Reviews - A Discovery of Witches

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15.9k reviews for:

A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness

3.83 AVERAGE

dayshereads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

This book reminded me why the fantasy genera is my first love. There is heavy world building even with a modern setting. It’s not chaotic with tons of POVs and characters like Crescent City, but there are some other POVs sprinkled in there and the world expands so naturally that you almost don’t feel it. The progression of such a complex and long story is really impressive.

Magic and science and scholarly research are all braided together flawlessly and then laid on a bed of legend and basically an ancient scavenger hunt for answers to questions the characters don’t even know how to correctly.

It’s really beautifully written and the vocabulary is old and fun to try and get ahold of.

The audio was great because she did everyone’s accents, including the French which is a romance language for a reason.

I loved the relationship between the MCs. They were relatively mature with mostly good communication (better than some other popular books with vampires…). The side characters are FANTASTIC. I think I’ve been traumatized by other books and keep waiting for it all to go up in flames.

Spice is fade to black but it’s not missed. The yearning and attention to each other is more than enough.

I can’t wait to see what’s next!

kitty_reads_'s review against another edition

4.5

Characters: 4⭐
Setting: 5⭐
Plot: 4⭐
Worldbuilding: 4.5⭐
Themes: 3⭐
Emotional Impact: 4⭐
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐
Final Rating: 4.5⭐

this was sooo fun! the world building + history elements were right up my alley. the romance was insta love, but it didn’t really bother me that much… it was done better than the show. speaking of the show… I watched a bit of the show before reading this and I think the show did a great job capturing the vibes of the book with minimal changes to plot and characters of course, but that’s inevitable. The audiobook was fantastic, the natator did a great job with the accents and French!

siyar's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

audra_allard28's review against another edition

2.75

I really enjoyed the first 75% of this book, until it got an obsessy-twilighty feel. I can handle certain mate bonding plots but this one topped them all for cheesiest. I don’t think I’ll finish the series.

I couldn’t handle Diana calling Marcus her son just because she and Matthew decided to act on their fated bond. It was just too much for me.

emilyindie's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

yunwithbooks's review against another edition

5.0

“It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches.”

SOLID 5 STARS

This is the longest book I've read this year, the longest and the most complex book.
[b:A Discovery of Witches|8667848|A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1)|Deborah Harkness|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1525097370s/8667848.jpg|13190160] is about witches, vampires, alchemy, the Congregation and A LOT OF HISTORIES. And do not forget the Oxford sets and college's sphere.

It's about a witch named, Dr. Diana Bishop an alchemy researcher and historian whom accidentally summoned Ashmole 782-it turns out it's the Book of Life, the book which important for all creatures (witches, vampires and daemons)- for her research at Bodleian Library. Diana Bishop doesn't do magic because she wants to live normal, as human. And then, there's a +-500 hundred years old vampire, Professor Matthew de Clairmont whom interested too with Ashmole 782. Their meeting's changed everything and affected other creatures and somehow, threatened the existence of the Congregation. That's why the Congregation wants to take Diana Bishop.

My thoughts about this book
The only reason I bought because I love the show so much, like OMG! Matthew Goode as a vampire, I'm losing my sh*t... And also, Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer's chemistry as Matthew and Diana is also superb!

First thing this book arrived, I thought, "this book is thick." hahaha
so yap, there's so much histories and puzzles. Somehow, this book confused me with its history references. But I learned a lot.
My favorite part of this book is Matthew de Clairmont, he's so protective over Diana. Like, so sweet and so gentle. I like the part when Diana met Ysabeau de Clairmont and ride horse together with Matthew.

Also when Diana shows her ability as a witch, such as witchwater, mind-reading, timewalker, witchfire. MY BADASS GIRL!!!! Other characters like Sarah Bishop and Emily Mather are my spirit animal.. Hahaha, they're so salty.
The ending of this book was bittersweet as Matthew and Diana were hiding in "time" to avoid the Congregation or Gerbert or Domenico , I can't wait to read [b:Shadow of Night|11559200|Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy, #2)|Deborah Harkness|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320604137s/11559200.jpg|16499524]