31 Spellbinding & Wicked Books About Witches

Are you looking for wickedly witchy books for adults and teens? Discover magical adult fiction and YA books about witches that will leave you cackling at the night sky.

I’m not going to lie, I love witch books, and I even wouldn’t mind being a witch. Heck, I’ve been told that I already look like a witch with my pointy Italian-American nose…

From witches grounded in a deep Wiccan past to whimsical beasties with powers and coming-of-age stories, witches take on many roles in modern-day literature. Books about witches tend to focus on women versus men who are usually associated with warlocks and wizards.

We are talking about evil women. Women who are different. Powerful women. Stunningly mesmerizing women. Magical women. We love witches and we love to hate them. Equally, we fear witches but we also fall madly in love with them.

Below, discover some of the best fiction and nonfiction books about witches to get you into the paranormal spirit. With some of these spellbinding and wickedly witchy books, witches are upfront and center, Hocus Pocus-style.  For the other more popular witch novels, these powerful cacklers play minor but necessary background roles.

You will also discover Wicca and witchcraft books, witch books set in Salem, YA books about witches, and some of the best witch books for Halloween. So, what are our favorite novels about witches? Let’s get started!

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Fiction Books About Witches

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is loved across the library world.  With Amazon Prime’s Season One of Good Omens, you don’t want to miss out on one of the best witchy and paranormal fiction books of all time.

Armageddon is on its way with the birth of Satan, some evilly confused nuns, and a baby switch. Comedic, we watch an angel and demon work together to find the Antichrist and ultimately save the realm that they fell in love with.

Meanwhile, Agnes Nutter — a prophetic witch burned at the stake — has also passed down all of her worldly knowledge to a descendant, Anathema.  Together, this unlikely crew attempts to save the world.  Book Information→

The Color of Fear by Wendy Wanner

Written by indie author, Wendy Wanner, The Color of Fear is a Wiccan novel with a modern-day murder mystery.

Rachel’s life has been full of tragic deaths, which as they build in number seems suspiciously intentional. In a small town full of old money and waspy secrets, Rachel must uncover the clandestine lies that tie together all of these murders. With strong, hell-bent women, affairs, suicides, murders, water phobias, and unplanned pregnancies, there is only one answer: witchcraft.

More than your average cozy mystery, The Color of Fear focuses on relationships and political corruption in a Jan Karon town meets witches kind of description. There is more of a magical realism component than the magic itself. This is one of many lesser-known books about witches on this reading list.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

A lot of books about witches take place in Massachusetts — not only because of Salem — and Practical Magic is a charming book about the Owen sisters that will transport you to New England.

Gillian and Sally have never fit in their entire lives. With eccentric aunts, spells, and black cats, the sisters try to escape their seemingly cursed lives, one through marriage and the other by running away. One of the witch books on this list made into a movie, watch the sisters reunite in an enchanting and heartwarming story about self-acceptance and family ties.

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Historical Fiction Books About Witches

The Mercies by Kirin Millwood Hargrave

For newer 2020 witch books, The Mercies will transport readers to Norway. Beginning in 1617 Finnmark, Norway, Maren Magnusdatter’s brother and father die in a tragic storm. Along with the 38 other men killed, their families — all women — are left to fend for themselves.

When Absalom Cornet and his wife head to Vardø — now run by powerful and independent women — Absalom deems the island as evil. He did just burn women as witches back in Scotland. Inspired by a true story about the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials, uncover a captivating witchy novel about community.

The Witch’s Market by Mingmei Yip

Eileen Chen, a Chinese-American assistant professor in San Francisco, believes that witchcraft is a superstition. Her grandmother was a shamaness, which makes the subject slightly more personal and intriguing.

Headed to the Canary Islands, Eileen finds Tenerife full of magic, charm, and romance. Can she trust her feelings in such an enchanting environment? If you are looking for more diverse books about witches, The Witch’s Market will blend travel with witchcraft and themes about love and greed.

