me and my two last nerve cells are making plans for the summer

How's one to know?

I'd meet you where the spirit meets the bones

In a faith forgotten land

mirth’s otps | matthew + diana

once the world was full of W O N D E R S, but it belongs to humans now. we creatures have all but disappeared; daemons, vampires and witches. hiding in plain sight, fearful of D I S C O V E R Y, ill at ease even with each other. but as my father used to say: in every ending, there is a new B E G I N N I N G.

Before officially meeting, do you think Matthew and Diana ever just casually passed each other while on campus? Cause I'm imagining Gallowglass watching from an undetectable distance, seeing Diana cross a courtyard, going in the opposite direction of Matthew and Gallowglass is just simultaneously panicking and relieved.

Gallowglass: Oh my God, it's happening! They're going to finally meet! After centuries of waiting and decades of watching, Diana will finally be- Wait! Why is she walking away? Auntie! Turn back right now! Matthew! Turn around and go meet your wife!

They both continue on their way, completely oblivious to who they just walked past.

Gallowglass, unable to decide if this was a good or bad thing: Ok, they didn't meet this time. So, I don't have to leave her yet. But it'll be sooner rather than later now. At least she'll be happy when they do meet...

Sorry, the Cullens Are Not the Best Vampire Family

These vamps are in a league of their own. (Baseball pun intended.)

Collider Sept 24, 2023

Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches, was inspired to write the series after seeing the popularity of paranormal romance novels and wondering why these creatures still captivate us.

 The de Clermont vampire family in A Discovery of Witches is more complex and intriguing than the Cullen family in Twilight, offering a fresh and intimate perspective on vampire dynamics.

 Ysabeau and Philippe, initially distrustful of their vampire son Matthew's witch partner Diana, eventually gain respect and even affection for her, showcasing the power of love and acceptance within the family.

On the surface, it might seem as though A Discovery of Witches draws heavily from the human-vampire romances that preceded it. That assessment's only half-true. Deborah Harkness, author of the New York Times bestselling All Souls trilogy upon which A Discovery of Witches is based, didn't read any vampire literature before penning her novels. But her creativity was sparked in 2008 after seeing the sheer wealth of paranormal romances adorning bookshelves. "It seemed to me much bigger than what had happened with Anne Rice," Harkness explained to The Los Angeles Times in 2011. "As a historian of science, […] I thought, Why do these creatures still exert such a pull on us?" Furthermore, Harkness "[ wondered] if there really are witches and vampires, what do they do for a living?" Her resulting All Souls trilogy is a delightful enterprise and not a copy of Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, or any popular supernatural saga. In the paranormal romance world, certain story beats naturally tread similar ground. Harkness, a decorated historian, scholar, and university professor, weaves the forbidden love story of historian witch Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer) and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont (Matthew GoodE) together with magic, philosophy, metaphor, and detailed historical accuracy. That convergence makes for a fascinatingly fresh perspective on the genre while never losing sight of its romantic heart. With that said, there's a specific unintentional similarity A Discovery of Witches shares with Twilight — that awkward feeling when your in-laws are vampires. The Cullens of Twilight might welcome you into the fold with a baseball game, but A Discovery of Witches has the better vampire family by a home run mile. Sorry, not sorry.

GIF: mine

More on the de Clermonts in A Discovery of Witches

Dammit I love a vampire in period clothing...

It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches.

My favourite genre of ships: Intelligent WOC who are badass in their own ways with their idiot rich bois with daddy issues.

Can we appreciate Gallowglass a bit more?

Gallowglass turned wide blue eyes on Matthew. The younger man was wearing a black T-shirt adorned with a skull and crossbones. Something had slashed the back, rending it from left shoulder to right hip. The holes in his nephew's jeans looked to be the result of wear, not war, and his hair was shaggy even by Gallowglassian standards.

(-Chapter 2, The book of life, All souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness)

He is basically described as a harsh looking blue eyed man, with metal shirts and ripped jeans, which is not just his 'personal sense of style' since all the tears are from wear. And yet, despite his appearance, he has the personality of an angel. Think of how he picked on the wax residue on the kitchen table when he was nervous. He honestly seems like a gentle giant. Please romanticise him with me.

I love when Deborah Harkness books are like "This is the most evil person ever" and it's just a normal person who might have legitimate grievances with the main characters, and when the books are like "this is just some normal person" and it's an absolute shitstain of a person.

grief carves a place in the heart and sits there forever. but when focused, it can be a powerful motivator. sadness becomes resolve and pain becomes action 🍂🤍

A Discovery of Witches || Deborah Harkness

I cannot shield you from the challenges you will face. You will know great loss and danger, but also great joy. You may doubt your instincts in the years to come, but your feet have been walking this path since the moment you were born.

A Discovery of Witches Real Time Read Ch9

"Hamish surveyed the board and made his final move. ‘Checkmate.’ Matthew let out his breath and sat back in his chair, staring at the chessboard. His queen stood encircled by his own pieces – pawns, a knight, and a rook. Across the board his king was checked by a lowly black pawn. The game was over, and he had lost.

There’s more to the game than protecting your queen,’ Hamish said. ‘Why do you find it so difficult to remember that it’s the king who’s not expendable?’ ‘The king just sits there, moving one square at a time. The queen can move so freely.

I suppose I’d rather lose the game than forfeit her freedom.’ Hamish wondered if he was talking about chess or Diana.

Is she worth the cost, Matt?’ he asked softly.

Yes,’Matthew said without a moment of hesitation, lifting the white queen from the board and holding it between his fingers.

I thought so, Hamish said. You don’t feel this way now, but you’re lucky to have found her at last."

I adore Hamish as a character, both in the books and show (hurray to Greg McHugh!), and his friendship with Matthew and I love this scene in particular.

Matthew Goode's microexpressions as realisation dawns on MdC are particulary delightful. Another great piece of acting.

📷 Sky/Bad Wolf A Discovery of Witches (2018) s1:02 my edit

One night a few moons ago

I saw flecks of what could've been lights

But it might just have been you

Passing by unbeknownst to me

You know what I want? A little novella from Philippe's perspective. Can you imagine how funny his inner monologue must have been after Matthew and Diana time walked?

Like, it's been a few months since they left. The other Matthew is now back at Sept-Tours and makes a comment about how he will forever hate witches, and Philippe has to stop himself from laughing.

Or whenever he and Ysabeau hear that Matthew has taken a new lover, Philippe is hopeful for a moment and then gets really disappointed because, "That's not Diana!"

He must have had so much fun making little passing, vague comments to Matthew over the years.

Verin: I'm starving! Let's go hunt.

Baldwin: Just have some wine, I never find much when I hunt around here.

Matthew: Really? I always find more than enough whenever I hunt in this area.

Philippe, with a little smirk: That's because the Goddess of the chase truly loves you.

Centuries later, Matthew sits up in bed, eyes wide.

Diana: Matthew? Are you alright?

Matthew, whispering: The Goddess of the chase truly loves me.... Oh my God!