Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ 's Reviews > A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
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really liked it
bookshelves: urban-fantasy, jerk-of-my-dreams, best-series, some-kinda-magic, the-book-boy-is-mine, vampires, angels-and-or-demons, creeptastic, rabid-reads-reviews
Read 2 times. Last read June 20, 2014 to June 24, 2014.

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

This book.

Have you ever liked something almost against your will? Something that encompasses roughly half of the things you hate in reference to said thing? Something that makes you scratch your head in wonder, b/c you can’t figure out why on earth you aren’t terribly bothered by those detested things in this situation?

Welcome to my life.

This book has:

1. What can be construed as insta-love. Matthew and Diana are drawn to each other from the moment they meet, BUT it’s so subtle that you aren’t sure that’s what is happening. And that’s probably why it gets a pass.

I never really thought about it (before this book forced me too), but it’s the things that insta-love seems to be comprised of, rather than the insta-love itself, that I take issue with—fluttery eyelashes, wild proclamations of ardent, enduring (but wholly untried) love, and the accompanying false sense of urgency. P-U-K-E. Get a room, already. And preferably AFTER the inevitable danger has passed.

But none of those things are an issue here. By the time it becomes obvious that, yes, these two feel more for each other than trepidation and annoyance, enough time has elapsed to almost warrant the depth of emotion, and the rest can be chalked up to fate, animal instinct, mating imperative, etc.

2. A super, special snowflake who denies her super, special snowflakeness. Not only is Diana the last in a powerful line of matriarchal witches, her father was a powerful warlock in his own right. So powerful that a union between her mother and father was strongly discouraged by the powers that be. Mom and Dad said, “Screw you, hippies!” and Diana was the result. But when her parents were killed when Diana was seven, she assumes their deaths were the result of their abilities and refuses to have anything to do with magic.

B/c that always works out so well. *sighs*

But again, it gets a pass. Diana is being just as ridiculous as every MC who tries to ignore their gifts, but this time you can’t help but be sympathetic. She’s not being obstinate simply to be a pain in the arse. She understandably believes that nothing good can come from using magic, so she’s not going to do it. And that’s not the only reason it gets a pass, but I can’t tell you the other one. Suffice it to say, there’s a darn good reason Diana isn’t using magic, and that reason is not even remotely her fault.

3. Super, secret information withholding. And this is perhaps the one I have the hardest time with. I cannot stand it when someone in a position of authority, older, more experienced, etc. unilaterally decides who gets to know what. HATE it.<——I’m audibly grinding my teeth right now.

But Matthew . . . it’s kind of the same thing that happens when I read historical romance. Am I overly fond of a woman’s only option being to marry and marry well, have children, keep house? NO. I’m NOT. But that’s the way things were, and getting mad about it isn’t going to change anything, and besides, Dukes are HAWT.

So is Matthew. AND he’s a 1500 year old vampire, so he kind falls under that same umbrella, and really, he means well. I got frustrated with him a few times, but it was obvious that he was trying, and I imagine it’d be pretty darn hard to attempt major behavior modifications to habits 1500 years in the making. So yeah. Yet another pass.

The good news is that having talked it out, I’m no longer banging my head against a wall. I now know why I like this book despite the major book peeves lurking around every corner. And besides those peeves getting passes, A Discovery of Witches is just entertaining. It might have taken me awhile to like Diana, but I instantly respected her, and I was as gone for Matthew as she was the moment he showed up. In the LIBRARY. At OXFORD.

Lots of bookish fun in this book.

Also—while I have no complaints about the pacing in the front 75% of the book, the last 25% is just riveting. The second that Matthew and Diana show up at her childhood home, I could not put the book down. The house is sentient and highly opinionated. It’s also full of the ghosts of Bishops past, also opinionated. A couple of new secondaries show up, one of which is absolutely darling. GAH. This book is awesome, just read it. Highly recommended.
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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
November 12, 2012 – Shelved
June 20, 2014 – Started Reading
June 21, 2014 –
9.0% ""Chemists don't air their dirty laundry in public. It hurts all of us at grant time. We don't want the bureaucrats thinking we're high-strung megalomaniacs. We leave that to the physicists."

