The best 20 YA Fantasy books

Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a captivating tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father to attend Caraval, a mesmerizing, once-a-year performance. As they navigate through a world of magic, illusions, and danger, they realize that nothing is as it seems. With beautiful prose and a thrilling plot, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

• Readers who enjoy immersive and imaginative fantasy worlds
• Those who appreciate intricate and twisty plots with unexpected turns
• People who are drawn to stories with themes of magic, love, and sisterhood

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is a captivating fantasy novel that follows the story of Jude, a mortal girl who is swept into the treacherous world of the Faerie. Filled with political intrigue, complex characters, and a hint of romance, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

• Readers who enjoy dark and enchanting fantasy worlds
• Those interested in morally complex and cunning characters
• People who appreciate intricate and unpredictable plot twists

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton is a captivating fantasy novel set in a world where beauty is a commodity. It follows the story of Camellia Beauregard, a talented young woman who is chosen to serve the royal family as a Belle. As she delves into the dark secrets of her society, Camellia must navigate the dangerous politics of beauty and power to uncover the truth and bring about change.

• Readers who enjoy fantasy and dystopian fiction

• Those interested in exploring themes of beauty, power, and societal expectations

• People who appreciate vivid world-building and imaginative storytelling

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake is a gripping fantasy novel that follows three sisters, each with a unique magical gift, as they compete for the throne. Filled with intrigue, betrayal, and unexpected twists, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

• readers who enjoy dark and complex fantasy worlds
• people looking for a story with strong and intriguing female characters
• individuals who appreciate intricate political intrigue and power struggles

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian is a gripping fantasy novel that follows the story of a young princess named Theodosia. After her kingdom is conquered and her mother is murdered, Theodosia is held captive by the conqueror, forced to endure a life of humiliation and abuse. As she plots her escape and seeks revenge, Theodosia must navigate a dangerous world of politics and power struggles. This thrilling tale explores themes of resilience, rebellion, and the fight for freedom.

• Readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure novels
• Those looking for a strong female protagonist in a story of rebellion and reclaiming power
• People who appreciate intricate world-building and complex characters

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor is a captivating fantasy novel that follows the story of Lazlo Strange, a young librarian with a passion for fairy tales and dreams. When he gets the chance to join an expedition to a lost city, he embarks on an extraordinary journey that uncovers long-buried secrets and forces him to confront his own inner demons. With beautiful prose and a richly imagined world, this book will sweep you away into a world of magic and mystery.

• Readers who enjoy immersive and imaginative fantasy worlds

• Those who appreciate lyrical and poetic writing style

• People who are drawn to stories with complex and morally ambiguous characters

Girls of Paper and Fire is a captivating fantasy novel by Natasha Ngan. Set in a world where girls are chosen to serve the demon king, the story follows Lei, a courageous and determined young woman who defies her fate. With themes of love, oppression, and rebellion, this book takes readers on a thrilling journey as Lei fights for her freedom and discovers her own strength.

• Readers who enjoy immersive and richly detailed fantasy worlds

• Those interested in stories with strong female protagonists and themes of empowerment

• People who appreciate diverse representation and exploration of LGBTQ+ themes in literature

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh is a captivating retelling of the classic Arabian Nights tale. Filled with romance, intrigue, and betrayal, it follows the story of Shahrzad, who volunteers to marry the Caliph in order to seek revenge for her best friend's death. As she spends each night weaving enchanting tales to captivate the Caliph, she uncovers the secrets behind his cruel actions and finds herself torn between love and vengeance.

• Readers who enjoy romantic and engaging storytelling
• Individuals who appreciate diverse cultural settings and characters
• People who are fans of fantasy and retellings of classic tales

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White is a captivating retelling of the Arthurian legend, focusing on the character of Guinevere. Filled with magic, mystery, and political intrigue, this book takes readers on a thrilling journey as Guinevere navigates a world of secrets and deception to protect the kingdom of Camelot.

• Readers who enjoy reimagined and feminist retellings of classic tales

• Fans of Arthurian legends and stories set in medieval times

• Those who appreciate strong and complex female protagonists

Twilight is a captivating novel that tells the story of Bella Swan, a teenage girl who falls in love with a mysterious and alluring vampire named Edward Cullen. Set in the small town of Forks, Washington, the book explores themes of love, friendship, and the supernatural as Bella and Edward navigate the challenges of their forbidden romance. With its blend of romance, fantasy, and suspense, Twilight has become a beloved classic in young adult literature.

• Fans of young adult fiction and supernatural romance
• Readers looking for a captivating and easy-to-read story
• Individuals who enjoy exploring themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is a thought-provoking novel that challenges societal norms and explores themes of identity, truth, and justice. Set in a utopian world where monsters no longer exist, the story follows a young girl named Jam as she uncovers the truth about the supposed safety of her community. With its unique narrative and powerful message, this book is a must-read for all ages.

