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A Discovery of Witches A Novel All Souls Trilogy Deborah E Harkness Books

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A Discovery of Witches A Novel All Souls Trilogy Deborah E Harkness Books

I rated it 3 stars because the plot is interesting and unique, and the writing itself is very good. I have read some books with great stories, but the writing is just poor. This book does not share that problem and it is very well written.
The reason I knocked off a star is because I wish I had more of the actual plot instead of just constantly focusing on the romance. The other concepts are so interesting I wish the author would explore those more. I understand their romance is at the center of it all, but jeez we get it they love each other can we discuss any of the other million things going on for just a moment? Maybe that's just personal preference, though.
Also, it feels like Diana is constantly a damsel in distress and it is frustrating that even when she finally starts using her powers, she still needs a man to save her. And when her aunts are trying to help, the only person who actually helps her at all is a vampire and a man that she only just met, and it seems like a slap in the face to her aunts. I realize Diana has overwhelming power that is difficult for her aunts to teach, but Matthew isn't even a witch and he can help her.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars because I really did enjoy the book. The alchemy and the feuding of all the creatures is interesting, I want to know what happens, but Diana is so subservient and always needs a man to rescue her it is just annoying, and Matthew is just an ass.
I really want to know what happens because the story and the writing are both great, but their relationship just dominates everything and it gets monotonous and they both annoy me, so for that reason I do not think I will read the next book. HOWEVER, if your preference is extra sappy love stories with plot on the side, this is for you. I don't say that as an insult because that is the type of book a lot of people like and maybe that's what this is supposed to be, but I was just looking for something else.


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A Discovery of Witches A Novel All Souls Trilogy Deborah E Harkness Books Reviews

Three stars because I finished it. Was not what it was hyped up to be...definitely not 5 stars in my opinion. Too many references to historical facts that contributed nothing to the story. A vampire/creature yoga class....palm to face. A vamp who knew or was friendly with almost every notable figure in history....mmmm k. The main female character was not the most likeable. She started off strong and interesting but became more flat and too dependent on her vampire guy as the story went on. Also, it was soo long. The whole book could have been edited better to make it less convoluted with unnecessary subject matter and therefore so much shorter. Maybe then it could have been a more interesting read....minus of course that corny yoga class.
So I don't really know how to really describe this book. A discovery of a witch started so promising by giving a strong, smart and self-sufficient female character in Diana Bishop. Yes Diana is not your typical witch/mortal or biped in love with a mesmerizing vampire that are usually found in romance novels. So I was having a ball reading and I even somewhat found Matthew domeering and old fashioned ways amusing at the start and I may admit even quite charming. And the mystery we are giving at the beginning is quite compelling that you truly want to know what going to happen with these two. Then the scenery change and the characters fall in love and God here comes the disaster. I was appalled by turn the novel took with Diana was slowly morphing into the damsel in distress that plague every others romance novel and Matthew domeering and diresgard of others opinion was not enticing to the naratif anymore. By the end of the novel I much wanting to throw it away because I was left confused and irrated with thousands of questions but no desire to pick up the sequel.

But because I do value my own sanity and do not feel the needs to keep wondering about what happened next I will read the next book hopping the author doesn't simply tries to stuff our faces with obsucure snippet of historical facts.
Diana, a witch who avoids using magic, is studying alchemical history when she finds an old book covered in magic; she returns the book to the library archives, but witches, vampires, and daemons are all hunting it, some bringing danger for Diana, and others -- especially ancient vampire Matthew -- providing protection and love.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting 4.6 -- Plot is engaging from start to finish. Has many unique elements, no major holes, and a sense of focus. Major plot points are dropped or not resolved (cliffhanger). Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. This is an incredibly detailed world, with interesting creatures, complex politics, and complicated family dynamics, all mixed in with elements of the mundane, ordinary world. There's terror and romance, adventure and personal revelations. It's complicated, and it doesn't resolve, leading directly into the next book, but it is wonderful. And it is clearly a well-planned story, since it is possible to track the days as they pass, from September 18 to October 31.

Characters 5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Even minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. We meet many, many characters, with their own stories, personalities, creature attributes, and motivations (both benevolent and evil). They are all incredibly well imagined and outlined. Diana's struggle to accept her magic ability, and all that comes with it, makes her very relatable, and I enjoyed her relationships with Matthew, Sarah and Emily, Ysabeau and Marthe, and all her other friends and acquaintances.

Mechanics and Writing 5 -- Few, if any, typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<3/100pgs) Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include compound word and/or homophone confusion, mild punctuation or formatting issues. POV is mainly 1st-person Diana, with some scenes (all or almost all when Diana is not present to narrate) in a sort of universal 3rd-person narrative, dipping into the thoughts of whoever is needed to tell the important details.

Redeeming Value 3.6 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified, though there is some shaky ground. A few borderline explicit sex scenes. Implied moral guidelines for behavior. No actual sex, though there's lots of kissing and intimate acts of 'bundling' between Diana and Matthew, and other sexual relationships are mentioned. A good deal of violence, which grows bloody and/or deadly more than once. Wine is a big deal, but it's enjoyed responsibly. Vampire politics and morality are apparently different from the human versions, falling more into the medieval, or even bestial. Some witches head that way, too. Lots of power plays, long grudges, etc.

Personal Enjoyment 5 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. One I'll definitely read again.
I rated it 3 stars because the plot is interesting and unique, and the writing itself is very good. I have read some books with great stories, but the writing is just poor. This book does not share that problem and it is very well written.
The reason I knocked off a star is because I wish I had more of the actual plot instead of just constantly focusing on the romance. The other concepts are so interesting I wish the author would explore those more. I understand their romance is at the center of it all, but jeez we get it they love each other can we discuss any of the other million things going on for just a moment? Maybe that's just personal preference, though.
Also, it feels like Diana is constantly a damsel in distress and it is frustrating that even when she finally starts using her powers, she still needs a man to save her. And when her aunts are trying to help, the only person who actually helps her at all is a vampire and a man that she only just met, and it seems like a slap in the face to her aunts. I realize Diana has overwhelming power that is difficult for her aunts to teach, but Matthew isn't even a witch and he can help her.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars because I really did enjoy the book. The alchemy and the feuding of all the creatures is interesting, I want to know what happens, but Diana is so subservient and always needs a man to rescue her it is just annoying, and Matthew is just an ass.
I really want to know what happens because the story and the writing are both great, but their relationship just dominates everything and it gets monotonous and they both annoy me, so for that reason I do not think I will read the next book. HOWEVER, if your preference is extra sappy love stories with plot on the side, this is for you. I don't say that as an insult because that is the type of book a lot of people like and maybe that's what this is supposed to be, but I was just looking for something else.