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A Discovery of Witches: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 96,984 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Book one of the New York Times-bestselling All Souls Series—"a wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People). Now “[a] hot show that’s like Twilight meets Outlander” (Thrillist) airing on AMC and BBC America, as well as streaming on Sundance Now and Shudder. Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, book three, The Book of Life, and the fourth in the series, Time’s Convert.
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"I am one of the people who really liked this book but I will admit to skipping/reading really fast through parts. However the parts that were great were really great. Should admit a love for research and description. Also teach at a University...Don't know why I feel the need to defend my enjoyment of this book because I did really like it! I would have cut out about a fourth of this book and added more about the daemons to make the books more balanced."
— Joeline (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A romp through magical academia.”
— Guardian (London) -
“An inventive addition to the supernatural craze.”
— Marie Claire -
“Intelligent and off-the-wall, it will be irresistible to Twilight fans.”
— Sunday Times (London) -
“A sparkling debut...A Discovery of Witches is heady mix of history and magic, mythology and love, making for a luxurious, intoxicating, one-sitting read.”
— Amazon.com -
“Harkness brings this world to vibrant life and makes the most of the growing popularity of gothic adventure with an ending that keeps the Old Lodge door wide open.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“A compelling and sweeping tale.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“A bubbling cauldron of illicit desire...all the ingredients for an assured saga that blends romance with fantasy.”
— Daily Mail (London) -
“From the stillness of Oxford’s Bodleian Library to a turreted French castle, narrator Jennifer Ikeda embarks on a magical journey. Her narration is quietly charming...This epic tale of the origins of magic will make listeners wish they could conjure the sequel.”
— AudioFile -
“Set in our contemporary world with a magical twist, this sparkling debut by a history professor features a large cast of fascinating characters, and readers will find themselves invested in Diana’s success at unlocking the secrets of the manuscript...This enchanting novel is an essential purchase. Harkness is an author to watch.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
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An Amazon Best Book of the Month
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Selected for the February 2011 Indie Next List
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New York Times audio bestseller
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An iBooks bestseller in Fiction
A Discovery of Witches Listener Reviews
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" Loved the narrator. She was very good with all characters. The Story was ok. "
— Kim Bracey, 6/25/2024 -
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Desiree Daigle, 8/3/2022
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Jeanann Schechter, 5/14/2022
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anna chen, 10/21/2021
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LA.YAM, 2/15/2021
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Deborah, 1/13/2021
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Sandy Pruett, 12/19/2020
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Stephanie Jones, 10/27/2020
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Lyle Beck, 2/14/2019
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" I have all three audio books and LOVE them! I have listen to them over and over. Jennifer ikeda really dose a great job! "
— Karon, 10/2/2016 -
" Very long story and so drawn out I wanted to skip ahead. Can't decide if I'll read the next one. "
— Angie, 2/19/2014 -
" started off average, and just got more and more dull. I might come back to it one day but I got to the point where I just didn't care what happened next so I figured it was time to put it down and start on something else. "
— Tessa, 2/13/2014 -
" If you loved Night Circus and want to continue on a mystical journey, then this is the book for you. What makes this book unique is it combines vampires, witches and demons in one story but it injected with tons of history. the romance btw the lead characters has all the perfect ingredients as well: tension, passion and inner turmoil. Love love "
— Christa, 2/10/2014 -
" The book dragged a little for me. I think I'll still read the next book in the series, but I probably wouldnt read it again.. "
— Brooke, 2/8/2014 -
" This first part of the 'All Souls'-trilogy is a very nice read. I loved most of the characters (Ysabeau!) and the whole manuscript-alchemy-history-plotline is great. The book is a bit slow though, and I was sad to see another strong heroine go weak after spending a few days with an oh-so-lovely-guy. Nevertheless I look forward to the second installment of this series :) "
— Jantine, 2/4/2014 -