• Readers who enjoy thought-provoking and imaginative storytelling

• People interested in exploring themes of identity, justice, and societal norms

• Those who appreciate diverse and complex characters, including non-binary and transgender representation

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige is a dark and twisted take on the classic Wizard of Oz tale. In this book, Dorothy has returned to Oz and become a power-hungry dictator, ruling over the land with an iron fist. The protagonist, Amy Gumm, is swept up in a plot to overthrow Dorothy and restore balance to the magical world. Filled with action, magic, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for fans of reimagined fairy tales.

• Readers who enjoy dark and twisted retellings of classic stories

• Fans of young adult fantasy and dystopian fiction

• Those who are intrigued by complex and morally ambiguous characters

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi is a captivating historical fantasy novel set in 1889 Paris. It follows a diverse group of characters as they embark on a dangerous quest to uncover ancient secrets and secure their places in society. Filled with intricate puzzles, hidden treasures, and a touch of magic, this book explores themes of power, friendship, and the lengths people will go to for their ambitions.

• Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of fantasy

• Those who appreciate diverse and complex characters

• People who are interested in heists and intricate puzzles

Children of Blood and Bone is a captivating fantasy novel by Tomi Adeyemi. Set in a world where magic has been suppressed, it follows a young girl named Zélie who embarks on a dangerous journey to restore magic and bring justice to her people. Filled with rich world-building and intense action, this book explores themes of power, oppression, and the fight for freedom.

• Readers who enjoy epic fantasy with rich world-building and diverse characters

• Those interested in exploring themes of power, oppression, and social justice

• People looking for a captivating and fast-paced story that keeps them on the edge of their seats

Fable by Adrienne Young tells the story of a young girl named Fable who is determined to find her place in a world filled with danger and betrayal. Set in a richly imagined world of sea-faring traders and cutthroat mercenaries, this captivating novel explores themes of family, survival, and the power of resilience.

• Readers who enjoy young adult fantasy novels with strong female protagonists

• Those who appreciate vivid world-building and intricate storytelling

• People who are drawn to themes of resilience, survival, and self-discovery

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor is a captivating fantasy novel that follows the story of 12-year-old Sunny, a Nigerian-American girl with albinism. Discovering her magical abilities, Sunny becomes part of a secret society and embarks on a journey to harness her powers and battle dark forces. Set in Nigeria, this unique and enchanting tale explores friendship, identity, and the power of embracing one's heritage.

• Readers who enjoy fantasy and magical realism

• Those interested in exploring African mythology and culture through fiction

• Youth and young adult readers looking for a diverse and relatable protagonist

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert is a captivating fantasy novel that weaves together dark fairy tales and a modern-day mystery. It follows Alice, a girl whose grandmother wrote a book of sinister stories set in a place called the Hazel Wood. When her mother is kidnapped by characters from the book, Alice must venture into the Hazel Wood to unravel the secrets of her family's past and rescue her mother. It's a haunting and beautifully written tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

• Readers who enjoy dark and twisted fairy tales

• Those who appreciate complex and morally ambiguous characters

• People who are drawn to atmospheric and immersive storytelling

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman is a captivating fantasy novel set in a world where humans and dragons coexist uneasily. The story follows Seraphina, a gifted musician with a dangerous secret – she is half-dragon. As tensions between the two species rise, Seraphina finds herself drawn into a web of political intrigue and must navigate the complexities of her own identity to uncover a sinister plot that threatens the fragile peace.

• Readers who enjoy fantasy novels with unique world-building and complex characters

• Those interested in stories that explore themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of music

• People who appreciate lyrical and evocative writing that transports them to a different realm

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is a gripping fantasy novel set in a brutal world inspired by ancient Rome. It follows the intertwined stories of Laia, a slave fighting for her family's freedom, and Elias, a soldier fighting for his own. As they navigate the dangers of their society, they must make difficult choices that will determine the fate of their world.

• Fans of young adult fantasy novels with a gripping and fast-paced plot
• Readers who enjoy stories with complex, morally ambiguous characters
• Those interested in exploring themes of power, resistance, and the human spirit

Shadow and Bone is the first book in Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse series. It follows the story of a young orphan named Alina Starkov who discovers she has a rare power that could be the key to saving her war-torn country. Filled with magic, adventure, and political intrigue, this book takes readers on an exhilarating journey through a world of darkness and light.

• Readers who enjoy fantasy and magical worlds
• People looking for a captivating and immersive story
• Those interested in complex characters and morally ambiguous villains