Lauren Reviews A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Published: January 2011 by Penguin Books
Source: Finished Copy Provided by the Publisher
Rating: 5+ Stars

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. Her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. She has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. 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. 

I honestly don't know where to start. Harkness took my soul, wrapped it around her pinky finger, and watched as her words made it glow in the darkness. Not only could I escape reality every moment I picked this novel up, but I felt the main characters' feelings. When they were heartbroken, my heart bled. When they were eloped in passion, i had naughty thoughts (and may have told the boyfriend). When they were scared, but brave... well you understand. 

Back to the basics.. we have Diana Bishop, a witch who has chosen to refuse her own powers and instead has focused her life on being a professional academic. She calls up a mysterious manuscript from Oxford's library, realizes it has been spelled, and promptly sends it back. The problem is all of the creatures have perked up. Witches, vampires, and daemons alike are all vying for the manuscript that may hold the answer to how each creature was created.  In steps Matthew Clairmont, a gentlemen/scientist/vampire whom we all start to swoon over. Which is the only proper response.

"He held me while I spoke, and when I couldn't speak, and when I cried."

Matthew wants the manuscript just like anyone else, but then he takes an interest in Diana. In her professional and personal life. He starts to see her as more than just another witch. Diana has always ignored her heritage as a witch. She has focused her entire life on her education and her professional and has earned all of her merits the good old fashioned way. Matthew tests Diana to be who she is. A man pushing a woman to be herself? 

Can we love this man anymore? NO. The answer is no. I've decided to stop here. I don't want to ruin for you the AMAZINGNESS that happens with Diana and Matthew, but I'm sure you can imagine the storm the is a brewing. All I can say is if you enjoy some fantasy, some adult love, and amazing writing... just go buy this book. And then the sequel. And then the third book in the trilogy. 

Cross-posted at The Tattooed Biblio

Ten Recently Acquired Books

 

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

 

tahleen's picks 

1. Ana of California by Andi Tehran. Some of you might remember this was one of my top summer books on my TBR list. I'm so excited, because I just found out this morning that I won a copy from another blogger, Cassi from My Thoughts Literally! I can't wait to get this one in the mail.

 2.  Murder at the Brightwell by Ashley Weaver. I found this one at a book store in Burlington, VT on a weekend trip a couple of months ago. The particular store I was in had a table full of ARCs that they were giving away for free, because, well, they can't sell them. I was pretty stoked to have snagged this one, because I knew it was shortlisted for the Edgar Award in the category of best debut. I'm hoping to get to it soon.

3. Fat Boy vs the Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach. I got this one from the library. It's next up, because I'm feeling like it's time for a funny and possibly raucous YA book narrated by Nick Podehl.

Bridget's picks 

4. Early One Morning – Virginia Baily. As Chiara Ravello is about to flee occupied Rome during WWII, she locks eyes with a woman who, with her family, is being herded onto a truck—and without thinking, she claims the woman’s son as her own. How intriguing does that sound??

5. Everything She Forgot – Lisa Ballentyne. The “dark memories coming back” theme is really having a moment in lit these past couple years! This one sounds awesome.

6. In A Dark, Dark Wood – Ruth Ware. I’ve actually already read this one and it was so good! I started it while I was in line for something or other at BEA (because really, the majority of what I did there was stand in lines, for serious) and finished it the next day and WOW, so good. But I’m still excited about it despite having read it already, so I’m counting it!

Julia's Pick

7. Watchman by Alan Moore - My friend from work lent this too me recently and I still haven't read it. So I should totally get on that.

Jamie's Picks

8. Yes Please by Amy Poehler: Just picked this up at the library from the interloan library program! YAY!

9. The Witches by Stacy Schiff: This just came in for review which is kind of surprising because mostly YA is what I get in the mail so it's always like WOAH when an adult novel shows up and even more WOAH when it's non-fiction. I'm so down. SALEM!

10. Don't Ever Change by Beth M. Bloom: This one came as a hardcover from Harper in the mail. The cover is beauteous!

Jana Reviews OwlCrate's YA Subscription Box

Thanks so much to OwlCrate for giving me a free box to review on the blog! I so appreciate being given the opportunity to receive one, as I cannot afford it on my own at this time. I've had my eye on OwlCrate's fun bookish subscription boxes for quite some time now, so I was really excited when I was offered the opportunity to receive one for review last month (Receiving a free box, however, did not sway my opinion in one direction or the other. My thoughts are my own!)! Who doesn't love bookish mail? OwlCrate focuses on YA books (or sometimes an adult book that is appealing to YA readers), and each box is centered around a theme. Each month subscribers receive one newly released hardback YA book, along with some extra goodies that relate to the theme of the book. I love this use of themes, and think it's a really cool idea.

These boxes run at $29.99 + $6.99 shipping per month (shipping to Canada is $10.59 and anywhere else is $19.99), but selecting 3 or 6-month subscriptions save you some money.

June's theme was: Diversity

I really love the OwlCrate box! It was like a little treasure box sitting on my porch when I arrived home the other day. The logo is crisp and detailed, and I love the little owl footprints on the side of the box. I was immediately impressed before I even opened the box. I trust companies that care about making the little things, like packaging, professional and an extension of their service. 

This is what I saw upon opening the box. I like their sense of humor, and their owl puns. Puns just make me happy. I'll admit that I was slightly disappointed with the theme, just because I was hoping for cultural diversity. LGBTQ books are very popular and are generating a lot of buzz right now, so I was hoping to be introduced a to book with culturally diverse elements, which I have a harder time finding. This is just a personal preference, though, and since June is Gay Pride month the theme totally makes sense. I bypassed the postcard because I did not want my presents spoiled! I'll show it at the end, as it highlights each item in the box. Nice touch. Anyway, here's what I got!

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera was packaged in a clear plastic bag with an exclusive poster and temporary tattoo. This book has gotten amazing reviews! As the host of the Debut Author Challenge on my personal blog, I was also happy to discover they were pushing one of this year's debut YA novelists! Adam is a really nice guy.

Shwings claim to "Make old shoes new. Make new shoes fly." I can't imagine myself wearing these as an adult, but perhaps kids or teens would like them!

These cute "Read More Diverse Books" earrings were custom designed by Snark Factory exclusively for OwlCrate, which I thought was pretty cool! I'm a huge supporter of diversity in books, so I can totally see myself sporting these at the library or bookish events especially.

OwlCrate a little pricey for me, so I won't be subscribing at this point. Also, if you're not into the theme of the month, you're kind of out of luck. It would be kind of cool if they had two monthly themes that you could choose from, but I bet that would up the price of the box. It's also a bit of a gamble, especially if you're a YA book reviewer who receives many of the new releases from publishers, because you never know if you're going to get a book you already own. In this case, I had already been offered a copy of More Happy Than Not from the publisher. I will most likely be giving my copy away either to the library or to a friend who might enjoy it.

Concerns and personal preferences aside, I think OwlCrate is a great subscription service! I love the mystery and the anticipation of receiving a box and tearing into it to see what I got. Surprises make life so much fun. I love the details on the packaging, the themed box idea is so much fun, and I can tell that the creators of OwlCrate really care and have fun putting together boxes they think people will like. The entire service feels very personal, and I think it's so nice that this couple is so interested in spreading their love of books. I'd definitely recommend it to YA lovers and fans of bookish do-dads, especially if you're not as current on new releases or are looking to expand your reading comfort zone.

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Where Would You Live?

Every other Thursday here at The Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

The Question

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

Lauren Says...

I'd live in Greece. I currently live in the third largest city in Kentucky (which really isn't saying much). I'd live in Greece for so many reasons, the biggest being the history of Greek Mythology and politics that started there. I am a HUGE fan of pretty much every different cultural mythologies, but Greek is my favorite. I would sit where so many infamous and most influential people in the world have sat. I would stand in the middle of the Epidaurus Theater with my jaw dropped. I'd visit the Beaches of Crete and stare in amazement at the colors and pure beauty of the world. I'd walk through the Delphi Runs in splendor of the old world architecture. 

Kimberly Says...

Okay, this is totally boring, but... I would live right here in Utah. My family and friends, as well as the Mr. 's family and friends all live here. (And yes, we like them!) So staying here is the dream... Especially if we had a house with a nice big back yard and beautiful old trees.  Then I would travel EVERYWHERE.

Julia Says...

Ideal unattainable dream is unlimited money and to live literally every country for a month or so. But when I was in college I did the math against the countries recognized by the UN and if I had started right then it would have taken me decades. And that doesn't even count things like Scotland or Quebec vs. British Colombia or something. 

So that said, I am going to pick somewhere in England. Probably London. I loved going to visit there and I just dont think I would ever get tired of the country and exploring around me. Plus the British accents (and yes I know there are quite a few, I still like them all) are hot! ;)

Bridget Says...

Anywhere there's a beach! Every once in a while I check on this one multi-million dollar, beachfront house for sale near where I grew up. It's gone down about a million and a half since I first started checking, so maybe one day it'll get down far enough for me to afford ;)

What about you guys? Where would you ultimately want to live?

Top Ten Hyped Books We've Never Read

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

Jamie's Picks

1. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: 

Oh man, this book has been so hyped lately. I had every intention of reading it but I just wasn't feeling it in the midst of the hype. BUT SOON.

2. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: 

OKAY OKAY. I KNOW. I read the first book! YAY ME. But like it's really hard to be an adult reading THE MOST HYPED UP AND BELOVED SERIES EVER. EXPECTATIONS TO THE MOON.

3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard 

This is another recent release that has been crazy hyped! I was super excited about it but AHH it's so hard for me to read things in the height of the hype.

Julia's Picks

4. The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin - This is a cheap shot and I know it, but I am including it on here. This is probably the most hyped book ever outside of living through the release of Harry Potter. I don't even have a release date to look forward to, so I am just sitting here, window seat on the Hype Train.

5. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - I didn't read Insurgent either, but I can't recall the hype around that one, but I do recall the hype on this. I stayed off the internet for a bit when this came out, just because I do eventually want to read it. All I know is this was hyped up and then the fandom revolted. One day I will find out why (but I can probably guess).

Lauren's Picks

6. Grey by E.L. James - I could go on and on and on about all of E.L. James's books. I read all three 50 Shades of Grey books because all of my IRL non-bookish friends were appalled that I hadn't read them... so peer pressure and yeah... no. 

7. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare - I'll probably catch some hell on this one, but I just can't bring myself to even pick up the first book in this series. Sometimes I feel like authors just throw books at readers left and right (e.g. Danielle Steele, Stephen King) and this author is no different for me. But don't get me wrong... I've heard that this author has turned many young adults into full fledged readers now and that is just what the world needs!

Daisy's Picks

First off, I'd like to second An Ember in the Ashes, Red Queen, Grey (though I haven't read any of the 50 Shades books) and The Mortal Instruments. And to that I add:

8. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: this one got a LOT of hype around BEA and I hear it's AMAZING, but it doesn't really sound like a me-book, but I did buy it, so it'll get read at some point.

9. A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin: I KNOW! (a very, very sorry to TB&TB's own Kimberly and former member Kelly for not having read this yet) I feel the pressure of needing to read this, especially with the TV show going past what I've read so far, but it's HUGE and daunting and I need to carve out a hunk of time for it. But maybe soon?

10. Matched by Ally Condie: the hype for this one was CRAZY. I do actually own the whole trilogy, but I've been putting it off because I've heard some less than stellar things about it along with all the hype and I'm a little terrified to be honest.



What hyped books have YOU not read yet??

Broke and Bookish Haul for 6/21 - 7/4

Lauren's Book Haul

Book Outlet Haul

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Hild by Nicola Griffith 

Prisoners of the Palace by Michaela MacColl 

The Infernals by John Connolly

The Creeps by John Connolly

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi 

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi 

Lock In by John Scalzi

Tremor by Patrick Carman

Pulse by Patrick Carman

Blackout by Robison Wells

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare

Emma by Jane Austen

The Survivors by Will Weaver

Fool's Gold by Philippa Gregory

Stormbringers by Philippa Gregory

Changeling by Philippa Gregory

Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton

Nexus: Ascension by Robert Boyczuk

Sekret by Lindsay Smith 

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

B&N Haul Bought by the Boyfriend

The Circle by Dave Eggers

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

Rogue by Julie Kagawa

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

Blood & Beauty by Sarah Dunant

Cross-posted at The Tattooed Biblio

Our June Faves & Our July TBR

How are we already in July?? Either way, here's our faves of June and what we plan on reading in August! 

June Favorites

Daisy's Pick

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

You might know that I'm in love with the Throne of Glass series and obviously I couldn't wait to get my hands on A Court of Thorns and Roses, and while I've pretty much NEVER loved a novel about the fae before, I TOTALLY loved ACOTAR!! Masterful storytelling and sexyness and Feyre is my girl!

Jana's Pick

The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long
I only read two books in June, and this was my favorite of the two. Sometimes I just need a good historical romance, and this one was really sweet. It's not my favorite by a long shot, but I enjoyed the characters and their witty banter.

Lauren's Pick

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I cannot express all of the love, laughter, and hardships this book put me through. And I'd go through them again in a heart beat.

Jamie's Pick

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

I KNOW I KNOW. It doesn't come out until 2016 but I had no self control after I got it at BEA soooo I read it immediately. IT WAS SO GOOD. I loved it so much. I need book 2.

July TBR

Daisy's Pick

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

It's this month's book club read and since I've been meaning to read this FOREVER it's the perfect choice! I've heard amazing things about it, so I'm excited :)

Jana's Pick

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
I haven't gotten to this one yet!!!!! I KNOW!!! And since Queen of Shadows is coming out really soon, I thought it was time to catch up!

Lauren's Pick

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

I just CANNOT wait to get to the second book is this series. I absolutely loved A Discovery of Witches and I just HAVE to know what happens next with Diana and Matthew!

Jamie's Pick

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

I loved Adi's debut Let's Get Lost so I'm really looking forward to this next book!


Tell us your favorites of June and one book on your July TBR!