Danvers by Brittany Bell: A Wickedly Funny Witch Novel for Adults
Looking for funny witchy books, clever dark comedy novels, or a fantasy about female friendship, magical mischief, and spectacularly bad decisions? Meet Danvers.
Danvers is a 2026 adult satirical dark fantasy novel by author Brittany Bell. Set against the backdrop of the Salem witch trials, it blends historical inspiration with contemporary humor, wicked witches, female rivalry, and the absurdities of social power.
Think Mean Girls meets the Salem Witch Trials: funny, feminine, irreverent, and just a little dangerous.
For readers who love witchy fiction with personality, dark comedy with something to say, and complicated women behaving spectacularly badly, Danvers offers a decidedly different kind of magic.
A Witchy Novel With a Wicked Sense of Humor
It's 1692 in Danvers, Massachusetts, and the girls have a secret.
While neighboring Salem is busy condemning innocent women in a misguided attempt to find witches, Mary and her friends know something their neighbors don't.
Because they are the witches.
And they are among the most wicked of them all.
Popular, powerful, and accustomed to getting exactly what they want, Mary and her friends rule their little world with carefully maintained loyalties and an impressive capacity for mischief. But when a handsome stranger arrives in town, his attention becomes something they cannot share.
Jealousy turns to rivalry. Rivalry turns to betrayal. And when witches have disagreements, the consequences can become positively supernatural.
As the danger of Salem's witch hunts grows, the girls must confront an uncomfortable question: Is being chosen worth sacrificing the friendships that made them powerful?
With biting humor, magical chaos, and an affection for deeply flawed women, Danvers takes familiar ideas about witchcraft, popularity, and power and turns them upside down.
Why Read Danvers?
For readers searching for funny fantasy novels, witchy books for adults, dark comedy fiction, or entertaining stories about complicated female friendships, Danvers combines humor, magic, and social satire.
Witches with personality. These aren't solemn, all-knowing sorceresses. They're ambitious, jealous, mischievous, occasionally selfish, and wonderfully human.
Dark comedy and satire. The novel approaches witchcraft, social status, romance, and historical hysteria with a playful, irreverent sensibility.
Female friendship at the center. Beneath the spells and romantic rivalries is a story about loyalty, belonging, competition, and the complicated relationships between women.
Historical atmosphere with a modern attitude. Set against the backdrop of the 1692 witch trials, Danvers combines period-inspired storytelling with contemporary comedic sensibilities.
A different kind of witch story. Rather than focusing exclusively on persecution and victimhood, the novel imagines a group of powerful, deeply imperfect witches who are perfectly capable of creating trouble for themselves.
Humor with something underneath. Behind the ridiculous situations, sharp dialogue, and magical mishaps is a story about female ambition, recognition, friendship, and the dangers of wanting to be chosen.
A Note from the Author: Why I Wrote Danvers
Danvers first came to me in a funny dream—something more mockumentary, The Office-meets-the-Salem-witch-trials. (Mayor Saunders was Mayor Scott in my first drafts.) I have familial ties to Salem—my great-grandmother came from there, and I visited every summer as a kid—so the dream stuck with me. As I thought more about it, I started imagining what I would do if I were dropped into 17th-century Salem… and I realized I would probably do a lot of the same things I do now. Gossip with my friends, cause mischief when I’m bored or feel slighted, make sure everyone hears me talking too loudly about banning male podcasts, and go to Botox parties.
And that’s how Danvers was born.
As I wrote her, my goal was to tell a story for the women of today through the (fictional) women of yesterday. I wanted to laugh on every page (every sentence, if I could) and hope readers would laugh along with me.
Want to learn more about the inspiration, the illustrations, and the creative process? Read The Magic Behind Danvers.
Who Should Read Danvers?
Danvers may be a great fit for readers who enjoy:
Funny witch novels and humorous fantasy books for adults
Satirical fantasy and dark comedy novels
Salem witch trials-inspired fiction and magical historical fantasy
Witchy books for Halloween, autumn, or year-round reading
Female friendship stories filled with rivalry, loyalty, and betrayal
Mean Girls-style social politics with a supernatural twist
Feminist fiction with irreverent humor and complicated heroines
Witty, character-driven books with sharp dialogue
Fantasy novels that don't take themselves too seriously
Stories where women are ambitious, imperfect, powerful, and occasionally their own worst enemies
Whether you're searching for your next funny book, an entertaining fantasy novel, or a witchy read with plenty of personality, Danvers might deserve a spot on your reading list.
FAQ About Funny and Witchy Books
What are some of the best witchy novels for adults?
