Published in 2011, Deborah Harkness's A Discovery of Witches is an engrossing historical fantasy novel fleshed out with captivating characters, otherworldly beings, intrigue, danger, and forbidden romance.
The story follows Diana Bishop, a college professor who has rejected her witch lineage. When a lost manuscript causes a magical reaction within her, she must reconsider her avoidance of power and supernatural creatures, not only for her own safety, but for the safety of all magical creatures.
As Diana navigates revived power, new dangers, and old history, she grows to a charming vampire by the name of Matthew Claremont.
If you've already read A Discovery of Witches, as well as Shadow of Night and The Book of Life, the other installments in the All Souls trilogy, then you're probably hungry for more.
Whether you were hooked on the tantalizing romance or the fantastical danger, here are eight incredible books like A Discovery of Witches to read next.
The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs
As a young professor on the tenure-track, Connie Goodwin is an expert on America's tumultuous relationship with witchcraft. Her career is built on her study of the history of magic, particularly women's use of home remedies and medicines, as well as the threats women faced for possessing such skills.
But Connie has a secret hiding beneath all that research: She's the direct descendant of a woman tried as a witch in Salem. And this ancestor's magical talents were far greater than what was left behind on the historical record…
When Connie learns that her partner's life is at risk, she sets out to bring an end to a deadly curse that has hung over her family for hundreds of years.
The Darkest Powers
In this YA supernatural trilogy, Chloe Sanders has been sent to Lyle House, a home for troubled teens. But it seems that Chloe's housemates are more special—and more dangerous—than one might think.
As Chloe discovers she has the ability to commune with and raise the dead, she struggles to both maintain control over those powers and evade the sinister organization hunting her down.
Of course, she's not alone. There's a cynical werewolf, a disgruntled witch, and a charming sorcerer at her side.
Witches of East End
Joanna Beauchamp and her daughters, Freya and Ingrid, live in the beautiful town of North Hampton, a mist-shrouded locale in Long Island that seems to be stuck in time. On the surface, the trio of women lead simple and quiet lives. But the truth is, they're powerful witches who have been banned from using their magic.
Joanna has the power to heal injuries and bring people back from the dead. Bookish Ingrid can predict the future and weave impressive knots that can fix anything from infertility to infidelity. And the wild Freya can throw together a charm or potion to soothe any heartache.
They're been forced to contain their powers for centuries. But as Freya's impending marriage to the rich and enigmatic Bran Gardiner makes her love life feel increasingly complicated, she struggles more than ever to keep her secret under wraps.
As Ingrid and Joanna find themselves in similar conundrums, the Beauchamps decide it's time to stop hiding. They retrieve their wands and brooms and begin weaving magic upon the people of their town. It's all innocent and good-natured in the beginning—until violent attacks befall North Hampton.
When a young girl vanishes, the Beauchamps set out to discover who is working against them.
Storm Born
Powerful shaman Eugenie Markham makes a living banishing spirits and fey out of the mortal world. Her mercenary work is just just that—work.
Until she's hired to track down a teenager that's been taken to the Otherworld.
Now Eugenie comes across an unsettling prophecy that details dark secrets about her past. And claims her future child will put the fate of the world at risk.
Suddenly every ladder-climbing demon of the Otherworld has taken an interest in Eugenie. Anyone who doesn't want to impregnate her is out to kill her.
Eugenie has always been able to handle herself, but this time she might need some allies to make it through. Luckily she has the darkly seductive fairy king Dorian and the animalistic shapeshifter Kiyo to help her along.
A Jar of Fingers
Deegie may be an independent young witch, but she's not above getting overwhelmed. She runs an odd little shop full of magic items, and has a proclivity for casting crazy spells on a whim.
When her boyfriend and her conniving neighbor hook up, she enacts a quick revenge and then bolts off to live in the back of her cramped bus. It's not the first time she's done something like this. But as the strange old house on the other side of town goes on sale, it could be the last.
She snatches up the property, finding it comes complete with ghosts, a murderous past, and a basement full of oddities like a jar of human fingers and a demon.
It's going to take all of Deegie's skills—and quite a bit of help from her kooky friends—to help her mollify the ghosts and send the demon back to where it belongs.
The Library of the Unwritten
A long, long time ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing. This is a neutral space in Hell in which all of the stories authors never finished live.
Mostly, Claire's work requires her to repair and organize books. But it's also her responsibility to keep watch for any restless stories that might materialize as characters at attempt to escape.
When a Hero steps out of his book and goes on a quest for his author, Claire has to find him and capture him. But she doesn't go it alone—she has the help of her assistant, former muse Brevity, and anxious demon courier Leto.
But when the angelic Ramiel attacks them under the belief that they're in possession of the Devil's Bible, their easy mission goes terrifyingly awry.
The Midnight Bargain
Sorceress Beatrice Clayborn practices her magic in secret. She lives in fear of the day she's forced into a marital collar, an implement which would cut off her power to protect her unborn children.
She yearns to be a fully realized Magus, to be able to pursue magic to her full potential as men do. But her family has risked everything to prepare her for Bargaining Season, a time in which young men and women of means come together to barter for the best marriages. She's the only one that can pull her family out of the debt they've fallen into, and an advantageous marriage seems to be the only option.
It seems Beatrice has a streak of miraculous luck when she discovers a grimoire that holds the key to becoming a Magus. However, before she can buy the book, a rival sorceress steals it right out from under her.
In order to get this valuable text back, Beatrice summons a spirit to help her. This new ally asks for a particular form of payment: Beatrice's first kiss—with her rival's brother, no less, the handsome and wealthy Ianthe Lavan.
The more Beatrice intermingles with the Lavan siblings, the more difficult the choice ahead of her becomes. If she pursues being a Magus, her family will be devastate and she'll lose the only man who's ever truly known her. If she marries, whether it's for love or not, she must give up her magic, identity, and dreams.
A Secret History of Witches
Brittany, 1821. Grand-Mere Ursule has sacrificed her life to save her family. Now it seems their magic is lost with her.
Still, the Orchires never give up on the hope of reviving this power. They keep the old ways alive by practicing partially remembered spells and arcane rites.
Miraculously, when their youngest daughter comes of age, magic has reignited within her. As the lineage passes on, power flows through them—but they struggle to not only master it, but to keep it hidden.
As World War II beckons closer, magic is more vital than ever. It is not potions or portents that are needed, but the kind of power that can change the course of history.
Featured image: Vishwas Bangar / Unsplash
