A Discovery of Witches The gripping first book in the magical All Souls series

The story follows the charismatic historian/professor/witch-who-doesn’t-want-to-be-one, Diana Bishop as she stumbles upon secrets and hidden plots set in motion long before she startet teaching at Oxford University. But that is where she catches the attention of fellow professor Matthew de Clairmont - a centuries old vampire. A whirlwind of conspiracies, unveiled secrets and stirring emotions ensues and takes the reader on a journey through alchemical history, fantastic politics and a love that will rattle the very foundation of what the creatures of the world hold to be true. Diana is a great protagonist. Grounded, stubborn and inquisitive she explores the world of magic and creatures and we get to go along for the ride. Matthew is everything one wants from a vampiric love interest - tall, dark, dangerous, intense and absolutely entranced by Diana. Our MacGuffin, an ancient alchemical text - "Ashmole 782", a book Diana unsuspectingly calls up from the library’s archive - sets into motion a string of events and a hunt to get to it back first amongst witches, daemons and vampires alike, with Diana caught up in the middle of it all. Great contemporary fantasy with amazing insights into historic topics that show how well Harkness knows her stuff. The story conveys the love and knowledge of the alchemical, historical and Oxford related subjects and really allow readers to be immersed into this fantastical world. To be fair, who wouldn’t rather life in the world of All Souls? It seems like much more fun and excitement than our "reality". Side-note: I also really love the LGBT rep we’re getting in this. The relationship (although not between main characters!) is beautiful and realistic and just heartwarming to read about. ️‍