LOL. Are your ears burning, Stephen Hawking??"
June 22, 2014 –
29.0% ""Come to dinner tomorrow," he said softly. "My turn to cook. Can I pick you up here at half past seven?"
My heart leaped. Say no, I told myself sternly in spite of its sudden jump.
"I'd love to," came out instead.
The vampire pressed his cold lips first to one check, then the other. "Ma vaillante fille," he whispered into my ear.


Oh, oh! Pick me, pick me!!"
June 23, 2014 –
54.0% ""What are you drinking?" It was the only detail my imagination couldn't supply.
"Since when have you cared about wine?" He sounded genuinely surprised.
"Since I found out how much there was to know." Since I found out that you cared about wine, you idiot.


Yeah, you idiot. *shakes head*"
June 24, 2014 –
58.0% "We were still behind the bed curtains when Marthe entered the room. She left the breakfast tray on the table with an officious clatter and threw two logs on the fire with the enthusiasm of a Scot tossing the caber.
description
*snorts*"
June 24, 2014 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 63 (63 new)


message 1: by Marga (new) - added it

Marga Have you ever liked something almost against
your will?


I know what you mean. Sometimes while reading books, even though how formulaic it was, how cringe-worthy are the lines (it's just so cheesy, it makes my skin crawl), love triangles.. I still end up liking them! I mean, what is wrong with me?? haha


Shandra Great review!!! I agree with your issues, and they also get passes with me. :0) Did you notice that these issues were much more apparent during your second read?


Allie Yay! Glad you liked it. So good! Nice to have both MC kind of rock.


Shandra Anasylvia wrote: "Yass to this whole review! I'm not done yet, but I agree with pretty much all of your points. We have the same annoyances... yet I'm not throwing this book across the room. I'm glad you mentioned t..."

The closer you get towards the end, the more edge of your seat it is IMO. I'm excited to see what you think of it in the end!!!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Margarita wrote: "Have you ever liked something almost against
your will?

I know what you mean. Sometimes while reading books, even though how formulaic it was, how cringe-worthy are the lines (it's just so cheesy,..."


The same thing that's wrong with me, LOL. Sometimes you just like things despite your better judgement ;)


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Lisa wrote: "Fantastic review!"

Thanks, Lisa!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Shandra {The Happy New Mrs} wrote: "Great review!!! I agree with your issues, and they also get passes with me. :0) Did you notice that these issues were much more apparent during your second read?"

YES, lol!! Either that, or it's been so long that I forgot about them, but I REALLY think it's the second read that brought them out. Are you going through that too?


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Anasylvia wrote: "Yass to this whole review! I'm not done yet, but I agree with pretty much all of your points. We have the same annoyances... yet I'm not throwing this book across the room. I'm glad you mentioned t..."

The last 25% is awesome. That house is hilarious, and Diana's aunts + the vampires = good times.


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Allie wrote: "Yay! Glad you liked it. So good! Nice to have both MC kind of rock."

I agree. As long as I like one of them, I can get by, but if I like both? SO much better.


Shandra Jessica (Rabid Reads) wrote: "Shandra {The Happy New Mrs} wrote: "Great review!!! I agree with your issues, and they also get passes with me. :0) Did you notice that these issues were much more apparent during your second read?..."

Oh gawd yes!!! I absolutely agree!!! When I first read these books, I wasn't as critical as I am now. It was pre-GR and I loved almost anything I read. Now, I'm much more picky, and I see this books flaws much more. However, with that being said, I still immensely love the story, and am in awe at how much effort Harkness put into the intricate world building, plot on top of plot, and all the sciencey and history stuff! She put soooo much effort into it!!! So ya, I'm able to overlook the flaws just as you are. :0)


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Shandra {The Happy New Mrs} wrote: "Jessica (Rabid Reads) wrote: "Shandra {The Happy New Mrs} wrote: "Great review!!! I agree with your issues, and they also get passes with me. :0) Did you notice that these issues were much more app..."

