Of Course, Netflix Made Me Do It Again: A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches Book 1 & Season 1 Review

As I mentioned in my last post….

It’s happened again. I fell down another rabbit hole—courtesy of Netflix, of course. This time it was A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, and let me tell you... I devoured both the book and the first season of the show like a hungry vampire in a medieval library.

The book? Rich, detailed, and completely immersive. The show? Visually stunning, well-paced, and shockingly faithful to the heart of the story. I’m always wary when my favorite reads get adapted for the screen, but this one pulled it off beautifully.

For those unfamiliar with the story, here’s the quick (non-spoilery) scoop: Diana Bishop is a reluctant witch and brilliant historian who accidentally calls up an ancient manuscript—Ashmole 782—while researching at Oxford. No big deal... except it turns out this manuscript is basically the Holy Grail for witches, vampires, and daemons alike. Everyone wants it. No one’s seen it for centuries. And now Diana’s got it.

Enter Matthew Clairmont: a brooding vampire with a PhD, a wine cellar, and a suspicious interest in both the manuscript and Diana herself. Their worlds collide in the most forbidden kind of way, and as their connection deepens, so does the danger surrounding them.

The chemistry between Diana and Matthew? Intense. The magic? Intriguing. The questions? Endless. Why is Diana’s power only beginning to awaken now? What secrets does the manuscript hold? Why are creatures suddenly breaking the centuries-old Covenant that kept them apart?

Season 1 captures the essence of it all—the romance, the mystery, the ancient politics—with moody lighting, secret archives, and just enough historical intrigue to keep you Googling between episodes. Of course, the book dives even deeper, offering rich backstories, magical theory, and the internal monologue that makes Diana such a relatable heroine.

And just when you think you’ve caught your breath? Diana and Matthew time-walk straight into the past. Yep. That’s how it ends.

So now I'm spiraling—into Book 2 and Season 2—because when witches, vampires, forbidden love, and time travel are involved, how can you not?