When I first picked up “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness, I anticipated a dark academia novel brimming with a witch’s exploration of ancient secrets. While it contained elements of that, it also surprised me by being a romance, albeit one with minimal explicit content and primarily focused on emotional and relational connections. Much of the story unfolds outside of academic settings. This A Discovery of Witches parental guide helps you navigate its content.
The book’s reading level and writing style firmly place it within the adult category. The content solidifies this categorization.
For parents contemplating whether their teenager could read this book, the answer is nuanced. I would strongly advise against it for anyone under 16. Even for teenagers aged 16 or older, I’d approach recommending it with caution. A mature teenager might be able to handle it, but I generally believe it’s more appropriate for adult readers.
The explicitly sexual or violent content constitutes less than 10 pages of the 688-page book. However, it alludes to and discusses very adult themes from adult perspectives. Beyond sex, it delves into different forms of intimacy, the meaning of marriage and family, the concept of death and what constitutes a “good” death, and the value of life, questioning whether different lives hold different value or meaning. The book includes discussions of historical wars and a fictional war, as well as extensive violence. It explores themes of control, loss of control, coercion, politics, the lengths people will go to protect themselves or others, sacrifice, fate, grief, and the nature of one’s true self and the consequences of denying it. Ultimately, I believe it primarily explores the nature of desire. This parental guide to A Discovery of Witches is a starting point, and further investigation should be done before deciding if the content is right for your teen.
The novel also touches upon discrimination and cultural biases between in-groups and out-groups. As a disabled, mixed-race woman, I have some reservations about certain aspects of its portrayal. However, I believe Harkness handles these issues well and avoids making any false or harmful statements. It’s important to note that the group distinctions discussed are between fictional beings like vampires and witches, not real-world groups of people.
I found the writing compelling. While initially slow, it gains momentum. There were some tropes that made me roll my eyes, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the sequel. For families looking for similar books, use this A Discovery of Witches parental guide as a starting point and consult other guides as well.
Moreover, this is one of the healthier vampire/non-vampire relationships I’ve encountered. While not perfect, and I could point out several issues, I won’t judge, as none of my own romances have been flawless. The vampire falls in love with an intelligent, informed, and enthusiastic adult over the age of 28. The vampire is never intentionally violent or hurtful to their partner. While issues do arise, they address and resolve them. The romance developed slowly until the final third of the book, at which point I had to pause and question the sudden acceleration. However, it ultimately worked.
In conclusion, A Discovery of Witches is best suited for mature adult readers due to its complex themes and occasional mature content. While some older teens may be able to handle it, parental discretion is advised. The A Discovery of Witches book parental guide aims to help inform decisions.
