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Book Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (Audiobook)

September 27, 2012 by Darlene

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness will most definitely be a favorite of mine this year. I loved it! I listened to it on audio and it is very well done by the narrator Jennifer Ikeda – she is a fantastic and makes listening to this book extremely enjoyable! This audio was 23 hours or so and it held me spellbound (no pun intended) the whole time. I was so engrossed in it most of the time that I barely noticed anything going on around me. Now I do have to say that I already love books having to do with witches and vampires and all that good stuff so it’s really no surprise I enjoyed this one so much.

Diana Bishop is a descendant of powerful witches of which she would much rather not be a part of. You see Diana is a direct descendant of the first woman to be executed in the Salem Witch Trials. Because of this and her parents dying apparently because they were too powerful she made the commitment to live as a human, not a witch. So it’s a bit of a surprise when she finds that she has managed to unlock a manuscript that she had requested, Ashmole 782, that has been lost for more years than anyone can count. Another problem, this manuscript is being searched for by almost every creature possible and now their attention is turned on Diana.

Now, not all the creatures are bad. There is the very handsome and sexy Matthew Clairmont who is a very old vampire and he has also shown an interest in Ashmole 782 as he’s doing his own research. At first Diana is very wary of him. Vampires certainly have never been trusted by witches before but this vampire actually seems to be trying to protect her. As she begins to trust him more and more, they begin to work together to try and get a hold of the manuscript again. However danger lurks all around Diana and they have to bring together both of their powers to keep her safe.

There are so many aspects to this novel; much more than can be covered in a simple review. For me, it has everything I like in a story like this: witches, vampires, demons, spells, lots of adventure and even a bit of romance. The only thing that may irk some readers or listeners is that when you come to the end, you will look up and say – noooooo – it can’t end this way! Well it can and does but that’s because there is a second book out in the trilogy and lucky for me and the rest of us, Shadow of Night is already out. I have already started Shadow of Night and I’m just as hooked with the second book as the first!  A Discovery of Witches is a fantastic novel and one that comes highly recommended by me if this kind of genre is your thing!

Source:  Audiobook copy personally purchased.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 Book Reviews, Audiobooks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mystica says

    September 27, 2012 at 12:28 am

    I’ve read about this story on several blogs! this sounds so good.

    • admin says

      September 27, 2012 at 10:16 am

      Mystica, it is really good. I hope you read it one day.

  2. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    September 27, 2012 at 4:35 am

    Yay, you finally read this book! I loved it too, but then I am into witch books. A little warning – the second book is good but not as good as the first, it seemed way long to me. I am wondering what her third book will be like. I do hope she will make it a little shorter. I don’t think they need to be that long.
    Oh and did you know they are making this into a movie?

    • admin says

      September 27, 2012 at 10:20 am

      Wendy, I finished listening to it a bit ago but just got to posting my review. I love witch books too and wish I was reading more of them. I’m enjoying the second book but I do find that the first one grabbed my attention more. I am only on chapter 13 though so we’ll see. I did hear it was going to be made into a film. I’d go see it!

  3. bermudaonion(Kathy) says

    September 27, 2012 at 4:48 am

    My sister loved this book too, but it’s probably not for me.

    • admin says

      September 27, 2012 at 10:21 am

      Kathy, probably not as you don’t enjoy paranormal books as much. Has your sister read the second one already?

  4. Mary says

    September 27, 2012 at 5:02 am

    I have this on my Kindle but need to make time to read it. Glad you enjoyed it so much. Are you listening to the second one ore reading print?

    • admin says

      September 27, 2012 at 10:24 am

      Mary, I’m listening to the second one as well. I think the narrator really brings these books alive. I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed it as much in print.

      • Mary says

        September 27, 2012 at 11:22 am

        Good to know. I’ll look for the audio!

  5. zibilee says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:08 am

    I am almost done with Shadow of Night, and am so enjoying it. I think that you will really enjoy it too. They are such great reads, and I am so glad that you gave this one a chance! Fantastic review today!

    • admin says

      September 27, 2012 at 10:26 am

      Heather, I’m so glad I did too! The book is fantastic but as I said to Mary I really think listening to them have made them even better. Are you listening to the second one as well?

  6. Janine says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:56 am

    So glad to know the 2nd in the series is out: thank you! Just ordered it @ my local library thanks to you. : )

  7. blodeuedd says

    September 27, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I heard something about a Finnish witch and yes it made me wanna read it

  8. bookworm says

    September 27, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    I want to read this one Dar, I have heard good things. Glad you enjoyed the audio version.

  9. Serena says

    September 27, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    i don’t normally read about witches, but this sounds interesting

  10. Marg says

    September 28, 2012 at 3:11 am

    This was one of my favourite reads of last year, and the follow up book was one of my most anticipated reads of this year! Always glad to see someone else love the book!

  11. Staci says

    September 30, 2012 at 8:08 am

    Your review makes me want to go upstairs and get my copy off the shelf right now!! I will make sure to read it soon!!!

  12. Jenners says

    October 2, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    I read this not knowing there was another book to follow and I kept thinking “How is she going to wrap this up?” : )

    I didn’t love it as much as you but I wouldn’t tell people NOT to read it.

  13. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    October 3, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    It must really be good if it kept your attention for 23 hours! I’m going to see if my Library has this on audio.

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