For the teen navigating the complexities of first love, heartbreak, and discovering their true identity, this book offers a thrilling ride through a world of secret magic and self-discovery.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the messy emotions of first love, breakups, and identity, especially if they are looking for powerful representation within a fun genre. "These Witches Don't Burn" is a thrilling contemporary fantasy about Hannah, a teenage witch in modern-day Salem. While dealing with a painful breakup with her ex-girlfriend, she must also uncover the source of dark magic that threatens her entire witch coven. The story masterfully blends a suspenseful mystery with themes of trust, loyalty, and self-acceptance. It's an excellent choice for a teen who loves fantasy and mystery, offering a powerful, confident lesbian protagonist whose story is about magic and saving her community, not just her identity.
Kissing and romantic affection between two teen girls. No explicit content.
LanguageMild
Occasional use of mild curse words common in YA fiction.
Sensitive Topics
The book features a prominent and positive F/F romance. The protagonist's lesbian identity is central to her character but is not a source of conflict or trauma; it is fully accepted. The story deals directly with violence, including magical attacks, a bombing, and injuries. There are several character deaths, presented as tragic but necessary stakes for the mystery plot. The resolution is hopeful for the main character's relationships but ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the sequel.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a teen, aged 14 to 17, who loves fast-paced urban fantasy, paranormal mysteries, and stories with strong romantic subplots. It is particularly perfect for a reader seeking LGBTQ+ representation in genre fiction where the character's queerness is a normalized part of their world, not the central conflict they must overcome.
Parent Prep
A parent should be aware of the on-page romance between teen girls, which includes kissing and affection. The violence can be intense at times, with descriptions of magical attacks, a fire, and death. A parent might want to preview the climax for intensity if their teen is sensitive to peril. Otherwise, the book can be read cold as it is set in our world. A parent hears their teen expressing a desire for fantasy or mystery books that feature queer characters in the lead role, or lamenting that such characters often only exist in coming-out stories rather than adventures.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect most with the exciting magical mystery, the clear good vs. evil conflict, and the romantic drama between Hannah, Veronica, and Morgan. An older teen (15-18) will also appreciate the deeper themes of what it means to belong to a community, the weight of responsibility, and the nuances of forgiveness and trust in relationships.
What Makes It Special
This book's key differentiator is its effortless integration of a queer romance into a mainstream YA fantasy mystery. Unlike many stories where a character's LGBTQ+ identity is the primary plot driver, here it is an established, accepted fact. This allows the narrative to focus on the magic, action, and suspense, providing powerful, incidental representation that normalizes queer identity within a high-stakes, entertaining story.
Read plot summary
Hannah Walsh is an Elemental witch living in Salem, Massachusetts, trying to get over a recent, messy breakup with fellow witch Veronica. Her summer plans are interrupted by strange magical occurrences and signs of a dangerous Blood Witch in her town. When a cute new girl named Morgan starts working at the same shop, Hannah finds herself torn between a potential new romance and the lingering connection she has with her ex. Hannah and Veronica must put aside their differences to hunt the Blood Witch, who is targeting members of their coven and threatening to expose magic to the non-magical world.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Hannah struggles with whether to trust her instincts about people, especially after her breakup with Veronica. How did her past hurt influence her decisions about Morgan and her willingness to work with Veronica again?
2
The witches' council has strict rules about hiding magic from non-magical people (Regs). Do you think their rules are justified? Why or why not? Discuss a moment where Hannah had to decide whether to follow the rules or break them.
3
The story contrasts Elemental magic with Blood magic. What do these different types of magic say about power, sacrifice, and community? Why do you think the coven feared Blood magic so much?
4
Near the end of the book, Hannah learns a secret that changes her understanding of her family and her own power. How do you think this discovery will affect her in the future? Did you agree with the choice she made in the final confrontation?
