A surprisingly mature paranormal romance

What strikes me most about this novel is its intelligence. The author pays her readers the compliment of assuming they are intelligent and will keep up. It's packed with references to history, mythology, genetics and the human genome project, philosophy, Yoga and Eastern spiritualism, traditional values vs feminism, natural history...the discussion of how alchemical principles might have inspired Darwin's theory of evolution is simply brilliant. And on top of that, it has an engaging plot, rounded characters, an original take on the genre and a satisfying ending that nonetheless leaves me eager for the sequel.

The central romance between Diana Bishop, a witch, and Matthew Clairmont, a vampire, develops slowly. These characters aren't teenagers and their relationship is complex and convincing: no love-at-first-sight or adolescent babblings about unconditional love. They aren't soulmates; in fact they have some serious personality conflicts that aren't fully resolved by the end. Diana's independence doesn't sit well with Matthew's old-fashioned values and protective nature. But they work these things out.

Their relationship plays out against a backdrop of a supernatural world that lives within our own. The 'creatures' do their best to keep their existence a secret from humans but don't always seem to succeed.

If the novel has a fault, it's a bit heavy on the exposition, sometimes at the expense of moving the plot onward. Occasionally, significant events are kind of rushed through, with minimal detail, which when it's an audiobook means if your attention wanders, you can miss important information. Also, the narrator really should have learned how to pronouce the names of the Oxford colleges; the mispronunciation is really irritating but that's only in the first act.

I really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to any reader who is, like me, tired of the Twilight-clones. This has superficial similarities to Twilight, but it's a far superior work.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

121 people found this helpful

Totally absorbing

Despite the surfeit of books on witches and vampires currently around I found this one totally addictive. The dog was walked rather more frequently than usual when I was listening to this. Based, to start with, in my home city of Oxford it moved on to France and then the USA. A witch who doesn't want to be a witch falling in love with a vampire who is of course wonderfully handsome and clever and rich. I found it amazingly believable and my only complaint was the US pronounciation of 'herbs' as 'erbs' which irritated me - but that's my only complaint! Brilliant book!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

25 people found this helpful

Fantasy world of witches, vampires and demons.

What did you like most about A Discovery of Witches?

The book has the perfect balance of adventure and development of the characters, surroundings and situations, which creates a compelling narrative. Early on I struggled to work out the characters' allegiances.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

In the first book they were vampires doing yoga and that is all I will say.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I got this book having read a review on Deborah Harkness' début. I did not expect much from it, but I could not be more wrong. Just after the first chapter I bought the other two books in the series. Need I say more?

Any additional comments?

Perfect on a rainy day or in the evening with a glass of wine.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Superb story a great introduction into this world

Really enjoyed this book, at times I was lost in this world which is always a good sign for me. This book acts more like an introduction, gearing up for book 2 which I have just started.

The only let down for me was the narration, you do get used to it but it's one of the worst I've experienced.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The everyday tale of a dynasty

A brilliant and believable novel that has many twists and turns. A good start to a trilogy that makes you want the next book. The narration is excellent and keeps your attention

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Exquisite

Close your eyes and feel as though you are there in the centre of the wonderful heart warming story of true deep love between creatures which seem as real as the person next door.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Addictive

I adored this book. Couldn’t stop listening. Great story with lots of twists and turns. Looking forward to the next two, which amazon audio actually have!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

great story well read

i really enjoyed listening to tgis story. Not only is it well written but also well read. i recently struggled a lot with the writing style and the reader of another novel (the witcher) but I think this is very well done.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Gripping

Loved this book. Enjoyed the story and the narrator brought all the characters to life. Highly recommend can’t wait for the next 2 now.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

If you loved the book definitely try the Audible

What did you like best about A Discovery of Witches? What did you like least?
A great story, I had already read the hard copy book. While I had trouble initially adapting to Jennifer Ikeda's accent, it was definitely worthwhile in the end and I came to like her very much. Jennifer is accomplished at portraying the many different characters, gives them their own voice, making them easily recognisable as you listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!