By Shianne Henion | October 29, 2021
It’s that time of the year where vampires are awoken from their crypts, demons spawn from other worlds, and faeries switch human babies with ones with horns. You heard me, it’s spooky season! And what better way to enjoy the autumn leaves than with books that will make you wish you were one of these creatures. Light a candle, grab a fluffy blanket, a mug of pumpkin spice coffee, and cozy up in your favorite recliner with one of these fun stories.
I have separated these books into six categories: Witches, Vampires, Ghosts, Magic, Faeries, and Demons. There is a book here for any spooky mood you desire.
Witches:
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
In this rich enemies-to-lovers story set in the world of Belterra, readers follow the story of Louise Le Blanc after she escapes her coven and a near-death experience. In a quick opportunity, Louise marries a witch hunter to keep herself protected from the coven’s wrath. Together, the two of them have to navigate their unsteady marriage. There is just one thing: her identity is a secret.
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
‘The Black Witch’ is a wonderous book full of witches, werewolves, kelts, and dragons. Elloren Gardner is the daughter of a powerful witch who stopped the Realm War in previous history. The only problem? She has no
magic, and in this world where magic gives you societal claims, Elloren is brought down again and again. Elloren hopes for change when she goes to Verpax University to study apothecary. Only, she is met with even more challenges than she dealt with before. Where can Elloren find safety? In the last place she ever expected.
Vampires:
The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh
Set in the dazzling 1870s, our protagonist Celine Rousseau flees to New Orleans after a rather traumatic experience in Paris, France. She associates herself with the La Cour des Lions, a secret organization where she catches the eye of the enchanting Sebastien Saint Germain, who is basically royalty in the organization. Only, Celine does not know about the nighttime affairs Sebastien and his team participate in. Or what they are.
Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite. Edited by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker.
In this short story bind-up, 11 vampirous stories are told in revolutionary ways, featuring well-known authors such as V.E. Schwab and Julie Murphy. Experience vampires with a variety of differences, including ones who are queer, that are rebellious, and those who seek adventure.
Ghosts / Possessions:
Cemetery Boys by Aidan Thomas
In this beautiful story of a young, transgender boy named Yadriel, discover a wondrous story of a family filled with ghost summoners who call themselves brujx. Their jobs include putting the dead to rest and making sure they do not stay stuck in the in-between of life and death. When a fellow brujo is tragically murdered, Yadriel accidentally summons the ghost of a classmate in an attempt to help his family.
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, nuns that care for the deceased so that their souls can pass onto the afterlife. If they aren’t laid to rest, they can become ravenous ghosts who haunt the living. When her convent is attacked, Artemisia awakens an evil and ancient spirit to defend it, only to be threatened with possession. This spirit is known as a revenant, and using its power almost kills her. But after someone does die, Artemisia has no choice but to turn back to that evil spirit and demand its help.
Magic:
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Once, the Maji used to walk Orisha with power. There were Maji for fire, for death, for consciousness, and many more. It was all taken away when the King of Lagos wreaked havoc, massacring the Maji clans. This is a world where magic has been taken away, and it is up to Zelie Adebola to get it back. Follow Zelie as she undergoes rigorous tasks to retrieve the magic that was taken from them, and also see from the eyes of those who wish her dead.
Thorn by Intisar Khanani
Princess Alyrra has lived a hard, silent life. Her brother torments her whenever possible, and her mother believes she is as worthless as frizzled silk. But when Prince Kestrin of Menaiya offers a proposal, the Queen is eager to send Alyrra out of her kingdom. In this retelling of “Goose Girl”, Alyrra is tricked by a wicked sorceress and switches places with the one who hates her most: Valka, the daughter of a nobleman. She learns of a newfound freedom, all the while seeking justice against the sorceress.
Faeries/ Folklore:
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
As far as betrayal goes, “The Cruel Prince” is the king of it. Jude Duarte is forced to move to Elfhame when Madoc, a brutal War General for the royal court, murders Jude’s parents. She and her sisters, Taryn and Vivienne, have to learn to navigate the ruthless life that the fair folk live. Seventeen years pass until Jude decides enough is enough and seeks to prove herself as more than a mere mortal. Especially when it comes to Cardan Greenbriar, who has taunted her for years. You will see just how chaotic things get once Jude faces life or death situations, and how she thinks herself out of them.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
The world of the Martial Empire is dangerous. There is no safety for those who aren’t of the Martial race, and they exist in eternal torment of slavery and fear. When Laia escapes raiders who destroy her house, she joins the resistance and sneaks into the Martial Academy as a housemaid of the most notoriously vicious Commandant, Keris Veturia. Throughout the series, creatures of all tales come and aid/antagonize Laia as she seeks to destroy the Martial Empire from the inside out.
Demons:
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
When Emilia Di Carlo’s sister is brutally murdered, she takes fate into her own hands and seeks out a deal with one of the princes of hell: Prince Wrath. She has been warned against his kind, but in dire times of grief and desperation, she will do anything to find the killer of her sister, even if it means making a deal that seals her life away to the Kingdom of the Wicked. In this tale, Wrath gives her clues and details that are meant to help her find her sister’s killer. Vengeance is a high price to desire, and Emilia pays for it each time.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
She is a girl who wished to be forgotten. So, forgotten is what she became. In 1700s France, Addie LaRue makes a bargain with an immortal named Luc. With an urge to escape her life, Luc turns Addie into a visible ghost. Every person she meets will forget her the instant she walks away. But nearly 300 years later, Addie’s life is suddenly jarring when someone remembers her.
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