Seven top titles about witches and badass covens

Kim DeRose writes dark, magical stories about strong, magical girls.

She grew up in Santa Barbara, California, where she spent childhood summers reading books and writing stories (which she was convinced her local bookstore would publish). She now lives in New York City, where she spends all seasons reading books and writing stories.

DeRose earned her MFA in film directing from UCLA, and currently works in digital media.

When she’s not reading or writing she can be found listening to podcasts on long walks, drinking endless cups of coffee, and spending time with her family.

For Girls Who Walk Through Fire is her debut novel.

At CrimeReads DeRose tagged seven books for those who "can’t get enough of witches and adore badass covens," including:

Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Sisters. Witches. The suffragist movement. Set in an alternate reality where witches are real but have been outlawed, the three estranged Eastwood sisters—Beatrice Belladonna, Agnes Amaranth, and Juniper James—reunite in New Salem and use their illicit magic to form a secret coven and help bring women’s power back into the world. All three sisters are completely badass in their own individual ways, and they relentlessly pursue the magic and power that is their—and every women’s—birthright. I loved the diverse range of women who joined their coven, and the inclusion of queer characters. Once I dove into the Eastwood sisters’ world, I didn’t want to leave.

Read about the other entries on the list.

The Once and Future Witches is among Mark Skinner's twenty top witch lit titles, Sarah Pinsker's five SFF books that showcase siblings at their core, and Heather Walter's five SFF books about wicked women.

--Marshal Zeringue