Me too! I don't know if I read it pre-GR, but it was definitely pre-blogging, and I have become much more critical of books since then. BUT, like you, in this case, I'm still giving it a pass b/c AWESOME.


message 12: by Exina (new)

Exina Another fantastic review, Jessica! :)


message 13: by Debra (new)

Debra Awesome review, Jessica! :)


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Debra wrote: "Awesome review, Jessica! :)"

Exina wrote: "Another fantastic review, Jessica! :)"

Thank you, lovelies :)


message 15: by [deleted user] (new)

Fantastic review! Not sure I realized this was your first time through. :)


Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell I felt the same way. It gave me the same feeling of guilt that TWILIGHT did.

But I enjoyed it nonetheless. ;)

Great review!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Julie wrote: "Fantastic review! Not sure I realized this was your first time through. :)"

Thanks, Julie! It wasn't . . . just the first time I reviewed it ;)


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ mike fitzpatrick wrote: "awesome review jessica"

Thanks, Mike!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Nenia wrote: "I felt the same way. It gave me the same feeling of guilt that TWILIGHT did.

But I enjoyed it nonetheless. ;)

Great review!"


LOL, thanks, Nenia! Even though this is the second time I read the book, I read the blurb for the first time a couple of days ago, and I did not get the Twilight comparison at ALL. Maybe they were talking about this feeling of guilt you speak of ;)


message 20: by Jo (new)

Jo ★The Book Sloth★ I never really thought about it (before this book forced me too), but it’s the things that insta-love seems to be comprised of, rather than the insta-love itself, that I take issue with—fluttery eyelashes, wild proclamations of ardent, enduring (but wholly untried) love, and the accompanying false sense of urgency. P-U-K-E. Get a room, already. And preferably AFTER the inevitable danger has passed.

That's so true! Although I rarely have any problem with insta-love, sometimes the cheese is too much.

Love the review!xD


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Thanks, Jo! And I have less of a problem with insta-love than some people do--as long as it's not a cheesefest, and there is some sort of a reasonable explanation, I can handle it, but something about the situation here made those hackles rise . . . but didn't bother me the way it usually would. It was WEIRD.


message 22: by Jo (new)

Jo ★The Book Sloth★ Some books just work for you, no reason needed!;)


message 23: by Brandi (new)

Brandi Fantastic review, Jessica! :)


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Jo wrote: "Some books just work for you, no reason needed!;)"

True story!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Brandi wrote: "Fantastic review, Jessica! :)"

Thanks, Brandi!


message 26: by Derrolyn (new)

Derrolyn Anderson Great review!
Just like every joke has something about it that really isn't funny, I think even the tiredest trope contains some kind of basic appeal to human nature :)


message 27: by [deleted user] (new)

Agree, dukes ARE hawt!! Looks interesting and I love witches so YAY! :D Fab review, Jessica!


message 28: by Yodamom (new) - added it

Yodamom Great review you make me want to read it. I've had in sitting on my self unread since the release not sure if I really want to dive into it.


message 29: by Rhonda (new) - added it

Rhonda Stees-marcial Amazing review Jessica! Once again you nailed how I also felt while reading this book!


destini Awesome review, Jessica!! I'm thinking of starting this one after I'm done with the series I'm currently reading :) I've heard a lot of great things about these books.


message 31: by Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ (last edited Jun 26, 2014 10:54AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Derrolyn wrote: "Great review!
Just like every joke has something about it that really isn't funny, I think even the tiredest trope contains some kind of basic appeal to human nature :)"


Yep! It just depends on how it's handled ;) Thanks, Derrolyn!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Lola wrote: "Agree, dukes ARE hawt!! Looks interesting and I love witches so YAY! :D Fab review, Jessica!"

You do love witches. I think you'd love this too, if you had the patience for it. Thank you, Lola!


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Yodamom wrote: "Great review you make me want to read it. I've had in sitting on my self unread since the release not sure if I really want to dive into it."

Thank you! And I hope you do decide to dive into eventually. It's really good if you don't mind how MUCH there is.


