6 Books About Witches In Urban Settings
When magic seeps into city streets, sparks fly, covens thrive, and love might just require more than a simple charm. Urban witch books transport readers to a world where modern skyscrapers meet ancient spells, creating a heady blend of enchantment and danger. These stories are filled with fierce witches, shadowy secrets, and romance that burns hotter than a cauldron. If you’re ready to step into magical mayhem, here are six witchy reads that will cast their spell on you.
1. The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith
🗽 A spellbinding tale set in 1911 New York City.
Frances Hallowell didn’t expect her life as a seamstress to be filled with murder and hidden magic. But when she accidentally kills a man who attacks her, she’s whisked away to Haxahaven Academy—a secret school for witches posing as a girls’ finishing school.
💭 Why you’ll love it: The intoxicating mix of gritty urban life, a mysterious magic society, and a slow-burn romance makes this a page-turner. Frances’s journey from grief to empowerment is one you won’t forget.
2. The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
🏙️ A witch grappling with her powers amidst a climate crisis.
Clara is an Everwitch, one of the rare witches who can control all four seasons. But in an urban world torn by environmental chaos, her magic becomes dangerous and unpredictable. With the help of a handsome tutor, Clara must master her power before it destroys everything she loves.
💭 Why it’s captivating: Griffin’s lush descriptions of magic and weather collide beautifully with high-stakes romance. Clara’s journey of self-acceptance is raw and relatable.
3. Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
🌌 A magical revenge plot with a sprinkle of love.
Emmy Harlow is a witch who left her hometown, Thistle Grove, to escape the magical politics and heartbreak. When she returns for a spell-casting tournament, she finds herself entangled in a vengeance-fueled plot—and maybe even in love.
💭 Why you’ll adore it: Think Practical Magic meets Mean Girls with a fierce bisexual romance at its core. The small-town-meets-magical-drama vibe is irresistible.
4. Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
⚔️ Forbidden love between a witch and a witch hunter.
Louise Le Blanc has hidden her magic in the bustling city of Cesarine, where witches are hunted and burned. But when she’s forced into a marriage with Reid Diggory, a witch hunter who despises her kind, sparks fly in all the wrong—and right—ways.
💭 Why it’s unforgettable: The enemies-to-lovers dynamic sizzles with tension, while the city backdrop adds grit and danger. Lou’s fierce personality and wit make her one of the most compelling witches in fantasy.
5. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
🌉 A dystopian world where clairvoyance and magic collide.
Paige Mahoney works for a criminal syndicate in Scion London, where using magic is illegal. When she’s captured and taken to a brutal prison, Paige must learn to harness her rare abilities and navigate a treacherous world filled with political intrigue and forbidden magic.
💭 Why you’ll love it: The blend of dystopian urban chaos, powerful witchy abilities, and a slow-burn romance keeps the stakes high. Paige’s resilience will have you rooting for her from page one.
6. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
📚 A scholarly witch, an ancient vampire, and forbidden love.
Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch, uncovers an ancient manuscript in Oxford’s library. Her discovery thrusts her into the center of a dangerous magical war—and into the path of Matthew Clairmont, a brooding vampire.
💭 Why it’s magical: The combination of academic settings, historical intrigue, and sizzling chemistry between Diana and Matthew is utterly enchanting. This book is for anyone who loves slow-burn romance with a side of dark magic.
Which Urban Witchy Tale Casts the Most Powerful Spell? 🧙♀️🔮
Do you have a favorite book where witches work their magic in city streets or hidden alleys? Share your enchanting recommendations—we’re always brewing up our next great read! ✨
