Wednesday, August 24, 2011

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



In a sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches became the "it" book of early 2011, bringing Deborah Harkness into the spotlight and galvanizing fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and the descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting story of magic and suspense.(synopsis from Barnes and Noble)






A Discovery of Witches is the first in an exciting trilogy about witches, vampires and dameon. It is a mystery, a love story and an adventure laced with history. One of the best books I’ve ever read.
The protagonist Dr.Diana Bishop is studying old alchemical texts archived at the Bodleian Library, in Oxford when she requests the book, Ashmole 782 from the stacks. Unknown to her, this book has been missing and is wanted by vampires, dameon and witches for the secrets it holds. When she opens the book, she feels its power and can see hidden messages in it, but like all magic it scares her and she quickly puts it back. Diana is a descendant of the famous witch, Bridget Bishop of Salem, Massachusetts. Her Aunts are witches, but Diana doesn't have any magic or does she? After her brief encounter with the book, she has attracted the attention of dameons, witches and vampires. One vampire in particular is persistent; he is Matthew Clairmont, an attractive professor of biochemistry and neuroscience. When the witches and dameons demand she produce the lost book, Matthew steps in and thus the adventure begins.
I loved everything about A Discovery of Witches from the deep historical details, to the world wind romance between Diana and Matthew. The other characters in this book are equally appealing. While some may not like the length of this book, I found the details enjoyable, and know they have helped to lay the ground work for the next two books in this series. I will be first in line to purchase book 2 - Shadow of Night, release 2012.


I highly recommend this books to fans of historical fiction, urban fantasy, witches, vampires and fae. 


I gave this book 5 coffee cups out of 5.

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6 Comments:

At August 30, 2011 at 10:49 AM , Blogger Christie Rich said...

I've been on the fence about getting this book. I heard a few people say they liked it, but maybe it's time I open my purse.

 
At September 2, 2011 at 11:26 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

I have seen this book about and I think I will have to put it on my list to read in the future and of course the amazon wish list!

 
At May 2, 2012 at 3:31 PM , Blogger BookStacksOnDeck said...

Great review! Heard great things about this book! <3

 
At June 4, 2012 at 12:12 PM , Anonymous Maggie K. @ ReadingDiva Blog said...

Kim,
I liked the review so much I went ahead and purchase the book.
Thanks for sharing!

 
At July 18, 2013 at 12:51 AM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Sources say 2013 but no date yet!

 
At July 18, 2013 at 12:51 AM , Anonymous Sandyc29673 said...

Loved the books, has anyone heard on when the 3rd book comes out. Her web site has not been updated in months?

 

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