This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Sally and Gillian Owens are two sisters in the long line of witches. Unfortunately for them the Owens women are cursed to not find lasting love. I grew up watching this movie every October at least once, if not once a weekend. Only this year did I realize it was a book first. I was so excited I went a bookstore and bought a copy. I don’t think I’m a fair judge. The stories are different and I have held the movie in my heart for so long every detail in which the book varied I scoffed. Alice Hoffman wrote an amazing book i just happened to read it with skewed eyes.
Lettie Hempstock is from Neil Gaiman’s “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”. Lettie is 11 but how long she has been 11 is a question that is never answered. She is not your typical witch. She and her family definitely have powers. She saves her friend a few times. Neil Gaiman brings childhood fears to life in this tale, but as long as Lettie is there you feel like everything will be okay. This is a dark tale of childhood not meant for children with an uplifting ending, I think everyone needs to read.
Elena Boureanu is from the book “Vine Witch” by Luanne G. Smith. The tale begins with Elena’s prolonged absence from the vineyard she grew up on. When she returns she has a big mess to sort out and a man who does not believe in witchcraft to placate. She has a connection to the earth and shadow world that is awe inspiring. These characters and the twist and turns they are sent down kept me reading and wanting more. So excited for Luanne’s second (“The Glamourist”) and third (“The Conjurer”) books of the series!
Hannah Walsh is from “These Witches Don’t Burn” by Isabel Sterling. This is the most modern witch tail on the list taking place in 2018. Hannah is a modern teen who has ex-girlfriend issues, a new crush and a summer job, but also has the added pressure of someone trying to kill her. Hannah is an Elemental witch and her power is truly astonishing for a 17 year old! Hannah controls wind, water, air and fire during the book, all while hiding her power from the “regs”. This book represented many different people in the LBGTQ community in a very realistic and positive way. “These Witches Don’t Burn” made me laugh, cry and want more. Thank goodness there are two more books, I can read a prequel and a sequel!
Juniper and her sisters Bella and Agnus are learning the ways of witching in Alix E. Harrow’s “Once and Future Witches”. This book follows the sisters in New Salem struggling for the right to power. The right to vote is tangled in the right for witchcraft. Juniper is the youngest Eastwood, but she is filled with the most will. My love for the sisters started slow and took a long time to fully ignite. Their characters grew and shifted as the story progressed. This is a long tale filled with many twists and turns that is well worth the read.