Young Adult
The problem of course with this page is that there is so much good Young Adult fantasy out there that I had a hard time to know where to even start with this list. I made an attempt and will be continually updating and adding to this page just like I will all the others to bring you the good stuff. ONWARDS, to the best in Young Adult fantasy that will fire your imaginations.
Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Amazon: 4.8/5
Goodreads: 4.45/5
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That’s because he’s being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he’s really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.
Opinion: If you are not aware of the story of the Boy who lived, you must be living under a rock. The Harry Potter series has served to make J.K. Rowling England’s richest, self-made woman and has launched immensely popular movies, a theme park, foods, and a play that was then turned into a book. Even though J.K. Rowling continually annoys me in her effort to stay relevant by Tweeting reveals about her characters ethnicity etc, I have enjoyable memories of lining up at a bookstore before midnight to get the latest book and then reading as much of it as I could before my parents forced to get to bed. If all the hype back in the day made you stay away I would encourage you to try out these books. You may just discover a new favorite series.
Howls Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.3/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.
Opinion: Dianna Wynne Jones is one of my favorite authors. The worlds and characters she creates are so much fun and fresh. Although she passed away in 2011 her books should always be classics. She has several different series and while I only have this first book listed when I have time I definitely plan on expanding her entry to also include her Chrestomanci
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 4.21/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Aerin is an outcast in her own father’s court, daughter of the foreign woman who, it was rumored, was a witch, and enchanted the king to marry her.
She makes friends with her father’s lame, retired warhorse, Talat, and discovers an old, overlooked, and dangerously imprecise recipe for dragon-fire-proof ointment in a dusty corner of her father’s library. Two years, many canter circles to the left to strengthen Talat’s weak leg, and many burnt twigs (and a few fingers) secretly experimenting with the ointment recipe later, Aerin is present when someone comes from an outlying village to report a marauding dragon to the king. Aerin slips off alone to fetch her horse, her sword, and her fireproof ointment . . .
But modern dragons, while formidable opponents fully capable of killing a human being, are small and accounted vermin. There is no honor in killing dragons. The great dragons are a tale out of ancient history.
That is, until the day that the king is riding out at the head of an army. A weary man on an exhausted horse staggers into the courtyard where the king’s troop is assembled: “The Black Dragon has come . . . Maur, who has not been seen for generations, the last of the great dragons, great as a mountain. Maur has awakened.”
Opinion: Robin McKinley’s stories are great and remind me of the books of Fairy Tales I used to read when I would stop at the Public Library as I walked home from school. Her tales are epic and fun and worth immersing yourself in.
Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles Book 1) by Patricia C. Wrede
Amazon: 4.6/5
Goodreads: 4.15/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Princess Cimorene, the daughter of a very proper king, runs away to live with a very powerful dragon, Kazul. This updated edition features a new introduction by the author and fantastic new packaging.
Opinion: When I first reading abut the the Enchanted Forrest I actually started with a beat up paperback copy from my school’s library that I found one day as I browsed looking for something interesting to read. Even though it was the last book in the series it seemed interesting and I went for it. After I finished it I quickly reserved the rest of the books at the Public Library. While the last book can be read out of order the rest of the series should definitely be read in order to get the most enjoyment out of it.
The Thief (The Queen’s Thief, Book 1) by Megan Whalen Turner
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 3.91/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: New York Times-bestselling author Megan Whalen Turner’s entrancing and award-winning Queen’s Thief novels bring to life the world of the epics and feature one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief novels are rich with political machinations and intrigue, battles lost and won, dangerous journeys, divine intervention, power, passion, revenge, and deception. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R. R. Martin.
Eugenides, the queen’s thief, can steal anything—or so he says. When his boasting lands him in prison and the king’s magus invites him on a quest to steal a legendary object, he’s in no position to refuse. The magus thinks he has the right tool for the job, but Gen has plans of his own. The Queen’s Thief novels have been praised by writers, critics, reviewers, and fans, and have been honored with glowing reviews, “best of” citations, and numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Newbery Honor, the Andre Norton Award shortlist, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Discover and rediscover the stand-alone companions, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and A Conspiracy of Kings, all epic novels set in the world of the Queen’s Thief.
Opinion: These are a great set of books. The first is a little different from the rest as I feel the author was figuring out her storytelling and writing style with this series and then it takes off with the second and third book. This first book switches from the Thief’s point of view to stories that he tells at night, which isn’t really repated in any of the other books. Really enjoyable, clever series and while the description says they are all stand alone novels if you read them in the order they were published I think you will enjoy them a bit more.
The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain Book 1) by Lloyd Alexander
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 4.0/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess; Fflewddur Fflam, the hyperbole-prone bard; the ever-faithful Gurgi; and the curmudgeonly Doli–all of whom become involved in an epic struggle between good and evil that shapes the fate of the legendary land of Prydain.
Released over a period of five years, Lloyd Alexander’s beautifully written tales not only captured children’s imaginations but also garnered the highest critical praise. The Black Cauldron was a Newbery Honor Book, and the final volume in the chronicles, The High King, crowned the series by winning the Newbery Medal for “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.”
Henry Holt is proud to present this classic series to a new generation of young readers. Jackets have been handsomely redesigned while retaining the original art of Caldecott Medal-winning artist Evaline Ness. Each retypeset volume now includes a pronunciation guide prepared by Lloyd Alexander. A companion book of short stories, The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain, is also available in hardcover for the first time in twenty years.
Opinion: A classic story that some compare to the Hobbit, probably because of the similarities between Gurgi and Golumn. This is a classic series modeled after Irish/Gaelic myth which I really enjoyed. Feels epic in scope and there are some really memorable characters and moments in the series.
Legend (A Legend Novel Book 1) by Marie Lu
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 4.19/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths – until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Opinion: A Post Apocalyptic book in the same vein as Divergent. I am always a chump for a good adventure story with some plucky heroes and this book has that in spades. Some people thought the first book was the best and that things went downhill from there, and I can see that point. Despite that I think the series as a whole is a good read and I liked how it ended, even if others didn’t.
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 1) by Rick Riordan
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.23/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school…again. And that’s the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy’s Greek mythology textbook and into his life. Book #1 in the NYT best-selling series, with cover art from the feature film, The Lightning Thief.
Opinion: I really enjoyed this series. I first got into reading when i came across a compendium of fairie tales, which led me to Greek/Roman myths, which led me to Sci-fi/Fantasy. I love the world that Rick Riordan has built and the interaction and inclusion of so many Gods and Monsters from Greek myth. The Percy Jackson series is followed by several others and I would read them in the order that they were published as the different series have some crossover. I would start with The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus, Book 1)
The Warrior Heir (Heir Chronicles Book 1) by Cinda Williams Chima
Amazon: 4.3/5
Goodreads: 3.95/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before.
Opinion: The first book to a really interesting world where individuals from different bloodlines have different abilities depending on what their Guild (class) is. Although they don’t call them classes in the series. What interested me in the series is that the books are told from different points of view but they come into contact with the characters of the previous book(s) while also furthering an overarching story line. If you don’t like this book you can try her other young adult series about thief Han “Cuffs” Allister in The Demon King
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness Book 1) by Tamora Pierce
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.34/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page. But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies. Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins—one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.
Opinion: The Land of Tortall now has quite a few characters and series that populate it, but it all started with Alanna. A girl who wanted to be a Knight instead of role her father and her society told her was predestined because of her gender. After you read this series you can follow it with Wild Magic (The Immortals), Terrier (The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 1)
Sabriel (Old Kingdom Book 1) by Garth Nix
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.17/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Game of Thrones fans will love the New York Times bestselling Abhorsen series. Sabriel, the first installment in the trilogy, launched critically acclaimed author Garth Nix onto the fantasy scene as a rising star.
Since childhood, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who refuse to stay dead. But now her father, the Abhorson, is missing, and Sabriel must cross into that world to find him. With Mogget, whose feline form hides a powerful, perhaps malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage, Sabriel travels deep into the Old Kingdom. There she confronts an evil that threatens much more than her life and comes face-to-face with her own hidden destiny. . . .
Opinion: Sabriel and her ability to use Bells to make the Dead stay dead is an iconic figure in my imagination with her strap of different size bells that she carries as the tools of her trade as the Abhorson. Garth Nix has several young adult series and this one is one of my favorites. Check out Shade’s Children
Leviathan by Scott Westerfield
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 3.91/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: The first novel in a masterful trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Scott Westerfeld that School Library Journal hailed is “sure to become a classic.”
It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.
Opinion: A young adult, steampunk, alternate history, novel set right before World War I? If that doesn’t draw you in and make you want to crack the covers on this book I don’t think anything I say will either.
Foundling: Monster Blood Tattoo, Book One by D.M. Cornish
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 3.88/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Meet Rossamünd, a foundling, a boy with a girls name who is about to begin a dangerous life in the service of the Emperor of the Half-Continent. What starts as a simple journey becomes a dangerous and complicated set of battles and decisions. Humans, monsters, unearthly creatures . . . who among these can Rossamünd trust? D. M. Cornish has created an entirely original world, grounded in his own deft, classically influenced illustrations. Foundling is a magic-laced, Dickensian adventure that will transport the reader.
Opinion: The Lamplighters of the Empire are responsible for keeping the roads lit at night, which means they need to be familiar with the monsters that roam the wilds and the cities. Rossamund is an orphan who take up Lamplighting as a trade and who has secrets of his own. Such as his need to wear a special binding to cover his scent. An intriguing and underappreciated world has been created by D.M. Cornish and I am glad I came across these books at the Library one day and then at Powells Bookstore as they now grace my bookshelves.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Amazon: 4.7/5
Goodreads: 4.08/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite. . .
Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.
Opinion: A Sanctuary that provides a home for magical beasts and also protects the rest of us poor humans from the more violent members of the magical community? Yes please.
The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1) by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 3.94/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.
Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.
Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.
All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.
So he tries his best to do his worst – and fails at failing.
Now the Magisterium awaits him. It’s a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.
The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .
From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.
Opinion: While I am not sure about this book being a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the unknown, it was a good enough read to make this list, and for me to own the hardbacks. Given the language used to describe the book you should expect, if nothing else, some sweet actions scenes played out in the hallways of your imagination. Some good stories are told and while it can be a bit formulaic post Harry Potter, the formula works well.
Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog’s Gold by M.L. Forman
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 4.17/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: The sign is small, tucked into the corner of Mr. Clutter s bookshop window: Adventurers Wanted. Apply Within. No one but fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor even seems to notice it is there. And for Alex, who has wished for a change in his life, it is an irresistible invitation. Upon entering Mr. Clutter s shop, Alex is swept away to a faraway land filled with heroic warriors, mysterious elves, and hard-working dwarves. Alex becomes the eighth man in a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red an evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex and his new friends must battle dangerous trolls and bandits, face undead wraiths, and seek the wisdom of the Oracle in her White Tower. Alex s adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most important, friendship.
Opinion: This books creates a world that I loved reading about and that I wish I had access to when I was a little younger. There were some qualities of the world that I had never read before in another book that kept things fresh and interesting. If you are just being introcided to this series you hit it at a good time as it was finished in 2017. There was a bit of a lag between book 4 and 5 as the author had some health issues and I feel like this affected the quality of Book 5 as they were probably trying to get a quality book out that finished the series and tied off loose ends, while also dealing with the authors health struggles. Good on them for finishing the series though.
So You Want to Be a Wizard (Young Wizards Book 1) by Diane Duane
Amazon: 4.4/5
Goodreads: 3.81/5
Authors Website
Amazon Description: Something stopped Nita’s hand as it ran along the bookshelf. She looked and found that one of the books had a loose thread at the top of its spine. It was one of those So You Want to Be a . . . books, a series on careers. So You Want to Be a Pilot, and a Scientist . . . a Writer. But this one said, So You Want to Be a Wizard.
I don’t belive this, Nina thought. She shut the book and stood there holding it in her hand, confused, amazed, suspicious—and delighted. If it was a joke, it was a great one. If it wasn’t . . . ?
Opinion: Diane Duane has some writing chops and they come out full force in this and the subsequent books of the Young Wizards Universe. I came across this book in my town’s library, which I passed every day on my way home from school, and I will admit I recited the wizard’s oath to try and gain magic powers. Sadly, it didn’t work…or did it?