Gothic Fiction Books About Witches

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

TW for child and animal death and miscarriage. The Witch of Willow Hall is one of those witchy books perfect for adults who love paranormal and gothic stories. Sisters Catherine, Emeline, and Lydia are forced to flee their debutante city life over a family scandal.  Relocated outside of Boston, they find themselves on a haunted piece of land with a chilling history.

Willow Hall has seen quite its share of tragedies and is cursed by a mysterious woman. Ghosts and witches haunt the pond outside and pace the upstairs floors. There are tragic deaths, scandalous love affairs, and jealous sisters.  Sadly, not all of the sisters will make it to the end of the story. See the full review of The Witch of Willow Hall On TUL→

The Widow Of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

If you are looking for gothic fiction books about witches with a literary twist, don’t miss The Widow Of Pale Harbor. Sophronia Carver is a new widow accused of murder by a sleepy town that is not only jealous of her wealth but also of her beauty. We know this story too well.  Of course, they also deem Sophy a witch using practical magic and spells to punish the residents of Pale Harbor.

Sophy finds herself the target of death threats inspired by Edgar Allan Poe stories–and we know that those are terrifying. Enter the hunky minister, Gabe, who is also trying to escape his past.  Gabe is determined to uncover Sophronia’s true identity.

While caught up in this gothic murder mystery, a romance ignites between the two.  Will Sophy survive to see it through?  See the full witchy book review of The Widow of Pale Harbor here→

Best Witch Books In A Series

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

If you are looking for popular and longer witchy books series for adults, you love the All Souls Trilogy. A Discovery Witches is the first witch book in the bestselling All Souls Trilogy. I have yet to read the rest in the series — the books are incredibly captivating but long — but the first book hooked me with its love story.

Witches are not supposed to trust vampires. When Diana Bishop, a descendant of witches, discovers a coveted and magically essential text all of this is about to change. With the trifecta perfection of an intriguing man — mysterious, deadly, and presumably gorgeous — Diana must learn and accept more about her own witchy dealings while helping the magical community.

Fantasy, romance, and mystery all tied into one will keep readers digging deeper into the hundreds of pages and wanting more. Read More →

Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

Wicked is one of the best witch books for adults that offers satire, humor, and a story that we all know. Most of us have seen or heard about the Tony-award-winning Broadway musical, Wicked, based loosely on this book. Although I remember finding more dissimilarities, I thoroughly enjoyed both for their satire and imagery.

Truly, though, welcome to my personal hell. Readers enter the world of Oz. Shiver. Yet, this Wizard of Oz story is brilliantly told from a different perspective.  Wicked is more about the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and how she comes to an unfair and untimely demise.

With a rough upbringing as well as school bullying and spoiled and ever-popular Galinda (Glinda), we realize that maybe the Wicked Witch isn’t so evil after all. Maybe she is just a social activist with strong political views.  Political fiction is a genre, right?  Read More →

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse Series Book 1) by Charlaine Harris

This series is a bit of a stretch for books about witches, but I promise that you will find witches and a plethora of similarly fantastical beings scattered throughout the Sookie Stackhouse series. More so, if you love vampire books, Sookie is for you.

I have read ALL 15 titles, but I could not get through more than one season of True Blood.  It’s HBO, guys. For those who are worried about the crazy sexual cults and violence from the TV series, I promise you that the books are much different.

Harris is the goddess of world-building. She places her mind-reading protagonist at the heart of it all. Sookie is not your average bartender and trouble finds her everywhere. Find inter-species romance, vampire wars, wicked witch covens, cuddly shapeshifters, best friend drama, and a society filled with hate and prejudice.

Dead Until Dark is the perfect lighter witch fantasy for your tastes.  Well-written, the entire series adds peanut butter to your fluff.  Did I mention that you could find copies for 3 cents on Amazon?  A worthy investment.  Read More →

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

Anne Rice is famous for her paranormal books about witches and vampires. The first in the Lives Of Mayfair Witches series, The Witching Hour explores witchcraft and the occult. Set in New Orleans, the story begins with a now muted woman rocking in her porch chair…

Rowan Mayfair brings back to life a dead man she discovers on the beach. Falling in love, they work to uncover each other’s histories heading to New Orleans, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Scotland, and Louis XIV’s château in France. A family saga and story about heritage, Rice introduces readers to a powerful dynasty of witches.

