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7 Books about Teen Witches Swooping onto Shelves
While we usually think of fall and Halloween as the time for spooky books, witchy teens are undeniably having a major moment right now. No fewer than four books about young adult witches land in U.S. stores this March alone. And three titles that keep bubbling up in Goodreads members' most anticipated spring releases feature spells and magic. We're not talking medieval-style magic schools either; with a wide range of representation, these contemporary witches all tackle some very 21st century issues.
Here are seven reads about modern teen witches that will hold you spellbound all spring. Don't forget to add any titles that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf!
Here are seven reads about modern teen witches that will hold you spellbound all spring. Don't forget to add any titles that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf!
Hugo Award-winner Sarah Gailey's first young adult book starts with a bang when high school senior Alexis accidentally explodes a boy with magic on prom night. And that's just what happens on page one. Follow along as her magical girl gang proves the saying that real friends will always help you hide a body, no questions asked.
Release date: March 3
Release date: March 3
The author of The Bone Witch is back with another enchanting read. The cursed descendant of Filipina heroine Maria Makiling must guard the last prince of Avalon in this alternate-universe version of the United States, where fairy tale figures are real historical people and mythic relics like Sleeping Beauty's spindle can be used as real-life weapons.
Release date: March 3
Release date: March 3
Celtic mythology meets modern witchcraft in this book set in contemporary Ireland. As if her life wasn't already complicated enough with an OCD diagnosis, the return of an absent mother, and being outed as bisexual in her conservative town, Dayna Walsh must now team up with a rival witch to solve a brutal, magic-tinged murder before she, or someone she loves, gets taken down next.
Release date: March 3
Release date: March 3
Though written for adults, teen readers will also find much to love with this group-narrative account of the 1989 Danvers Falcons' inexplicable winning streak. After each member of this girls' field hockey team signs their name in a book inscribed with Emilio Estevez's face, it looks like the Lady Falcons will be unstoppable on their quest for the state championship. But as all good witches know, every bargain has its price.
Release date: March 3
Release date: March 3
High school senior Sam can't wait to get out of his small Georgia suburb, where people frown on him as much for actively practicing magic as for being out-and-proud. To make life even more complicated, there's interpersonal drama in his previously tight-knit group of friends, his team never wins at the state magic convention, and a cult-like group has set up camp at the edge of town to test the limits of dark magic.
Release date: May 12
Release date: May 12
In this follow up to 2019's These Witches Don't Burn, the Hunters that Hannah Walsh fought before are back, with a bigger and badder plot than ever. Hannah just wants to survive senior year, hang out with her bestie, and smooch her new girlfriend, but she finds herself racing against the clock to save covens around the country from losing their magical powers.
Release date: May 19
Release date: May 19
Move over, witches, there's a new brujo in town! Yadriel's got a couple of problems—his family doesn't want to accept that he's a boy, and he accidentally summoned the wrong spirit in a magical ritual. Instead of his cousin, he got the ghost of Julian Diaz, a wise-cracking bad boy who just might steal Yadriel's heart.
Release date: June 9
Release date: June 9
Which of these bewitching releases are you looking forward to reading? Let's talk books in the comments!
Check out more recent articles, including:
The Best Young Adult Books of March
Readers' Most Anticipated Books of March
The 38 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2020
Check out more recent articles, including:
The Best Young Adult Books of March
Readers' Most Anticipated Books of March
The 38 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2020
Comments Showing 1-50 of 51 (51 new)
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."There are plenty of heterosexual couple/romance books out there... I don't see the issue with them spotlighting the few LGBTQI+ books that are becoming more mainstream.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."I do sort of get what you mean, but there is an infinite sea of m/f YA out there, just like there are many YA series with white protagonists. They are not being erased, but rather stepping aside so that groups that have not been as heavily portrayed in the past can have the spotlight.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Hmm the ratio of LGBTQ & heterosexual characters in YA novel is 20-80, so yea I think you do have a problem.
