So this book took me about a month to read, and the writing was super cringey. I think the research that went into this book (combined with alchemical theory and philosophy) was very admirable, however I don’t think Harkness is the best writer. Some of her dialogue just doesn’t sit right, and character interactions (especially important ones) often time made me feel next to nothing at all. Characters were introduced and not seen again, and this was largely due to characters being merely plot conveniences. Another thing that bothered me was largely the central couple. You know those couples that you see/saw in the hallway at school that are just so attached and clingey with their uncomfortable displays of public affection? Basically the ones that make you wanna gag? That’s Diana and Matthew for you.


Despite all of these problems, for some reason I actually enjoyed reading this and I will probably be reading the sequel. (Although I kinda wish the plot stuck around the Salem Witch Trials because I thought that was the most interesting part of this). I’m kinda interested to see what Harkness will twist into the plot with book 2 after the semi-cliffhanger we got at the end of A Discovery of Witches.