Unleashing the Magic Within the Pages: A Supernatural Adventure

"A Discovery of Witches," Deborah Harkness' debut novel, depicts a world where vampires, daemons, witches, and humans coexist in largely peaceful circumstances—all but Ashmole 782, a legendary lost book. The book is so potent that magical beings, such as vampires, demons, and witches, assemble to try and steal it from Diana, an American professor visiting England for research. The scene when Diana opens the book is magical and motivational despite the threat. It is a testament to the magic of printed books, which is unquestionably stronger than that of an camera, regardless of how good the backlighting is.

Diana is not just a ordinary scholar;  she is also a descendant of the powerful Bishops, a family of witches. She possesses an effortless flow of power, which she controls by adhering to a "magic diet" and leading a regular life. However, when Diana touches the ancient alchemical manuscript Ashmole 782, it responds to her touch and a spell that has been defending it weakens. As Diana works to uncover the book's secrets, strange creatures congregate around her like ravenous wolves, and long-standing conflicts between science and magic as well as between evolution and alchemy flare up.

Harkness' novel is ambitious, spanning history and focusing on DNA, both human and otherworldly, as Diana seeks to unravel the mysteries of Ashmole 782. The author's storytelling skills are demonstrated by her ability to logically incorporate evolution, science, magic, and long-standing conflicts into the story. The book moves at a leisurely pace that gives Diana and Matthew Clairmont, a 1,500-year-old vampire, time to interact and transform their initial mistrust into trust. Some readers might find the slow pacing a little too leisurely, but it allows for the development of complex plot points, such as the discovery of mysterious organizations like the Knights of Lazarus and the Congregation, which will play more significant roles in the trilogy's remaining two books.

Despite the slow pace, Harkness' world-building is thoroughly entertaining, and readers will appreciate the novel's lighter moments, such as vampires practicing yoga with humans and witches. However, Harkness' attempt to evoke this world falls flat at times. Characters emit exotic odors, as if they've just stepped out of a goth Bath and Body Works. Nonetheless, Harkness occasionally offers diverse approaches on old themes. Matthew's immortal life has made him a skilled wine collector, and despite being a vampire, he has a heartbeat and can taste food, though it tastes awful once it's been cooked to death.

As Diana and Matthew's relationship grows, the novel creates a backdrop of unsettling deaths in London, along with encounters with Matthew's fierce maman and a formidable witch assassin. It's also worth noting that Harkness' characters are incredibly well-developed, and readers will find themselves immersed in their complex personalities and motivations. The author's attention to detail is impressive, creating a vivid and captivating world that will keep readers engrossed until the last page.

The book's central theme, the power of books, remains a constant, with Ashmole 782 remaining enigmatic and a symbol of knowledge as forbidden as an apple in Eden. The book shimmers under Diana's gaze, reminding us of an old lesson about the power of books that never goes out of style.  In the words of the witch Agatha  "A little book can hold a big secret, one that might change the world." 

To summarize, Deborah Harkness' "A Discovery of Witches" is a strong debut novel with a large supernatural world and a strong feminine perspective. We see the age-old tensions between science and magic, evolution and alchemy, and the struggle for power between different supernatural beings through the eyes of Diana, a powerful witch and scholar. "A little book can hold a big secret, one that might change the world," Diana says. "A Discovery of Witches" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys the supernatural genre, thanks to its enchanting narrative, richly developed characters, and magical themes.