Components: science [genetics mostly], fantasy [witches, daemons & vampires], romance, history, strong female lead [woo!]
PHEW! It took me three attempComponents: science [genetics mostly], fantasy [witches, daemons & vampires], romance, history, strong female lead [woo!]
PHEW! It took me three attempts to finish this book...but not because it wasn’t good mind you. Our relationship was rather…complicated. In summary, Diana Bishop has been supplanted from her home in the states to Oxford University where she is researching ancient Alchemical texts. She is a descendant of not just one—but two powerful blood-lines of witches, the Bishops and the Proctors. Regardless of her strong sorcery genetics, she regularly shuns magic, refusing to use it or, more importantly taint her scholarly pursuits. She pisses off a lot of witches in the process too. And we all know it is not that easy (or healthy might I add) to escape whats in your blood or your past. So when Diana requests the alchemical manuscript Ashmole 782 at Oxford’s Bodleian Library and it actually appears for her—she opens the pandora’s box (so to say) of magic. Vampires, witches, and daemons flock to her vicinity and stalk her continuously in hopes of snatching this manuscript. What’s more Diana has no idea that the manuscript is so special. Enter Matthew Clairmont-vampire extrordinare. Yes, he’s handsome, charming, and british all rolled into one. The typical vampire. He further complicates Diana’s life as vampires and witches mixing are a no no. But, the funny thing is, this story is not really about Ashmole 782 or Matthew’s relationship with Diana. It is really about evolution, segregation, and the basic human need of understanding why we are here in this world. You can enjoy this book for its suspenseful and romance-filled tale OR you can take it one-step further and enjoy the philosophical and scientific ramifications it poses in the underlying text.
From the start, the story envelopes a very cozy atmosphere in the history-rich streets of Oxford. As a graduate student trying to finish my degree in “polymer science,” I needn’t defend my intense love of old prestigious libraries, any and all kinds of science, and esoterica—this book being chalk-filled with all of that. I think this is the first time an author has so succinctly delivered an “explanation” of witches, demons, and vampires in relation to humans—the effect was to make this fantasy world more relatable and palatable to adults I think. And then there was Diana, the epitome of strong female leads. Although unsure of herself, Diana is physically sound—a regular practicer of rowing and yoga (my favorite)! Whats more, she treats all of these activities not as mere physical defenses or vainly but focuses on their spiritual aspects. Diana has a lot of energy-something that a lot of us can relate to. And she has to workout to get rid of it—makes sense to me. Packed with beautiful quotes from past religious texts, poems, and various documents--I frequently put the book down and went on a wild-goose chase to learn more about a certain passage or book that was mentioned.
I hate to do this but I compare most books against my favorite series, Outlander, written by Diana Gabaldon. Although Diana is great, she is no match for the wiser, wittier, and more amusing Claire (from the Outlander series). What’s more, the slow parts in A Discovery of Witches aren’t as enjoyable as those of Outlander. I mean all books have their slow parts, you just have to deal with them I guess? I definitely got restless at parts and put the book down to finish reading later. But I was very glad that I kept reading because Harkness def. makes it worth your while. Surprises and new pieces to the puzzle are continuously revealed throughout the book till the very end [grin]. I'm excited to start Shadow of Darkness! I picked it up last night. I anticipate it will be even better than Book 1!...more
I am an idiot. I should’ve expected the sole focus of this book to be love from the the title but still I expected a little more diversity in content.I am an idiot. I should’ve expected the sole focus of this book to be love from the the title but still I expected a little more diversity in content. Some may argue that there were undertones of the woman’s plight and classical music..but..even these points were littered with cheesiness and naiveté. Overall, I learned very little from reading this book. I guess my knowledge about classical music may have increased a little? But really it was just abut some chick falling in love. Love that probably did NOT happen often (maybe 1 out of 100 chances) in that day and time. The naiveté of the main characters, Georgiana and Sebastian, was especially irksome. They kept proclaiming that they only felt platonically about each other. Yeah because friendships between an attractive single male and female were so commonplace in those days…gosh!
The template of the plot was very typical…similar to a modern-day chick-flick. Guy and girl like each other. Oh and then theres a twist in the story!-A love triangle…ooooh! Then after waiting a zillion years the boy finally professes his love only to idiotically and irrationally storm off, without waiting for a response from the girl. Then girl tries to reciprocate love and boy has left on some misery trip! But alas! He returns (thanks to divine intervention). [blerg]
Well…needless to say, I’m afraid the intense frown on my face from the last 50 pages or so will be ingrained on my face for weeks to come…just in time for the holidays. I mean I actually felt anger after finishing this book. I wanted those precious moments of my life back. Really the only reason I gave this book two whole stars is because I can’t discount the quality of writing. Although frequently grandiloquent, Lathan really has a knack for the English language. Well this is the end of my rant. Merry Christmas folks!...more
Outlander fans will be disappointed-not sorely disappointed-just disappointed.
The only reason why I read The Winter Sea was because it was advertiseOutlander fans will be disappointed-not sorely disappointed-just disappointed.
