Monday 13 May 2013

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Am unsure where to start this review so I will just dive in and hope it makes sense....

When starting the book as I earlier confessed I found it a bit of a struggle to get into. It wasn't that it was bad it just wasn't grabbing my attention, however I have to admit this all changed as the story unfolded and the characters developed.

I found myself consumed by the story, it was slightly unpredictable in places. I think I may have scared a fellow walker a few mornings ago when there was a twist and forgetting the time and place (7am in a valley in Derbyshire) went "WHAT?!" to myself and the reader, of course not realizing there was someone walking behind me on the path to my left. Needless to say we did not do our polite "Morning" to each other  but instead I pretended to still not realize and stare at the view, as they raced pass the crazy book lady also politely ignoring me!
Personally if a book can shame me, because am caught up in it, then I think its good.

We follow Dianna as she calls a manuscript as part of her research, of course being a book its not just any manuscript and she is learning about the consequences and part of her fate through the book.

At the start I feel I couldn't connect with Dianna, as the book progressed though I found myself relating to her and hoping for the best. I think I started to connect with her as Harkness describes Dianna's loss of her  parents. My farther passed away 11 years ago, and I really understood with how you can accept something as part of your own life story but occasionally it consumes you. Similarly the difficulty of others comparing you to your parents, while knowing traits/stories you where unaware of them having.

Another part that I enjoyed were the different takes on things such as daja vu ect. the theories (which I will leave you to discover) appeared seamless making the book appear more of a reality than a work of fiction. There where defiantly Twilight flash backs in parts. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing as I am a fan however it will be interesting to see how far these go in the next books, if they are too similar I feel the books will loose their appeal. I do accept that in all books there are similar themes and idea which get reshaped and reformed, its inevitable, though it doesn't stop me preferring my original, or craving something different.

I've also noticed that thanks to the book I have a bigger interest in Tea (Diannas favourite drink) this may be coquidental, though the people at Tea Pigs should properly send Harkness a Thank you letter :P

Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the book by the end and immediately started Shadow Night however it did take a while for me to get into.

2 comments:

  1. I've been meaning to pick up this book for forever. I think I had it at one time, from the library, but didn't get very far. I rarely pick up door-stoppers. I may have to give it another try.
    Great review! And your picture of where you where reading was lovely!
    New follower. I found you through bout of books.
    -Natalie @Natflix&Books

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  2. hey thanks for coming over and having a look :D It took me ages to pick it up too, and in the end it took an audiobook for me to finish it (though I do love audio books)however do think its worth it eventually :P So pleased you liked the review, was so nervous about posting it :)
    Good luck with bout of books, going to check your pages out now!

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