Droughtlander suggestions: Read A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches book series can get you through Droughtlander

When you’re trying to get through Droughtlander, you’ll look for shows and books like Outlander. That’s what our Droughtlander suggestions series offers. This week, the book is all about A Discovery of Witches and the other books in the All Souls Trilogy.

You’ve likely all heard of A Discovery of Witches since it became a TV series. More importantly, it will have Outlander actor Steven Cree playing Gallowglass in the second (and presumably third) season. There’s no doubt that this has probably been on your radar for a while, but you may never have gotten around to reading it.

If it hasn’t been on your radar, it needs to be. The book series is excellently written. And while there are fewer books than the Outlander novels, there’s still plenty of content to devour. And that’s exactly what you’ll do!

What is A Discovery of Witches about?

The book series starts as a love story but transforms into something much bigger. Diana Bishop is a reluctant witch with no control over her powers. However, she needs to learn. And quickly.

Vampires, witches, and daemons are all after her because she has found a particular book that could help all magical creatures prevent extinction. It could also help other creatures cause the extinction of enemies. After all, witches want to get rid of vampires, vampires don’t want daemons around, and so forth.

There is one vampire who is nothing like the rest. Friends with daemons, Matthew Clairmont works to protect Diana Bishop from those after her. Can she trust a vampire? And what’s with the attraction between the two of them?

In the second book, Diana and Matthew find themselves in the past. Oh yes, there’s time travel in this book series.

Why A Discovery of Witches is perfect for Outlander fans

Let’s look at why this is one of the books like Outlander that you need to read. There are a few connections, with one of them being the inclusion of time travel. This isn’t through a set of stones. Instead, it’s all a matter of magic.

Of course, magic is part of the Outlander series. We just have to look at Master Raymond’s abilities to know that. Even Claire has the potential to gain some magical healing abilities in later books once her hair turns white.

There’s also an element of politics within both books. For Outlander, it’s all about the Jacobite rebellion and the American Revolutionary War. In A Discovery of Witches, it’s focused on the different magical factions fighting against (and sometimes in support of) each other.

With the political/faction aspects, there is certainly plenty of drama. There’s always danger around the corner, and with Diana and Matthew at the heart of the drama, it means heartbreak and turmoil.

What about romance? Of course, there’s a love story within both stories, which will certainly draw many people in. Matthew Clairmont has lived through centuries and he can certainly be a gentleman. At the same time, there’s a darkness to him because of what he is and what he needs to survive.

An excellent series to get stuck into

Quite frankly, Deborah Harkness’s series is beautifully written. It’s packed with descriptions and humor that draws many readers to Diana Gabaldon’s books. For those who come for quality, then there’s no reason not to read A Discovery of Witches.

There are three main books in the series that make up the All Souls Trilogy. Shadow of Night and The Book of Life continue the story.

Harkness has continued the story, though. She’s brought us a prequel book called Time’s Convert, which takes us back to the American Revolution when Matthew Clairmont was Matthew de Clermont. While on the battlefields, he meets a Massachusetts surgeon, Marcus McNeil. We learn why Matthew and Marcus are so close throughout the course of the book.

What are you reading to get through Droughtlander? Is A Discovery of Witches next on your list? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

A Discovery of Witches and other books are available on Amazon with two-day free shipping with Amazon Prime.