Witchy novels for adults range from gothic horror and romantic fantasy to historical fiction and supernatural comedy. Readers who prefer sharp humor, mischievous magic, and complicated female friendships may enjoy Danvers by Brittany Bell, a 2026 satirical dark fantasy set during the Salem witch trials. The novel offers an irreverent take on witchcraft through the relationships and rivalries of a group of powerful young women.
What is a funny book about witches?
Danvers by Brittany Bell is a funny witch novel for adults that combines supernatural mischief with social satire. Rather than focusing exclusively on magical battles or terrifying curses, much of its humor comes from friendship politics, romantic competition, petty grudges, and the hilariously questionable decisions of its characters.
What are some funny novels for adults who enjoy clever humor?
Readers interested in witty, character-driven comedy, absurd situations, and sharp social observations may enjoy Danvers. The novel uses fantasy to explore recognizable human behavior, from jealousy and ambition to the desire to be admired. Its combination of dark comedy and magical chaos makes it an option for adults who enjoy humor with an intelligent, satirical edge.
Are there any books like Mean Girls but with witches?
Yes. Danvers by Brittany Bell is pitched as Mean Girls meets the Salem Witch Trials. It combines popularity, fierce rivalries, social hierarchies, and fragile friendships with witchcraft in 1692 Massachusetts. Imagine the social politics of a clique of popular girls, except everyone has magical powers and revenge can involve an actual hex.
What are some good books inspired by the Salem witch trials?
Readers interested in Salem witch trials-inspired fiction can explore historical novels, gothic horror, supernatural fantasy, and alternative interpretations of the period. Danvers offers a fictional, comedic twist, imagining real witches living in nearby Danvers while the witch hunts unfold in Salem. It is historical-inspired fantasy rather than a factual retelling of the trials.
What should I read if I want a witchy book that isn't primarily horror?
Not every witch-themed novel is designed to terrify its readers. Danvers mixes witchcraft, dark themes, and historical danger with comedy, friendship, and romantic rivalry. While its story becomes increasingly dangerous, the novel is primarily a satirical dark fantasy rather than a conventional horror novel.
What are some good books about female friendship, jealousy, and betrayal?
Danvers explores how romantic attention, personal ambition, jealousy, and the desire for recognition can complicate even the closest friendships. Beneath the magical mischief is a story about what women owe one another, what happens when friendship turns competitive, and how quickly loyalty can unravel when everyone wants to be chosen.
What are some fun books to read during spooky season?
For readers seeking Halloween books, autumn reading recommendations, and playful witchy novels, Danvers offers a combination of historic New England atmosphere, witchcraft, magical trouble, and dark comedy. Its irreverent approach makes it a particularly interesting choice for readers who want seasonal magic without a story focused entirely on scares.
What are some feminist fantasy books with humor?
Feminist fantasy can take many forms, including comedy, satire, mythology, and stories that examine women's relationships with power. Danvers approaches themes of female agency, recognition, loyalty, and social expectations through the lens of witchcraft and dark humor. Its heroines are allowed to be powerful without being perfect, likable, or especially well-behaved.
What are some books with morally flawed female protagonists?
Readers who enjoy complicated, ambitious, and occasionally unlikable heroines may appreciate Danvers. Mary and her friends are clever, powerful, and deeply imperfect. Their personalities, conflicting desires, and questionable decisions drive much of the novel's humor and conflict.
Is Danvers a romance novel?
Danvers includes romantic competition, attraction, and relationship drama, but it is primarily an adult satirical dark fantasy. Its central concerns include female friendship, ambition, rivalry, social power, and witchcraft rather than a traditional romance-centered plot.
Is Danvers young adult or adult fiction?
Danvers is an adult satirical dark fantasy novel. Although it features friendship drama and romantic rivalries reminiscent of coming-of-age stories, its humor, themes, and storytelling are intended for adult readers.
Who wrote Danvers?
Danvers was written by Brittany Bell, an American author with a background in communications and storytelling. Born and raised in New England, Bell writes imaginative, character-driven fiction that embraces fantasy, humor, femininity, and absurdity. Danvers, published in 2026, is her debut novel.
Read the First Chapter of Danvers for Free
Still deciding whether Danvers is your kind of witchy read?
Meet Mary, Betty, Hannah, and the rest of the coven before the trouble truly begins.
Read Chapter One of Danvers: Welcome to Danvers
Discover Danvers by Brittany Bell
If you love witch stories with a sense of humor, novels that don't take themselves too seriously, and complicated women behaving spectacularly badly, Danvers might be your next favorite read.
A little witchcraft. A lot of drama. Absolutely terrible decisions.
Danvers was published in August 2026 and is available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover editions.
Read the First Chapter for Free
Explore the Story Behind Danvers
Learn more at bybrittanybell.com.
Happy hexing!