Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Witty, gripping, and tinged with mysticism, Caroline O’Donoghue’s YA debut All Our Hidden Gifts weaves an alluring tale of tarot cards, hidden magic, and modern Irish history. Centering on a relatable heroine navigating peer drama and a supernatural mystery, this highly engaging novel seamlessly explores gender identity and systemic change.
Set against the vivid, atmospheric backdrop of the Depression-era Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy’s The Witch of Tin Mountain is a hauntingly dark, dual-timeline gothic novel. Rich in folklore, suspense, and generational secrets, the story follows two young women battling prejudice, cult-like religious fervor, and deep-seated trauma. Perfect for high school readers who love historical thrillers with a supernatural edge.
Reimagining the legendary Baba Yaga as an immortal half-goddess healer, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore’s The Witch and the Tsar plunges readers into a spellbinding historical fantasy set in 16th-century Russia. Striking an unlikely alliance to save her land from the dark forces manipulating Ivan the Terrible, Yaga battles political intrigue and age-old tyrants. A richly atmospheric, captivating read that provides a refreshing exploration of early Russian history for high school collections.
Step into the shadows of the overgrown woods! When young Zoey saves a friendly feline from her unkind, witchy neighbor, she unlocks a dangerous web of sinister magic. A spooky adventure that blends classic gothic atmosphere with unexpected twists that will keep cat lovers hooked.
Three eras, one blood-drinking entity. The Bewitching weaves a multi-generational horror tale across 1900s Mexico, 1930s Massachusetts, and a 1998 graduate research project. As a dark indigenous force called the teyolloquani stalks three generations of women, the power of storytelling becomes their only shield. It’s a complex, atmospheric mystery that explores trauma, privilege, and the survival of cultural memory.