A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls, #1)

by Deborah Harkness

Book one of the New York Times bestselling All Souls series, from the author of The Black Bird Oracle.

“A wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People).


Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder!


Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, book three, The Book of Life, and the fourth in the series, Time’s Convert.

Reviewed by slytherclaw on

4 of 5 stars

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Definitely glad I decided to read this after watching the first couple of episodes of the show. The book moves at a much slower pace than the show, however it gives the plot more time to flesh things out and makes Diana and Matthew's romance a lot less whirlwind like the show. Such a fun read and I'm looking forward to continue on with the series once I find time. I would also highly recommend the audio versions by Jennifer Ikeda for those who prefer to listen instead of reading.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 May, 2019: Finished reading
  • 20 May, 2019: Reviewed