El descobriment de les bruixes

I had no idea what to expect from this book, even what its plot was, when I put it on my list to read at the end of last year (began it this year instead). There were parts where I decided I had wasted my money, especially as what had been the fascinating descriptions of Oxford's Bodleian library became way more detailed and less and less plot. The action went from "Diana is researching these cool alchemical texts" and instead became "Diana is being watched by this group in this area, then that group in that area." Also, the only witches in this book are those who are descended from other witches, not humans interested in the neo-pagan religion. It was like the adulthood of Harry Potter's world: creatures vs. humans.

Still, I'm reading a book about witches who can start fires with their fingertips, vampires, and daemons. Somehow, it just seemed best to suspend disbelief (or maybe discontent?) and just get caught up in the story. And Harkness shows her stuff in the different periods in history and the world-building and weaves them together well.

Once the inclusion of Matthew Clairmont as a main character comes into the story, the storytelling strengthens and we are dealing less with Diana Bishop's personal angst and more with a real plotline. It is heavy on the romance side of things but Harkness also decides that in her world, pretty much anything can happen. And it does. Diana's avoidance of her magical abilities becomes a frustrating, repetitive bit of angst, lending only a little bit of insight into the origin of witches. In fact, both the vampire origins and histories as well as the explanations of the daemons are much better prepared than those of the witches. Maybe the latter will be explained better in her later books? Or maybe Harkness is making a point about earlier times?

I'll eventually pick up the second and third in this series, maybe from the library, just to see how everything works out. ( )

I have to admit that I did not finish reading this book. I wish I had read all the reviews describing it as "Twilight for adults" before I picked this book up so that I would have known better.

ADW reads like the fantasy diary of the worlds most boring person. It is nice to know that someone's idea of a perfect fantasy world involves all magical (species? races?) getting together in mutual tolerance and respect to do yoga together. I just don't find it interesting.

Also, the fact that the boring MC was descended from one of the witches in Salem.......that didn't sit well with me. That just validates the whole witch trial hysteria......stop already and go do something more constructive with your time.......piss on Cotton Mather's grave if you want to make a really witchy statement.

Okay, so the parts that didn't bore me were incredibly annoying. That is why I stopped reading and would not recommend this book to anyone.....ever. ( )

The book focused way too much on the romance angle when there was so many other interesting concepts that would have added so much more to the story...but that is just my opinion...remember that I am a person that likes very few romance stories. Instead of more interesting concepts we get Diana...who it seems along with being a witch with powers that she is just starting to understand and learn to use, seems to also be a damsel that stays in constant, almost agonizing distress and totally needs a man to save her. Really??? Just use those budding powers and turn the guy into a frog and save yourself! Several of her aunts try to help but it seems the only person she believes can actually help her and who she puts her entire trust in…is a vampire…a guy she just met and feels she is "madly" in love with. I just found the entire storyline to be frustrating and the character of Diana “out to lunch” most of time. Anyone that is really into romances and doesn’t require any character to be anything but a damsel in distress…will more than likely really like this book. 3 stars because on some basic level it did have promise. ( )

I was looking for a book to lose myself in, a richly detailed world with an intriguing plot and fascinating characters. This was NOT that book. The one redeeming quality about this book is it's mind-numbing soporific power - I only had to read a few paragraphs of this book and could feel my eyes getting heavy and my brain shutting down. I've read reviews describing this as Twilight for adults but I think I actually prefer glittery vampires to a book that felt written in monotone. Also, aside from the boredom factor, too many awkward plot transitions and implausible personality changes made the characters difficult to connect with and the story altogether frustrating and unconvincing. I am thoroughly unimpressed. ( )

I was looking for a book to lose myself in, a richly detailed world with an intriguing plot and fascinating characters. This was NOT that book. The one redeeming quality about this book is it's mind-numbing soporific power - I only had to read a few paragraphs of this book and could feel my eyes getting heavy and my brain shutting down. I've read reviews describing this as Twilight for adults but I think I actually prefer glittery vampires to a book that felt written in monotone. Also, aside from the boredom factor, too many awkward plot transitions and implausible personality changes made the characters difficult to connect with and the story altogether frustrating and unconvincing. I am thoroughly unimpressed. ( )