A Discovery of Witches
discussion
Was I the only one...
date
newest »
newest »
I though SHADOW OF NIGHT was even better, but then I loved the first one. What I liked better about the second one was the historical setting. The second reads like a historical fiction with sci-fi/romance elements. I can't wait for the third book. Maybe the final book in the trilogy will see them break up for a while.
I loved this book! Also I agree with Debbie Shadow of Night was even better. I can't wait for the third but they haven't announced a release date for it yet.
I haven't been so excited for the next installment in a long time. I just love this story. I will be sad when it is over.
What annoyed me was that everyone kept undermining her magic and life choices. It felt really unfair, even if she couldn't really control her magic, it wasn't right to treat her less for it...
I actually thought that the second book didn't really get any better in terms of the relationship between Diana and Matthew. To me it seemed as though Diana was reduced to the role of housewife.
I found the second book marginally more bareable than the first. Althought the dialogue between Matthew and Diana is a still a bit hit and miss.
Their Romance and desire for each other is what got me hocked, and I don’t even like romance book!!! I didn’t think I was going to like it at first but as soon as they started talking to each other I couldn’t stop reading. The Second book was intense in some sense but I loved it just as much. Best Vampire/Witch love story ever.
Rarely do I think that a focus on a romantic relationship is a failing in fiction. I love the developing relationship between Diana and Matthew, and also that Diana is developing her powers as a witch. In the second book, she grows stronger and stronger as she uncovers more of her latent power. She gets stronger as she develops her third eye, as witches do. Yes, she is gender role-restricted in the second book, but it's because they've traveled back in time and she's trying to act according to the social mores of the time to avoid suspicion, not because Matthew is trying to suppress her. She also has to hide the fact that she's American.
I don't think Diana's family tried to undermine her powers, just that they were afraid that she'd be in danger like her parents were.
Meera wrote: "I actually thought that the second book didn't really get any better in terms of the relationship between Diana and Matthew. To me it seemed as though Diana was reduced to the role of housewife."Agreed. The second book was harder to swallow for that reason. Although Mathew always says its a part of a vampire to be possessive, its still annoying. I can't find myself loving a male lead who is that over bearing since I would never want to be with someone like that.
I liked this book, though yes I agree that it got grating at times. I think I liked it more than I would have otherwise because I'm a history major and I also listened to it on CD and the reader was amazing.
I liked the first book, the Romance and the improbability of it, the threats to Diana if she found her power, not knowing or understanding how to use what she had. The romance played out in her finding love and her powers at the same time. The adjustments that a modern day women with power had to make to even have a relationship with a man who may live in modern time but who was definitly not a product of the 20th century made the story interesting. The second book was truly a test of her powers on all levels to be placed in a time where women had no power and witches were being prosecuted she managed to hold her own in a time that was not her own and lead a life that was hundreds of years removed from her way of thinking, speaking and being. where being a modern woman unwilling to "cling" to her husband could have cost her life it was interesting to see how that played out.The authors accuracy in potraying the period, the mind set and the mood of the people was spot on.
It seemed like Diana fell in love with Matthew way too quickly. I thought she was annoyed at his stalker behavior, but then she's suddenly pledging her love for him. When did that happen?
I couldn't get into this book
Dianas power combined with her historical knowledge was great to read especially in the second book but the romance between her and matthew was so hard to get through for me. It really wasn't anything your probably already read so if you can make it past an annoying romance by all means try for the second read. Some details were pretty neat.
Heh, how very odd. I read this book because, at the time, I thought it was a paranormal romance. I was disappointed to find that it was filled with history, wine and philosophy. None of those things interest me. My edition was about 500 pages, I believe. I couldn't finish it due to the lack of magic, paranormal creatures and romance. I found the courting laughable. Vampire yoga? I mean, really.
As a paranormal romance reader, I thought the relationship was pushed to the background and I didn't like that. I just found it incredibly boring.
I stopped and started this book a couple of times. At first I loved the character of Diana. She was strong, capable and living life on her own terms. Even after Matthew came on the scene she still retained some of those qualities. But after they went to the yoga class she changed. Suddenly she's incapable of a rational thought and depends on Matthew for just about everything. I did finish the book and will probably read the next in the series. I just hope the character of Diana goes back to being a strong female lead.
