Witchy YA for the Samhain Season - Halloween Spooktacular

Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

Hodder Books 2015

Set in an alternative 16th Century England. Elizabeth Gray is a witch hunter; part of the king’s elite guard, until she is falsely accused of witchcraft and sentenced to burn. Broken out of jail by a mysterious group of magicians she begins to question her loyalties. This is the first in a new historical fantasy series; dark, thrilling and romantic. 

Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb

Corgi 2012

This is the first in a trilogy and believe me you’ll want to read them all. Meg Lytton is in service to the banished Tudor Princess Elizabeth who begs Meg to use her power to tell the future. It is a very dangerous time to practise witchcraft and Meg has caught the eye of a local witchfinder and a handsome young priest in training. This is a book full of action and power and a great series.

Conversion by Katherine Howe

Oneworld 2014

This is a dual time tale revisiting the Salem witch trials and also featuring a contemporary mystery of a strange illness at St Joan’s Academy, an exclusive private school for girls. Why are students suddenly falling ill? Is it stress? Infection? Student Colleen has been reading The Crucible and she wonders is it witchcraft?

Hollow Pike by James Dawson

Orion 2012

Lis London moves to Hollow Pike expecting the countryside to be dull, but Lis keeps dreaming that someone is trying to kill her and when she discovers the local legends about witchcraft she starts to get really scared. This is a thrilling, twisty and spooky tale.

Crow Moon by Anna McKerrow

Quercus 2015

This is a fantastic future dystopia featuring witches in the beautiful South West of England. Danny is 16 and bored with his Mum’s witchcraft. He sets off across the moors looking for adventure and instead meets a girl. Full of thrills, action, adventure and romance. I loved this book and can’t wait to see what the author writes next.

The Merrybegot by Julie Hearn

OUP 2005

Nell is the daughter of the local cunning women and that means she is not only poor but an object of suspicion. When the minister’s daughters start spitting pins there are rumours of witchcraft and all eyes turn to Nell. With Witch-finder General Matthew Hopkins on his way how will Nell escape the noose?

Montacute House by Lucy Jago

Bloomsbury 2011

Cess is just thirteen when she is accused of bewitching her friend William. Caught up in a plot that involves magic, intrigue, murder and mystery. This is a well told and fast paced tale that younger and older teens will really enjoy.

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

Hodder Books 2012

This book was one of the first I read in a new wave of Urban Fantasy set in a realistic contemporary Britain. Anna Winterson has no idea about the traditions of witches and she certainly has no clue that she is one. She is much more focused on fitting in having moved to a new town with her Dad. This is exciting, compelling storytelling.

The Crowham Martyrs by Jane McLoughlin

Catnip Books 2015

A spooky tale of ghosts, demons, witches and mystery all set in a gothic boarding school. Maddy sees things no-one else can and when students begin to disappear and no-one is asking why, Maddy knows she will need to do some investigating of her own, but plagued by nightmares and visions does she really want to learn the secret of The Crowham martyrs?

Half Bad by Sally Green

Penguin 2014

Nathan is locked in a cage; beaten and brutalised, half Black Witch half White Witch he is an unknown quantity and cannot be trusted. This is a book about war, magic and power with an incredible narrative voice, it is dark, gritty and intense. Amazing.