175 of 186 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars collision monumental magic, history and science, February 8, 2011 this review is from: a discovery of witches: A Novel (Hardcover) this is not your ordinary story of witches, vampires and demons!
Famous ancestor of Diana Bishop was executed for being a witch. As a result of mysterious deaths heartbreaking parents Diana, Diana has promised that she will live totally as a human being by denying its identity as a witch with powers both usual and unusual. Dedicating his life to the logic and ordinary life, she now is a scholar of history doing research on texts by Alchemy of the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Upon receiving a required text called Ashmole 782, understand the book is spellbound or there's something about this book which links with its hidden witch powers. Add that the reactions of suddenly appearing witches, vampires and demons that animosity and threatening glances and words make Diana desire to normality an illusion that she can no longer ignore.
In the midst of this reality comes a vampire extremely beautiful, intelligent and old, Matthew Clairmont, who presumably is pursuing his research as a geneticist. Initially disliking and avoiding its presence, Diana finally begins to realize that she is protecting him from direct attack by hordes of people who appear in the library who insist you mention are desperate to get the text. Then you start to appear when its running and rowing exercises that seem to be the only way she can stop his natural skills from emerging with hazardous effects on herself and others.
Why is Matthew so attracted by Diana and what is behind the interest in such a way that many have lost in this mysterious text for centuries that has appeared and disappeared again after Sueno dissociation of his innocent pages? Finally, when several close calls with death scare Diana in realizing his lack of control, she takes shelter before with vampire family of Matthew in France and then with its family of witches in America.
A discovery of witches is so much more that a supernatural history! Yes, there are emotions adventure for those who love the proverbial accounts of these creatures. But here is an intelligent consideration of essence of the origins, genetic differences and consequences, shared powers, challenging the definition and classification, versions of the story kept secrets and surprising phenomena, relations of enmity, forced to unite under common needs-both good and bad, the quintessential reality behind the search of the philosopher's stone or Alchemy and much more.
Add a sweet, dangerous romance all the more real because of what appears to be the end condemned and here is the perfect combination, preciously difficult to understand properly in any short review. This tale is a smart, tense, provocative, and charming read do not want to finish and you will be enjoying long after the last page is turned. This reviewer is so anxious to sequel of this amazing novel that will be a best seller! Absolutely delicious and impossible to put down!
help other customers find the most useful reviews This review was helpful to you?63 of 69 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars the supernatural for Smarties, February 8, 2011 this review is from: a discovery of witches: A Novel (Hardcover) 've never really (you know what I mean by really, not a peck) been kissed and touched by a person who is only out of cold? It is not very pleasant. I never understood the romantic attraction to vampires Frigido until now. Harkness, with its magic self-reference, made me believe that if I were a witch impetuous, the coolness of the feel of the undead would feel welcome. Here is more the standard vampire romance based on primal attraction of predator/prey. Witch Harkness Diana is a worthy partner for powerful vampire Matthew Clairmont.
I just loved this novel. Has everything you want in a good read: cool fonts; a quick plot filled with academia, science and the supernatural; and a singular world to explore. There are a lot of room for the reader who wants even more, as hidden "Easter egg" references to other novels/characters; lot of descriptions of wine and tea and food that made me really hungry; and equally well-developed secondary characters.
The only problem is that when you reach the end will throw the book across the room and scream because the sequel is already in your hot little hands. Then it will be forced to read it again.
help other customers find the most useful reviews This review was helpful to you?66 of 75 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars to the discovery of witches delves into a magical world, innovative that you fancy some more., 8 February 2011 this review is from: a discovery of witches: A Novel (Hardcover) Dr. Diana Bishop she tried harder to stay away from its heritage. Diana is a witch Last Bishop. How to try as she might, Diana just can't escape, who is more recent. just take project Diana ...Diane ends with the extraction of a manuscript of Alchemy, known as Ashmole 782. When Diana touches the manuscript, you feel a post ... a magic.
Matthew Clairmont is a Professor of Oxford. He is also a vampire. Matthew may perceive that something bad is descending on Oxford. Matthew shows an interest Diana. But Matthew always near Diana because she loves you or for another reason?
A discovery of witches is author, Deborah Harkness first novel. While I did enjoy this book. I thought that moved at a very slow pace. It seemed that liked most of the book was only explain and build up the story and the characters to help lead in the next book. The problem for me with this book was that whenever the story would begin to pick up speed, it might slow down for further explanation. It felt like for every step forward that would like to take, it would get knocked back two steps. I didn't feel the affair between Diana and Matthew. At the beginning really hated Diana Matthew and the next moment she was in love with him. There was something mysterious Matthew who did make it intriguing. So I could see where Diana might possibly like Matthew.
While, not to love this book, the story was captivating enough to want to make me read the book next. Overall, I must applaud Deborah Harkness, as she did bring his knowledge and realism to the book and Diana. Being a Professor of itself, I thought of that MS Harkness did a good job with Diana. A discovery of witches delves into a magical world, innovative that you fancy some more.
Share your thoughts with other
customers: most recent customer reviews 
The "complex and moving"(The New Yorker) novel by Pulitzer Prize-winner Geraldine Brooks follows a rare manuscript through centuries of exile and war
An innocent man is about to be executed.