The impact on the story and other characters is crucial. A witch who changes the course of the story or has a great influence on other characters can be seen as a top - tier fictional witch. For instance, Ursula in 'The Little Mermaid' completely changes Ariel's story. Her devious plans and powerful magic make her a significant and well - known witch in fiction.
Power is a big factor. A witch with strong and diverse magical abilities, like being able to cast powerful spells or control elements, can be considered great. For example, Maleficent from 'Sleeping Beauty' has very strong dark magic.
One of the best witch books in fiction is 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It follows the story of Harry Potter, a young wizard, and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The world - building is incredible, with detailed descriptions of magic, spells, and the wizarding world. Another great one is 'The Witches' by Roald Dahl. It has a unique and somewhat dark take on witches. Then there's 'Practical Magic' by Alice Hoffman which focuses on the lives of the Owens sisters who are witches and their struggle with love and magic in a small town.
One of the great ones is 'Practical Magic' by Alice Hoffman. It tells the story of the Owens sisters who are witches. It has a beautiful blend of magic, family, and love, with a touch of the everyday struggles that come with being different in a normal world.
A really popular contemporary witch fiction book is 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of the witch Circe from Greek mythology in a very vivid and fresh way. Circe's journey of self - discovery and her use of magic is beautifully written. Also, 'The Witches of New York' by Ami McKay is a great read. It's set in 19th - century New York and shows the lives of three witches in a very atmospheric and detailed setting.
One of the best witch fictions is 'Harry Potter' series. It has a richly detailed magical world with witches like Hermione Granger, who is intelligent and powerful. Another is 'The Witching Hour' by Anne Rice. It delves deep into the world of witches, their powers and their complex family dynamics. Also, 'Practical Magic' is a great example. It tells a story of two witch sisters and their journey in a small town filled with magic and mystery.
Definitely 'Good Omens' by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman has some great witch - like characters. It's a humorous and thought - provoking take on the battle between good and evil. 'The Once and Future Witches' by Alix E. Harrow is also a must - read. It's about three sisters who are witches and their fight for women's rights in a world that doesn't accept their magic. And 'The Witch Elm' by Tana French, while not strictly about witches in a traditional sense, has elements of the supernatural that make it an interesting addition to the genre.
Another one might be 'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness. It has a great mix of history, magic, and a bit of romance. The world - building in this book is quite detailed, with different types of witches and their powers. It follows a historian who discovers she is a witch herself and gets involved in a world she didn't know existed. There are old libraries filled with magical books, and a complex web of relationships between different magical beings.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is another top pick. It combines elements of history, magic, and mystery. The story follows a witch who discovers a long - lost manuscript, which sets off a chain of events full of mystery and danger, as she also gets involved with a vampire.
Well, 'Hex Hall' is a really good young adult witch fiction book. It has a fun and engaging plot with a likable main character who discovers she's a witch and has to navigate a school for supernatural beings. 'A Discovery of Witches' is also worth mentioning. It combines elements of historical fiction with witchcraft. The main character, a witch, gets involved in a complex story that spans different time periods. Also, 'The Witchlands' series offers a richly imagined world where witches play a central role, with lots of action and political intrigue.
I would say 'A Discovery of Witches' is a must - read too. It's a great book for those who like a long - form story with a lot of depth. You get to follow the main character's journey as she discovers her powers and falls in love all while learning about a hidden world of magic. The story is well - paced and the characters are very well - developed.
With 'Good Omens', the unique aspect regarding the witches is their role in the grand scheme of the apocalypse. They are quirky and add a touch of chaos to the whole plot. 'Hex Hall' stands out with its boarding - school - for - supernaturals concept. The witches there have different powers and personalities, and the school setting creates a lot of drama and mystery. In 'The Night Circus', the witch - like characters' unique feature is that their magic is intertwined with the circus itself. The circus is a living, breathing entity because of their magic, and it creates a very immersive and dreamy atmosphere.