Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
“Magic is desire made real.”
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The Basics
Title: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1)
Author: Deborah Harkness
Published: 2011
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pages: 579
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban fantasy, Fantasy romance, Paranormal romance
Book Synopsis
While sifting through alchemical manuscripts in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, Diana Bishop comes across an enchanted book. As a witch who has spent the bulk of her life trying to repress her magic and pass as human, she is keen to distance herself from the book and soon returns it to the library’s stacks. Unbeknownst to her though, that book has been missing for centuries, and her discovery of it has attracted the attention of other witches, as well as daemons and vampires. One of those vampires, Matthew Clairmont, has been searching for the book for nearly as long as it’s been lost, and he is eager to see if Diana can lead him to it. He, however, soon finds himself drawn to her for reasons other than the book, but mingling, let alone relationships, between vampires and witches is strongly discouraged in their magical underworld.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: An immensely captivating and original adult fantasy replete with forbidden romance, witches, vampires, and lush descriptions.
This is my second time reading A Discovery of Witches, and that tells you almost everything you need to know. Namely, that it is among a select group of books that I can read and enjoy multiple times. I can honestly say that this reread has been just as much of a pleasure as my first read through, for I have picked up on things that I didn’t notice the first time around. I think not having to worry about the fate of the characters allowed me to relax and take in all of the details, and boy, are there a lot of details.
The plot is beautifully intricate. What at first blush appears to be a story of forbidden love reveals itself to be so much more. Secret societies, a hidden world of non-human creatures, magic, and a captivating love story are just a few of the treats awaiting the reader. Harkness also seamlessly blends together the real with the imagined. Her use of scientific and historical details makes these otherworldly creatures and their fantastical realm seem almost plausible.
Speaking of the characters, they are spectacular. Both the primary and secondary characters are fleshed out to the point where they start to feel like real people, as though the book were a work of nonfiction rather than fiction. What I love most about the characters is how complex they are. They have backstories, emotional depth, and their fair share of flaws. Matthew is a particularly interesting character. As a vampire with a less-than-perfect past, he is not your typical hero, but his greyness is what makes him so striking. I also just have to take a moment to say how much I love Ysabeau, Em, and Sarah. They are some of the best characters in the entire series (in addition to Gallowglass, obviously).
Of course, what truly makes this book shine is Harkness’ writing. Her vivid descriptions bring the world and its characters to life. The book is also perfectly paced, striking that ideal balance between character building and action. A Discovery of Witches might be pushing 600 pages, but trust me, you’ll breeze right through it.
The not so good
No complaints from me.
Overall
A Discovery of Witches is spellbinding. From its star-crossed romance to its magical re-imagining of our world to its unforgettable characters, it is an enthralling book that you won’t want to put down once you start. So, go on now, and buy or borrow a copy!
Have you read A Discovery of Witches? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
