toni7tess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
First, this is a slow read. Although I very much enjoyed that, especially the elaborate descriptions of tastes and architecture, I can see how it could easily annoy others.
I feel like this book probably deserves fewer stars than I gave it, because it made me feel very uncomfortable a few times. However, I genuinely enjoyed reading A Discovery of Witches. The academic context is original, the historical details are intriguing, and I adored the worldbuilding and the slow, descriptive writing style.
Diana’s struggles with anxiety were well written and it was refreshing to see a protagonist have more realistic responses to traumatic situations and memories.
Now onto the bad stuff. The worst thing about this book was how controlling Matthew was. While he is an interesting character, the way he treats Diana is disturbing at times. She calls him out occasionally, but only a proper confrontation around his behaviour, or maybe some consequences, would have redeemed their relationship for me. This dynamic is handled better in the TV series.
It’s amazing to (in theory) have a strong, intellectual heroine who knows her place in the world. But Diana’s academic work seems to serve as a really strong motivator sometimes, just to be completely forgotten about other times. It’s also strange that a scholar of history of science and alchemy would not name the ouroboros when she first sees it in Sept Tours, that really took me out of the character.
Diana never actively tries to make up her mind about who to trust in the complicated power struggle she finds herself in. This results in a very reactive protagonist. Her personal motivations around her career and childhood trauma quickly take second place to the romance and by the end it feels like she just keeps getting pushed around by other characters.
Finally, the book glorifies feudalism and a very outdated upper-class lifestyle. The characters spend a lot of time drinking expensive alcohol, riding horses side-saddle etc, and it gets annoying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
alogins's review
just didn't grab me; didn't make it very far before loan expired.
diemerdarling's review against another edition
3.0
I tried so hard to like this one, but it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The pacing was all over the place. It was very slow at the beginning and then at about 30% it finally picked up and we had a plot and romance and it was PRFECT - I loved every bit of it. But then that plot line was wrapped up and I was left with 8 hours left of the book and confused on where it was going to go. I stuck it out for the rest and was extremely bored.
I did, however, enjoy the romance during the middle 30ish% of the book. It was light and very sweet seeing Diana and Matthew go from strangers to coworkers to friends to a sweet little romance. What threw me off was that it was so casual and then BAM, Diana hits him with “I love you” out of no where. We already know Matthew has strong protective feelings for Diana and that her blood’s aroma is unique to him (“la tua cantante” from Twilight anyone?) but it was so light and casual then suddenly they’re in love and (SPOILERS?) by declaring it they’re married? Like what? And Matthew’s son (not biologically, but another vampire he changed) who is over 200 years old suddenly calls Diana “mom” and they refer to him as their son. It was just all very off to me.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be finishing this series. If I do it won’t be right away
I did, however, enjoy the romance during the middle 30ish% of the book. It was light and very sweet seeing Diana and Matthew go from strangers to coworkers to friends to a sweet little romance. What threw me off was that it was so casual and then BAM, Diana hits him with “I love you” out of no where. We already know Matthew has strong protective feelings for Diana and that her blood’s aroma is unique to him (“la tua cantante” from Twilight anyone?) but it was so light and casual then suddenly they’re in love and (SPOILERS?) by declaring it they’re married? Like what? And Matthew’s son (not biologically, but another vampire he changed) who is over 200 years old suddenly calls Diana “mom” and they refer to him as their son. It was just all very off to me.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be finishing this series. If I do it won’t be right away
ren_2021's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sarsar222's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
darkblueem's review against another edition
This author is too detail oriented about things in the story that do not matter. I don't need two pages on Diana's library studying or her boat rowing. I want the plot!! the tension!!! I think this book has an interesting concept so I'm going to switch to the audiobook at some point to see if that's any better.
mruks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Usually, when it comes to fantasy books, I’m not a detail girly. However, the author uses the details in such a way that isn’t distracting and in fact plunges me into the story. I felt and tasted and saw and smelled every scent and taste and thing to feel along with the characters. I was spellbound (pun always intended.)
selefa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elliesshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
angelofthe0dd's review against another edition
2.0
It was "ok". The plot is basically the super-powered orphan of "Harry Potter" combined with the forbidden, sappy, vampire romance of "Twighlight". Nothing I haven't seen/read already. The characters are strong and the historic facts woven into the story are the only elements that kept me reading as long as I did - about three-quarters through. Eventually, the sappy romance scenes just killed the book. And every romance scene had to be drawn out - way out.