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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I was really afraid that this book would end up like "Twilight", but, thankfully, it is in a completely different galaxy than Meyer's books!!! Once I got into the book (which took a couple chapters because I was afraid of the Twilight-y-ness of it, but a recommendation by a friend reassured me that all would be well), I couldn't put it down. The mystery that centers the trilogy is grabbing and Matthew and Diana are great (Harkness has a gift for capturing the personalities of her characters--even Diana's aunts' cat has a personality and is a funny minor character)! The writing, I think, is fabulous and really brings to life Oxford, France, and Upstate New York. I CANNOT WAIT for the final book! Deborah Harnkess is a rock star!
I just finished the book (again) and it feels like coming home to an old friend. I love watching Matthew and Diana fall in love. I have been to Oxford twice since first reading this and can picture them together in those ancient streets. Such a beautiful story that can be read over and over!
I just finished the book (again) and it feels like coming home to an old friend. I love watching Matthew and Diana fall in love. I have been to Oxford twice since first reading this and can picture them together in those ancient streets. Such a beautiful story that can be read over and over!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Warning - gushing to follow...
Have you ever read a book that made you smile for its entirety? A book where everything about it was enjoyable, from the descriptions to the characters to the plot and beyond? One that took a storyline that has been rehashed one too many times and made it completely new and exciting again? If you have, then you too must have experienced Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches. If you have not, well then, get thee to a bookstore or library and read it immediately!
Vampires, witches, daemons – oh my! Granted, these are not the traditional vampires, witches, and daemons. Ms. Harkness’ adaptations of the mythologies maintain the danger that immediately comes to mind when either creature is mentioned. Even better, Ms. Harkness takes her mythologies one step further. These are not humans gone bad or humans born with special powers. These are all non-humans, creating an intense us-versus-them dynamic in which the creatures are only trying to survive in a world run by humans. While it is not a major plot point, it is enough of a difference to establish an intensity to the proceedings, as Matthew and Diana try to resolve their issues while maintaining their cover as “normal”.
What sets A Discovery of Witches apart of the rest of the genre are the descriptions, accurate historical details, and adult emotions involved. The descriptions throughout the novel are simply sublime. The reader feels a part of the novel, whether the action is occurring in Oxford, southern France or in New England. Ms. Harkness has the ability to evoke the scent of a wood-burning fire or the loamy scent of earth with a few choice words. Similarly, in a novel where one of the main characters is 1500 years old, historical details and accuracy are a must in order to lend credence to his age and experiences. Ms. Harkness accomplishes this through well-researched and fun historical vignettes that close the gap between history and present-day. Even better, while there is definitely a romantic element, there is none of the juvenile emotional drama that permeates paranormal romance these days. Both Diana and Matthew have a healthy respect for each other as individuals and for their individual pasts. They make no demands of each other and just revel in being themselves. It is refreshing to see a relationship where two people come together as equals and do not get caught up in the acquired baggage each brings with them.
While one could argue that there have been enough books involving this unholy trinity, A Discovery of Witches outshines them all. Reminiscent of The Historian and Practical Magic with its Gothic feel and absolutely gorgeous descriptions with the added benefit of a heroine who can more than stand up to any Big Bad, the greatest drawback to the novel is the waiting period required until the release date of the second book in the series.
Have you ever read a book that made you smile for its entirety? A book where everything about it was enjoyable, from the descriptions to the characters to the plot and beyond? One that took a storyline that has been rehashed one too many times and made it completely new and exciting again? If you have, then you too must have experienced Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches. If you have not, well then, get thee to a bookstore or library and read it immediately!
Vampires, witches, daemons – oh my! Granted, these are not the traditional vampires, witches, and daemons. Ms. Harkness’ adaptations of the mythologies maintain the danger that immediately comes to mind when either creature is mentioned. Even better, Ms. Harkness takes her mythologies one step further. These are not humans gone bad or humans born with special powers. These are all non-humans, creating an intense us-versus-them dynamic in which the creatures are only trying to survive in a world run by humans. While it is not a major plot point, it is enough of a difference to establish an intensity to the proceedings, as Matthew and Diana try to resolve their issues while maintaining their cover as “normal”.
What sets A Discovery of Witches apart of the rest of the genre are the descriptions, accurate historical details, and adult emotions involved. The descriptions throughout the novel are simply sublime. The reader feels a part of the novel, whether the action is occurring in Oxford, southern France or in New England. Ms. Harkness has the ability to evoke the scent of a wood-burning fire or the loamy scent of earth with a few choice words. Similarly, in a novel where one of the main characters is 1500 years old, historical details and accuracy are a must in order to lend credence to his age and experiences. Ms. Harkness accomplishes this through well-researched and fun historical vignettes that close the gap between history and present-day. Even better, while there is definitely a romantic element, there is none of the juvenile emotional drama that permeates paranormal romance these days. Both Diana and Matthew have a healthy respect for each other as individuals and for their individual pasts. They make no demands of each other and just revel in being themselves. It is refreshing to see a relationship where two people come together as equals and do not get caught up in the acquired baggage each brings with them.
While one could argue that there have been enough books involving this unholy trinity, A Discovery of Witches outshines them all. Reminiscent of The Historian and Practical Magic with its Gothic feel and absolutely gorgeous descriptions with the added benefit of a heroine who can more than stand up to any Big Bad, the greatest drawback to the novel is the waiting period required until the release date of the second book in the series.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a bit slow for me and hard to get into put picks up in the last 40%
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
matthew goode made me read this; vibes of cozy, academic romance with supernatural set up nicely but didn't tie up in the same way; by the end, the characters were just explaining everything to the reader which is crazy for a long book to be doing (pls cut out half of the wine smelling scenes to save on word count); the questions on evolution and origin of magical creatures was intriguing
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious