Weave Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) A Discovery of Witches By Deborah Harkness Synopsis via Waterstones: An epic, richly inventive, historically sweeping, magical romance. When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires. Sensing the significance of Diana's discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing. As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels... I finished a Discovery a Witches a couple of nights ago, and I'm still reflecting on the many reasons why I liked it so much. Things I write (especially in reveiws) sometimes don't make sense, but that's only because I loved something so much that I can't put it into proper words . Honestly I think this is one of the best books I've read that blended the topics of historical fiction and the paranormal, and did it so perfectly. I loved reading about Diana's ancestry in the Salem witches, learning about just how old Matthew was and all the people he knew and experiences he's had. I could read paragraph upon paragraph of Harkness's description of the Bodleian, Matthew's library, anything. The science arm of the story fascinated me as well, and is where I felt that Discovery of Witches sets itself apart from others in the paranormal genre. Harkness described everything so that it didn't immediately fly over my head . I think I saw Charm say before that some parts toward the end were a little more far-fetched than normal, and I agree, but it still seemed to flow well with the story and didn't feel foreign in the least. I cannot wait to see where Matthew and Diana's characters are taken and what journeys and experiences they'll have together. A lovely story, and also a favorite read of mine this year . Great review peace! I can't wait to read 'A Discovery of Witches' Edited June 23, 2011 by Weave Quote
Peacefield Posted June 23, 2011 Author Posted June 23, 2011 Great review peace! I can't wait to read 'A Discovery of Witches' I hope you get to read it soon, Paula! I know you would love the story, and doubly love Matthew! You will swoon, believe me . Quote
Weave Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I hope you get to read it soon, Paula! I know you would love the story, and doubly love Matthew! You will swoon, believe me . Good times!, my copy is currently in a box because we are still decorating at least I know where the box is Quote
Peacefield Posted June 23, 2011 Author Posted June 23, 2011 Good times!, my copy is currently in a box because we are still decorating at least I know where the box is OMG don't lose track of that box, Paula!! Hopefully Matthew's vibes will be calling you through the cardboard so that won't happen . Please promise me you'll read it soon! Quote
Weave Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 OMG don't lose track of that box, Paula!! Hopefully Matthew's vibes will be calling you through the cardboard so that won't happen . Please promise me you'll read it soon! I promise! Quote
Peacefield Posted June 27, 2011 Author Posted June 27, 2011 Synopsis via Waterstone's: A fight to the death - on live TV. The game show where you kill or die, and where the winner's prize is survival. In District 12, where Katniss Everdeen lives, life is harsh and brutal, ruled from afar by the all-powerful leaders of the Capitol. The climax of each year is the savage Hunger Games - where twelve boys and twelve girls from each District face each other in a murderous showdown. When sixteen-year-old Katniss is chosen to represent her district in the Games, everyone thinks it's a death sentence. Only one person can survive the horrors of the arena. But plucky Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature... I kept wondering to myself as I was reading this, how in the world am I just discovering this trilogy now?! I've heard everyone here talk about it, but it never registered for some reason. I've been bitten by the bug now though . I loved the strong, independent Katniss, and was fascinated by her life in 'the Seam' and what she has to do to survive day by day. While the concept was very cruel, Collins wrote it in a way where it wasn't difficult or too harsh to read. I did keep thinking the whole time, why is everything in the future always described as being so horrible? As far as futuristic books are concerned. I also found myself hoping that at some point the people of all these districts take over and defeat the idiot Capitol people who have been basically keeping everyone in a cage for who knows how long. I know that the 'Team' talk can get annoying, but for those of you who've read it - Gale or Peeta? I honestly can't make up my mind. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, and how Katniss and Peeta deal with being the Victors. Highly recommended read, you guys! Quote
Weave Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Synopsis via Waterstone's: A fight to the death - on live TV. The game show where you kill or die, and where the winner's prize is survival. In District 12, where Katniss Everdeen lives, life is harsh and brutal, ruled from afar by the all-powerful leaders of the Capitol. The climax of each year is the savage Hunger Games - where twelve boys and twelve girls from each District face each other in a murderous showdown. When sixteen-year-old Katniss is chosen to represent her district in the Games, everyone thinks it's a death sentence. Only one person can survive the horrors of the arena. But plucky Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature... I kept wondering to myself as I was reading this, how in the world am I just discovering this trilogy now?! I've heard everyone here talk about it, but it never registered for some reason. I've been bitten by the bug now though . I loved the strong, independent Katniss, and was fascinated by her life in 'the Seam' and what she has to do to survive day by day. While the concept was very cruel, Collins wrote it in a way where it wasn't difficult or too harsh to read. I did keep thinking the whole time, why is everything in the future always described as being so horrible? As far as futuristic books are concerned. I also found myself hoping that at some point the people of all these districts take over and defeat the idiot Capitol people who have been basically keeping everyone in a cage for who knows how long. I know that the 'Team' talk can get annoying, but for those of you who've read it - Gale or Peeta? I honestly can't make up my mind. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, and how Katniss and Peeta deal with being the Victors. Highly recommended read, you guys! Team Peeta! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, its a book that raises a lot of questions which was good to see in YA book, I can't wait to hear what you think of the rest of the series. Quote
Peacefield Posted June 27, 2011 Author Posted June 27, 2011 Team Peeta! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, its a book that raises a lot of questions which was good to see in YA book, I can't wait to hear what you think of the rest of the series. One for Team Peeta! I'll have to keep track . You're right about this book raising a lot of questions. I'm looking forward to the other books, and the film too! Quote
Weave Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 (edited) One for Team Peeta! I'll have to keep track . You're right about this book raising a lot of questions. I'm looking forward to the other books, and the film too! Me too hen, I wasn't keen on it until I saw the picture of Jennifer Lawrence as 'Katniss', she certainly looks the part, sorry hen, its another link ~ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/ I'm still surprised though that Lenny Kravitz is playing Cinna but in a good way but I just can't see Eizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket (I don't know why, I always saw as her older) Edited June 27, 2011 by Weave Quote
Peacefield Posted June 27, 2011 Author Posted June 27, 2011 I think Jennifer Lawrence looks great as Katniss! I was also surprised at Lenny Kravitz - he's not who I pictured as Cinna, but we shall see. Casting Woody Harrelson as Haymitch seems perfect to me, and I can't wait to see Stanley Tucci! I'm not sure about Elizabeth Banks either, but I don't know enough about her I guess. I love Wes Bentley, but I don't remember a 'Seneca' being in the first book ? Quote
Weave Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 I think Jennifer Lawrence looks great as Katniss! I was also surprised at Lenny Kravitz - he's not who I pictured as Cinna, but we shall see. Casting Woody Harrelson as Haymitch seems perfect to me, and I can't wait to see Stanley Tucci! I'm not sure about Elizabeth Banks either, but I don't know enough about her I guess. I love Wes Bentley, but I don't remember a 'Seneca' being in the first book ? :blush: I had to check (I'm going to read the books again at one point) here goes ~ He was the previous Head Gamemaker in the original Hunger Game that Katniss and Peeta won and he was killed because Katniss threatened to kill herself and Peeta with the poisonous berries. Quote
lopeanha Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 There's going to be a movie? That's great! I just finished all three books a week ago and I totally loved them! Quote
Kylie Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 :blush: I had to check (I'm going to read the books again at one point) here goes You're doing better than me. I had to look up who Cinna was. Quote
Peacefield Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Synopsis via Waterstones: 'Sell the Hall unseen; burn it to the ground and plough the earth with salt, if you will; but never live there...' London, the 1880s. A young girl grows up in a household marked by death, her father distant, her mother in perpetual mourning for the child she lost. Desperate to coax her mother back to health, Constance Langton takes her to a seance. Perhaps they will find comfort from beyond the grave. But that seance has tragic consequences.Constance is left alone, her only legacy a mysterious bequest will blight her life. So begins "The Seance", John Harwood's brilliant second novel, a gripping, dark mystery set in late Victorian England. It is a world of apparitions, of disappearances and unnatural phenomena, of betrayal and blackmail and black-hearted villains - and murder. For Constance's bequest comes in two parts: a house, and a mystery. Years before a family disappeared at Wraxford Hall, a terrifying stately home near the Suffolk coast. Now Constance must find the truth behind the mystery, even at the cost of her life. Because without the truth, she is lost. I received this lovely book from Weave earlier this year, and knowing how much I enjoyed Harwood's 'The Ghost Writer,' this novel did not disappoint. These are the kinds of mysteries I love - the kind that bring you back in time, describe everything in such detail that you want to go there yourself very badly, and not seeing the end coming if it were standing right in front of you. Mr. Harwood has the ability frighten people in a good, delicious way. You know, when you giggle because you're so creeped out but can't wait to keep reading to see what happens! I feel like he's the Alfred Hitchcock of authors, if that makes any sense. I also always feel some kind of connection with his characters. Not that we have things in common, but that you care what happens to them, which to me is one of the most important things about reading a book. Highly recommended, guys! Quote
Weave Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Synopsis via Waterstones: 'Sell the Hall unseen; burn it to the ground and plough the earth with salt, if you will; but never live there...' London, the 1880s. A young girl grows up in a household marked by death, her father distant, her mother in perpetual mourning for the child she lost. Desperate to coax her mother back to health, Constance Langton takes her to a seance. Perhaps they will find comfort from beyond the grave. But that seance has tragic consequences.Constance is left alone, her only legacy a mysterious bequest will blight her life. So begins "The Seance", John Harwood's brilliant second novel, a gripping, dark mystery set in late Victorian England. It is a world of apparitions, of disappearances and unnatural phenomena, of betrayal and blackmail and black-hearted villains - and murder. For Constance's bequest comes in two parts: a house, and a mystery. Years before a family disappeared at Wraxford Hall, a terrifying stately home near the Suffolk coast. Now Constance must find the truth behind the mystery, even at the cost of her life. Because without the truth, she is lost. I received this lovely book from Weave earlier this year, and knowing how much I enjoyed Harwood's 'The Ghost Writer,' this novel did not disappoint. These are the kinds of mysteries I love - the kind that bring you back in time, describe everything in such detail that you want to go there yourself very badly, and not seeing the end coming if it were standing right in front of you. Mr. Harwood has the ability frighten people in a good, delicious way. You know, when you giggle because you're so creeped out but can't wait to keep reading to see what happens! I feel like he's the Alfred Hitchcock of authors, if that makes any sense. I also always feel some kind of connection with his characters. Not that we have things in common, but that you care what happens to them, which to me is one of the most important things about reading a book. Highly recommended, guys! Great review peace, I found it creepy too (it was the suit of armour for me) You're doing better than me. I had to look up who Cinna was. Just saw your post Kylie, sorry, I was the same Quote
Peacefield Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Great review peace, I found it creepy too (it was the suit of armour for me) Thanks, Weave! Yes, the suit of armour was one of the creepiest things about the story, aside from the house itself! Quote
Weave Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks, Weave! Yes, the suit of armour was one of the creepiest things about the story, aside from the house itself! Oh I know and everything that had happened Quote
vodkafan Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Ooh nice The Seance sounds good Peace. I love anything Victorian but haven't read anything in this genre since Sarah Waters. Thanks for the tip. Quote
Sofia Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Ooh nice The Seance sounds good Peace. I love anything Victorian but haven't read anything in this genre since Sarah Waters. Thanks for the tip. you just reminded me of a book I have of hers, The Night Watch...I haven't read it yet though, have you..? (or anyone else?) Quote
Ben Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) Synopsis via Waterstone's: A fight to the death - on live TV. The game show where you kill or die, and where the winner's prize is survival. In District 12, where Katniss Everdeen lives, life is harsh and brutal, ruled from afar by the all-powerful leaders of the Capitol. The climax of each year is the savage Hunger Games - where twelve boys and twelve girls from each District face each other in a murderous showdown. When sixteen-year-old Katniss is chosen to represent her district in the Games, everyone thinks it's a death sentence. Only one person can survive the horrors of the arena. But plucky Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature... Tell you what, this sounds right up my street. The title rings a bell, so I've probably seen it mentioned before; time to get my hands on this one. Edited July 12, 2011 by Ben Quote
vodkafan Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 you just reminded me of a book I have of hers, The Night Watch...I haven't read it yet though, have you..? (or anyone else?) The Night Watch was very good, I enjoyed it especially because my mum and dad were both in the Second World War during that time. Very believable strong characters. Quote
Sofia Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 The Night Watch was very good, I enjoyed it especially because my mum and dad were both in the Second World War during that time. Very believable strong characters. thanks Quote
Peacefield Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 I haven't read any Sarah Waters, but she writes Victorian mysteries too? I might have to get my hands on some of her stuff. Glad I could recommend this one to you guys! Quote
vodkafan Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 Sorry to hijack your thread again Peace- I just found out there is a new TV version of Sarah Waters' The Night Watch and it was on TV last night! This one is not set in Victorian times though. http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/tv-highlights/tv-reviews.php Quote
Kylie Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Tell you what, this sounds right up my street. The title rings a bell, so I've probably seen it mentioned before; time to get my hands on this one. I'm absolutely certain you'll love The Hunger Games trilogy, Ben. Quote
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