If you’re a fantasy lover, you have to read these 7 urban fantasy books about witches
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I’m a HUGE fan of books with witches. Maybe it’s my childhood obsession with The Worst Witch. But since Autumn, I can't seem to stop picking up witchy books. Nothing compares to the covens, dark magic and witchcraft.
And something about witchy books in an urban setting is especially atmospheric. And compels me to keep reading.
Truly nothing better than dark magic, crystals and mysterious gothic vibes in an urban city.
That’s why, I’ve compiled the best urban fantasy books about witches.
Read on for the best urban fantasy books about witches
Best Urban Fantasy Books about Witches
1. These Witches Don't burn by Isabel Sterling
I was sold on this book as soon as I heard Sapphic witches! These Witches Don't Burn contains lesbian witches, a mystery to solve and a the found family trope. Plus it's an urban fantasy book set in Salem.
These Witches Don’t Burn follows Hannah. She is a witch living in Salem. A dark blood ritual interrupts her end of school bonfire. And she investigates with her ex-girlfriend Veronica.
She also meets Morgan. But trying to date in the middle of a supernatural crisis is not easy and will test Hannah’s limits.
This is one of my favourite ya fantasy duologies. There are seriously not enough ya fantasy duologies. So this is an easy series to binge read and finish.
Don't get me wrong - it's not hard hitting. But I'm a simple girl and sometimes I want a warm, cozy lesbian book to read. The LGBTQ+ characters are so well incorporated that they are just part of life. This makes it such a comforting fantasy book about witches.
2. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker
If you're looking for fantasy books about witches with cute. light-hearted romance then you need to read Mooncakes. It's a YA Romance about a witch and a non-binary werewolf.
It follows teen witch Nova. She works at her Nana's magical bookshop. And she helps them loan out spell books. But she also investigates supernatural occurrences in her local town.
One day, she is tasked to investigate reports of a white wolf in a nearby forest. She then discovers her childhood best friend, Tam, fighting a demon werewolf. Together they investigate the demon and rekindle their feelings towards each other.
This is such a comfort read. The artwork is insanely beautiful. I really loved the illustrations of the magic and magical creatures living in the forest. The romance is also really adorable.
The story isn't fast-paced and action packed. We also don't find out much about the characters background. But it's such a quick, cute and light-hearted read that I don't think it matters. It also deals with serious topics like loss and difficult family relationships really well
Related Post: 14 Captivating Books like The Magicians You Must Read
3. The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
The Worst Witch is perfect if you're looking for books about trainee witches. It's a light hearted adventure story about good witches.
The Worst Witch follows Mildred Hubble. She is a trainee witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy. But she’s making an awful mess of it.
She’s always getting her spells wrong. And can’t ride a broomstick. Will she ever make a real witch?
Mildred Hubble is such a relatable character. She's not a perfect student - she's badly organised and sometimes struggles at school. She's a really relatable character for a middle grade audience. She's awkward and clumsy and is often an outcast through no fault of her own.
If you went to school in the 90s, then this is a really nostalgic read. It's a simple and charming story perfect for a cosy day in. The illustrations are also insanely adorable.
If you're looking for light hearted fantasy books about witches then this is perfect. You could easily binge read it in a day,
4. The Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas
I first saw this book, when I was browsing in Afrori Books in Brighton. I am OBSESSED with this book cover. It's a ya fantasy/ middle grade coming of age story about a girl who discovers she's a witch. It also talks a lot about the dangers of social media.
It follows Hasani. She plans on using her summer holidays to grow her YouTube following. But then, an emotional outburst sparks magical ability in her.
So Hasani goes to Les Belles Demoiselles. A finished school for talented young ladies with magical powers.
But while the other girls have always known they were destined to be witches, Hasani is a Wildseed––a stray witch from a family of non-witches, with no background knowledge, no way to control her magic.
Wildseed Witch is an excellent contemporary fantasy with an all BIPOC cast. This is a really fun adventure story. The characters are all engaging and relatable. It also touches on some really important topics such as the dangers of social media, online bullying and being comfortable in your own skin
5. A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
A Lesson in Vengeance in a LGBTQ+ Dark Academia Fantasy and Thriller. It's a great pick if you're after LGBTQ+ Dark Academia books.
It follows Felicity Morrrow and is set at Dalloway School. Dalloway School is in the Catskill mountains and is a centuries-old campus.
And it was her home until the tragic death of her girlfriend.
But after a year away, she's returned to graduate. And she even has her old room back in Godwin House. An exclusive dormitory rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students rumoured to be witches. The Dalloway Five all died mysteriously on Godwin Grounds.
Witchcraft is woven into Dalloway’s history. Before the death of her girlfriend, Felicity was drawn to the dark. But now she's determined to leave that behind and graduate.
But a new girl won't let her forget.
And when Ellis asks Felicity for help researching the Dalloway Five, Felicity can't say no.
I'm a huge fan of LGBTQ+ dark academia books. Check out my article on LGBTQ+ dark academia books for even more recommendations.
6. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
What is it with Urban fantasy books and ugly covers? Please don't let the cover put you off this book! It's a fast paced story with engaging characters.
It's set in Cincinnatti, in a world where a virus has wiped out a great deal of the population. And it's exposed the existance of the supernatural who had lived alongside humanity.
All the creatures of the night gather in "The Hollows" to hide, party and feed. Vampires rule the darkness in a world rife with danger. We follow Rachel Morgan a bounty hunter and a white witch who has to keep this world civilised.
For the last five years Rachel has been tracking down law-breaking Inderlanders in modern-day Cincinnati, but now she wants to leave and start her own agency. Her only problem is that no one quits the I.S.
7. Crescent City by Sarah J Maas
Crescent city is an urban fantasy that features a range of mythological creatures such as mermaids, fae and werewolves.
It follows Bryce who is half-fae, half-human. And she is tasked with investigating a series of crimes with Hunt Athalar – a fallen angel. But they discover some dark powers at work.
Let me tell you – I was on the edge of my chair reading this. Sarah J Maas poses a number of mysteries at the start. And this hooked me in. The book was also full of unexpected plot twists.
There is some info-dumping at the start. But the world-building is exquisite and the urban fantasy setting is developed very well. Sarah J Maas writes strong sassy female leads very well. And Bryce is an incredible main character. But all the side characters were very well developed.
I'm a huge fan of Crescent City. If you're also a fan, then I have a ton of recommendations. You can check out my article on books like Crescent City here.
Other urban fantasy books with witches or magic
These books don't necessarily include witches but they're close enough that I've included them 🙂
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
I was so thrilled to see Gideon the Ninth get voted onto this list. This LGBTQ+ Fantasy book for adults features necromancers in space.
It follows Gideon. She has been brought up by unfriendly nuns and is ready to abandon a life of servitude. She packs up her sword and prepares to launch her daring escape.
But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.
The Emperor invites the heirs of each of his loyal Houses into a deadly trial. And Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, is summoned into action.
If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection. But no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier.
Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files is an insanely popular Urban Fantasy book series. And when you research Urban Fantasy books this series is always one of the first to be recommended.
It follows Harry Dresden who is an openly practicing professional wizard. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers.
For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever.
There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks.
So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get interesting.
I really enjoy the mystery and crime elements of these books. The book opens with several mysteries to be solved and keeps you hooked throughout. It's fast-paced and relatively short so it's a fairly quick read
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