight! Questions are forthcoming! :D
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Jun 10, 2013 04:41AM)
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I have a habit of reading books based on recommendations that I don't know anything about and this one is no different! Which brings me to the first question
1. Is the book so far what you expected? Do you like the writing style?
2. It seems Diana is a reluctant witch. I found it odd that she wanted to remain untrained. It seems dangerous somehow. Do you agree?
3. This first section introduces daemons, witches and vampires as living amongst humans. Given the choice, what would you prefer to be?
4. Do you think it will be significant that Diana's finding of the manuscript coincided with Mabon? (FYI - this is a pagan festival that starts on the autumnal equinox more info here )
5. So it seems that Diana doesn't understand her own powers or how it 'seeps' out of her as light in her dreams. There have been quite a few descriptions already about smells, sounds, feelings, light. What do you think will be the meaning of the scent of cloves that she couldn't shake when she woke up?
6. Interesting that she has sort of allied herself with a vampire and the Wizard in the library seemed to be threatening her. Do you think she should heed what her Aunty taught her about the 'heirachy' of creatures and stay away from Matthew and Agatha? Would you trust them?
7. I loved her reaction to Matthew when she told him to call her by her first name and how he sensed it. Can you imagine being friends with a being that could sense you like that?
8. The humour started towards the end of this set of reading (Diana being called "tasty" and Matthew thinking it was a threat!). Also the promise of a vampire at a yoga class! Do you think it is really a yoga class or something else?
Mod
Karen wrote: "lol Jolene! I'm not sure how you'll do those 3 books at once!@Robin - I intend to do questions, and am happy for volunteers too! It has been a long weekend here so although I'm almost at the end ..."
It is June 10th @ 11:43 am. So you are ahead of us here in the US :) I have started on the questions for the first 7 chapters and will have them posted shortly!! Thanks Karen!!!
Loved this book and the next one! Hope y'all enjoy it. And great questions, Robin!!
Chapters 1-7, questions posted by Karen.1. Is the book so far what you expected? Do you like the writing style?
Yes. I like the style, the explantions are clear, she introduces a lot of things in the first chapters but I never feel overwhelmed by descriptions or that things are overexplained.
2. It seems Diana is a reluctant witch. I found it odd that she wanted to remain untrained. It seems dangerous somehow. Do you agree?
She is a very reluctant witch, I get the feeling that she just doesn't want anything to do with magic, but she can't avoid it. I think it is very dangerous, the magic gets released anyway as we could read from the chapter where Matthew breaks into her appartment and light flows out of her when she sleeps.
3. This first section introduces daemons, witches and vampires as living amongst humans. Given the choice, what would you prefer to be?
Witch, they seem to have the most control of what they are doing and can blend in society best.
4. Do you think it will be significant that Diana's finding of the manuscript coincided with Mabon?
Yes I think so, at these celebrations powers/magic are probably stronger.
5. So it seems that Diana doesn't understand her own powers or how it 'seeps' out of her as light in her dreams. There have been quite a few descriptions already about smells, sounds, feelings, light. What do you think will be the meaning of the scent of cloves that she couldn't shake when she woke up?
She felt/sensed the presence of Matthew in the appartment, he had been in there for a while. But I think she does understand a lot about her powers, she just doesn't want to use them which I can understand considering what may have happend to her parents.
6. Interesting that she has sort of allied herself with a vampire and the Wizard in the library seemed to be threatening her. Do you think she should heed what her Aunty taught her about the 'heirachy' of creatures and stay away from Matthew and Agatha? Would you trust them?
Don't know yet.
7. I loved her reaction to Matthew when she told him to call her by her first name and how he sensed it. Can you imagine being friends with a being that could sense you like that?
8. The humour started towards the end of this set of reading (Diana being called "tasty" and Matthew thinking it was a threat!). Also the promise of a vampire at a yoga class! Do you think it is really a yoga class or something else?
It may just be a yoga class, but a supernatural one. I'm looking formawrd to reading it though. Can't imagine a vampire practising yoga, it may be an ancient form of yoga.
Mod
So far so good!
Chapters 1-7I have a habit of reading books based on recommendations that I don't know anything about and this one is no different! Which brings me to the first question
1. Is the book so far what you expected? Do you like the writing style?
I picked this book up sometime last year and made it through the first chapter. I'm not sure what I expected from this book but this isn't it. I'm finding the book is moving along at a snail's pace. The writing is very descriptive and lengthy when it's really not all that necessary. I dislike a redundant writing style which this book has.I totally understand that Diana is from a long line of witches.Can we move on now? No wonder the book is so huge. So far I haven't really determined what the plot is if there is one. I am beginning to feel like this is another Twilight :(
2.It seems Diana is a reluctant witch. I found it odd that she wanted to remain untrained. It seems dangerous somehow. Do you agree?
Well we are told that she is untrained and doesn't do magic but then she does magic. This contradiction just isn't settling well.
3.This first section introduces daemons, witches and vampires as living amongst humans. Given the choice, what would you prefer to be?