I started this book a couple of times, then eventually was able to devour it when I just admitted to myself that it is more a romance novel than a fantasy series.Oh well! I enjoyed it, unbelievably quick romantic progression and all. It's not a five star book, but it's certainly enjoyable.
The second book lost momentum, for me. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much, but it was still "good".
Loved both books, the second one is even better than the first, if you don't mind the fact that most of it is spent in the past. You meet Matthew's father (a great character addition), learn more about Matthew's past, and watch Diana gradually come into her powers.
Read the first one all the way through but annoyed by the constant interruptions in the main plot thread while the author concentrated on the budding romance between Matthew and Diana. In book two it was even worse, as the author flooded the narrative with historical details. It's a shame. They could have been real page turners. Instead I gave up half way through what I assume is a trilogy. Would have worked far better as a stand alone novel if the editor had kept the author focussed on the plot rather than the romance and the setting.
I couldn't get into the first 100 pgs. There was no real action or major problem. It was just Matthew and Diana. I enjoyed the part where she went missing because there was a problem and most through everything following after. I did enjoy the book when I got into it very much. It is not a bad read and the person that I recommended it to got into the book right away. I think its all a personal opinion, and what you like in a book. My only problem was that it was a little to slow for me in the beginning.
Ah, were you still Twilighting?I sunk so deep into these books and brow beated my friends into reading them to get them off of re-reading Twilight.
I find Deborah Harkness writing so smooth and flowing I fell into a non-stop reading jag, in fact had to re-read these. I had a job a the time where I would listen to Books on CD while working to drown out the work noise & radio.. That was my first introduction to the book... then had to have it. Deborah writes beautifully. her website is awesome as well. I enjoyed her 2nd book and again found myself in a all night book feast. I read it way too fast and now am left with the cliff hangers, waiting for the 3rd book..
I found there to be lots of undertow action..and did not find the story lacking in any nature.
If anything found this series to be a more honest reality check if that could be said of Vampires, Witches and things that go bump in the night!
I like the fact that they are forming a bond across natures and celebrating differences, forming the alliance...against evil..
ST wrote: "I was very excited about this book and the idea is still very intriguing to me, but with that said I found the book too focused on the romance. Don't get me wrong, I love romance in a story but th..."I read it last year. Loved the beginning but thought the book was taken over by another author when the tone of the book changed. It seemed more ridiculous than romantic to me. So disappointed. Will not put myself through book number 2.
I loved this book and Shadow of Night. I cannot even relate to what any of you wrote. I loved Matthew Clairmont and that the books focus so much on the romance. Diana was irritating at times, but I love her character. I don't care for wimpy, spineless female characters, but neither do I want one that is so tough that she cannot deeply fall in love with her man and be flexible. I never perceived Matthew as treating her like child. He loves her and was being protective. I loved that about Matthew. Sometimes he went overboard with it, but it is better than having a man who is clueless and emotionally unavailable. There is nothing wrong with wanting to protect the woman you love so dearly.
A true snooze- fest!
Xenia wrote: "I loved this book and Shadow of Night. I cannot even relate to what any of you wrote. I loved Matthew Clairmont and that the books focus so much on the romance. Diana was irritating at times, bu..."I agree with you!!!!
I enjoyed this book and want to read the sequel. Harkness' excellent storytelling kept me turning pages, not wanting to put it down. However, the romance left me cold :-) I simply didn't feel the chemistry (magic?)... sexual tension.
Felix wrote: "A true snooze- fest!"I really enjoyed this book, and have read it several times. Now I'm not defending the book, but I gotta ask, based on some of the crap I have read, especially compared to this book - please tell me what books you liked.
I'm just missing the lack of love here....these books both Discovery of Witches & Shadow of Night are both well written...if you are looking for a fast hot cheesy YA paranormal romance these are not them...yes there is history & wine and mysterious meanings and such. And cover a lot. Deborah Harkness is a history Professior so folks there's going to be a lesson or two in her writing..and I personally have branched out in my own wine selections due to Debroah's wine reviews!!!
