The discovery of witches

Vampires and witches. It's a trend, at least the witches part. A Discovery of Witches promised to be a little different from others with the same subject because the author is an accomplished historian. The book is popular among our library patrons, so I picked it up.

Diana is a witch who has lived her life as though she were not. While working on a research project at the Bodleian library she finds (or is discovered by) a book which magically contains the origins of witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. That event reawakens Diana's abilities and gives notice to the magical creatures around her.

What follows is a romance and growing war between witches and vampires over who can get to the book first. Diana aligns herself with a vampire and the two fall in love. In order to survive Diana must learn to use her magical abilities, but it's not quit enough.

In order to enjoy the book, you will have to set aside your notions about vampires - though every author of the genre seems to rewrite vampire rules. As a first time novel, the author did fairly well. It could have done with a bit more editing/trimming - the author seems particularly intent on letting the reader know that the main character Diana is well fed and rested.

Book Rating: 3 stars.