Scholarship, Sorcery, and Seduction: Why A Discovery of Witches Cast its Spell on me
Written by Katie Barr
Some books entertain you. Others consume you entirely. A Discovery of Witches falls firmly into the latter category, and I can say, without hesitation, that it has become my new all-time favourite. Deborah Harkness has crafted a novel that feels as though it was written specifically for readers who love history. The historical nature not being a background decoration, but something living, breathing and deeply intertwined with the present.
At the centre of the story is Diana Bishop, a scholar who has deliberately turned her back on her witch heritage. Diana is fiercely academic, practical, and grounded in evidence, preferring manuscripts and research to spells and superstitions. That balance immediately makes her compelling, especially for readers who appreciate a headstrong, intellectual protagonist. When she unexpectedly calls up the long-lost Ashmole 782 from Oxford’s Bodleian library, she triggers a chain of events that draws her into a hidden world of witches, vampires and daemons – whether she is ready for it or not.
What makes this moment so powerful is the setting itself. The Bodleian Library, rendered with loving detail, feels almost sacred. A place where centuries of knowledge hum quietly beneath the surface. As a history buff, this was where the book truly hooked me. Harness doesn’t merely name historical places; she inhabits them. You can feel the weight of time in every stone corridor, every manuscript, every aspect of the past. The magic works because it is rooted in history, scholarship and real world intellectual traditions such as alchemy, philosophy, and early science. Enter Matthew Clairmont, a vampire who defies every tired trope of the genre. He is dangerous and ancient, yes, but also a geneticist and scholar, bringing his own academic curiosity to the mystery of Ashmole 782. The relationship between Matthew and Diana unfolds slowly, grounded in mutual respect, intellectual sparring, and a shared curiosity before it ever tips to romance. Their bond is forbidden by the laws of the congregation, which strictly enforces the separation of species, adding tension and political stakes to every interaction.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how seamlessly it blends romance, fantasy, and academic life. Diana’s internal struggle, between her identity as a scholar and her suppressed magical abilities, mirror’s the books broader theme – the false divide between reason and wonder. Watching her begin to reconcile these two halves is deeply satisfying, especially because her historical training becomes a strength rather than a liability. Knowledge, in this world, is power. The pacing of the novel is deliberate, and that is something I loved rather than resisted. Harkness allows scenes to breathe. She lingers over wine, music, research and conversation, creating an immersive experience that feels almost luxurious. Some readers may find the early chapters slow, but for those who relish atmosphere and depth, this careful build up is precisely what makes the payoff so rewarding.
The world-building is rich without becoming overwhelming. Vampires are complex, political, and deeply tied to their long histories. Witches are bound by lineage, tradition and loss. Daemons bring unpredictability and emotional nuance. Every group feels shaped by centuries of experience, reinforcing the sense that this world has existed long before the reader ever arrived. By the time I reached the final pages, I realised something dangerous had happened. I had fallen headfirst down a rabbit hole. A Discovery of Witches isn’t just a standalone story. It’s an invitation into a much larger, intricately constructed universe. Now that I’ve taken the plunge, I cannot wait to tumble through the rest of the trilogy, following Diana and Matthew across time, history and magic.
For the readers who love the past, its texts, its secrets, its unanswered questions, this book is pure enchantment. It is intelligent without being pretentious, romantic without being flimsy, and fantastical without ever losing its grounding in real history. A true treasure.
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Featured and in-article images courtesy of Deborah Harkness’ Official Website. No changes were made to these images.
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