The only reason why I read The Winter Sea was because it was advertised to Outlander fans-perhaps because of the whole Scotland multiple centuries thing...but NO...nothing like Outlander.
Why the 3 stars? Basically I just had a hard time getting super attached to either storyline because of the constant switching between present day Carrie and 1700s Sophia. I liked/felt interested in Carrie more than Sophia though. Sophia was just your run of the mill average chick. Nothing special about her. Which is why as an Outlander fan I was disappointed (we all know Claire Randall/Frasier was a total spunkster :-D !) The book was written fairly well, albeit a little cheesily in the historical parts. It was cozy and did spark some emotion in me from time to time too. ...more
To all the people who did not finish this book, hats off to you! I foolishly braved the entirety, hoping in vain for Bartol to redeem herself. But of To all the people who did not finish this book, hats off to you! I foolishly braved the entirety, hoping in vain for Bartol to redeem herself. But of course that never happened. To all of you who gave this book anything higher than 3 stars SHAME ON YOU…SHAMEEE!
Like many other unsuspecting readers, the pseudo-charming beginning of the book drew me in. The main character, Genevieve (beautiful name, the shorthand ‘Evie’ was a total butchering of it blekh!) was moving into a quaint small college, beginning a new life full of potential mysteries! But I should’ve known from the first 20 pages that all emotion in this book (negative or positive) would be blown out of proportion and be totally nauseating. Even the way she described her relationship with her Uncle Jimmy was just too over the top. And then the love interests (Russell and Reed) were introduced way too early and obviously. Bartol maintained a miniscule amount of mystery with the brooding Reed but even his emotions towards “Evie” were too simplistic. It was like fourth grade love, “I’m going to be mean to you because I secretly love you.” The main character, Genevieve, is also unrelatable. Everywhere she goes people describe her ethereal beauty. Really? How is that relatable? The average girl relates to the underdog, no matter how pretty she is!
That said I actually liked the ending. Well, I liked the events of the ending that is. The bloody gory details in climactic scene were a little out of place from the preceding innocent narrative—although, I must say I did enjoy the brutality [grin]. Bartol ties together many of peripheral plot lines through the ending but in a quick fix way. I know I’m being very critical but it seems like Bartol takes the easy way out with her plot lines. She tries to tie readers in through cheap magic tricks.
One thing Amy Bartol did get right was her inane writing style, representative of a less-than-average tween. However, less-than-average tweens should not be allowed to publish whatever dribble they decide to write! What makes it all more disappointing is that her overall idea was pretty cool. When I started reading I had no idea what was coming. I actually assumed that everyone was a vampire and when the whole angel-plot-line established I was like whoa, cool! But the horrible dialogue, the incredibly cheesy and over-the-top undying love, and the really annoying character names (Babs and Brownie??) just killed the whole story. ...more
I have no idea how I found this book through my never-ending book rut but I'm very glad that I did. I just want to warn readers not to be disheartenedI have no idea how I found this book through my never-ending book rut but I'm very glad that I did. I just want to warn readers not to be disheartened by the slow start! After about a hundred pages or so the story takes a dramatic twist of fate. Juliet Mariller retells the ancient Celtic tale of the six swans beautifully and in deep vibrant colors. Conveying the story in the first person, via young Sorcha daughter of the forest, she allows the readers to become highly engaged in the events and dimensions of the tale. You live vicariously through Sorcha and end up inserting yourself in her shoes, making the story even more enjoyable. This choice of narrator also added an element of mystery since there wasn't an all encompassing narrator revealing the thoughts, instincts and motives of other characters (it makes the love story more suspenseful too). There are twists and turns in the story that even I didn't expect. I wasn't thrilled with a 12 year old main character at the start of the book but halfway through her age ceased being an issue (she grows older too). Also, the way the novel is written is not exactly simple but has more of a juvenile tone to it. This actually makes sense though, taking the young age of the narrator, Sorcha, in mind. When I started the book it seemed that the plot line would be straightforward, following that old fairytale type pattern. But Marillier made the distinction between her story and fairy tales numerous times--mostly by not concluding with a happy ending. Instead she ends with the promise of renewal as well as foreboding loss.
The love story in all this was sweet and did not form the majority of the book--again surprising! Alas, I will rate Daughter of the Forest with 4 stars instead of 5 just because it was lacking in relateable spunk--the narration was a little square and simple.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I don't know whether I would rate this book as "young-adult" or adult. The beginning had a strong tone of teen fiction but that might be because the characters were so "pure," fulfilling all stereotypical disney roles. There was one intense scene of rape though that came out of nowhere which made me reassess my classification of the novel. I would still call it Young Adult but its definitely enjoyable for adults, such as myself, as well....more
This book was NOT written well. Everything from the characters to the description is so one dimensional and flat. The only thing that got me through iThis book was NOT written well. Everything from the characters to the description is so one dimensional and flat. The only thing that got me through it was the riveting plot. I really just wanted to know who the killer was and that was it. The show interpretation is infinitely better intellectually as well as creatively. First time I've liked the video version better than the text version sadly....more