Katie Moench is a librarian, runner, and lover of baked goods. A school librarian in the Upper Midwest, Katie lives with her husband and dog and spends her free time drinking coffee, trying new recipes, and adding to her TBR.
Witches are an enduring fascination for all genres of books, from contemporary fiction to nonfiction, and romance to mystery. Whether the witches in the story are good, bad, or somewhere in between, readers eagerly devour witchy stories, especially in the fall. And for fans of historical fiction, witches can add aspects of magic and folklore to their favorite stories from the past.
This fall, why not read a book set in a time period you’re interested in exploring, while also mixing in some magical abilities? Below, you’ll find the novelized version of a real-life Salem woman accused of witchcraft, two magical sisters who run a tearoom in 1800s New York, a young woman trying to grapple with her haunted memories, and a governess brought in to thwart an ancient curse.
Whatever time in history you’re ready to travel to this fall, these historical fiction books featuring witches are sure to be a great read.
I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem by Maryse Condé, translated by Richard Philcox
Salem, Massachusetts, has long been associated with witchcraft and witch trials, and Condé’s book explores the life of one of the women accused of witchcraft who, until this book was published, had largely had her story erased. Tituba, a West Indian enslaved woman, was arrested in the roundup of witches and forgotten in jail until the amnesty for the accused came years later. Condé tells the story of Tituba’s life, from childhood to old age, envisioning her as a heroic figure.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
When Beatrice leaves her small town and answers the ad for a shopgirl at Tea and Sympathy, the tearoom run by Adelaide Thom and Eleanor St. Clair, she is plunged into the fast-paced and sometimes dangerous world of New York City in 1880. Under the tutelage of Adelaide and Eleanor, Beatrice finds that her magical gifts are more powerful than she had imagined, but even the magic of the sisters can not fully protect her from the darker forces present in the city.
Past Tense
Sign up for our weekly newsletter about historical fiction!
Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa
Amara is the Sri Lankan daughter of the village Capuwa, or demon-priest, a man who was once respected but, due to the influence of new religions brought by settlers, finds himself and his family cast out of their community. When men begin disappearing in the jungle, Amara’s father is blamed, and the villagers turn on him. Meanwhile, Amara is plagued by disturbing dreams and haunted by the voice of her mother begging that “no one can find out what happened.”
The Formidable Miss Cassidy by Meihan Boey
Scottish Miss Cassidy arrives in 1890s Singapore with skills that go beyond the usual tasks for a governess: she can fix a household crisis and calm even the most wild of children while also fighting off demons. Hired by wealthy widower Mr. Kay, Miss Cassidy finds herself trying to rid his family of an ancient curse that will force her to confront the darkest magic she has ever seen.
Looking for more witchy reads? Check out these new fall releases featuring witches and this list of the best witch books.
English (US) · 