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Let me preface this review with me saying that this is my personal opinion. I know this book is very beloved by very many, and that’s awesome. Nothing makes me happier than books making people happy, and if A Discovery of Witches is your favorite book, than I am truly happy for you. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t work for me.
Nothing offended me or anything like that, this book was just ungodly boring. I mean, there is a very alpha vampire in here that marks his territory and claims what he thinks is his, but, I mean, that’s just sort of expected in paranormal romance books about vampires, so it wasn’t anything that bothered me.
A Discovery of Witches is sort of like an adult Twilight. Our main protagonist, Diana, is a historian who is studying at the Bodleian Library, and she is also a witch from a very pure bloodline, but she doesn’t practice her witchcraft because of a dark event that happened to her parents. And the book starts when Diana touches a book unlike any other she has ever touched before.
And while studying in Oxford, Diana’s path crosses with Matthew Clairmont, a vampire geneticist, who is immediately drawn to Diana. And together, they try to unlock the clues that will tell them about the book that Diana touched that was unlike any other.
At first, I loved the atmosphere. Oxford, libraries, foggy autumn mornings. I mean, who could resist that? But then, I realized I was 50% into a 600+ page book and it was just finally getting started. And this was just a chore to read. Like, if I wasn’t buddy reading this, I would have for sure DNFed it.
Because nothing happens! And I love slow, character driven stories, but in my personal opinion, don’t even think this is a character driven book. I mean, Diana sure changes characters in the middle of the book, I’ll give you guys that, but this book is just a whole lot of descriptions and not a whole lot of action.
Every time Diana rowed, or rode a horse, or made tea, or made toast, my eyes just rolled farther back in my head. All of these actions are fine, but once you read about them over 100 times your body just wants to self combust. And this isn’t even a slow burn romance, it’s just a slow ass book.
In conclusion, the atmosphere was nice and I like how the time frame synced with Halloween, since I was reading this right before Halloween. I also truly believe the next book in the series will be better, since we finally have a plot now, but I just don’t care enough about Diana or Matthew to read on.
Also, Jenne’s Review is one of the best reviews I’ve seen on Goodreads! And it is so damn accurate to the plot of this novel. I loved this review so much I couldn’t not mention it in my own. Treat yourself and read it if you’ve already read A Discovery of Witches (because spoilers) and were also underwhelmed, or if you just want to save yourself the trouble and headache of reading this 600+ book.
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Buddy Read with Paloma ❤
meltotheany 
I actually liked the first book better than the first. My library loan expired for the second book and even though I was nearly done, I couldn’t be bothered to renew it a third time. It is also very long and slow.
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Well this makes me feel better! I was so curious, especially with the show coming out, but this was just too slow for me! Happy reading, Maria love! 💗
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What??? There is a show? Ugh 😑
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I think it’s coming! But I think they already have casting done! 💗
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Well it might be better as a show. It happens…..Sometimes
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crap…I had a tiny flame in my heart …that thought the second book might be just a soupcon better
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I’m sorry. You maybe shouldn’t take mine as the only opinion. I was first trimester pregnant at the time so that may have influenced my negative feelings!
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I couldn’t stand this book either!
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Hahaha! Really? Ahhh! I should have known! I hope you had a great weekend, Mogsy! And happy reading, love! 💗xx
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I’ve had this on my TBR list for a few years now and was hoping to get to it this Halloween season, but I don’t think I will. I’m on the fence about it so it will be interesting whenever I finally get to it.
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Yeah… it’s a tough one because the atmosphere is so alluring! But the story… just… isn’t there. But if you do decide to pick it up, I hope you enjoy it more than me. Happy reading, love. 💗
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Unfortunately, we can’t like all the books.
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Hehehe. Ain’t that the truth! Happy reading, Drew! 💗
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oh no, I was looking forward to reading great things about this one since like the title a lot
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I know 😭! And the atmosphere is so perfect for this season…. but it just didn’t work for me at all. But I hope you enjoy it more if you try it, love. And I still think the show could be really good! 💗
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Ok, I will (:
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I’ve heard such mixed reviews about this book! So sorry it wasn’t a win for you. Here’s hoping your next read is better!
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Awh, thank you, love! Yeah… it’s super polarizing! And now I know why. 🐸☕️ Hahahaha! Happy reading, Bentley! 💗
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great review! I’ve had a copy of this one for soooo long bc I got it in a used bookstore haul……it’s just been sitting on my shelf at home, and I honestly have no idea what I’ll end up thinking of it? the twilight comparison is scaring me a bit though…
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Hahaha. Well, I hope you like it more than me. The atmosphere really is perfect for this time of year, just… nothing happens! But I can totally see why it’s polarizing from both sides, I just fell on the sad side! Hahaha. Happy reading, Emma! 💗
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I was able to get past the first book and stopped in the middle of second. It just wasn’t doing it for me. It makes me feel better I’m not the only one that doesn’t like the series.
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Haha, yeah, I think it’s a very polarizing book. Sadly, we just fall on this side. 😜💗
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“And this isn’t even a slow burn romance, it’s just a slow ass book” LOL! I hate slow ass books too! Wow, It has 600+ pages! Sounds like total torture to me. I haven’t read this series but I think I wouldn’t love it either. Wonderful review, though!
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Thank you, love. Yeah… the atmosphere was so perfect for this time of year, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I couldn’t even believe it! It’s probably the slowest book I’ve ever read! 🙈💗
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Oh my gosh yes to this review!! Totally agree! When I first picked it up I was loving it, the atmosphere was so great. But then nothing happened and I was so bored, I’d have quit too. And why oh why was Diane always eating toast?!? It’s not interesting!! I did not continue with the series either. And funnily enough at the beginning my thought process was “ooh it’s the adult version of twilight” and by the end it was “ughh it’s the adult version of Twilight!” Awesome review!
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LMAO! I love this comment. We are legit twins over this book. I love it. Thank you so much, sweetheart! Happy reading! 💗
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hehehe yes!! You’re welcome!! Thank you 😀 ❤
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I only see reviews of books I’m so excited about myself over here on your blog, awesome haha. Love your extended reviews. So tomorrow morning I’ll go prowling your blog again – it’s evening here in the Netherlands and I want to get some reading done before going to bed hihi.
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Oh my gosh, you are so kind, Melissa! I’m so happy we found each other’s blogs! I hope you have a good night! 💗xx
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