Young Adult Fantasy Books With Strong Female Leads You'll Admire

In a beautiful kingdom called Galla, we’re introduced to the secret that is Kalothia. After her parents were outed as traitors to the king, she was raised in secret, away from the Crown’s eyes. Raised by wise women in the woods, who did their best to teach her all they knew, she still knows little of the real world.

On her sixteenth birthday, assassins come to kill her, and Kalothia narrowly escapes this attempt. She sets off for the king’s court to claim what is rightfully hers. With the Goddess guiding her on her journey, she must choose between serving her country or following her heart.

The stakes are high in this fast-paced African-inspired high fantasy romance as Kalothia adventures through a deadly wood, encounters criminals, and confronts different worldviews. 

If you enjoy gripping stories that center on female empowerment, this story is sure to be an unforgettable page-turner. 

Let me introduce you to Roshan Chaya, the leader of the Shadow Clan, a bunch of bandits determined to fight back against a corrupt government that’s left its people in poverty. She’s out for revenge, and Navin, a prince and second in line for the throne, happens to be the target.

After a night of partying, he wakes up tied and gagged at the hands of the Shadow Clan. Roshan’s plan is to use him as bait to force the government to change. But much to her surprise, things take an unexpected turn, and Roshan is forced to make a choice between fighting her feelings or using them to save her people.

Another high fantasy romance with a strong female lead who's not afraid to take action. This story is set in 17th-century India and features South Asian characters and aspects of Indian mythology, with a unique magic system and hidden identities. 

The enemies-to-lovers trope is done so well in this book. Sparks fly between Roshan and Navin, despite her every attempt to fight these feelings, but forced proximity always has a way of complicating things, doesn’t it?

How does a lazy day on a farm in a sleepy small town sound? Surrounded by forests, Laurel Early grew up on this farm and has no plans to ever leave. The townsfolk think she’s a little weird, with her bone collections and taxidermy shed, but she works hard and keeps to herself.

After dropping out of college, Laurel begins spending more time with her childhood friends and the boy she’s always loved. But soon, a darkness begins to make its presence known, and an ancient shadow of evil comes for Laurel, just as it did for her mother.

The only way to fight it is if she stops ignoring what’s right in front of her and finds her hidden magic.

Elizabeth Kilcoyne's debut novel does not disappoint. Wake the Bones blends fantasy, southern gothic horror, paranormal elements, and romance into one, making it an intriguing story filled with magic and mystery.

200 years after Cinderella married her Prince Charming, we’re introduced to a small village that takes the rags-to-riches miracle as inspiration for every law and tradition. For those who don’t follow the rules… Well, let’s just say they don’t get their happy ending.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia is once again being forced to attend the annual ball, but she would rather be kissing her bestie, Erin. They have a plan to run away together, but when Sophia is the only one to make it out of the village, her heart is broken.

Soon, she finds herself lost in the woods and stumbles upon the true story of what happened to Cinderella. Does she use her newfound knowledge to save the other girls in her village, or does she keep running

"Shoes made of glass are an accident waiting to happen..." If this quote doesn't make you want to read this dark fairytale retelling, which reimagines the Cinderella story in a dystopian world, I’m sure the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation will.

Sophia is a sassy, strong, and independent female protagonist, one you’ll relate to and root for all the way to the last page.

Tavia is trying to live a normal teenage life in Portland, but she has a huge secret that could lead to disaster if anyone found out. Only her family and her closest friend know the truth… Tavia is a siren.

Because magical beings are shunned and shamed, she must continue to hide who she really is to protect herself and the ones she loves.

But when a siren is murdered, and national news covers the event, Tavia fears for her life and for the future of other magical beings like her.

As she tries to figure out her place in a world full of hate, more people become exposed for their magical differences. Fear is spreading like wildfire, and amid protests and political chaos, Tavia faces the biggest decision of her lifetime.

Rooted in mythology this dual-POV contemporary urban fantasy is set in a magical version of Portland, Oregon which is full of supernatural beings.

At its heart, A Song Below Water is a story of sisterhood, which empowers Effie and Tavia to fight against the oppression and discrimination they face in their world.

Who needs enemies when you have an older sister? Veronyka and her sister Val are orphans of war, wandering the woods in search of answers.

Following an unforgivable betrayal, Veronyka sets out on her own to find the elusive Phoenix Riders. Rumor has it they still exist, and she’s determined to find them, even if it means having to disguise herself as a boy to find a place among them.

She makes the most of her time with them by learning everything she can, making friends, and finally eating regular meals. But all this is ruined when Val finds her and reveals a nightmare of lies that impacts their relationship.

As Veronyka tries to process these new revelations, the Riders' secret hideout gets exposed, and the empire finds them. Soon, war is on the horizon.

With phenomenal world-building and a rich history, this action-packed epic fantasy romance features complex characters, plenty of plot twists, and mythical creatures.

If you enjoy books with multiple POV’s or the ‘girl disguised as boy’ trope (often compared to as Mulan with high fantasy magic), make Crown of Feathers your next read.