" This was a much better version of a Twilight-like story, but more intellectually stimulating and way better written. If you like love stories, history, and fantasy, you will love this book! I really suggest reading it. "
— Tifany, 1/23/2014 -
" I absolutely loved this book! Lots of history, fantasy & romance.. "
— Amber, 1/18/2014 -
" So engaging! The author holds a Ph.D in history (I believe), and it's evident in her detail. "
— Patti, 1/10/2014 -
" Loved it. Very good read. "
— Susan, 1/3/2014 -
" At some point this book just got silly and dull. Stick to the witches and leave out the vampire/witch sexual tension and romance. "
— June, 12/3/2013 -
" Loved this book. Like Twilight but actually written for grownups so it was a little less angst and a little more historical/interesting. "
— Joyce, 11/18/2013 -
" The writing style is clunky and distracted me from the story. I made it to page 82, but it seemed to be veering into a trite love story, so I bailed. :( "
— Lynne, 11/15/2013 -
" I started this book once and put it down. I restarted it 6 months later and enjoyed the book. It's about witches, vampires and daemons amongst humans in current times. It's the first of a trilogy. "
— Donna, 11/10/2013 -
" Good characters much better than twilight "
— Anna, 11/9/2013 -
" Beautiful book - the writing takes you to the time and you grow to love Diana and Matthew. "
— Karri, 11/5/2013 -
" Love it! I've read it numerous times and can't get enough! "
— Martie, 9/30/2013 -
" Awesome read combines science history and magic. "
— Christine, 9/26/2013 -
" Love the romance between tortured souls and the intellectual debates gave depth to the fantasy world. "
— Robyn, 3/21/2013 -
" I really enjoyed the second half of this book - the first half I was really nervous it was going to be a combination of Twilight and 50 Shades. Thankfully, Diana came into her own and I could nestle down with it. "
— Linnea, 2/7/2013 -
" Wouldn't you know it's a trilogy?! Now I have to read the other 2. I really liked it. It is a more mature Twilight. Better written, better characters, better plot, more twists. The big downside, it leaves you hanging. "
— Peggy, 1/31/2013 -
" Quite different. Liked it because of the history and detail. "
— Lorraine, 8/21/2012 -
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dolores pelot, 6/1/2012
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" This book was brilliant. It had the right amount of fantasy, history and romance. I encourage everyone to read this. I don't understand all of these bad reviews! Read it and make up your own mind. "
— Sammi, 1/26/2012 -
" I love the premise, plot, and storylines of this book series. "
— Lynn, 9/7/2011 -
" I'm not generally a fan of vampire novels, but really enjoyed this. It wasn't the standard "vampire" fare, and pulled me in very quickly. The beginning was a bit confusing, but I believe some of that confusion is central to the plot and will resolve later in the series. "
— Heather, 8/27/2011 -
" Picked this up out of boredom/heck of it. Glad I did. Good mix of scholarly topics mixed with magic. A bit of romance, but a good balance with action and plot movement/character development. Looking forward to the next book. "
— Rob, 8/16/2011 -
" It took me little bit to get into it but once I did, I thought it was great. I'm eagerly awaiting the next one! "
— Micki, 7/1/2011 -
" I really did like this book but it pretty much just ended without resolution. I did not realize when buying on kindle that it was a series and as of 7/1/11 there is not a second book out. "
— Cindy, 7/1/2011 -
" I loved it but I didn't love the ending. "
— Wendi, 6/30/2011 -
" A thoroughly enjoyable guilty pleasure! The last 1/4 seemed rushed, and when I got to the last few pages it became apparent that there is to be a sequel...but not for a few years! Aggravating! "
— Victoria, 6/29/2011 -
" I really liked it at first but there was too much down time for romance. "
— Diane, 6/29/2011 -
" Not a bad read. Heroine seemed a bit wishy/washy in the beginnng but she pulled it together. I'd recommend it. "
— Patricia, 6/29/2011 -
" Excellent book. You care about the characters. Can't wait for book #2. "
— Georgia, 6/28/2011 -
" I liked this but thought it was a bit long. "
— Margo, 6/28/2011 -
" An entertaining, guilty pleasure read. I found myself nauseated, at times, by the gender dynamics of the romance, but at other times was swept away. It was a fun, grown-up, and smarter version of Twilight. "
— Joanna, 6/28/2011 -
" I absolutely LOVED this book, such a fun read! I was sad when it ended and I learned that I have to wait until next year for the next one!!!! "
— Kristinn, 6/28/2011
About Deborah Harkness
Deborah Harkness is the New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, The Book of Life, Time’s Convert, The World of All Souls, and The Black Bird Oracle. She is a history professor at the University of Southern California and has received Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships.
About Jennifer Ikeda
Jennifer Ikeda has been narrating audiobooks since 2002. Among her readings are When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; and After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates. She has won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.