A witch
4.Do you think it will be significant that Diana's finding of the manuscript coincided with Mabon? (FYI - this is a pagan festival that starts on the autumnal equinox more info here )
At this point I think the coincidence was A)to keep her from attending Mabon to solidify the idea that she is against participating in witchcraft but with the contradictions the reader knows she does practice and B)an easy way of introducing Matthew.
5.So it seems that Diana doesn't understand her own powers or how it 'seeps' out of her as light in her dreams. There have been quite a few descriptions already about smells, sounds, feelings, light. What do you think will be the meaning of the scent of cloves that she couldn't shake when she woke up?
The writing has contradicted itself to the point that it is unbelievable that Diana doesn't know the extent of her powers and how to use them. The scent of cloves...is that just a clue for her to know that Matthew has been around?
6.Interesting that she has sort of allied herself with a vampire and the Wizard in the library seemed to be threatening her. Do you think she should heed what her Aunty taught her about the 'heirachy' of creatures and stay away from Matthew and Agatha? Would you trust them?
Yes she should heed what her aunt has taught her. Apparently Diana is just rebellious and doesn't think she should take anything seriously but what she wants instead of what's in her best interest. I am getting this strong vibe that this is going to be another Edward/Bella relationship where Diana throws all her brains/sense of precaution out the window and Matthew is always going to be there to save her :( No, I probably wouldn't trust them.
7.I loved her reaction to Matthew when she told him to call her by her first name and how he sensed it. Can you imagine being friends with a being that could sense you like that?
I didn't find this to be all that unusual. I am sure we have all been in situations where we know what the other person is thinking/feeling before they ever express themselves. We just don't do it by smell or taste but intuition.
8. The humour started towards the end of this set of reading (Diana being called "tasty" and Matthew thinking it was a threat!). Also the promise of a vampire at a yoga class! Do you think it is really a yoga class or something else?
With the direction this book is taking it is probably something else.
Robin's Daily Questions and Comments on A Discovery of WitchesReporting Post
Link to Main Thread
June 10th A Discovery of Witches DQs Chapters 1-7
June 11th A Discovery of Witches DQs Chapters 8-12
My Questions for June 12th Discovery of Witches
June 12th A Discovery of Witches DQs Chapters 13-17/Answers to My Own DQs
June 13th A Discovery of Witches DQs Chapters 18-22
My Questions for June 14th Discovery of Witches
Answers to My Own DQs for June 14th
June 15th A Discovery of Witches DQs Chapters 30-35
My Questions for June 16th Discovery of Witches
Answers to My Own DQs for June 16th
Mod
I feel similar to you. So far I like the style and I'm interested to see where the book is headed
Mod
1. lol! I hope you're prediction isn't true (atleast the vampires don't shimmer in the sunlight!)
2. Yes, I think she said this was her 5th time of doing magic that year? Kind of reminded me of Samantha from Bewitched
Chapters 1-71. Is the book so far what you expected? Do you like the writing style?
I'm not sure what I expected since I just skimmed the summary of it, but I am enjoying it. So far, I like her writing style. It is easy to follow and doesn't overexplain things. She lets you learn things gradually about the main characters.
2. It seems Diana is a reluctant witch. I found it odd that she wanted to remain untrained. It seems dangerous somehow. Do you agree?
It is a bit odd since she comes from a very well established family of witches that she wants to remain untrained but she hasn't had the best experiences with magic. I do think that it could become dangerous in the future if she can't control her powers very well.
3. This first section introduces daemons, witches and vampires as living amongst humans. Given the choice, what would you prefer to be?
I think I would prefer to be a witch since they seem to have the best "bad" reputation. It is easier for them and they are not as feared as the other two groups.
4. Do you think it will be significant that Diana's finding of the manuscript coincided with Mabon? (FYI - this is a pagan festival that starts on the autumnal equinox more info here )
I think it is significant only because a lot of power was coming together in one place for the festival and it looks like people believe she is going to have the most potential as a witch so it gravitated to her.
5. So it seems that Diana doesn't understand her own powers or how it 'seeps' out of her as light in her dreams. There have been quite a few descriptions already about smells, sounds, feelings, light. What do you think will be the meaning of the scent of cloves that she couldn't shake when she woke up?
I think it was the warning scent that someone had been in her room.
6. Interesting that she has sort of allied herself with a vampire and the Wizard in the library seemed to be threatening her. Do you think she should heed what her Aunty taught her about the 'heirachy' of creatures and stay away from Matthew and Agatha? Would you trust them?
I think the Wizard was threatening her because he wants to have the power she holds but doesn't use. I don't know if I would trust Matthew and Agatha, but I think I wouldn't deliberately avoid them until they did something directly threatening to me like the Wizard did to Diana.
7. I loved her reaction to Matthew when she told him to call her by her first name and how he sensed it. Can you imagine being friends with a being that could sense you like that?
I would be blushing a lot probably. Either that or the other person would be walking around confused a lot. My thoughts do not always follow normal logical patterns so my emotions probably jump all over the place too. But it also could be helpful if there was something you just couldn't bring yourself to say out loud, but they could know what it was anyway.
