Fantasy · Romance · Thriller
A Discovery of Witches
Diana Bishop is a historian and a witch who avoids magic. When she calls up a bewitched manuscript in an Oxford library, she attracts the attention of creatures of every kind, including a vampire geneticist.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2011
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 579
- Format
- Book 1 of 5 in All Souls
Read this if you like scholarly, romantic fantasy with libraries, old secrets and a slow-building love story.
Skip this if you want a fast plot, since there are long stretches of travel, dinners and background detail.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about A Discovery of Witches
- What is A Discovery of Witches about?
- Diana Bishop is a historian and a witch who avoids magic. When she calls up a bewitched manuscript in an Oxford library, she attracts the attention of creatures of every kind, including a vampire geneticist.
- Who should read A Discovery of Witches?
- Read it if you like scholarly, romantic fantasy with libraries, old secrets and a slow-building love story. Skip it if you want a fast plot, since there are long stretches of travel, dinners and background detail.
- How long and how fast is A Discovery of Witches?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 579 pages, first published in 2011.
- Does A Discovery of Witches have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow A Discovery of Witches for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Discovery of Witches; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after A Discovery of Witches?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Outlander, The Historian, The Night Circus.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved A Discovery of Witches
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Outlander
Another long, romantic story that mixes history, danger and a couple whose bond is tested by their worlds.
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The Historian
A bookish, slow-moving hunt through libraries and old records for something vampiric.
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The Night Circus A softer, more atmospheric tale of magic and romance, with beautiful descriptions.
Fantasy
