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8 Burnside Horror- General
1 Hawthorne Science Fiction and Fantasy- A to Z

Other titles in the All Souls Trilogy series:

A Discovery of Witches

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A Discovery of Witches Cover

ISBN13: 9780670022410
ISBN10: 0670022411
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

 

Awards

Staff Top 5s 2011 2011 Powell's Staff Top 5s
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series — with an extra serving of historical realism.

Review:

"In Harkness's lively debut, witches, vampires, and demons outnumber humans at Oxford's Bodleian Library, where witch and Yale historian Diana Bishop discovers an enchanted manuscript, attracting the attention of 1,500-year-old vampire Matthew Clairmont. The orphaned daughter of two powerful witches, Bishop prefers intellect, but relies on magic when her discovery of a palimpsest documenting the origin of supernatural species releases an assortment of undead who threaten, stalk, and harass her. Against all occult social propriety, Bishop turns for protection to tall, dark, bloodsucking man-about-town Clairmont. Their research raises questions of evolution and extinction among the living dead, and their romance awakens centuries-old enmities. Harkness imagines a crowded universe where normal and paranormal creatures observe a tenuous peace. 'Magic is desire made real,' Bishop says after both her desire and magical prowess exceed her expectations. Harkness brings this world to vibrant life and makes the most of the growing popularity of gothic adventure with an ending that keeps the Old Lodge door wide open. (Feb.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright PWyxz LLC)

Review:

"Harkness creates a compelling and sweeping tale....All her characters are fully fleshed and unique, which, when combined with the complex and engaging plot, results in one of the better fantasy debuts in recent months. The contemporary setting should help draw a large crossover audience." Booklist (starred review)

Review:

"Destined to be popular with fantasy and paranormal aficionados, this enchanting novel is an essential purchase. Harkness is an author to watch." Library Journal (starred review)

Synopsis:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

 

Synopsis:

The #1 New York Times–bestselling sequel to A Discovery of Witches is as “enchanting, engrossing, and as impossible to put down as its predecessor” (Miami Herald)
 
J. K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice—only a few writers capture the imagination the way that Deborah Harkness has done with books one and two of her New York Times–bestselling All Souls trilogy. A Discovery of Witches introduced reluctant witch Diana Bishop, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and the battle for a lost, enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
            Harkness’s much-anticipated sequel, Shadow of Night, picks up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending. Diana and Matthew time-travel to Elizabethan London and are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana searches for a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey.

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About the Author

Deborah Harkness is a scholar and writer specializing in the history of science and medicine. She has received numerous awards, including Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships. Currently a professor of history at the University of Southern California, her most recent academic publication is The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution. This is her first novel.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 13 comments:
krdcunha, August 6, 2012 (view all comments by krdcunha)
I purchased this book at the airport when I ran out of reading material and saw that it was highly rated so I thought I'd give it a try. The story line is a bit cliche...witch and vampire meet in library at Oxford. Forbidden love takes place as witches and vampires are not allowed to mingle. There is also a mysterious book that everyone is seeking and that adds to the suspense. The story line was good even though it was cliche and the snippets of history certainly were well researched. What I couldn't stand about this book is that the lead character, Diana Bishop, was presented as a strong, educated woman who was very independent but the love story taking place reduced her to mush. She became controlled by her emotions and unable to control them and her love for the forbidden vampire. I don't know why the author thought this would be appealing but she did. I would give this book a 3.5 if possible but I could do without the lead character becoming spineless when love comes knocking.
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Maryka, August 4, 2012 (view all comments by Maryka)
This was such a fun book, a perfect summer read. It got a little long at times, but it was a great world to live in for a while. I am excited to start the next book in the series. If you are a sucker for love stories involving magical humans, then this book is for you.
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Ninihada, February 3, 2012 (view all comments by Ninihada)
I really enjoyed A Discovery of Witches! It's like Harry Potter for adults. There are multiple levels of the story happening in the book. I expected to read about witches, but there are other fantastic creatures in the story as well as doses of history, science, and biology. All intertwined with MAGIC and mystery. Highly recommend for fantasy lovers.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780670022410
Author:
Harkness, Deborah
Publisher:
Viking Books
Author:
Ridgway, Bee
Author:
Mead, Richelle
Author:
Steele, Jon
Author:
Harkness, Deborah E.
Author:
Ikeda, Jennifer
Subject:
Occult & Supernatural
Subject:
Romance - General
Subject:
Thrillers
Subject:
Fantasy fiction
Subject:
Witches
Subject:
Occult
Subject:
Horror - General
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Historical
Subject:
Suspense
Edition Description:
Hardback
Series:
The Angelus Trilogy
Series Volume:
2
Publication Date:
20110231
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
from 7
Language:
English
Pages:
592
Dimensions:
9 x 6 in 1 lb
Age Level:
18-17
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Related Subjects


Fiction and Poetry » Horror » General
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » Fantasy » Epic
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » Fantasy » Paranormal

A Discovery of Witches Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$11.50 In Stock
Product details 592 pages Viking Books - English 9780670022410 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "In Harkness's lively debut, witches, vampires, and demons outnumber humans at Oxford's Bodleian Library, where witch and Yale historian Diana Bishop discovers an enchanted manuscript, attracting the attention of 1,500-year-old vampire Matthew Clairmont. The orphaned daughter of two powerful witches, Bishop prefers intellect, but relies on magic when her discovery of a palimpsest documenting the origin of supernatural species releases an assortment of undead who threaten, stalk, and harass her. Against all occult social propriety, Bishop turns for protection to tall, dark, bloodsucking man-about-town Clairmont. Their research raises questions of evolution and extinction among the living dead, and their romance awakens centuries-old enmities. Harkness imagines a crowded universe where normal and paranormal creatures observe a tenuous peace. 'Magic is desire made real,' Bishop says after both her desire and magical prowess exceed her expectations. Harkness brings this world to vibrant life and makes the most of the growing popularity of gothic adventure with an ending that keeps the Old Lodge door wide open. (Feb.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright PWyxz LLC)
"Review" by , "Harkness creates a compelling and sweeping tale....All her characters are fully fleshed and unique, which, when combined with the complex and engaging plot, results in one of the better fantasy debuts in recent months. The contemporary setting should help draw a large crossover audience."
"Review" by , "Destined to be popular with fantasy and paranormal aficionados, this enchanting novel is an essential purchase. Harkness is an author to watch."
"Synopsis" by ,
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

 
"Synopsis" by ,
The #1 New York Times–bestselling sequel to A Discovery of Witches is as “enchanting, engrossing, and as impossible to put down as its predecessor” (Miami Herald)
 
J. K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice—only a few writers capture the imagination the way that Deborah Harkness has done with books one and two of her New York Times–bestselling All Souls trilogy. A Discovery of Witches introduced reluctant witch Diana Bishop, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and the battle for a lost, enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
            Harkness’s much-anticipated sequel, Shadow of Night, picks up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending. Diana and Matthew time-travel to Elizabethan London and are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana searches for a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey.
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