Best YA Witch Books From the 2010s to the 2020s

Ever since I was a kid, I've loved books about witches.  Witch books are usually filled with great female characters. And you can find witch plots and witch characters in many different genres, from paranormal romance to historical fiction to -- as you'll see below -- even sci-fi.

While I don't think witches and witch stories ever go completely out of style, they seem to be heating up again as a trend right now.  

Let's look at the history of young adult witch books

When I was a young adult, we all read The Witch of Blackbird Pond and that was about the extent of it. Was that character even a witch?

But with the HUGE explostion of YA paranormal books after Twilight, witches became a popular topic again!

YA Witch Books of the 2010s

In 2010, we had the very popular Hex Hall trilogy by Rachel Hawkins

2011 brought The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab and Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

From 2012-2014, The Born Wicked trilogy was also popular. 

The Born Wicked trilogy is amazing, I call it "Little Women with witches." You can find my review of Born Wicked here!

You can read my review of book two, Star Cursed, here!

Sisters' Fate is the last of a YA trilogy of books about a trio of witch sisters in an alt historical setting.

You can find my review of Sisters' Fate here!

2014 and 2015 were BIG years for witch books.

The Half Bad series by Sally Green made a big splash in 2014. I reviewed the first book with my blogger friend Lauren of Love is Not a Triangle.

Here is my review of Half Lies, the next book in the Half Bad series.

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini (2014) was a really interesting combination of parallel universes and a witch story -- watch for my review soon.  

Salt and Storm by Kendall Kulper is another Witch Book from the 2014-2015 era. My review is here. 

But What Is Missing in these 2010 witch books?

Young adult books about witches have evolved and changed over the last decade, reflecting shifts in both young adult literature in general and wider societal trends. 

What was always the case in YA Books About Witches

Sisterhood Narratives and Female Empowerment: Many YA witch books have emphasized the journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and finding one's own path, often using magic as a metaphor for personal growth.

What is new in YA Witch Books in the 2020s:

Diverse Representation in YA Witch Books: There has been a significant  increase in books featuring witches from different ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. 

Intersectionality and Social Justice Issues in YA Witch Books: Many recent YA books address issues such as race, gender, and sexuality. These stories often delve into the challenges and prejudices faced by witches who belong to marginalized groups.

New Settings for YA Witch Books: Many contemporary YA witch books have moved away from Western European and/or historical settings to embrace modern ones.

Deeper Themes: Authors are tackling deeper themes, including social justice, mental health, and environmental concerns. Witches are often used as symbols for empowerment, resistance, and healing, allowing for thought-provoking narratives.

Technology: The integration of technology, social media, and online communities into the lives of young witches is a reflection of the digital age. These elements add new layers to the storytelling.

Psychological and Emotional Depth: There's a growing emphasis on the emotional and psychological experiences of witches, addressing issues like trauma, anxiety,.

Today, YA books about witches have evolved to be more diverse, inclusive, and socially aware, with a focus on complex characters and contemporary themes.

My mega post on YA Witch books features newer titles that feature LGBTQ and non-white characters. 

Plus, check out the titles on this post on The Best YA Witch, Ghost, and Vampire books of 2023!

How do you feel about witch books? Have you read any of the books above, or are you going to? And do you have any other witch books to recommend?