Join us for Boo-Cause Reading’s Spookacular this month, as we talk about various spooky topics. We did a post with the full schedule and topics, so you can easily join in whenever you’d like.
Berls on Witches
I have read so many books featuring witches, doing this post and not recommending too many will be a challenge. I’ve read across the spectrum from the truly great to the horrible. And across genres – witches show up in the more action packed Urban Fantasy all the way to the lighter cozy mysteries. And there are some that stand out above the rest. For me, witches – and magic in general – have to come with rules and consequences. I think all of these meet that qualification. So here are some of my favorite series, featuring witches.
Middle Grade & Young Adult
No witch list is complete without Harry Potter by JK Rowling. I know they are also called wizards… but same difference. And for me, Harry Potter is what opened up the magical world for me, so it’s going on my list.
Urban Fantasy
From Harry Potter I drifted into the wonderful world of Urban Fantasy. Here, magic got much more complex. The battles got fiercer, things got way sexier, and sometimes very bloody.
The Hollows by Kim Harrison was my first witchy urban fantasy and I fell in love with the characters. The main character is a witch and she’s best friends with a Vampire and a Pixie. The series is long and filled with pretty much every magical creature. I haven’t read the most recent addition (an unexpected return to the series I thought was finished), but I own it and I’m ready.
Then things got really gritty for me, with Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane. Audio fans – Bahni Turpin’s narration is the only way to read this, IMO. This is a very different world than Kim Harrison’s. It’s a disturbing dystopian world with characters that are difficult to like. And yet you grow very attached. Fair warning on this series though… it’s unfinished and I’ve been waiting YEARS (read: 2016 and no update.). I think I gave up?
Another fantastic and super gritty UF series is Horngate Witches by Diana Pharaoh Francis. This one is a shorter series, but in 4 books she packs a punch. Fair warning: Diana Pharaoh Francis is an author who likes to torture her characters. No one is safe and I love her for it.
To finish off my UF series (clearly the favorite genre for me and witches), I have to recommend the Alex Craft Series by Kalayna Price. This one is fantastic in magic having rules and consequences. And I love the way Kalayna Price incorporates the Fae. If you like witches and Fae, this is a great series. Also another great one for audio fans. It stalled for a few years and I had given up (like Downside Ghosts), but Price is back and I have some catching up to do.
Cozy Mystery
Finally, for those that like their witches light and fun, there’s some great cozy mystery series featuring witches. I have several I love, but these two are my favorites.
A Witchcraft Mystery Series by Heather Blake is one I’ve enjoyed on audio. Despite being light and fun, it has plenty of twists, keeps me on my toes, and eagerly awaiting the next book release. It’s one of the few series I’m current on (sadly, I I’m ready for more!)
And finally, Witchless in Seattle by Dakota Cassidy has made me both laugh and cry, but mostly laugh. A lot. It’s another fantastic audio and I’m shocked to realize a couple have come out that I haven’t read! The romantic storyline and friendships make this series particularly cozy.
That’s it for me and witches. As you can see, I love them, whether they are young and legendary, dark and dangerous, or fun and light! What about you? Do you love witches? Share your recommendations (books, movies, etc), witch experiences, etc. and link up! Or share a quick tale/rec in the comments!
I like your point about magic having consequences and prefer that in a serious urban fantasy or paranormal, too. Light ones, eh, I just go with it. I haven’t read any of the series except HP, but I do have Downside Ghosts for some point.
My post is going to be late, but I’ll link when it goes up.
Lots of great options here! I also like Danielle Garrett’s Beechwood Harbor ones. I’m also fond of Barb Hendee’s Mist-Torn Witches. And if you can include wizards – Harry Dresden is at the top of the list.
I simply adore the Dead Witch Walking series and really should read the last three books sometime. So glad the author decided to continue on with it this year.