Best Fantasy Books about Witches (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Finding the best fantasy books about witches starts with the reader in front of you: a cozy-romance fan wants a different witch than a reader who likes their magic with chills. We compared five witchy fantasies by premise, series position, publication date and format, so you can match the book to the reader.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Dark Root Witches by Aasheim	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Horseshoe Witches by Skeleton	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	All Souls Trilogy Boxed Set	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Love's a Witch by O'Malley	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Salt & Broom by Fisher	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Dark Root Witches by Aasheim

April Aasheim·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A contemporary witchy fantasy, Book 1 of 5 in the Daughters of Dark Root series, for readers who like family secrets and small-town magic.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 5 in the Daughters of Dark Root series
• The description sets up a witch returning to a dying magical town
• Publication date of May 31, 2013 is stated

Cons

• No page count is stated
• Mature themes (demons, death) appear in the description
• Part of a long series, so the story continues past this book

2

Horseshoe Witches by Skeleton

Blue Skeleton·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A coming-of-age witch fantasy, Book 1 of 3, with a magic system built on music.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in the Witches of the Horseshoe series
• Coming-of-age story with a music-based magic system
• Publication date of February 18, 2020 is stated

Cons

• No page count is stated
• Mature themes (violence, death) appear in the description
• Skim the description before buying for a young reader

3

All Souls Trilogy Boxed Set

Deborah Harkness·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 1760-page boxed set of the All Souls trilogy, from Penguin Books.

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Pros

• 1760 pages: three books
• Boxed set format
• Penguin Books

Cons

• Trilogy commitment
• 2015: an older pick
• No safety certification stated

4

Love's a Witch by O'Malley

Tricia O'Malley·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A witch returns to a small Scottish town to break a family curse and clashes with its grumpy mayor, suiting readers who want cozy romance with magic.

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Pros

• The listing states a Deluxe edition with 320 pages, published August 26, 2025
• The description says the paperback has sprayed edges
• Its small-town setting and witch-and-mayor pairing are clear from the description

Cons

• Book 1 of 2 in The Scottish Charms, so the second book is needed to finish
• Romance is central, and the description calls it a romantasy
• No fall setting is named; the autumn link is a pumpkin spice café comparison

5

Salt & Broom by Fisher

Sharon Lynn Fisher·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Jane Eyre-inspired novel with witchcraft and romance, suited to readers who like gothic historical fiction.

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Pros

• Jane Eyre-inspired premise for classic-fiction readers
• 287 pages, published 2023
• Standalone novel, not part of a series

Cons

• The description includes romance and a threatening force; check content for younger readers
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Fantasy elements may not suit purists of the genre

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More picks to compare

• Some Kind of Haunted by BeckCozy horror romance, 368 pages, first in a duologyCheck on Amazon
• Irregular Witches by MandannaDeluxe edition with a bonus epilogue, 368 pagesCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a witchy-fantasy reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five listings states a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy books about witches

Start at Book 1 of the series

Two picks open a series: The Witches of Dark Root is Book 1 of 5 in the Daughters of Dark Root series, and Witches of the Horseshoe is Book 1 of 3. Start with the first book even if a later cover catches your eye, since the description builds on the family and town setup. If series are your thing, our best fantasy series magic list has more to follow.

Match the mood to the reader

Cozy romance readers get Love’s a Witch, a cozy fantasy romance with a witch lead. Readers who like coming-of-age stories with darker edges get Witches of the Horseshoe, whose description names a ruthless killer and dead parents, so preview it for a young reader. For more spell-heavy options, see our best fantasy books about magic list.

Before you buy

• Check the series number: The Witches of Dark Root is Book 1 of 5 and Witches of the Horseshoe is Book 1 of 3; start there.
• The All Souls listing is the trilogy boxed set, not a single volume.
• None of the five listings states a reading age; read the description for themes before buying for a young reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start the Daughters of Dark Root series?

With The Witches of Dark Root, which the listing gives as Book 1 of 5 in the Daughters of Dark Root series.

Is Witches of the Horseshoe a standalone?

No. The listing gives it as Book 1 of 3 in the Witches of the Horseshoe series.

Which pick is a box set?

The All Souls Trilogy Boxed Set, which collects the trilogy in one box rather than a single volume.

Still deciding? Our top pickDark Root Witches by Aasheim

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Related lists

See every fantasy and romantasy list and all fiction lists. Also see our best fantasy books about magic.

More lists: fantasy books, fantasy series magic.