A Discovery Of Witches By: Deborah Harkness

Summary:
When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.

Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans—and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

“Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown.”

Look for Shadow of Night on 10 July 2012.

My Review:

I have not finished the book yet, but I am over halfway done with it. Last night I settled down in my bed around midnight, then I picked up my book because I always read before I fall asleep. Convinced that I would only read for half an hour or so, I dug in. Before long, I was in the story, living the life of Diana Bishop and struggling to deal with my two aunts who are worried about me because I used my magic - without trying - and opened a book called Ashmole 782. Daemons, Witches, and Vampires swarmed to the campus I was studying at because they were all interested in getting that book and learning from whatever secrets it withheld. However, I returned it to the library and they believe I, Diana Bishop, am the only one who can summon it back and open it. So now I have numerous Creatures following me around just as the college is about to start swarming with new students as they prepare for the upcoming year. As if that wasn't enough, now something is starting to grow between Matthew Clairmont and I, complicating the matters even more and getting my aunts even more on edge. A Discovery Of Witches is a wonderful book and I truly feel like I am living Diana Bishop's life sometimes, so I would like to say that I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mysery, romance, fantasy, and possible reality - or those that enjoy all of those options as they are marvelously spun into one fascinating tale that keeps you reading longer than you intended. In my case, I was up until nearly 3am, instead of just reading for half of an hour, I read for three hours and not once became bored. Actually, I will go return to my book now. Until later, read on!

White Fang By: Jack London

White Fang, by Jack London, is a book my mother actually found at a garage sale many years ago. She thought maybe I would like to read it, and at first - I hated it. I was intrigued by the wolf on the front because I love animals, but the beginning of the book is a slow read for a twelve-year-old. So I dropped the book and shoved it away where I would never see it again any time soon. Then, last year, I came across the book again and gave it another shot.
Once again, the beginning of the book was hard to get through, but this time I refused to not finish the book. Once I had gotten past some of the historical information, the book got better as the dog sled leaders slowly went through the hard terrain. Many hardships faced the men and their dogs, including: a hungry wolf pack, death, hunger, and freezing temperatures. I will not give away what exactly happened, but I will let you know that one of the dogs from the team escaped into the wilderness and mated with a wolf. Thus began the story of White Fang.
White Fang was just a pup when his hard life began. He ended up with different owners that varied from kind-and-loving to cruel-and-unloving. White Fang ended up with an owner who turned him into a vicious killer - a pit dog forced to fight for money. Yet White Fang's true spirit could not be crushed so easily, and he tried his hard to learn kindness again with his latest owner. This owner tried to gain his trust and befriend him, even suffered bites and vicious growls without a flinch. Now the only question is this: Will White Fang learn kindness again, or will he die a fierce killer?
White Fang may not have been a book I would have originally recommended someone else read, but now that I have re-read it many times and been thrown into White Fang's life again and again. Now I believe that this book not only has a great message for readers, but it also has the story of friendship and loss that readers can connect to. The plot is very well thought through, the characters have deep thought put into them - tiny details that I didn't know could be placed into such a short read - and the story leaves mixed emotions along with a greater understanding that I am glad to have learned from this story. I would love to have others read this book, for once you truly give it a chance, you will not be disappointed.

Dear Followers of Mine,

I am sorry that I have not blogged about my recent readings lately, but you should know that I am out of school for the summer now and should be able to return to posting soon. I will be reading "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness next and I hope to be able to give a positive review. Don't give up on me just yet!
Sincerely,
Alyssa