A Little February Magic

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is not quite a fantasy novel and not quite historical fiction. It is not really a mystery, nor is it a romance novel.  This unusual book is, in fact, a great combination of all of those genres.

Diana Bishop is a scholar of history.  She is fascinated by the era in which people moved from a belief in magic to a reliance on science.  She has spent most of her years trying to deny her own heritage as the last of the Bishop witches.  After her parent's death, she ignored her powers and decided to rely on research and study.

One day Diana requests a book from the library at Oxford and her whole life changes.  The book is bewitched and apparently Diana is the only one who can open it.  Suddenly she finds herself surrounded by witches, daemons and vampires, all of whom want to know what is in the book.  But Diana has returned the book, wanting nothing to do with its magic.

One vampire, Matthew Clairmont, seems to be everywhere that Diana goes. Behavior that at first appears to be a bit threatening, soon evolves into protection.  Diana is in danger, and despite the forbidden nature of their relationship, Matthew cannot help but protect her.

This novel is full of surprises that unfold with the plot.  A library, a romance, a little bit of fantasy.  What else could you want on a snowy day?