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Yodamom wrote: "Great review you make me want to read it. I've had in sitting on my self unread since the release not sure if I really want to dive into it."

Thank you! And I hope you do decide to dive into eventually. It's really good if you don't mind how MUCH there is.


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Rhonda wrote: "Amazing review Jessica! Once again you nailed how I also felt while reading this book!"

Thanks, Rhonda! And you know, it's turning out that there were a LOT of us who felt this way, LOL. Really, I'm relieved, b/c I was kind of nervous about endorsing this book as being really great when it was so obviously full of commonly hated troupes.


message 36: by Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ (last edited Jun 26, 2014 11:01AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Destini Mia~ ♕ Sassy Lassie wrote: "Awesome review, Jessica!! I'm thinking of starting this one after I'm done with the series I'm currently reading :) I've heard a lot of great things about these books."

Thank you! The last book is coming out in a couple of weeks, so now is definitely a good time to start it, if you're interested. Just know in advance that it's a bit of a slower and more cerebral read than most UF--most people who don't really like this series go into it expecting constant action like most UF, and there's definitely action . . . it's just not constant ;)


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) I'm going to start the last book this week! Can't wait. Don't have time for a re-read so I hope I remember everything. Nice review :)


Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Thanks! I'm part of a reread with a vicious taskmistress, so I won't even be able to start book 2 until July 1.

*stares broodily at Shandra* (not really . . . well, maybe . . . a little bit)

I can't wait to see what you think of The Book of Life ;)


message 39: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel  L Terrific review Jessica!


Brisaea Best review I've read of the book so far.
Though I don't feel exactly the same as you do, I get where you're coming.
Things like these aren't really my concerns about a book. It all gets past me as long as they can be justified. I don't just focus on the WHATs of a story, but also on the WHYs and HOWs. I hope I'm making sense. People who judges based only on the WHAT kinda angers me. That tells me that they read books armed with their prejudices, then give up on them or give low ratings because they didn't get past that wall of prejudice that they've set for the books to climb..


message 42: by Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ (last edited Jul 12, 2014 05:21AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Thank you! And I'm the same way. I haven't been blogging very long, so I am starting to pick up on the troupes more than I used to, but if the book is good, then the book is good. The end. The same thing goes for automatically liking a book b/c it's "diverse" or addresses an "important issue." Does the book handle the issue well? Do you agree with the book's points? Do you even have an opinion on that issue? BLAH. So yeah, I get you ;)


message 43: by Eon Windrunner (new)

Eon Windrunner Very nice review Jessica.


message 45: by Eon Windrunner (new)

Eon Windrunner Now the question...should I read it you think? I'm on the fence...


message 46: by Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ (last edited May 20, 2015 06:46AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ Umm . . . this is more romance-y than the stuff I usually read, but sometimes I don't mind that, so this worked for me. I very much enjoyed the world-building and the story, but this is also a very sloooooow story. It also has a lot of layers, so I was fine with the slow pace, and in the last 10 - 15% things really picked up, but a lot of people don't make it that far.

SO. Do you/can you:

1. Like alchemy?
2. Like books with a heavy focus on romance?
3. Tolerate a slow-paced story b/c LAYERS?
4. Tolerate a male MC who can be supremely backward thinking, but tries hard to be reasonable?

If yes, then I'd give it a shot. If no . . . *shrugs* Only if you get it sale for super cheap, and go into it planning to DNF it if it's not working.


message 47: by Eon Windrunner (new)

Eon Windrunner Jessica ❁ Elsecaller ❁ at Rabid Reads wrote: "Umm . . . this is more romance-y than the stuff I usually read, but sometimes I don't mind that, so this worked for me. I very much enjoyed the world-building and the story, but this is also a very..."

Mmmmm. I think it could work, but I will be cautious, so if it's on sale!

Thanks Jessica


message 48: by Eon Windrunner (new)

Eon Windrunner I was looking at the GR fantasy awards for 2014 and could not believe that the 3rd book in this series beat Words fo Radiance to the award, so I just thought I might have to give it a try and see.


Kelby *TwistedCactusReads* I loved this book! I need to continue with Shadow of Night very soon!


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