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[In the interests of full disclosure, I edited this review in September 2018. Upon reflection, some of my initial comments were a little too fangirl in style and my initial reference to Twilight was being misconstrued or used to make a point.. After many years and quite a few rereadings of this book, my enthusiasm for it has not waned, but I can appreciate why it troubles some readers. I believe one can be a thinking, modern and independent woman and yet still appreciate a male character who possesses the chivalry and courtliness (and, at times, chauvinism) of another time. In many ways, it is the character’s historicity and immortality which makes palatable (and attractive) what would disgust me in a modern man. Instead of judging one another, or casting aspersions on another reader’s feminist credentials, we could simply accept differences in taste.]

Even now, a few weeks later, and when some of the details have become a little fuzzy, I can't stop thinking about this book. I love many different genres of books, but books like this really get me excited; they take me out of myself, to a world that my rational brain tells me doesn't exist, but which my heart whispers could be right under my nose.

I stayed up until after 1am two nights in a row to read more of this book and was even almost late back to work at lunchtime, because I was so completely absorbed in it. I even forwent an evening meal to finish it.

A Discovery of Witches is one of the most enjoyable books that I have read in a very long time and I loved the feeling of being completely submerged in a different life and a different world.

I really liked Diana and admired her verve and athleticism, so different from my own book-worm, sedentary nature. I am also fascinated by the idea of being a historian of science and feel like I was cheated out of the belief that I could be anything as a teenager!

I really enjoyed the way Diana’s relationship with Matthew developed and while I know that there are those who find his behaviour problematic, I didn’t expect him to behave like a guy born in the 21st century, so I wasn’t really bothered by it. I think Diana asserted herself when she needed to - I wasn’t looking for her to make feminist speeches.

Reading this book was so satisfying and I felt that I was getting just the right mix of romance, adventure, history, character development and magic. I don't know how I will contain myself until the release of the next book, as I am quite apprehensive about the "trip" Matthew and Diana embarked upon at the end of the book.

If you have a taste for the supernatural tempered by real life choices and adult dilemmas, then you are in for a treat of the best kind in reading this book.