Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
Reviewed by: Zac
Series: All Souls Trilogy
Genre: Vampires—Fiction, Witches—Fiction, Alchemy—Manuscripts—Fiction, Science and magic—Fiction
How did I get this book: Noticed it on the for sale table at Barnes and Nobles.
Format: Print
Rating: 5 hearts
A Discovery of Witches takes the reader on an engaging journey where fantasy and history collide in wonderfully rewarding ways. The system of magic and the explanation of the world’s supernatural hierarchy don’t get in the way of the story-telling but do provide excellent fodder for the plot.
Diana Bishop, an unwilling witch, is our protagonist. Diana finds herself quickly plunged into a supernatural world when she unwittingly discovers a mysterious, spell-bound manuscript in her favorite research library. Though not unaware, she is unfamiliar with the intimate workings of the supernatural world around her not only by choice, but because of… I’ll not spoil it.
The story gets more interesting with the introduction of, Matthew de Clermont, a very old Vampire with designs on both the ancient manuscript and Diana herself. Is he good? Is he evil? Is it Diana or the Manuscript he wishes to possess?
I agree with other reviewers that have called out the Author for some issues of pacing. There were a few places where the romantic passages were a bit repetitious. Then again perhaps a reader more keen on the romantic angle wouldn’t think so.
There is something engaging for every reader of fantasy novels: A world/magic system to discover; A romantic interest; great characters to fall in love with; and fun family histories to sort through. Whatever it is that drew you to the genre to begin with, you will find elements of it masterfully woven into a delightfully engaging tale that invites you to suspend your disbelief and enjoy a world full of history, magic, and mystery.
5 hearts!
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