A Discovery of Witches

There's just something about witches and vampires that intrigues me. So when I read that "A Discovery of Witches" was for adults - I couldn't resist. The two main characters are Diana, a scholarly witch who refuses to use her power, and Matthew, a 1500-year-old vampire who studies science and is worldly and refined. On one level, this is a forbidden love story, which is always tantalizing. In this case, the stakes are high and the consequences severe.

The book is far more than a romance; it's a complex, layered story brimming with science, mythology, and vivid historical detail. Deborah Harkness, a history professor, brings authenticity to her world of magic. Her depiction of Oxford's Bodleian Library and Matthew's French castle is captivating. The book's vampires and witches feel so real, they could be your neighbors.

Although Matthew's protectiveness toward Diana can be frustrating, my only real complaint was pacing-some stretches felt slow, with long passages of dialogue and description. But this may be intentional, as this is the first in the trilogy. Overall, it's a rich, imaginative story for fans of the paranormal. At 579 pages, it's lengthy but deeply engaging, and I was sad to see it end.

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library, scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched manuscript during her research. Descended from an ancient line of witches, Diana shuns sorcery-but her discovery sets an underworld of daemons, witches, and vampires stirring. The elusive manuscript, lost for centuries, may hold the key to their origins-and Diana is the only one who can break its spell.

Deborah Harkness's debut blends history, romance, and suspense in a story as magical as it is intellectual. Diana meets her equal in vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont, and as their alliance deepens into forbidden love, they must defy ancient taboos and powerful forces determined to keep them apart.

1. Diana's mother says that fear is "the strongest force on earth" (p.5). What does she mean? Do you agree?

2. Early in the novel, Harkness describes the traits of daemons, witches, and vampires. If you could be one, which would you choose and why?

3. Who is the Congregation? Is it a force for good or evil?

4. What happened to Diana's parents, and what were they trying to hide?

5. Diana studies alchemy-a blend of science and magic. How does this reflect her character and worldview?

6. Why is Diana and Matthew's love forbidden? Have you ever experienced love others disapproved of?

7. Most of the story is told from Diana's perspective, but some chapters shift. Why? What purpose do these shifts serve?

8. If you could time walk like Diana, what historical era would you visit?

9. Diana recalls a childhood bedtime story that foreshadows later events. How does it shape her fate?

10. Harkness blends magic into daily life-spells for chores, small enchantments. Which example stood out to you most?

11. The book ends with the image of blood and mercury. What is the symbolic meaning of this closing?

This is an intelligent novel that goes beyond fantasy. It explores balance in relationships, self-discovery, and accepting differences. Harkness, a history professor and wine expert, infuses realism with detail about historical manuscripts and fine wines. Ashmole 782, the missing manuscript at the story's center, is based on a real historical mystery-blurring the line between fact and fiction. The book's deeper message? Understanding one's power and using it wisely.