A Discovery of Witches: free exclusive chapter sampler

by Deborah Harkness

Free for a limited time only, this is the thrilling opening to the internationally bestselling All Souls trilogy. A Discovery of Witches will introduce you to the magical world of Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont. Look out for second book Shadow of Night, also available now, and the final instalment The Book of Life, out on July 15th 2014.

Genres: Fantasy

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2014

About the author

Deborah Harkness is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who draws on her expertise as an historian of science, medicine, and the history of the book to create rich narratives steeped in magical realism, historical curiosity, and deeply human questions about what it is that makes us who we are.

The first book in Harkness’s beloved All Souls series, A Discovery of Witches, was an instant New York Times bestseller and the series has since expanded with the addition of subsequent NYT bestsellers, Shadow of Night (2012), The Book of Life (2014), and Time’s Convert (2018), as well as the companion reader, The World of All Souls. The All Souls series has been translated in thirty-eight languages.

The popular television adaptation of A Discovery of Witches, starring Theresa Palmer and Matthew Goode, was released in 2019 by Sky/Sundance Now, and also broadcast on AMC.

Having spent more than a quarter of a century as a student and scholar of history, Harkness holds degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Northwestern University, and the University of California at Davis. She is currently a professor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she teaches European history and the history of science.

Harkness has published scholarly articles on topics such as the influence of theatrical conventions on the occult sciences, scientific households, female medical practice in early modern London, medical curiosity, and the influence of accounting practices on scientific record keeping. She has received Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships, and her most recent scholarly work is The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution.

Reviews

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gave this book to me, that's why started reading it as fast as possible. And I loved it from the beginning. Luckily I bought the next book just before I finished this one, so I could read the next one immediately. I really liked it to discover Matthew's secrets and to learn more about Darwin and a lot of other famous people. It's a very good book for a day reading on the sofa with a cup of tea (the way Diana likes it) and music on the background. I really loved it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found the authors understanding of history an excellent addition to the plot. Highly recommend this title for other people to read.

[Stefi W]

I really struggled with this book. I had such high hopes because of the rave reviews I had read and the fact that the trilogy had been turned into a TV series. Unfortunately, though I enjoyed the parts that were good, there were more parts that were lengthy and trying. I struggled through those parts and in the end, really wasn't looking forward to the second book. Perhaps, with some time between the two, I will be excited to read the second one (or at least look forward to finding out what happens with the characters).

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my secret santa present from bookclub. I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Emziethebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now a Discovery of witches was very slow for me to start off with from chapters 1 to 20 but it did start to pick up a bit which I am glad a didn't DNF the book as that was when I started to enjoy the plot a little more as there was a lot more goin on and not them being stuck in the once place again.
All the characters were amazing throughout even the bad guys, a mean this is my first ever vampire and witch romance and I don't think it will be my last either.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series to see where it will lead the amazing characters and hopefully give them a much happier ending.

[Patricia Kemshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started A Discovery Of Witches, I didn't realise it was the start of a trilogy. I say that because whilst I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it enough to buy the rest of the trilogy.

For me, this felt like another witches and vampires book, and I guess I'm just not that engaged with the subject to want to find out what happens with the main characters. Having said that, A Discovery Of Witches is well written and readable, and if you like some escapism, mixed with a love story, then this is going to suit you down to the ground.

Just not for me. Sorry.

[Malcolm Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In common with many people, I began to read this after watching the much-praised TV series, it didn't disappoint. If anything the book is better than the tv as it includes lots of little details missed on the screen. Astonishingly well written and researched this one is a great read. I plucked the next in the series from my bookshelf within seconds of finishing this one. Now to curl up in my chair with a cup of coffee and enjoy...

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book, I watched the TV series before I knew of this book, it's stunningly captivates your mind. Allowing you to believe your there with the characters are they find each other.
The love of family and pure ment to be moments had me on my toes.
I adore these characters and can not wait to grab the next four in the series.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super geschrieben, lässt sich sehr flüssig lesen. Doch die Handlung ist schon ganz schön kitschig, es ist ein Typischer Liebesroman aber nicht so vorhersehbar wie manch anderer... Alles in allem kann ich das Buch Romantikliebenden sehr empfehlen.

[Ghaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't let it down easily.

[Sharon Sankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. Not all of the aspects of the book had been turned into the series and so it was very intriguing and interesting

[Cay B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the 2nd book but the dialogue is still painful to get through at times and very millennial coded so it did not age well

[Jessica Lauritsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow-paced but incredibly well written

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I was unsure at first but it was actually amazing.

[Laura (bookswlaura) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A discovery of witches is the first book of the all souls trilogy. I decided to read this book after watching the first series on sky tv which made me fall in love with the plot. Deborah has managed to create a world full of vampires, witches and daemons like i’ve never read before. This book has the perfect amount of fantasy, romance and history that is needed. I love the development of the relationships between the characters and the bond they create altogether. 10/10 would recommend

[Felicity Terry · Rating 1 out of 5]

A latte-loving daemon?
A vampire who rather than needing to be 'invited in' waits for a window to be left open?
A vampire who not only doesn't turn to a pile of ashes in sunlight but who 'liked to bask in its glow'?
A vampire who along with daemons and witches, doing .... yoga?

..... Per-lease.

Reading at times like a script for a spoof supernatural movie, at times it's actually quite funny. It's just a shame that this isn't intentional and for the main part the novel takes itself too seriously.


A sort of Harry Potter/Twilight/Fifty Shades Of Grey hybrid. A witch, her parents the creme-de-la creme of their kind, orphaned at childhood and brought up by other family members? A mysterious, magical book? A vampire who spends considerable time watching a woman sleep unaware that he is there? A 'love affair' that borders on the abusive? Sound familiar?

At least with Harry Potter and Twilight there is a certain honesty in that the reader knows what they are getting. Quite unlike A Discovery Of Witches which when it comes down to it is essentially just another vampire romance albeit one masquerading as a more intelligent read for 'grown-ups'.

Given to me as a present along with the second book in the series (Shadow Of Night). Alas I've been put off reading book two, an equally weighty novel, let alone buying book three (The Book Of Life).

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.

[Brianna]

A book I keep on coming back to. My copy is so overused that I bought a second.
A great story, with romance and adventure, the writing drags you in to the world of the characters; really well written with a plot line that just keeps on going.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun witch and vampire story, not as good as Anne Rice. It could have used a good editing. Mindless entertainment.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story was great, I feel that it dragged on quite a bit. This story could have been told in half the pages.

[Marisa]

Absolutely loved it.