Rabidreader wrote: "Felix wrote: "A true snooze- fest!"I really enjoyed this book, and have read it several times. Now I'm not defending the book, but I gotta ask, based on some of the crap I have read, especially ..."
Felix wrote: "Rabidreader wrote: "Felix wrote: "A true snooze- fest!"I really enjoyed this book, and have read it several times. Now I'm not defending the book, but I gotta ask, based on some of the crap I ha..."I'm quite eclectic in my reading, but here are a few Any James Rollins,Jim Butcher, George RR Martin, Tom Clancy, Steven Brust, Viki Petersen etc...
As many others, I liked the setting a lot more than the romance. I think the story itself was generally good, I loved the history and the "how magic works" bits, and Harkness's writing. The characters are mostly great. The romance did happen too quickly, and for me it ruined a lot of the tension.
I was very excited about the first book, a bit "meh" about the second and not sure if I'll be reading the third.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as well as Shadow of Night, the 2nd in the trilogy. I will purchase/pre-order the 3rd book and am sure I will enjoy it just as much as the first 2. I will most likely re-read the 2 nearer to the publish date so I can feel "fresh" when I start the 3rd book!
I just don't see much of a story here at all. Everyone just sits around eating and drinking and talking. First we had Diana and Matthew eating and drinking and talking at Oxford. Then he moved her to Sept Tours for another round of eating, drinking, and talking with Ysabeau and Marthe. Then he moved her back home where everyone in the story (except Ysabeau and Marthe) converged for the grand eating and drinking extravaganza that was the finale. More and more people kept showing up to eat, drink, and talk. It was like being at grandma's house for Thanksgiving or something. They could have titled this book "Eat. Drink. Talk."
Anne Denise wrote: "I just don't see much of a story here at all. Everyone just sits around eating and drinking and talking. First we had Diana and Matthew eating and drinking and talking at Oxford. Then he moved her ...""Eat. Drink. Talk.", good one! And let's not forget the napping!
I felt that romance in A Discovery of Witches was totally unnecessary and, like you, actually took away from the plot. Instead of being about Diana's self-discovery, instead of her learning more about her family and her powers, Diana never gets the chance to learn about herself because she is so concerned about her relationship with Matthew.She is this brilliant historian but we never see that side of her.
Harkness ties their relationship into the plot, but I wish it had remained about the manuscript instead...
As far as Shadow of Night goes, I won't give any spoilers but I didn't think it improved and I had the same issue.
I hope Matthew dies at the beginning of the third book... not because I dislike him but because I think it would make for a more interesting story.
I was underwhelmed with this book. I kept waiting for itto enthrall me and it never did. It wasn't horrible but I never felt invested in the story, Kind of blah...
Carla wrote: "I was underwhelmed with this book. I kept waiting for itto enthrall me and it never did. It wasn't horrible but I never felt invested in the story, Kind of blah..."
I liked the book but agree with some of the other comments. Too MUCH romance to a rather obsessed degree. The noise of that relationship drowns out everything else.
I enjoyed both books!!I loved the romantic focus intertwined with historical places, people and events. The underlying idea that supernatural creatures are becoming extinct is a fresh story line in a currently saturated market. I cannot wait for the third book.
Elissa wrote: "I enjoyed both books!!I loved the romantic focus intertwined with historical places, people and events. The underlying idea that supernatural creatures are becoming extinct is a fresh story line..."
thank you!!!I love these books as well and can hardly wait until Deborah gets her 3rd one done..if you haven't listened to the CD's go to your local library and check them out..they are great and the readers just add so much depth to the books...
I somehow managed to finish them both in the same week and now I desperately need the third book! I loved Diana and Matthew's relationship and how it developed. I got a Twilight vibe when the discussion's main point became the babies and pregnancy and stuff and how everything in the Universe is about these two. That was a little annoying too. Thankfully the second book resolved my issues with the book! Diana is really a strong character and Matthew is not just a shiny diamond ^^
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
As a librarian and fantasy / sci fi reader, I figured that I would love this book. But, It got a little dull for me and became too much like the twilight series. Matthew's vampire characteristics and personality is similar to Edward Cullen. Matthew kind of treats her like a child while simultaneously 'being dangerous'. I was kind of hoping to see her leave him during a certain part of the book, but that didn't happen.