Creature Spotlight: Witches

Creature Spotlight is a feature where I shine a light on a specific fantasy or paranormal creature that I love reading about, and series or books about them that I really enjoyed.

Today's creature is: Witches

Witches are quickly gaining ground in YA, but they've been around for as long as anyone can remember. I think witches are so popular because usually, they're just like regular people, except they have certain abilities or powers.

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Pages: 332
Publisher: Flux
Genre: YA Paranormal

Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.

To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

Witch Eyes is a must read for any witch fans! Definitely one of the best books this year. Scott Tracey is a great writer, and Witch Eyes really wowed me. Read it! :)

Witch Song by Amber Argyle

Pages: 305
Publisher: Rhemelda Publishing
Genre: YA Fantasy

The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

Witch Song was a beautifully written high fantasy about a different kind of witches--witches that controlled the elements by singing. It was a great read, and such a sweet romance!

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray
Pages: 254
Genre: YA Paranormal

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life.

So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out — and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they’ve met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.

I am the world's biggest fan girl for Hex. Seriously! I've become like its official cheerleader! I can't stop saying how much I love this book, because I just love it so much. Such a great book, and witty writing! BUY IT AND READ IT AND LOVE IT FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER. :D

Revealers by Amanda Marrone

Pages: 240
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Paranormal

Witchin' ain't easy.

Jules has a rebellious streak, a massive crush on Connor, and the abilities of a Revealer witch. By day, she and her coven friends seem like typical high school seniors. By night, they have the power to make werewolves, vampires, and ghosts reveal themselves, so they can destroy them. It's not exactly cheerleading, but at least the girls know they're doing the world some good.

One by one, Jules's friends turn eighteen and are initiated into the coven's inner circle. And one by one, they are getting completely freaked out. Jules is the youngest, and though her friends are too scared tell her what's going on, something's clearly not right. As her birthday approaches, Jules realizes she's got to find out what's behind the shadows of her coven before it's too late to save her friends...and herself. But what she discovers may be too powerful for even the toughest witches to defeat.

This is actually a bit of a throwback. Revealers came out in 2008, and that's when I read it. I really enjoyed it, because it's a different kind of witch story. It's set modern day, and it's not your typical bippity-boppity-boo story.

What do you think of witches in YA? Are there any books on here that you've read, and what did you think of them? Are there any witch stories not on here that you think should be? Let me know!