These Witches Don't Burn

Hannah is a teenage Elemental Witch living in Salem, Massachusetts, where she must keep her magical abilities hidden from non-magical people known as Regs. She works at a tourist shop while balancing school, witch training, and navigating life after a difficult breakup with another witch from her coven. When signs of dark magic begin appearing around Salem, Hannah suspects a Blood Witch may be behind the disturbances. She teams up with Morgan, a new girl in town, to investigate the dangerous magical activity while trying to maintain her cover and keep her ex-girlfriend Veronica from interfering. As the threats escalate and more evidence emerges, Hannah faces mounting pressure from her coven leaders and family to identify the source of the dark magic. The investigation forces her to confront both supernatural dangers and personal challenges as she protects her community. The story explores themes of identity, trust, and the weight of responsibility through the lens of a contemporary magical world that exists in parallel with mundane society. Sterling's reimagining of Salem witch culture addresses questions of power and secrecy in modern America.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced YA fantasy that balances witch lore with teen romance and murder mystery elements. Positive feedback focuses on: - Authentic LGBTQ+ representation and normalized queer relationships - Detailed magic system and witch traditions - Mix of light romance with darker thriller elements - Strong friendship dynamics - Salem, MA setting and atmosphere Common criticisms include: - Predictable plot twists - Underdeveloped side characters - Romance drama overshadowing the mystery - Main character making frustrating decisions Multiple readers noted the protagonist could be "immature" and "self-absorbed," while others defended these traits as realistic for a teen character. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) BookTube reviews average 3.5-4/5 One frequent comment from positive reviews: "Perfect for fans of Halloweentown who want a darker edge." Most negative reviews cite the romance drama as the weakest element.

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🌙 Author Isabel Sterling identifies as queer and drew from her own experiences to create authentic LGBTQ+ representation in the novel ⚡ The book is set in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts, where real witches secretly live alongside regular citizens, mirroring the historical significance of the location 🔮 Sterling researched various forms of witchcraft to create the novel's magic system, which divides witches into distinct categories: Elementals, Blood, Casters, and Healers 📚 The novel was originally written during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), where authors challenge themselves to write 50,000 words in 30 days 🌿 The protagonist Hannah's magical abilities as an Elemental witch were inspired by the classical elements (earth, air, fire, and water) found in many ancient cultures and magical traditions