Classic Books About Witches

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

If you are looking for witchy books for adults that are timeless classics, try Macbeth. Geeky, high school Christine loved Macbeth years and years ago and cannot even count the number of times that I’ve read this lyrical tragedy as an adult.

Set in Scotland with a moral about the destructive greed and need for power, we watch the new King of Scotland fall. Macbeth murders his predecessor to acquire the throne and is basically overcome with paranoia on the brink of insanity. Murder begets murder.

Three witches prophesize Macbeth’s haunting undertakings and watch his chaotic path of destruction throughout the play. For literature lovers and those looking for witch books for Halloween, this one is for you.

P.S. Rumor has it that the word ‘Macbeth’ is cursed and surrounded by misfortune if said within the theater. You might want to just call it The Scottish Play.  Check out these other shorter classics for more suggestions similar to Macbeth.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Required high school reading, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is both the perfect YA witch book as well as one of the best fiction books about witches and the witchcraft hysteria in Salem. 

Set in 1692 during strict Massachusetts Puritan times, The Crucible exemplifies religion, fear, and change coming together. Amongst love affairs, religious suppression, and racial prejudice, the townspeople scapegoat witchcraft for all of their own wrongdoings.  Pointing out witches left and right to save themselves, the town falls under public scrutiny. Watch along with the witch trials in a poignant commentary about human collective nature and evil.  Read More About Miller’s The Crucible→

Looking for more books about witchcraft and books set in Salem?  Check out this reading list including books about the Salem Witch Trials→ 

More Books About Salem Witches

I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem by Maryse Condé

If you are looking for translated books about witches, pick up I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem. Translated from French by Richard Philcox, this Salem Witch Trials book tells the story of Tituba, a West African slave.

In a book about racism and sexism, Tituba is accused of witchcraft and thrown into jail in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Condé attempts to bring Tituba’s story to life in a new light. Everyone has heard about Tituba in the nonfiction realm but in fictional books about the Witch Trials, Tituba is largely missing.

The Physick Book Of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

A modern-day story traveling back to the Salem Witch Trials, The Physick Book Of Deliverance might speak to you.

Connie Goodwin is a Harvard graduate heading to Salem for the summer. When she finds an old key within a seventeenth-century Bible, Connie learns more about her past, including ties to the Salem Witch Trials.

The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Another popular book about witches, Kent takes readers to Salem in 1752. Sarah Carrier Chapman survived the Salem Witch Trials while her mother was killed. Sarah shares her story beginning when her family arrives in New England to an area that is struggling with religion, superstition, control, and fear.

In order to save her daughter from death, Martha Carrier creates a lie that she understands she won’t survive. At least she can save her daughter.

Nonfiction Books About Witches

The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff

On my TBR nonfiction witchy books list, I am eyeing The Witches.  I love a highly acclaimed book by an infamous historian. Schiff examines hysteria, anxiety, and crowdsourcing.  The Witches has been described as a fresh insight into the Salem Witch Trials and Salem witchcraft phenomenon.  I am sure these lessons carry through to today’s times.

Schiff is also a Pulitzer Prize winner, which especially makes me want to not miss this book about witches and public pressure.

A Storm of Witchcraft by Emerson W. Baker

In 1692, Salem witnessed the largest and most deadly witchcraft hysteria in America. Over 19 innocent people died as a result. In A Storm of Witchcraft, Baker shows how politics, war, and religion fed into the scapegoating and hysteria. Group mentality and the perfect combination of events fueled the accusations.

If you are looking for nonfiction books about witches that best explain how this tragedy occurred, Baker’s title examines American history and the trials in a much larger context.

