Viviana Enchantress of Books: Book Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches

(All Souls Trilogy, #1)

By Deborah Harkness

Format: Audio Book

Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda

Synopsis:

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.

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Available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAY - please visit Readaholics Anonymous for your chance to win a "Discovery of Witches" and "Shadow of Night" double-sided Book Marker/Thong. (giveaway dates: 10/23/2012 - 10/30/2012)

Viviana's Review

Where to begin with this book! I really, really liked it! Let’s get some things out of the way first. Yes, it’s long! Yes there are a lot of details. True, that for Diana’s age and intelligence (she has a Ph.d), she seems very naïve and even a bit immature. In fact, I would have liked it better if Diana would have been younger and still had her Ph.D., which I know is very plausible. It would have made her behavior a bit more acceptable and understandable. The good news is that you do grow to like her and you actually forget her age as the book is extremely well written. It was also a bit slow in the beginning and the middle. However, the world that was created and its characters are fantastic!! This is definitely an intellectual read though it’s done in a manner where everyone can follow without feeling ‘lost’.

Diana Bishop comes from a long line of witches. Very powerful witches, in fact. However, she disowned that part of her world many years ago and has created a life for herself without magic. She is none too pleased when magic decides it is time for her to accept her gifts and learn the truth about her life.

Enter Matthew Clairmont, a gorgeous scientist, who also happens to be a very old vampire. From the first moment he meets Diana, he feels she must be protected for she may be the only one able to solve the mystery surrounding the origins of Witches, Vampires and Daemons.

Together they embark on a journey of not only discovering the truth about the book that is cloaked in mystery but also the truth about their own past, their present and possibly their future. As their adventure develops, so does their love story. Sweet and romantic! It’s not rushed, though this being a PNR, they do “fall in love” with each other rather quickly, but then again, it can happen.

Jennifer Ikeda, did a fantastic job of narrating “A Discovery of Witches”. It’s actually one of the reasons why I liked it so much. Her timing and pace are great. You’re able to follow the story without getting lost and wondering who is speaking as each character has their own voice, accent and personality.

I loved the characters, the history, the world that was created and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second installment “Shadow of Night”!!