Mo wrote: "As a heterosexual, can we please have more books for our two genders - I have no problem with LGBT, but I don't need to see it or read about it.""I don't need to see it or read about it." You are aware that this is like homophobia 101? Maybe sit down and read one of the many, many heterosexual books out there. You've had all of history to have your heterosexual books, so allow us ours now.
I'm definately adding Cematary Boys to my "to read list" I enjoy gay themed YA books.
This is really a fun selection. I look forward to reading them!
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Lol there are basically an unlimited number of books with M/F romantic pairings... I don't think you'll have any trouble finding one to read. Also saying "I don't need to see it" definitely makes it sound like you have a problem with LGBT people to me.
Wicked as You Wish & Witches of Ash and Ruin are a couple of my most anticipated reads. The sound so good! 💕💕💕💕😍
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Dude is getting deservedly ratioed.
"Won't someone please think of the straights!" lol
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas...""It's okay if you're gay, just act straight around me!" Representation is not pie, Mo; an increase in books with LGBTQA+ characters does not decrease the amount of books with straight protagonists, it just lets more people tell their story. Maybe the 'young adults' wouldn't be as 'confused' if you didn't treat their identity like a taboo. Books like this will help teens become less confused. There's plenty of m/f books out there, and that's not going to change.
When We Were Magic was so so so SO INCREDIBLE! It just has it all. I’ve gotta say I don’t think I’ve ever read about a more fiercely loyal group of girls! Everyone (except maybe the dude who complained about LGBT YA) needs to add this to their tbr RIGHT NOW! I highly, highly recommend!
Ashley wrote: "When We Were Magic was so so so SO INCREDIBLE! It just has it all. I’ve gotta say I don’t think I’ve ever read about a more fiercely loyal group of girls! Everyone (except maybe the dude who compla..."That's great to hear! It's one of my most anticipated 2020 books, I can't wait to read it!
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."you’re dumb as fuckkkkkkkkk loser
"Cemetery Boys" and "These Witches Won't Burn" were already on my list of books to check out, but now I have a few more books to add on :D
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."90% of the books in the world are heterosexual based. So you're upset because a few out of the 7 books are LGBTQ friendly? Wow. Welcome to 2020.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Just about all of the YA books coming out recently contain LGBTQ+ rep in them. If you want books without that, you'll have to read mainly YA that was published before the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same sex marriage.
I added all of these. They look awesome. However, it seems like every time a list comes out the comments turn into an argument because there is too much or not enough LBGT books. If you're not into the book then don't add it. And yeah, saying that you don't need to see it or read about is homophobic and unnecessary. Nobody is making you read the books. Once again, If you're not into the book then don't add it.
Mo wrote: "As a heterosexual, can we please have more books for our two genders - I have no problem with LGBT, but I don't need to see it or read about it.Are we not being told that young adults are currently very confused in any event? All part of growing up."
Hi there. I'd love to encourage you to rethink your words and perspectives. We live in an incredibly straight culture, and lgbtq teenagers are bullied, beaten, and disowned for their identity.
The best way to create a safer world for endangered and marginalized populations is to show their experiences and their humanity, and how normal and universal it all is.
I promise you 99.9% of the books on the market feature straight people doing straight things. But I would challenge you to immerse yourself in stories about people less like you. Try reading more books featuring queer characters. Books with people of a different race or religion than your own.
I think you'll find that your perspective only expands, and that your community and your heart get bigger.
I'll be excited to know you then.
Still a few months away, but I'm excited for The Scapegracers too! Also witchy!
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Oh dear...you clearly do have a problem with LGBTQ.
To all the people reacting to 'Mo's clearly homophobic comment at #1... I personally think it's a troll (check out it's profile of just 10 books read since May 2016!) and not worth your time or energy. Don't feed the trolls people.
I want to read Cementery boys the history and the characters sound interesting, and the cover is so beautiful
K8 wrote: "Still a few months away, but I'm excited for The Scapegracers too! Also witchy!"Yesssss!
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."we don't want to see or read about homophobia, but people like you still exist so I guess we can't all have what we want.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."agree with mo that there are maybe too many non hetrosexual characters in young adult fiction. and i diagree with the person who said that white straight characters should step aside . think we can have a little of both. i should'nt lose my rights as a straight reader jsut cause the viewpoints i like to see in books aren't politically correct.
