"A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness

Title: A Discovery of Witches

Author: Deborah Harkness

Series: All Souls Trilogy #1

My rating: 4 of 5

 

 

(book read from August 1st to August 6th, 2012)

 

Summary:

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. 

My Thoughts on the Book:

A Discovery of Witches was really enjoyable read. I didn't realise before I started this book that the romance is actually the main story in it, and the mystery about the manuscript is the secondary (although they're really connected), I just thought it will be the other way around.    

Anyway, the world-building was good, but definitely done differently then usually in books - it was done through Diana & Matthew's romance, and I actually found that quite interesting. The pacing isn't fast, but it fitted the book perfectly & of course I enjoyed it. All those historical, alchemical & paranormal elements made for quite an interesting story, and I loved the story the author has created. 

Now, for the main characters, I have to admit that I did not like or dislike Matthew & Diana as characters at first, although I really liked the interactions between them from the beginning, but as I read this book, they slowly got under my skin. And not only Matthew & Diana, but also Hamish, Marcus, Em, Sarah, Miriam, Ysabeau, even Sophie & Nathaniel, they got a special place in my heart as a group, and I can't wait to see what will happen next with all of them.

So, that's about it. Short, but sweet :) I'd mention some of my most favourite parts, if they weren't too spoilerish, so you just have to read it ;) A Discovery of Witches is a really good book, with great storyline, and although not a fast read, it will slowly get under your skin, so I recommend it a lot.

Challenges:

100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012

1st in a Series Challenge 2012

Speculative Romance Challenge 2012

2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge