When Jenna Ortega graced our screens as the lovable goth Wednesday Addams, she welcomed viewers into a world of paranormal creatures, secret societies, and spooky mysteries. Courtesy of director Tim Burton, the show nurtured a perfect eerie yet cozy ambiance I wish I could live inside of. If, like me, you are constantly chasing after the vibes and feelings of this fan-favorite Addams Family spin-off, here are some books that can fill that void!
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Los Angeles and hippie-born Galaxy “Alex” Stern hasn’t had the easiest life. She’s dealt with drug-dealing boyfriends, crappy jobs, and, worst of all, survived an unsolved homicide. Long story short, she definitely isn’t your standard Yale freshman. So when she’s mysteriously offered a spot at the elite university, she is full of questions. Answers slowly reveal themselves when, after her arrival, she is charged with infiltrating secret societies operating on campus. What she discovers are bizarre, occult happenings that are even more disturbing than she could’ve imagined.
The Mary Shelly Club by Goldy Moldavksy
At the illustrious Manchester Prep, it isn’t easy to be the new kid, let alone one on scholarship. Rachel Chavez is finding navigating the social scene at her new school difficult, and she suddenly finds herself faced with enemies rather than friends after becoming messed up in a prank gone wrong. That’s how she finds herself on the radar of the Mary Shelley Club, a secret society consisting of horror movie fanatics dedicated to competitively pulling pranks to cause genuine fear. But soon, these Fear Tests start spiraling out of control, and danger is constantly lurking.
Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Students at Scholomance don’t have a typical school experience. At this magical institution, no teachers are mentoring you, no making friends with your peers, and if you don’t perform well, you don’t just fail — you die. In order to survive, you must study hard, avoid being alone, and constantly be alert for monsters haunting every corner. Gifted with a dark and powerful magic, El believes she is up for the task. She’s ready to harness her power to defeat Scholomance’s many monsters, but problems arise when magic threatens other students instead.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow was born on Eventide, making her a very unlucky child. In addition to being cursed, she gets blamed for everything that plagues her town. She has known her whole life that she would die on her eleventh birthday at the stroke of midnight. Just when she thinks she is about to draw her last breath, Juniper North appears and brings her to Nevermoor — a town bursting with magic. The bizarre Juniper wants Morrigan to compete for a spot at the esteemed Wundrous Society, but the path to entry isn’t easy. To gain admission, she must take part in a series of treacherous trials against other children who are supposed to be much more talented than her. Morrigan must figure out how to make it through unscathed or face expulsion from Nevermoor and a return to her reality where her death is imminent.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Ellingham Academy is chock full of the brightest and most innovative minds. It also happens to have a mysterious past with many unanswered questions. When Stevie Bell, a true crime junkie, gets accepted for her penchant for solving puzzles, she is determined to finally solve the case of the founders’ missing wife and daughter. But when the kidnapper shockingly returns to campus, Stevie must work together with her peers to finally make sense of the school’s past and ensure the safety of its future.
The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
At Westerly College, the Kappa Rho Nu sorority is infamous for its extravagant fetes. But they aren’t your typical campus sorority — it’s actually a coven of witches. Vivi Deveraux finds membership in the illustrious group as a way to form a new identity for herself. Scarlett Winters, a Kappa Rho Nu legacy, finds admittance a way to continue the family legacy imposed upon by her mother. She’s desperate to pledge but has a secret that may threaten everything. When Vivi and Scarlett get assigned as each other’s Big and Little, they stumble into an ominous world of dangerous magic and threatened loyalties.
Wednesday: A Novelization of Season 1 by Tehlor Kay Mejia and The Wednesday TV Show Writers
If these thrilling reads still aren’t doing it for you, and the only thing to satiate your thirst for more Wednesday is actual Wednesday, I’ve got you. This is a direct novelization of Season 1 of the series, containing all your favorite characters and storylines. You can experience the delights and horrors of Wednesday all over again for the very first time!
These books all bring on the vivid campus setting, eerie mysteries, and secret societies that Wednesday viewers know and love. Whether you want some fantasy, mystery, or horror, these books cover all of your bases. I hope these books make you feel like you’re returning to Nevermore Academy!
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