Best Witch/Wizard Books for Fantasy Nerds
Harry Potter
When you think of Witches and Wizards what is the first series that comes to mind? I think everyone would agree, Harry Potter! I’m sure a vast majority of people have read the Harry Potter series, but how could they not make this list! Every Fantasy Nerd’s dream is to receive their letter from Hogwarts one day. This is the series that started my fascination with fantasy, and had me waving my wand and pretending to fly on my plastic Nimbus 2000.
This story about a boy who attends a school for witchcraft and wizardry is timeless and imaginative. The magic system was so detailed that wizards attended classes for potions, charms, transfiguration, and more. What made the story so powerful is that this wizarding world supposedly existed right under our muggle noses, and we could pretend to be a part of it with the donning of a robe and the flick of a wand.
The Witch’s Kind
This book takes place right after and during World War II. It is interesting from the get go, and each chapter time hops to slowly bring the story forward and leave you jaw dropped at the end. The author does an excellent job of keeping you hooked and withholding the answers from you in a way that makes you want to never stop reading! There wasn’t a single moment I wanted to put this book down, and when I got to the last fifty pages I avoided finishing it for almost two weeks simply because I didn’t want it to end. I think we’ve all been there with a book we really enjoy!
The main character in this book is a girl named Barrie, and at the beginning we don’t know her full struggles, but as the book continues on all the horrors she has been through are revealed, and how she overcomes them. This book does an excellent job of showing women’s struggles, especially during that time, and really builds up women empowerment! Barrie was raised by her aunt Charlotte, who shows her that they are water witches, meaning when they touch water they can have premonitions and intense feelings for the future. With the help of her dog, Willow, they find something mysterious by the lake near their house, and have to do everything in their power to protect it. Without too many spoilers, I highly recommend this book!
The Wicked Deep
This book is spooky, mysterious, and intriguing. It starts with the story of three young women who were drowned for being witches in the seaside town of Sparrow. The legend goes that they return every summer and possess the bodies of three girls, using them to lure boys into the sea where they drown. The main character, Penny, tries to help out a boy named Bo who unwittingly arrives in town the day before the killings begin. But both Bo and Penny have secrets they are trying to hide from each other.
There are so many layers to this story that get revealed piece by piece, slowly pulling you further in, just like the doomed boys. Only, I enjoyed every second of it. The author does a great job keeping up the tension and sense of mystery, as the townsfolk begin a witch hunt to find out which girls have been overtaken by the Swan sisters. This is one of those books that I want to reread to find all the little hints. I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns, and the ending was one that I won’t forget. I highly recommend this book if you like witches and scary stories!
Heir of Fire (from the Throne of Glass series)
Technically this is a series about the Fae, but one of the major point-of-view characters introduced in book three is a witch, and one of my favorites. Manon Blackbeak is a vicious Ironteeth Witch and the heir to her clan after her grandmother. Her story takes up a good portion of the later books in the Throne of Glass series, as the Ironteeth play a large part in the wars to come. Instead of broomsticks, these witches are given wyvern to train and fly upon. I first begin to love Manon’s character when she chooses an unlikely wyvern as her mount, one who was used as bait (similar to a bait dog) and has damaged wings. But she chooses him for his intelligence, spirit, and empathy for Manon herself, which he shows by saving her life.
Although the Ironteeth witches are tough and cruel, especially Manon’s grandmother, Manon shows from the get-go that she is willing to defy this culture through her affection for her wyvern mount. As we begin to see her relationship with the Thirteen, her elite coven, we see that some of the Ironteeth are capable of having hearts and still being fierce. Manon and the Thirteen’s backstories are complex, and they could have had a series all on their own. I always looked forward to the chapters about the Thirteen, and if you love witches and strong, well-rounded female characters then you will enjoy these books.
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
This witch book is more of a historical fantasy, but I also love history. It tells the story of a graduate student who, upon moving into her grandparents’ old home to renovate it, discovers a mysterious key containing a note tucked inside with only the name “Deliverance Dane”. Being a student of colonial history, she begins researching the name, uncovering evidence that Deliverance may be another accused witch of Salem. She also learns a startling secret, that Deliverance Dane may have been a real witch, and her “Physick Book” might still exist as the only recorded spell book, passed down from mother to daughter throughout history.
Connie embarks on a search to find this Physick Book, and prove that real witchcraft existed in Salem. But strange things begin to happen around Connie, and the search for the book takes on a whole new meaning. I was entranced by this story and found myself flying through the pages to find out what happened next. This book blended magic and history with the real world, and had me wishing, and maybe just believing, that I could be a witch if only I could find the Physick Book.
The Shattered Court
I read this book quite a few years back, and it was so good it stuck with me until now. It does have some graphic sexual scenes, so be aware of that. It begins with a royal court of witches in a place called Anglion. The detail in this book is astounding, and the description of magic and magical items really brings you into the world. The main character is Sophia Kendall who is far more powerful than anyone imagined. In Anglion witches are meant to help govern with softer magic; for example helping with crops and foretelling of weather and events. Sophia is a threat because her powers are unknown and unmatched, and when the royal court of Anglion falls to ruin she is on the run with a loyal guard named Cameron, together they embark on a dangerous journey.
This book is definitely an adventure full of betrayal, well described magical abilities, and love. Another thing that stuck out to me was the description of magic in the land, ley lines pulsing through the earth that the witches derive their power from. Throughout the book Sophia and Cameron both have to decide between being loyal to their kingdom or loyal to themselves. Sophia’s struggle with her powers and their love story comes to fruition in a cliffhanger ending which makes the reader yearn for more in this story. There are two more books in this series; The Forbidden Heir and The Unbound Queen which is set to release on April 28th of this year!
What Do You Think?
We hope you enjoyed this installment of Best Things for Fantasy Nerds! Did you like our list? Did we leave anything out? Let us know in the comments below! If you are interested in any of the books, click here to view the our list on bookshop.org and support local bookstores! As an affiliate, we do earn if you make any purchases. If you prefer to buy from Amazon, just click the photos throughout the post for the Amazon link. If you like our blog feel free to buy us a coffee, we promise to share!
-Clever&WTF