YA Books About Witches

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

If you are craving YA books about witches, I’d recommend checking out The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. Back in 2017, The Bone Witch was named the ‘most highly anticipated YA fantasy witch book of the year.’

By accident, Tea brings her brother back to life, making her a bone witch.  Bone witches are traditionally feared and avoided.  With the help of her brother, Tea must find her place in the world while overcoming dark challenges.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Supernatural witchy books for teenagers are all the rage. The Wicked Deep does not disappoint with witches, soul possession, and a little romance.

Every season, the Swan Sisters haunt the town of Sparrow to avenge their drowning as accused witches. The legend has it that during Swan Season, the girls possess three female bodies.  Enchantingly attractive, they seduce three boys out to sea. I am sure that you can guess that these boys are not returning, ever.

A spectator sport for tourists, this year is no different as Penny and Bo both attempt to stay alive and uninhabited. Unfortunately, trust no one. Ernshaw adds a few twists and turns into this fantasy thriller. If you love ghostly witch books, Hocus Pocus, or Salem, MA, this title is for you.  The Wicked Deep is one of my favorite YA fiction books about witches.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

While all of these YA books about witches are female heavy, I wanted to include a witch-wizard novel too. Carry On is the fanfiction spinoff for Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl. An LGBT+ YA fantasy book with a vampire, ghosts, wizards with some magic, and of course, romance, if you like Harry Potter, Carry On might suit you.

Simon Snow is an orphan. Starting his 8th year at magic school, Simon sucks at magic. Unfortunately, he is the ‘Chosen One’ meant to defeat the evil Humdrum in the UK. Simon and his roommate and nemesis, Baz –which is also a romantic relationship carried over from Fangirl – try to defeat the Humdrum and kill the Mage. P.S. Baz is an ‘evil’ vampire.

Popular YA Witch Books In A Series

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

If you are looking for fantastical YA books about witches, don’t miss the Caster Chronicle series. Lena possesses magical powers and a curse that she has been hiding until now.  On her 16th Birthday, she must choose between Light and Dark.  This decision comes with deadly consequences in Garcia’s bestselling witchy YA book, Beautiful Creatures, the first in the series.

Magically connected, Ethan finds himself dreaming about Lena before she moves to his town of Gatlin, South Carolina. Follow along with Lena’s tough choices that come into conflict with morals, family, and ultimately falling in love.

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

If you love sweet YA witch books, you’ll adore Grim Lovelies. Imagine a Cinderella story gone dark. Add in some Harry Potter elements such as a witch war and characters treated like servants when in reality, they are the most powerful beings alive.

Transformed from animals into humans, Anouck and her friends work for a cruel mistress.  They have grand plans for their futures. When Mada Vittora is murdered, though, they still are not free. If no other powerful witch will cast their human spell, back to beasties they go.

Shepherd builds a socio-economic world rich with royalty, power, and corruption in Grim Lovelies. The first in a witchy book series for teenagers, the ending is anything but clean and settled. Check out 5 reasons why you should read Grim Lovelies Here On The Uncorked Librarian→

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall is a YA fiction book about witches in my TBR pile because the witchy (and bitchy) novel sounds a lot like Charlaine Harris’ adult warlock, witches, and faeries world.  I also get Sabrina vibes. Sophy Mercer is a witch struggling to fit into the normal human world.  Muggles, right?!  When all heck breaks loose, her father sends her to Hex Hall, a reform school for the paranormal.

As if struggling through mean girls and high school isn’t enough, she must learn about her powers while staying safe against an evil predator.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

For more books about witches that will transport you abroad, head to Nigeria where Sunny Nwazue learns that her albinism is also hiding her magical powers.

Sunny didn’t always quite fit in, especially having to stay out of the sun. As she learns more and more about her magic, she and her friends are asked to track down a dangerous criminal. Akata Witch is also recommended for Harry Potter and Children of Blood and Bone fans. Read more here.

YA Historical Fiction Books With Witches

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Part of the Emma Doyle Trilogy, meet Gemma Doyle, a young girl with abilities to see into the future. Shipped off to an eerie boarding school with a deadly history, Gemma no longer has a mother and is followed by a mysterious boy in the woods.

