Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches is nothing new and undiscovered in the bookish world. I mean, the trilogy itself has been out for years now, and a TV show is currently in the middle of production. There’s also a rabid fan base that meets annually! I recently realized that I haven’t reviewed it (aka forced it upon you) on this blog, so I decided to do a re-read and carefully craft SUPER COMPELLING reasons that you should pick up this novel if you haven’t yet.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Published by Viking Penguin on January 1st 1970
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Pages: 579
Format: Hardback
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Goodreads
A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.
Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery, so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks, but her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries--and she's the only creature who can break its spell.
1. HANDS DOWN the vampires of this trilogy are the BEST I HAVE EVER READ. What would be the coolest part about knowing someone who never dies? The history! Harkness really took advantage of this and created fascinating vampire characters who have experienced so many amazing things. She also has made their dietary habits entirely plausible and interesting (which you can imagine is hard to do given that our traditional vampire simply drinks blood).
2. But there aren’t just vampires! There are also witches, whose powers (and homes!) are super fun, and daemons. Again, Harkness created their powers in a realistic way so that they’re actually believable in the world she has created.
3. The detail in the book is phenomenal. Between the alchemy, European history, and even the freaking WINE, there is so much knowledge in this book. It makes it all so much more legitimate and immersive.
4. The characters in this book are fantastic. FANTASTIC. Matthew, one of the main characters, is my favorite book boyfriend of all time. So if you’re looking for a book boyfriend, HE’S NOT AVAILABLE BACK OFF. The secondary characters are also excellent. So many multi-dimensional characters who I feel like I know and want to hang out with forever and ever.
5. An actual plot that I want to know more about. There are a lot of unanswered questions in the beginning of this book. You find yourself frantically turning the pages to get to the parts where Diana and Matthew kiss you finally get some answers! Now, fair warning, this is a trilogy so you won’t be getting too many answers quite yet…
This book has everything: romance, history, action, mystery, and fantasy. I MEAN IT REALLY HAS EVERYTHING. Plus it has Matthew (so what more do you really need?).
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What’s your favorite vampire story?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
renee
Great post idea! Thank you for reminding me that I have this book sitting on my kindle from so long ago. I’m ALWAYS on the hunt for a new book boyfriend so you’ve definitely piqued my interest in Matthew.
Ali
You can’t have Matthew!! He’s mine!
Heather
One of my all time favorites. Did you see that Alex Kingston (River Song) is playing Aunt Sarah? I’m so excited.
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Ali
i did see that — she is a GREAT Sarah! Same for Em! I love them both.
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing
Strange, I thought that Mathew was MY all time favorite book boyfriend 😉 LOL
Anyway, so much yes for this post! I adore this book (series) with all my heart and re-read it religiously every year since it was released. I love the take on vampires, depiction of witch homes and I cannot get enough of all the characters.
I am SO HAPPY that Mrs. Harkness is released spin-off about Marcus!
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Ali
Matthew is definitely mine, so you just go ahead and back right up.
And YES I am excited about the Marcus’ spin off. I really liked him as a character, so I bet it’s going to be great.
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing
Strange, I thought that Mathew was MY all time favorite book boyfriend 😉 LOL
Anyway, so much yes for this post! I adore this book (series) with all my heart and re-read it religiously every year since it was released. I love the take on vampires, depiction of witch homes and I cannot get enough of all the characters.
I am SO HAPPY that Mrs. Harkness is releasing spin-off about Marcus!
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing just posted MY BOOKISH HIGHS AND LOWS OF 2017
Greg
It does have a neat premise, I’ll say that. I mean I’m not sure it’s my kind of read, with the romance, but the idea of a lost manuscript showing up in an academic library and all the vampire stuff does appeal for sure. Plus alchemy. I’m certainly tempted! 🙂
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Ali
There is a lot of stuff going on outside of the romance, but the love story definitely is a huge part of the plot, so if you’re not a fan of that, I’d steer clear!
Kelly
Wow Ali, this sounds absolutely incredible and I’ve never heard of this series before. Stoked you’ve decided to reread and review! It’s been years since I’ve read a vampire book, I think the last was Julie Kagawa’s Immortal Rules series but this sounds so refreshingly unique. Defninately need to pick myself up the trilogy and binge read. Brilliant review and thanks for putting it on my radar! <3
Ali
Yay! You’re welcome! It’s got a huge fan base, so I’m willing to be you’d enjoy it if you enjoy vampire stories (:
momknu
Back off! Matthew is too old for you. He’s mine! I agree; best vampire character ever. Loved the whole series and the romance between Matthew and Diana. Worth being immortal for!
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Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
I really enjoyed this book when I first read it a few years ago, but I haven’t picked up the 3rd book in the series! I can’t remember what has happened now but you’re making me excited to pick it up again. Lovely review Ali!
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Ali
My favorite was definitely the second in the series, but the third is still worth reading to see how it all ends!
Kelsey
I read this trilogy last year and I LOVE IT! The details are exquisite, each book is so indulgent, ugh I need to go read it all over again! And in case you are not aware, it’s being adapted to TV right now (UK release is in the fall, and the US release is TBD)! Here’s one more exclamation point to show my excitement – !
Ali
I am aware of the TV adaptation, and I can’t wait!! I just hope it is released to the US ASAP!
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[…] THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES is one of my favorite books ever, so I was STOKED when a spin-off book was released…. but […]