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66 Spellbinding New Novels About Witches
In the world of books, witches have been enjoying something of a moment lately. Stories about witches go waaaay back, of course. But in the last few years, we’ve seen a particularly steep spike in books with witchy elements and themes.
In honor of the Halloween season—and in celebration of witches everywhere—we’ve gathered here 66 witchy books from 2020 to 2022, presented in reverse order (the most recent books first). Habitués of the young adult and romance shelves will find plenty to like, and you’ll find some expeditions into urban fantasy and straight horror. We’ve got witches from Russia to Jamaica. Also look for royal witches and boss witches; suburban witches and historical witches; gentlewoman witches and irregular witches. For variety, you’ll find the occasional spider king and cemetery boy.
Scroll over the book cover images below for more details, and add anything interesting to your Want to Read shelf.
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Published in 2021
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Published in 2020
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Which witch books would you recommend? Let us know in the comments below!
And be sure to check out more recent articles.
And be sure to check out more recent articles.
Comments Showing 1-35 of 35 (35 new)
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Please remove The Ones We Burn from this list because of its many racist and antisemitic problems.
Beyond the obvious indications on the cover, can folks please recommend "witchy" books outside of the European tradition? I have done my own research but would be glad for suggestions. (I don't read horror.) Thanks in advance.
Witch 13 looks interesting, I'll check it out!Also, it may not be horror, but it features witches quite strongly:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Maya wrote: "Beyond the obvious indications on the cover, can folks please recommend "witchy" books outside of the European tradition? I have done my own research but would be glad for suggestions. (I don't rea..."The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina on this list is a great read with a South American perspective. It was everything Disney's Encanto wished it could be.
A Magic Steeped in Poison is in a fictional world, but with a clear Asian influence on ideas and magic systems.
Gods of Jade and Shadow is more folklore than witch based, but involves Mayan ancestry.
If you want something truly classic The Golden Ass is an ancient roman novel about wanting to learn magic.
You could also search for books about "Strega" which is Italian witchcraft.
Jen wrote: "Please remove The Ones We Burn from this list because of its many racist and antisemitic problems."If you read the reviews by the BIPOC and Jewish people that actually read the arc/book. You will see that they didn't have a problem with it, the only people that seem to be complaining are white people that want their flowers for being allies that generally find offense in everything.
Take2 wrote: "YES! I love witch lore and dedicate the month of October to supernatural entertainment.As for a recommendation, the scariest book that I've ever read, and read and re-read is the classic, The Wit..."
Can it be read as a standalone?
I'm missing 'These Witches Don't Burn' /This Coven Won't Break :(These Witches Don't Burn
This Coven Won't Break
Best witch book... Hex. Look it up. Was great!!
How about A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness? It's a trilogy but some of the scenes actually take place around All Hollow's Eve.
i really love Porém, bruxa by Carol Chiovatto and Kiki's delivery service!
I haven't really read many witches books and I'm looking forward to trying some :)
Junona wrote: "How about A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness? It's a trilogy but some of the scenes actually take place around All Hollow's Eve."The whole series is fantastic!
Ami McKay "The Witches of New York" great book as well as the Anne Rice Mayfair Witches series.
Alice Hoffman is a wonderful author. I don’t see Deb Harkness here. I would have preferred recommendations, and not just a list.
If you like witchy books, check out The Esoteric Alchemy series by Ryan Kurr. That series is highly under appreciated and should be in this list. Sage, Smoke & Fire is a great introduction to real world witchcraft, while the second book Powdered Oak & Seven Metals really amps up the fantasy action elements, and the final book The Black Hen is the most exciting of the three. Awesome book trailers too, that's what hooked me!
Seriously considering starting a Witch Book Book Club. Obviously the name needs work.Also on my page I have a shelf for YA Books about LGBTQIA2S+ Witches. I will continue to add to it!
Maya wrote: "Beyond the obvious indications on the cover, can folks please recommend "witchy" books outside of the European tradition? I have done my own research but would be glad for suggestions. (I don't rea..."Hi Maya, my book(One of Three) is called "Where the Witches Dwell" and is very witch centric. It takes place around 1700 but in a fantasy realm although many of the principles of modern witchcraft are in play throughout the series. Book Two, am writing now, is set in 1999 in Laguna Beach, Ca. I'm waiting on a Reedsy review next week so we'll see how that goes. I used to run a website called paganpoet.com years ago and was involved with many pagans internationally. These days--the wanderer--and having fun writing the Everlan series. I hope you and the comm here get into it.-cheers
'The Change' is amazing. I would highly recommend!
Pat wrote: "Ami McKay "The Witches of New York" great book as well as the Anne Rice Mayfair Witches series."Thanks I'll add it to my TBR list
In my well read opinion you guys missed the most luxurious, well written book about witches ever written- Slewfoot by Brom. It is by far one of the BEST book I have ever read, and is such an excellent novel with it's beautiful art as well!Then there's also Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, which is likely the best modern take on how society would actually handle a real witch lol.Both novels are excellent and sorely missing from this collection!
Kate Johnson's Hex Appeal would have suited this list! Very recently out, mind. Thoroughly enjoying it so far!
Anybody else remember the Charmed books?! What a blast from the past! 😜
The entire Stay A Spell series by Juliette Cross is wonderful Wolf Gone WildThe Sweet Pea series by Kathryn Moon also amazing The Baker's Guide to Risky Rituals
Junona wrote: "How about A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness? It's a trilogy but some of the scenes actually take place around All Hollow's Eve."Totally agree! One of the best witch series ever :)
Wish "The Lives Of The Mayfair Witches" books by Anne Rice were included here. Been re-reading and love them!!
A MUST read is Conjure Women. Great witching and an even better story of Civil War time slave life.
Jen wrote: "Please remove The Ones We Burn from this list because of its many racist and antisemitic problems."Read Conjure Women
I really enjoyed This Poison Heart and This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron.
How could you leave off A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness? The whole series is wonderful!
Also check out The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow (author of The Once and Future Witches) and The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Not witchcraft, but to me, falls into this category as well. Happy spooky reading!
As for a recommendation, the scariest book that I've ever read, and read and re-read is the classic, The Witching Hour by Anne Rice.