Book Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Described as ‘Twilight for adults’ (but infinitely better), Harkness weaves through time and perspectives in this first tale of three of the magical tale of love between witch and vampire. Diana Bishop, descendent of Bridget Bishop who perished at Salem during the witch hunts, discovers the Ashmole 782, a historical text long thought lost. It details the origins of the witches, the daemons and the vampires. Her discovery brings the attention of Matthew Clairmont, fellow teacher at the university and a centuries old vampire. As their taboo relationship develops, other witches approach Diana asking for the text, which disappeared as quickly as she found it. In order to keep Diana safe, Matthew escorts her to his ancestral home in rural France, where Diana begins to unlock her long repressed magical powers. Under the watch of his vampire family, Diana and Matthew wed, further angering the congregation who want the book and the powers it is rumoured to have and desire to keep all species separate from each other. In order to force Diana to give up the secrets of the Ahsmole 782, witches kidnap her. Diana must reconnect with her magical powers if she is to help Matthew to rescue her. Getting away from the witches, Diana realises the importance of her history and takes Matthew home to Salem to meet her aunts and set up the battle plan to go up against the congregation. In order for them to rise victorious, Diana must relearn how to travel back in time, and take Matthew with her on the journey into the past that will have you reaching for books two and three of the series Rating 4/5