8. The humour started towards the end of this set of reading (Diana being called "tasty" and Matthew thinking it was a threat!). Also the promise of a vampire at a yoga class! Do you think it is really a yoga class or something else?
I think it is a yoga class, but run by him since he is so cagey about it. I think he may even be setting one up specifically for her so he had to make up the reason why there wasn't one that night.
Mod
2. True... you would think with that kind of lineage you would train up even just out of curiosity!
4. I wonder if she will be able to find it again when Mabon is over?
7. I like that "it also could be helpful if there was something you just couldn't bring yourself to say out loud, but they could know what it was anyway.
:)
8. Now that would be interesting - a vampire yoga instructor...lol!
For those of you in the Tower Teams Reading Challenge, and who have posted/written a set of DQs, your names have been added under the "blinkie" 
cupcake's column up to this post.
Mod
1. I read a lot of YA, and the style of this was very different from my usual reads. That said, I really like it. It has a literary tone that I think adds an air of mystery. It's really drawn me in so far.2. I agree that remaining untrained seems dangerous. I worried about Diana living alone after she mentioned the story about her aunt locking her in after she was found wandering in her sleep. Yikes! Yet I understand her wanting a life she's earned for herself.
3. I don't think I have a firm grasp on the daemons yet. Agatha seems fairly normal, and if I knew I could end up on the rock star side of things I'd be all for it. :) I think if I had to choose, though, witch seems the way to go.
4. I'm not sure yet about the significance of Mabon. It seems that's likely to be the reason she found it when she did - as if the book had higher powers as a result of the equinox or something. That seems to be a common notion in witch lore.
5. I'm very curious about both the smells she notices on Matthew and what he smells on her. They both seem equally disturbed by the other's scent, and I hope we get some clarity on why that is. I like the heightened senses we get to experience throughout this book so far, but it seems really cool to focus on smell. Lots of vampire/paranormal books focus on heightened eyesight or speed, but the smell thing is kind of new!
6. Matthew certainly seems more trustworthy at this point than her fellow witches/wizards. Gillian seems to grow more openly hostile and the wizard was not very nice at all! I want to trust Matthew and Agatha, and I hope I'm not wrong to do so.
7. I think this sense connection may be why he's so easy to trust, but then again, he is a vampire and that's kind of what they do. :)
8. I wondered the same thing! Is he really taking her to yoga? I can't wait to find out.
Karen wrote: "@Robin1. lol! I hope you're prediction isn't true (atleast the vampires don't shimmer in the sunlight!)
2. Yes, I think she said this was her 5th time of doing magic that year? Kind of reminded ..."
LOL yes thank goodness the vampires aren't shimmering in the sunlight. That was just a little bit too much.
I though of Samantha in Bewitched too especially when Diana was referencing to her mother's house cleaning. Wouldn't that be nice?
Turtlecollector wrote: "Chapters 1-71. Is the book so far what you expected? Do you like the writing style?
I'm not sure what I expected since I just skimmed the summary of it, but I am enjoying it. So far, I like her..."
Yes it is odd that she wants to be an untrained witch. Me on the other hand, I would want to twinkle my nose or wave my wand and have everything I ever dreamed of LOL
Is it just me or did anyone else find Clairmont's interest in wolves some what strange? Or am I just thinking this way because of weres and vamps are common enemies in other books?
Logan wrote: "1. I read a lot of YA, and the style of this was very different from my usual reads. That said, I really like it. It has a literary tone that I think adds an air of mystery. It's really drawn me in..."I started reading
and it was kind of strange to me to the point I was laughing. I don't have a problem with the heightened senses as they can be interesting but in Dark Lover the bad guy smelled like baby powder. Of all things for him to smell like....seriously???? Needless to say I put the book down at that point and left it. My friends keep telling me to pick the book back up as it is a really good series. In the next month or so I hope to start it again :)
Mod
1. I agree. I actually found myself wondering why this is YA because the characters aren't teenagers either which is usually a pre-requisite for YA!
3. Rockstars - haha - yep I'm up for that! reminds me of
5. Good point. I like it too
8. I just can't visualise it. A suave, cool, vampire doing yoga.. and we all know that everyone farts in yoga classes... (would vampires fart?!)
♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Logan wrote: "1. I read a lot of YA, and the style of this was very different from my usual reads. That said, I really like it. It has a literary tone that I think adds an air of mystery. It's real..."The BDB series makes me laugh - the terminology, their clothes and music tastes, the baby powder thing, and on and on. That said, it really grew on me because it doesn't take itself too seriously. If you can get through book 3, you'll be hooked. I'm reading book 11 right now!
Mod
Oh, I always wanted to be Samantha! Imagine getting all those chores done by twitching your nose. It really irked me that she wouldn't just do it and lie to Darren...lol..!
With Matthew I kind of figured he studies things to pass the time and wolves are carnivorous hunters like vampires, so why not study something similar to yourself? I didn't think about the whole vampire v werewolf thing, but I'm grateful werewolves haven't been introduced. That would make this book a little bit mainstream for me - I would keep comparing it to all the other similar books out there
Nothing But Reading Challenges
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Synopsis:
A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.
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