Harkness,
Deborah. A Discovery of Witches. New York: Viking, 2011.
592
pages
Reviewed
by J. d’Artagnan Love
A
Discovery of Witches is the first book in a trilogy about Diana Bishop, a witch
who has spent most of her life denying her supernatural powers. Raised by her
two aunts, Diana becomes a successful historian and professor specializing in
the study of the history of alchemy. It is this very research that starts her
on an adventure she is unwilling to experience.
Diana unlocks a spellbound book that tells the secrets of the origin of the three main species
covered in the tale: witches, daemons, and vampires. This discovery does not go
unnoticed by the other witches, daemons and vampires of the world and Diana is
thrown into the start of a battle to own the book. Along the way she meets
Matthew Clairmont, a chillingly handsome vampire. Despite the taboo of
associating with vampires, Diana forms a bond with Matthew and he helps her
unleash her inner witch.
This
is a fun, fun, fun read. Harkness writes in a way similar to Dan Brown in The
DaVinci Code and Elizabeth Kostova in The Historian. The plot is thick with
several interwoven layers, time periods and rich characterizations. What I like
most about Harkness’ writing is her use of description. She has a perfect
balance of detail and you can feel, taste and hear pretty much everything just
as she describes it. I can’t wait for the next book!
3.5
darts out of 5
Bookshelf
project status: None (borrowed from a friend)
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