15 Bewitching Books Like A Discovery of Witches: Magical Reads for Fantasy Romance Lovers
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness has captured the hearts of readers worldwide with its bewitching blend of romance, fantasy, and paranormal elements. The story follows historian and reluctant witch Diana Bishop as she uncovers a bewitched manuscript in Oxford's Bodleian Library, setting off a chain of events that thrust her into the dangerous and mesmerizing world of witches, vampires, and daemons.
If you've fallen under the spell of A Discovery of Witches and are seeking similar books to indulge your love for the supernatural, you're in luck. We've compiled an enchanting collection of novels that share elements with Harkness' captivating series. From popular titles that have already gained widespread acclaim to hidden gems waiting to be discovered, these recommendations will transport you to magical worlds filled with romance, mystery, and ancient secrets.
Popular Books Like A Discovery of Witches
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
The All Souls Trilogy is a direct continuation of A Discovery of Witches, making it the perfect place to start if you're craving more of Diana Bishop's story. The trilogy includes Shadow of Night and The Book of Life, which further explore the captivating world of witches, vampires, and daemons while delving deeper into Diana's powers and her romantic relationship with geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont. If you loved the first book, continuing with the trilogy is essential to experience the full breadth of this magical world.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
A contemporary classic, The Witching Hour is the first book in Anne Rice's Lives of the Mayfair Witches series. The novel introduces readers to the Mayfair witches, a dynastic family living in New Orleans, and their darkly seductive world. Like A Discovery of Witches, The Witching Hour combines history, romance, and the supernatural to create an engrossing tale that spans time and place—from modern New Orleans and San Francisco to long-ago Amsterdam, a château in Louis XIV's France, and the coffee plantations of Port au Prince, Haiti. Rice's rich, atmospheric writing will enchant fans of Harkness' work.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Practical Magic is a charming novel that tells the story of the Owens sisters, Sally and Gillian, who have been cursed to never find true love. Like A Discovery of Witches, Practical Magic explores themes of forbidden love, the burdens of family history, and the power of female relationships, all set within a magical and fantastical world. Hoffman's series has become a classic in the witch genre, inspiring one of the best autumnal films of all time starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The moving look at generations of witches over the decades will appeal to those who enjoyed the historical elements of Harkness' work.
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
Initially billed as “A Discovery of Witches meets The Craft,” Her Majesty's Royal Coven is the first book in Juno Dawson's HMRC Trilogy. The novel follows four witches—Helena, Leonie, Niamh, and Elle—former childhood best friends who joined the government's official coven when they came of age. Only Helena remains involved, while the others have taken different life journeys. When a young warlock is captured, the four friends must reunite to determine the path forward. This fresh and feminist take on the witch genre will appeal to readers who enjoyed the political machinations of the Congregation in A Discovery of Witches.
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
If your favorite part of A Discovery of Witches is the romance between Diana and Matthew, this romantasy hit should definitely be on your reading list. The Serpent & The Wings of Night follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of a vampire king. Oraya enters the Kejari, a tournament held by the goddess of death, and there, she meets Raihn, a vampire from a rival house. She's human, he's vampire (and her father's enemy), but they quickly become unlikely allies to advance through the deadly competition. The forbidden romance and vampire elements echo the relationship dynamics in Harkness' work.
Hidden Gems and Unconventional Recommendations
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
This warm and uplifting novel follows Mika Moon, one of the few witches in Britain, who knows she must hide her magic and stay away from other witches so their powers don't mingle and draw attention. As an orphan raised by strangers, she's used to being alone and follows the rules—with one exception: an online account where she posts videos “pretending” to be a witch. When she receives an invitation to teach three young witches how to control their magic at the mysterious Nowhere House, Mika becomes tangled in the lives of its residents, including Jamie, the handsome and prickly librarian. This charming story of found family and forbidden magic will delight fans of A Discovery of Witches.
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is a modern tale of witchcraft that also looks back at the Salem Witch Trials. The story follows Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin, who must break free from her analytical rigidity to uncover the secrets of a mysterious book dating back to the 17th century. Like Diana in A Discovery of Witches, Connie is an academic who discovers her connection to magic through historical research. It's a beautifully written story that offers a unique perspective on the history of witchcraft in America and will appeal to readers who enjoyed the scholarly aspects of Harkness' novel.
Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn
For those who enjoy a lighter, more humorous take on witchcraft while still maintaining the romantic elements, Witcha Gonna Do? offers a refreshing change of pace. This contemporary witchy romance follows a protagonist who navigates both magical challenges and romantic entanglements with wit and charm. The novel's blend of humor, romance, and magical elements provides a fun alternative for readers looking for something in the same genre but with a different tone than A Discovery of Witches.
