Fiction’s Most Fearless Witches With A Fire Of Feminism Within

These ten fiction books showcase complex and fierce witch characters who don’t just wield magic but challenge the system and reclaim narratives. They personify the spirit of modern feminism in all its powerful and unapologetic forms.

“Circe” By Madeline Miller

Circe is a goddess and witch who refuses to remain a footnote in men’s legends. Banished to an island, she transforms solitude into sovereignty and embraces her power without apology. Her story becomes her act of resistance.

“The Once And Future Witches” By Alix E. Harrow

In Harrow’s world, three sisters ignite a revolution by reviving lost spells when women are denied both the right to vote and to practice magic. Their defiance restores witchcraft as a tool of female empowerment and collective liberation.

“The Witch’s Heart” By Genevieve Gornichec

After defying Odin, Angrboda loses everything but gains profound insight. Her exile leads to a quiet yet mighty resilience as she raises children fated to end the world. Angrboda’s strength lies in defiance and fiercely protective love.

“Witches Steeped In Gold” By Ciannon Smart

Raised in rival legacies, Ira and Jazmyne represent contrasting ambitions. One seeks vengeance, the other revolution. Both challenge the systems that shaped them and prove that feminism thrives even among enemies when power structures are questioned.

“Practical Magic” By Alice Hoffman

Sally and Gillian Owens once ran from their family’s magical legacy. But when danger calls, they return and embrace the power they once feared. Through sisterhood and survival, they rewrite the story of cursed women everywhere.

“Baba Yaga Laid An Egg” By Dubravka Ugresic

A witch is defined as a symbol of aging and female autonomy with mythic power in this reimagination of Baba Yaga by Ugresic. Far from evil, she becomes a force that embodies wisdom, irreverence, and resistance to cultural erasure.

“The Bear And The Nightingale” By Katherine Arden

Snow drapes the village as Vasilisa communes with spirits long forgotten. Her defiance of imposed religion and gender roles is quiet but fierce. In the chill of winter, she burns brightly with ancient, feminine magic.

“Labyrinth Lost” By Zoraida Córdova

Alex tries to escape her fate but must confront it to restore her family. Rejecting her own magic would mean losing everyone she loves. Alex’s queerness and courage form the heart of her journey toward self-acceptance.

“The Nature Of Witches” By Rachel Griffin

As told by Rachel Griffin, witches balance nature’s chaos. But Clara’s magic is unstable. As seasons shift, so does her identity. Her emotional growth parallels environmental collapse and reminds us that internal strength can be the most regenerative force.

“A Discovery Of Witches” By Deborah Harkness

Diana Bishop’s character begins as a reluctant witch who suppresses her gifts. Gradually, she becomes a historian, a warrior, and a matriarch. Her journey builds toward full empowerment to show that magic is strongest when rooted in self-trust.