A Discovery of Witches (2011)

Another title has caught my reluctant attention. A Discovery of Witches: A Novel by Deborah E. Harkness, a debut and the first in a planned trilogy, has received attention from Entertainment Weekly, who gave it a B+. That grade alone would have informed me to give it a pass, which was reinforced by the fact the series is about witches and vampires. But the EW reviewer also ended the review referring to a 'satisfying ending' and pages that turned 'as if on their own'.

From the author's website:

When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

If this book sounds fascinating, reading an interview with the author will only enhance your interest. I love the fact that Deborah is an historian, which reminds me of the other book I devoured a few years ago by Elizabeth Kostova called (unexpectedly) The Historian. I didn't expect to like that book either but was swept away by the author's beautiful descriptions of  foreign locales and the mysterious plot. From what I've read, Witches becomes a love story as well. We shall see. (I just checked my library and only one copy is on order. That probably isn't sufficient. I placed a 'hold'.)