With just a few days until Halloween, it’s definitely time to get your witch on. We’ve put together a list of books about witches that go from Latin American Brujeria to Slavic myths. As always, to save you time we’ve linked to where you can buy the book at their titles. Here’s a list of some of our favorite fiction books featuring witches:
Alex, Lula, and Rose are going through life as typical teenagers when out of the house. When inside the house, they live in a world of healing magic, talking to the dead, and family power. When these worlds cross, the people they love sometimes get put into serious danger. This book series is so much fun, and definitely LGBTQ+ friendly. Each book focuses on one sister as they come into their powers or face a major threat. The characters are fun, funny, and focus on brujeria. In so many books we get a European style witchcraft, so its awesome to see it from the perspective of magic from Latin America with a uniquely New York flair. I powered through this series in about a week. Zoraida Cordova’s work is easy to read and powerful.
You may have already seen the start of this series thanks to the Netflix show, but the books are definitely worth checking out. A young woman with the power of the sun in her hands finds herself leaving her life as a map maker, and spending time with the elite magical services known as The Grisha. The details on the Grisha are compelling and the story is fabulous, with many twists and turns. The details are definitely in line with Slavic styles of witchcraft and culture. Leigh Bardugo is prolific, and even after reading the first three you’ll want to read more of her work.
Hannah is an elemental witch who has to keep her powers a secret from regular folks. For the most part, she can get away with it working at Fly by Night Cauldron, but with her recent breakup from her fellow witch, Veronica, she finds herself lost and looking for new friends. If you’re looking for a New England style witch with pro LGBT+ themes, the These Witches Don’t Burn series is entertaining, smart, and addictive. My daughter loves this series and I found myself finishing the very first in the series overnight. Isabel Sterling knows how to keep the tension up and have readers speed through the pages.
Want a witchy story with brujo style and trans themes? Cemetery boys features a main character facing problems with his traditional family and their refusal to accept either his life as a man, or induct him into service for Santa Muerte. Yadriel decides to take matters into his hand to prove himself as a real brujo, and accidentally summons the wrong ghost. He has to help the spirit tie up some loose ends so the spirit can move on peacefully, but he’s conflicted about losing someone he’s grown to care for. For those looking to branch out into literature with awesome trans characters and a killer story. It doesn’t hurt that author Aidan Thomas is absolutely adorable.
Vasalisa can see what others cannot. Whether its the domovoi in her home, or the tree spirits in the woods, she is called to something so much grander than being married off. If you’re into Russian folktales, The Girl in the Tower series is a perfect place to start. Author Katherine Arden has definitely done her research when it comes to the myths and legends. Her prose is absolutely stunning, and it can be so easy to fall into these books and not reappear until you’ve read all the way through.
What happens when a girl in college stumbles across a sinister clique of girls with a penchant for turning rabbits into boys? It turns out quite a bit of craziness with the occasional laugh and a serious pit in the stomach. This one is DARK. Mona Awad does not have time to mess around. Her prose is fantastic, and the book feels raw and feral.
If suffragettes and witches are more your speed, check out this book by Alix E. Harrow. Harrow brings her attention to detail, intelligent characters, and a New England feel to this amazing book. Its a shame there only one!
Not enough for you? More into romance? Check out the list below from Buzzfeed.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/shylawatson/best-witch-books
