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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed it, but not as much as I’d thought/hoped that I would. I think a lot of paranormal romances written in previous decades just hit different post-MeToo. The stalking, the obsession, the dominance, the hiding things from her, I was just like come on, this is not sexy, it’s creepy. It got better towards the end once Diana starts coming into her powers though. But regardless, it didn’t feel like their relationship really developed organically, it didn’t feel like a real relationship to me.
I get what Harkness is doing trying to integrate magic and science, but being able to tell what powers Diana has by looking at her DNA markers was giving “midichlorians” for me.
Also Diana was really unrelatable to me because until like halfway through the book she’s shunning her *checks notes* magical powers in favor of *re-checks notes* working out.
Still I did enjoy it overall and would like to read the next one at some point.
I get what Harkness is doing trying to integrate magic and science, but being able to tell what powers Diana has by looking at her DNA markers was giving “midichlorians” for me.
Also Diana was really unrelatable to me because until like halfway through the book she’s shunning her *checks notes* magical powers in favor of *re-checks notes* working out.
Still I did enjoy it overall and would like to read the next one at some point.
Couldnt finish it. Too flowery, cliche emotions, and so much description. Also, so looking at yourself in the mirror for so long! Not enough action to keep me engaged. So scholarly.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Somewhere in the center of my soul, a rusty chain began to unwind. It freed itself, link by link, from where it had been resting unobserved, waiting for him.”
Academic and sciency vibes
Academic and sciency vibes
adventurous
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I adored the first third of this book. I found Diana to be a compelling character, and the academic descriptions of alchemy, genealogy, and medicine to be thoroughly enjoyable. Oxford as a setting is always enchanting to me.
Unfortunately I rapidly fell out of interest following France. Matthew is unlikable, overly fantastical, and the relationship between him and Diana somehow falls quite flat when it's not obnoxiously toxic. The pacing suffers, and far too many important (and interesting!) characters get relegated to the last few chapters.
Diana seems to regress as a character throughout, becoming less vibrant as the story continues and she's over shadowed by Matthew and his mother. Diana's own family, Aunts Sarah and Emily, are one dimensional characters who add very little.
My biggest issue with the book is the manner in which information is relayed to the reader. Spoon fed blocks of back story and exposition killed the momentum and mystery of the novel. Unfortunately I won't be finishing the series.
Unfortunately I rapidly fell out of interest following France. Matthew is unlikable, overly fantastical, and the relationship between him and Diana somehow falls quite flat when it's not obnoxiously toxic. The pacing suffers, and far too many important (and interesting!) characters get relegated to the last few chapters.
Diana seems to regress as a character throughout, becoming less vibrant as the story continues and she's over shadowed by Matthew and his mother. Diana's own family, Aunts Sarah and Emily, are one dimensional characters who add very little.
My biggest issue with the book is the manner in which information is relayed to the reader. Spoon fed blocks of back story and exposition killed the momentum and mystery of the novel. Unfortunately I won't be finishing the series.
"A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness is a captivating novel that takes readers on an epic journey of romance, magic, and danger. The book follows Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch who discovers an ancient manuscript in Oxford's Bodleian Library. As she delves deeper into the manuscript's secrets, she attracts the attention of supernatural creatures, including the charming and enigmatic vampire, Matthew Clairmont.
Harkness' writing style is engaging and descriptive, drawing readers into the world of witches, vampires, and daemons. Her attention to detail creates a vivid and immersive world that is easy to get lost in. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and root for their triumphs.
The romance between Diana and Matthew is central to the plot and is expertly woven into the story. It adds an extra layer of tension to the already suspenseful plot and keeps readers invested in the characters' fates. The supernatural elements of the story are also well-integrated, with Harkness' take on vampires and witches feeling fresh and unique.
One criticism of the book is that it can feel slow-paced at times, with some readers feeling like it takes a while for the plot to truly take off. Additionally, some readers may find the extensive historical references and detail to be overwhelming or boring.
Overall, "A Discovery of Witches" is a well-written and compelling novel that is sure to appeal to fans of the paranormal romance genre. Its richly developed world and complex characters make for an enjoyable and engaging read.
Harkness' writing style is engaging and descriptive, drawing readers into the world of witches, vampires, and daemons. Her attention to detail creates a vivid and immersive world that is easy to get lost in. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and root for their triumphs.
The romance between Diana and Matthew is central to the plot and is expertly woven into the story. It adds an extra layer of tension to the already suspenseful plot and keeps readers invested in the characters' fates. The supernatural elements of the story are also well-integrated, with Harkness' take on vampires and witches feeling fresh and unique.
One criticism of the book is that it can feel slow-paced at times, with some readers feeling like it takes a while for the plot to truly take off. Additionally, some readers may find the extensive historical references and detail to be overwhelming or boring.
Overall, "A Discovery of Witches" is a well-written and compelling novel that is sure to appeal to fans of the paranormal romance genre. Its richly developed world and complex characters make for an enjoyable and engaging read.