Worthy Read: A Discovery of Witches

Recently sifting through book lists on-line, I kept running across this title: A Discovery of Witches. It has been acclaimed by Barnes & Noble as one of 2011's best reads. It is one of the top rated books at bookmovement.com. I couldn't resist finding out for myself what all the hype is about, and I'm a sucker for a good fantasy novel!

A Discovery of Witches is actually the result of the author asking herself the question, “if there really are vampires, what do they do for a living?” Deborah Harkness has been a student and scholar of history for 28 years. During that time she studied the history of magic and science in Europe. She is currently a professor at the University of Southern California where she teaches European history. Deborah is obviously one smart cookie! The novel's abundance of history and numerous references to world literature is blatant proof of her wealth of knowledge. She deftly weaves intricate layers of plot, and manages to easily introduce new characters, each as credible and intriguing as the last.

The main characters are the epitome of what I appreciate in a good fantasy read. Diana Bishop is a witch who chose to turn away from her heritage and live a simple "human" life as a scholar. However, events outside of her control force her to come to terms with who she really is. She meets the provocative, gorgeous Matthew Clairmont, who is a geneticist, yogi, and of course, a vampire. Because of Diana's passion for history, she can't help but appreciate the fact that Matthew's 1500 years has exposed him firsthand to many historical events and individuals that she has researched.

A Discovery of Witches is a successful fusion of fantasy, history, romance, and suspense. It takes you on a journey traveling the world to romantic destinations such as Oxford, England, and Auvergne, a mountainous region in France. Delving into the book is like drinking a fine cocktail comprised of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight saga muddled with J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, and topped off with a splash of maturity for the grown-up reader. On account of the ample history and inclusion of time-travel, I find myself comparing it to another of my favorites, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

This book is a MUST READ for any avid fantasy enthusiast, as well as the open minded bookworm who simply appreciates a noteworthy read. The great news is that A Discovery of Witches is the first of the All Souls Trilogy, and the second installment, Shadow of Night, is due to release in July of 2012. I know what I will be reading this summer!