A Cauldron of Bewitching Books

From the Wicked Witch of the West to Hermione Granger, literature is brimming with amazing and unforgettable witches.  The powerful women in these four recent fantasy novels are an eclectic mix.  You'll find no pointy hats, brooms or green skin on these modern magicians.  Some of them use their talents for good, some for evil and some just to spice up their love lives.

Claire Waverley's ability to brew powerful recipes is a real boon for her catering business and her love life in Garden Spells, a moving and funny piece of magical realism from Sarah Addison Allen that I just couldn't put down.

Alluring vampires, kidnapping and time travel are all in Dr. Diana Bishop's future when she discovers an ancient spellbound manuscript that forces her to embrace her magical gifts. A Discovery of Witches is the first book in Deborah Harkness' All Souls trilogy and I found it really addictive.

In Jessica Spotswood's teen novel, Born Wicked, Cate Cahill and her sisters live in an alternate turn-of-the-century New England and are descended from a long line of witches.  An ancient prophecy predicts one of the sisters rising to power amidst the destruction of the family.  Can they hide their true identities from the oppressive reign of The Brotherhood and work together to change what has been foreseen?  This is also the first of a trilogy.

In World War II, Evelyn Harbinger mixed witchcraft with espionage to advance the Allied cause alongside her mortal true love, Jonah.  Now, decades later, Evelyn disguises her age and falls for a younger man who she believes is Jonah reincarnated.  Despite the disapproval of her coven, she can't seem to resist the fascination in Petty Magic.