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
This dark fantasy features Tea, a witch with the rare gift of necromancy who goes to train under another bone witch. She must control her powers if she is going to aid her fellow witches with the war brewing in the kingdoms. The Bone Witch offers a unique magical system and world-building that will appeal to fans of A Discovery of Witches who appreciate complex magical rules and societies. The novel's exploration of a witch coming into her power parallels Diana's journey, though in a darker, more haunting setting.
The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
A Discovery of Witches draws on history, retelling and rewriting what we know to expand the world of witches, daemons, and vampires. The Witch's Heart does something similar, retelling Norse mythology in a beautiful and unique way. This novel reimagines the story of Angrboda, a witch who falls in love with the trickster god Loki and bears three unusual children destined to bring about the end of the world. The blend of mythology, romance, and magic will appeal to readers who enjoyed the historical and mythological elements of Harkness' work.
Mr. & Mrs. Witch by Gwenda Bond
When their secret identities are revealed on their wedding day, powerful witch Savannah Wilde and her witch-hunter husband-to-be Griffin Carter are tasked to take each other out. But when they discover a secret that could take down both of their agencies, they realize the only way to survive is to team up. With assassins hot on their trail, will Savvy and Griffin make it out alive to try again at “I do”? This novel combines romance, magic, and action in a way that will appeal to fans of the relationship dynamics in A Discovery of Witches.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Not only does this book have a gorgeous cover and diverse characters, but it's also filled with magic and a very Wonderland-esque adventure. Alex is a bruja (a witch) who wants to rid herself of her powers, but when she tries, her whole family vanishes into thin air. She must journey to Los Lagos, a land in-between, to rescue them. The novel's exploration of a reluctant witch coming to terms with her power echoes Diana's journey in A Discovery of Witches, while offering a fresh perspective rooted in Latin American traditions.
City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte
For readers who enjoyed the academic elements and European settings of A Discovery of Witches, City of Dark Magic offers a compelling alternative. Set in Prague, the novel follows musicologist Sarah Weston as she takes a summer job at a castle where her mentor died under mysterious circumstances. As she delves into the city's history and the castle's secrets, she encounters time travel, alchemy, and a 400-year-old dwarf. The blend of history, magic, and romance creates an atmosphere similar to Harkness' work.
The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston
The Winter Witch is a captivating historical fantasy set in rural Wales during the 1800s. It follows Morgana, a mute young woman with mysterious powers, who enters into a marriage of convenience with a widowed farmer. As Morgana settles into her new life, she discovers that there are those in the community who fear her strange abilities and wish to harm her. The novel's exploration of a witch discovering the extent of her powers within a historical setting will appeal to fans of A Discovery of Witches.
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
This contemporary fantasy focuses on Clara, a rare Everwitch whose magic changes with the seasons and is tied to the weather and climate. In a world where witches control the climate and are losing their power as the earth warms, Clara must come to terms with her abilities and the fact that using them might destroy her. The novel's environmental themes and its exploration of a witch coming into her extraordinary power offer a fresh perspective for readers who enjoyed Diana's journey in A Discovery of Witches.
Which Book Should You Read First?
If you're unsure where to start, here are some quick recommendations based on what you're looking for:
- For more of the same world: Continue with the All Souls Trilogy
- For historical witchcraft: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
- For family-focused witch stories: Practical Magic
- For darker themes: The Witching Hour or The Bone Witch
- For lighter, romantic fare: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
- For mythology-inspired magic: The Witch's Heart
FAQs About Books Like A Discovery of Witches
Are there any books that combine academic research with witchcraft like A Discovery of Witches?
Yes! The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and City of Dark Magic both feature protagonists who are academics discovering magical elements through their research.
What if I'm specifically looking for witch-vampire romances?
The Serpent & the Wings of Night offers a compelling human-vampire romance with tournament elements, while several vampire romance series by authors like Elizabeth Hunter (mentioned in “What Should I Read Next” lists for A Discovery of Witches fans) might satisfy this specific craving.
Are there any witch books with male protagonists?
While most witch-focused books feature female protagonists, Mr. & Mrs. Witch includes dual perspectives, including that of Griffin, a witch hunter who becomes entangled with a powerful witch.
Whether you're drawn to the historical elements, the forbidden romance, or the magical world-building of A Discovery of Witches, these fifteen enchanting books offer something for every fan of Deborah Harkness' beloved novel. From contemporary witches hiding in plain sight to historical tales of magic and persecution, these stories will transport you to worlds where the supernatural and the ordinary collide in the most captivating ways.
So brew a cup of tea, find a cozy corner, and lose yourself in these mesmerizing tales that echo the charm and mystery of A Discovery of Witches. Your next magical reading adventure awaits!
