- Headline Fiction
- 9780755374038
- $29.99
- Paperback - C Format
- March 2011
- 608 pages
- Miscellaneous items
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A Discovery of Witches
"Headline has fought off competition from five other publishers to acquire the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair's hottest title, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES" - Bookseller. Now discover for yourself one of the most exciting books of 2011.
An epic, richly inventive, historically sweeping, magical romance. When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires. Sensing the significance of Diana's discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire geneticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing. As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels...
Staff Review
History, Science, Clash of Cultures and Romance. How does an author manage to encapsulate such complex topics into one novel without falling short on all and making the book seem twee and unfulfilling? Rather than getting immersed in the lore of the various creatures and the incredible reworking of that lore, although that in itself was fascinating, I was intrigued by the similarities to our own world and the difficulties we all face when dealing with different cultures and ideals…a melting pot of diversity that is our society now. The history and science were gloriously illuminating and I found myself rediscovering my love of learning from the knowledge the book was imparting. I could go on and on about this book and all the facets that make it a great read but then I would be writing a book report. All I’ll say is I have not enjoyed reading a book quite so much in a very long time. My hat is off to Deborah for taking a tired subject and breathing life and intelligence into it.
Carolyn Chwalko, National Account Manager