Set in England in the 1890s, A Great and Terrible Beauty is one of the less discreet YA books about witches, incorporating magical realism. Bray successfully pairs typical boarding school drama with a more historic time period. Powerful and spritely girls with unchartered and naïve magic are a terrifying combination.

Historical fiction meets fantastical witches in this YA Victorian mystery. Prepare for otherworldly dimensions and powers that need reigning in.  Read more →

Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

CW: Violence and death to teenagers (similar to The Hunger Games). One of the creepiest and most murderous YA witch books on this list, Vassa in the Night is the retelling of the similarly bizarre Russian folktale Vassilia the Beautiful.

The victim of an evil stepfamily, Vassa carries a little wooden doll, Erg, to protect her. On the quest for light bulbs, Vassa meets a sadistic witch with an affinity for murder. Babs loves to decapitate teenage shoplifters and stakes them outside her enchanted store. Not everyone is a criminal, but Babs doesn’t care.

Will Vassa survive her temporary imprisonment with Babs? Can she save her friends as well as her entire Brooklyn suburb? An urban fantasy woven with folktale and suspense, I promise that Vassa might be one of your weirdest YA books about witches yet.  Read more →

Conversion by Katherine Howe

I love books about witches set at private schools–HP anyone?! I have no idea why, but these preppy settings always call for magic and general hysteria. At St. Joan’s Academy, the popular and high achieving girls start to literally lose it. Is the mental health decline due to pressure and stress or is something more happening?

There are seizures, accusations, and inexplicable hair loss. Only after connecting scenarios with The Crucible does Colleen begin to think that the Salem witch trials of the past are creeping their way into the present.

Suspenseful and chilling with a touch of historical fiction, Howe creates a modern day YA witch trials novel that is gripping and funny.  Read More About Conversion →

Middle Grade Books About Witches

In honor of some of my classic childhood reads and favorite authors, I also wanted to add a few books about witches that adults and young adults will still love.  These witch books technically fall under middle grade or younger.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Ok, you caught me.  The Witches is technically one of the most fabulously grotesque witch books for elementary-aged children. But, I love re-reading this one even as an adult. Plus, let’s face it, Dahl is a little intense for younger kids.  Of course, The Witches is a book about witches.

An unnamed boy’s parents die in a car crash forcing him to live with his Norwegian grandmother.  Witches are taking over the world, and as a former witch hunter, grandma tells the boy how to spot the evil necromancers back at home.

It’s no real spoiler alert that the boy comes face to face with the witches and well…transforms…  Find out these witches’ plans as well as the outcome.  Dahl is the perfect author if you are looking for more fantasy witch books vs scary ones.  Read More →

The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

If you are looking for witch books set during WW2, try The Chronicles of Naria. Readers find a magical land ruled by the Evil White Witch.  During wartime evacuations in a new home, Lucy enters the magical world of Narnia located within a magical wardrobe.   She encounters talking animals and mythical creatures.

Throughout the series, Lucy and her siblings must save the kingdom from the witch.  The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe is one of the most well-known children’s fantasy and witch books.

The Witch Of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Growing up, one of the best books about witches that I adored included The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. Although the Salem Witch Trials didn’t occur until 1692, the book alludes to them. The Witch of Blackbird Pond also takes place in nearby Connecticut in 1687 versus Salem.

A Newbery Medal winner and perfect for younger guys wishing to fit in, meet Kit Tyler. Acclimating to a new home is hard when you’ve recently moved, and Kit’s experience is no different. Having left Barbados and in need of a friend, Kit meets Hannah Tupper. When the colonists accuse Hannah of being a witch, their friendship and lives are in danger.

What are your favorite books about witches?

Which of these witchy books have you read? What would you add, and which ones did you love or DNF? 
Let us know your favorite witch books in the comments.

This books about witches reading list originally published in September 2018 and has been updated for 2020.

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