| Genre | Contemporary young adult fiction |
| Themes | Witchcraft and magic in history • Persecution and secrecy • Resistance and legacy • Identity and belonging • Wielding arcane power • Personal and societal costs |
| Setting | Worlds with hidden magical societies and lineages |
| Protagonists | Teens discovering hidden powers |
In this alternate timeline, the genre of young adult fiction exploring themes of witchcraft, magic, and the supernatural is markedly different from its contemporary counterparts in our own world. This is because the concept of "witchcraft" is not just a fictional trope, but grounded in a long and complex history of real-world persecution, secrecy, and resistance.
Beginning in the late Middle Ages and continuing through the early modern period, a series of widespread "witch hunts" swept across Europe and North America, resulting in the executions of tens of thousands of people - predominantly women - accused of practicing witchcraft. These witch trials were fueled by a combination of religious fundamentalism, patriarchal power structures, xenophobia, and fear of the unknown.
Though the historical record shows that the vast majority of those condemned as "witches" were innocent people, the legacy of this dark period has cast a long shadow. Diverse magical and spiritual traditions that had existed for centuries went deep underground, forced to hide from persecution. Paganism, Shamanism, Hermeticism, Alchemy, and other arcane arts were driven into the margins, where they continued to be practiced in secret.
It is against this backdrop that contemporary young adult fiction exploring themes of witchcraft and the occult takes place in this alternate timeline. Rather than the lighthearted, fantastical depictions common in our world, these stories tend to be more grounded in the weight of historical trauma and the fragile, high-stakes existence of hidden magical societies.
Teen protagonists in these works often find themselves unexpectedly discovering their own untapped magical abilities - whether it's telekinesis, divination, herbalism, or something more esoteric. But rather than reveling in their newfound powers, they must grapple with the responsibility and peril that comes with them. They are forced to navigate the complex, sometimes dangerous world of covens, guilds, and magical lineages that have persisted in the shadows, often at great personal cost.
A common thread running through this subgenre is the protagonist's struggle to reconcile their magical identity with the mundane, "normal" world they inhabit. They must keep their powers hidden to avoid persecution, even from their own families and communities. This breeds feelings of isolation, alienation, and a yearning to find their true place in the world.
Additionally, these stories frequently explore the personal and societal consequences of wielding arcane power. Protagonists must weigh the allure and potential of their abilities against the risk of being consumed by them, or of becoming targets for those who seek to control or destroy them. The clash between the magical and mundane realms often results in life-or-death stakes, as ancient conflicts and power struggles spill over into the everyday lives of young people.
Ultimately, witchcraft-themed young adult fiction in this alternate timeline serves as a powerful metaphor for the universal human experiences of discovering one's true self, finding belonging, and grappling with the burdens of adulthood. But it does so through the lens of a tangible, historically-grounded magical underground - a hidden world that has persisted for centuries, awaiting those brave enough to enter it.
