Maliha's Reviews > A Discovery of Witches

Components: science [genetics mostly], fantasy [witches, daemons & vampires], romance, history, strong female lead [woo!]

PHEW! It took me three attempts to finish this book...but not because it wasn’t good mind you. Our relationship was rather…complicated. In summary, Diana Bishop has been supplanted from her home in the states to Oxford University where she is researching ancient Alchemical texts. She is a descendant of not just one—but two powerful blood-lines of witches, the Bishops and the Proctors. Regardless of her strong sorcery genetics, she regularly shuns magic, refusing to use it or, more importantly taint her scholarly pursuits. She pisses off a lot of witches in the process too. And we all know it is not that easy (or healthy might I add) to escape whats in your blood or your past. So when Diana requests the alchemical manuscript Ashmole 782 at Oxford’s Bodleian Library and it actually appears for her—she opens the pandora’s box (so to say) of magic. Vampires, witches, and daemons flock to her vicinity and stalk her continuously in hopes of snatching this manuscript. What’s more Diana has no idea that the manuscript is so special. Enter Matthew Clairmont-vampire extrordinare. Yes, he’s handsome, charming, and british all rolled into one. The typical vampire. He further complicates Diana’s life as vampires and witches mixing are a no no. But, the funny thing is, this story is not really about Ashmole 782 or Matthew’s relationship with Diana. It is really about evolution, segregation, and the basic human need of understanding why we are here in this world. You can enjoy this book for its suspenseful and romance-filled tale OR you can take it one-step further and enjoy the philosophical and scientific ramifications it poses in the underlying text.

From the start, the story envelopes a very cozy atmosphere in the history-rich streets of Oxford. As a graduate student trying to finish my degree in “polymer science,” I needn’t defend my intense love of old prestigious libraries, any and all kinds of science, and esoterica—this book being chalk-filled with all of that. I think this is the first time an author has so succinctly delivered an “explanation” of witches, demons, and vampires in relation to humans—the effect was to make this fantasy world more relatable and palatable to adults I think. And then there was Diana, the epitome of strong female leads. Although unsure of herself, Diana is physically sound—a regular practicer of rowing and yoga (my favorite)! Whats more, she treats all of these activities not as mere physical defenses or vainly but focuses on their spiritual aspects. Diana has a lot of energy-something that a lot of us can relate to. And she has to workout to get rid of it—makes sense to me. Packed with beautiful quotes from past religious texts, poems, and various documents--I frequently put the book down and went on a wild-goose chase to learn more about a certain passage or book that was mentioned.

I hate to do this but I compare most books against my favorite series, Outlander, written by Diana Gabaldon. Although Diana is great, she is no match for the wiser, wittier, and more amusing Claire (from the Outlander series). What’s more, the slow parts in A Discovery of Witches aren’t as enjoyable as those of Outlander. I mean all books have their slow parts, you just have to deal with them I guess? I definitely got restless at parts and put the book down to finish reading later. But I was very glad that I kept reading because Harkness def. makes it worth your while. Surprises and new pieces to the puzzle are continuously revealed throughout the book till the very end [grin]. I'm excited to start Shadow of Darkness! I picked it up last night. I anticipate it will be even better than Book 1!