🧐 . . . 😳Well I’m, uh, reading and really enjoying We Ride Upon Sticks so far. It’s a wild ride, and funny!
K8 wrote: "Still a few months away, but I'm excited for The Scapegracers too! Also witchy!"Added this one to my TBR along with all of the others on the list... They all sound so good!
when we were magic sounds right up my ally right now.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."cry harder hetty
“Everyone is a feminist and gay and maybe trans, We Are Diverse, Spend Money!”
K8 wrote: "Still a few months away, but I'm excited for The Scapegracers too! Also witchy!"Ooh, I'm also looking forward to that book!
I came for book rec's, but was not expecting to read in the shade. I'm loving how Mo is getting read to filth in these comments.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas...""I have no problem with LGBT"
"but I don't need to see it or read about it"
Pick one.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."I totally agree. Recently all the books that seem interesting are aimed to LGBT. And they are talked about non-stop, best-sellers and all!!!
If you look at Mo’s profile, you can immediately tell this person is not an actual Goodreads user/reader.Yes. This shit has even spread to Goodreads.
Don’t waste your breath on some hacked account.
Why would the witches swoop onto shelves?
Claire wrote: "If you look at Mo’s profile, you can immediately tell this person is not an actual Goodreads user/reader.Yes. This shit has even spread to Goodreads.
Don’t waste your breath on some hacked account."
Agreed. Like I said upthread, DON'T FEED THE TROLLS.
It just brings out more of them, and others who clearly have their own biases they think are being fed too (like a couple upthread too).
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Do you have any idea how spoiled you sound when you whine about there being too much LGBT representation and not enough heterosexual romance when heterosexuality has been the norm in pretty much every genre for hundreds of years? If you just went and read the back catalog of the millions of books with only heterosexual characters, then the rest of us LGBT people who have been starved for representation for centuries and have only just started to catch up can enjoy ourselves in peace without entitled straight people like you (who claim you don't have a problem with LGBT representation when you clearly do) ruining our fun like you always manage to.
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same-sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas...""As a heterosexual, [...] I have no problem with LGBT, but I don't need to see it or read about it"
As a queer, I have no problem with heteros, but I don't need to see it or read about it, but still, I've always had to read about it, because it's everywhere.
Check your privileges
Christy wrote: "agree with mo that there are maybe too many non hetrosexual characters in young adult fiction. and i diagree with the person who said that white straight characters should step aside . think we can have a little of both. i should'nt lose my rights as a straight reader jsut cause the viewpoints i like to see in books aren't politically correct"Lmao. Explain how you're losing your heterosexual rights just because lgbtq books exist.
Jenny wrote: "Christy wrote: "agree with mo that there are maybe too many non hetrosexual characters in young adult fiction. and i diagree with the person who said that white straight characters should step asid..."< i just don't feel like any one group of people is better than the other. i also don't appreciate being attacked verbally because my opinion is different .
I just finished When We Were Magic and loved it!
so i read 'When We Were Magic' after i was recommended it from this post and i came back to say i enjoyed it. :))
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."hey mo, I'm not gonna attack u on this review, but LGBTQ representation is applicable for people other than u :)
Mo wrote: "I read through the YA books as above, and while I have no problem at all with any gender, quite a few seem to be aimed at the LGBT fraternity with same-sex interest. As a heterosexual, can we pleas..."Take a moment... Imagine you're gay. Think of all the books you'd have to read with same-sex romances. Do you think you'd 'need to see it or read about it'? There are literally thousands of years of heterosexual content for you to go and read if you don't 'need to see it or read about it', queer people don't have that privilege. Imagine you're asexual/aromantic and you don't want to see either.
I completely agree with you if you want to see more of these themes except with heterosexual romances, but not at the cost of other people's representation. More YA Witches! Heck yeah. Less LGBT YA? No thanks. But if you 'don't need to see it or read about it' you should wonder how the people it was written about felt all those years.
Are we not being told that young adults are currently very confused in any event? All part of growing up.