Have you read A Discovery of Witches? It's goooooooood. It's also long at 579 pages which was fabulous. I love a good book I can sink into and get lost in.
Now, this is not teenage fluffy vampire book (not that there is anything wrong with those.) There is a lot of history woven into the story but don't let that scare you off. What it does is gives so much substance and depth to the story and it's a very good story indeed.
The author, Deborah Harkness, is a professor of history at the University of Southern California and has won several fellowships, has written history books, and blogs about wine. The lady knows her stuff. Her writing is not stuffy or dull though- not at all. She weaves a fabulous tale, one of mystery, intrigue and suspense, and romance.
At the heart of the story is Dr. Diana Bishop, a modern historian and scholar who also happens to be a witch that has made it her life's purpose to ignore her famous and colorful lineage. Diana, an American studying and teaching at Oxford, requests Ashmole 782, a very old book for her alchemy research, only to discover it's charmed and full of magic. Unbeknownst to her, this book is in high demand in the magical world and opening it causes a chain of events she never imagined.
Enter Matthew Clairmont, an extremely handsome, brilliant geneticist that also has an interest in Ashmole 782 and as it turns out, Dr. Diana Bishop. Oh, and he's a vampire. Oh yes.
The tale that unfolds is one of magic, devotion, consequences and choices.
I must admit, I love reading magical fiction. I loved Twilight and Harry Potter and enjoy getting lost in the world of supernatural fiction because it's not like normal life. Sometimes, you just want to settle into a good book and to be entertained.
A Discovery of Witches was a great read because Diana and Matthew are worthy characters, real and flawed, despite of or because of their magical abilities. I simply cannot wait to know more and thankfully I just discovered that the second book, Shadow of Night is coming out July 10!
So tell me, have you read A Discovery of Witches? What did you think?
xo,
Jennifer
PS: Did you enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway?
32 comments:
I am a little over half way through the book, and I agree, it is an incredible read!!
I haven't read it, but you have definitely made me want to grab a copy. Thanks for the recommend!
I haven't read it, but your review has made me put it on my list.
Sounds like the kind of book I'd enjoy. I go through spurts of reading and this just might be the ticket to get me going again!
I haven't read it, but your review is great. In addition to being a quilter, I'm a bookseller and always appreciate a good review.
i haven't read it yet. but i just downloaded it to my Kindle! thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for the review! I've almost read this a few times, and your review will put me over the edge I think!
hehe I did read it from cover to cover and am very impatiently waiting for the next one. She has a great facebook page and posts often
Awesome! Looking for a good book and this might be it! Thanks :)
I got it for free from B&N for the nook. Haven't read it yet though, but it just got moved up on my reading list.
I read this last year and have anxiously been awaiting the next two ever since. Random fact: Madison, NY is about 20 min from my house (near where she taught at Colgate). I tweeted about driving through, wondering if there is a farmhouse that inspired her, and Ms. Harkness herself replied! ( no, but there is one in MA was her response, I think)
Thanks for recommending. I'm going to give it a try, always up for a new book!
My sister sent me this book via Kindle last year and I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to the next one.
I really enjoyed this book and am impatiently waiting for the next one.
I have read this. It was on the "Patron Favorites/Staff Pick" shelf of my local library. I'm glad I picked it up. What a great read! I am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy this summer!
I have read this. It was on the "Patron Favorites/Staff Pick" shelf of my local library. I'm glad I picked it up. What a great read! I am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy this summer!
I read the book too shortly after it came out last year and like you I could not put it down. As a history major in Uni I appreciated her historical pieces along with the modern twist of witches and related characters. The July release of part two seems a long way off. I may have to re read the first one again in June to prepare...
I am going to pass this along to my daughter. It sounds just like what she would like, I think. I would like it but if I start reading - I would never, I mean never get anything done, sooo anywho. Thank you for sharing:)
I read the book awhile ago and enjoyed it though parts did make me laugh. My son-in-law us a fantasy, vampire afficianado and felt many parts were very unvampire like. I was reading it while visiting :-). I, too, enjoy reading series and look forward to the next book.
I read the book a while back on my Kindle... and I loved it too! I love anything that has a touch or more of the paranormal and this book certainly filled my requirements for all that I love... paranormal, romance, mystery. It was wonderfully crafted and kept my interest all the way through to the last page! I'd highly recommend it! Be especially blessed, Kathy
Thanks for recommending it. I'll put on my reading list. In my opinion The name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is the best fantasy book I've read. Its a trilogy as well.
Thanks for the tip! I've just ordered myself a used copy from Amazon.com. I love the Harry Potter books too. Have you ever read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon? She does excellent research for her books and I love every single one of them. :)
Have you read either of the Cassandra Claire series? They are great if you like this type of series - young adult fantasy.
I am going to see if my library has this book - thanks for the recommendation! Always looking for new books to read in this genre!
Yes this is a great book! And through my job, I'm one of the lucky ducks who gets to read the advance copy of Shadow of Night!!!!!! It will be in my hot little hands tomorrow and I don't think I'll be able to do anything else all week until I'm finished with it. :-)
Thanks for sharing. I pinned it :) to read later.
Sounds soo good! I'm totally ordering it. I hope it's not another year before the third book is released!
I read this last year, and you have just made my day, I have been waiting and wondering about what will happen... and now there is a trilogy on the way!!!
I loved this book too! I got it on Audible.com originally but I liked it so much that I bought the hard copy and pre-ordered the sequel. The audio version is really good if you like that sort of thing...
I read it and loved it! In fact, it was a major staff favorite here at the library where I work. We're all super-excited for the second book--we already have it on pre-order, and the waiting-list is growing!
I think im going to read this next, im on the last book of the hunger games series and was wondering what to read next, thanks x
I started this book based on your recommendation. I'll admit I'm a little annoyed as I didn't pay close enough attention to the tidbit about the trilogy ... not being out yet! :-)
I'm enjoying the book immensely, and I suppose I will wait patiently for July when I can read book 2. ;-)
Thank you for the recommendation!
Caryn
Thanks so much for the recommendation! I loved the book. It was awesome and I was truly impressed with the scientific research she put into the book and thought it was a very original story.
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