Sometimes a book is just so good that you’re already checking for a sequel before you’ve even finished reading. Next time you find yourself wanting to escape into an amazing world that spans many books, be it urban fantasy, epic fantasy, romantasy, or another subgenre of fantasy, reach for one of these Young Adult fantasy book series that will keep you wanting more.
Which Young Adult Fantasy Book Series Will You Get Lost In Next?
Raybearer Series By Jordan Ifueko
Published: 2020 - 2021
(Duology - there's one other book which is set in the same world as this series, published in 2024)
“I don’t know what I want. I only know the world is big, and I’m sick of pretending it’s smaller.”
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Death, Emotional abuse, Fire, Genocide, Memory loss, Misogyny, Murder (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: Raybearer
After a sheltered and isolated upbringing, Tarisai has only ever wanted to be loved and accepted.
The funny thing about wishes is they’re rarely granted and often come at too steep a price.
When she's sent away to compete for a place in the crown prince's council of 11, her loyalty is tested in ways she could never imagine.
Vibes: Epic fantasy, found family, political intrigue, chosen one, unique magic system, gods
What makes it stand out? High fantasy world inspired by West African folklore and queer representation
Next book? Redemptor is the sequel and conclusion to this amazing duology! The Maid and the Crocodile, a standalone young adult fantasy book set in this world, was published in August 2024.
Song of the Last Kingdom Series By Amélie Wen Zhao
Published: 2023 - 2024 (Duology)
“But what they do not know is that, so long as we live on, we carry inside us all that they have destroyed. And that is our triumph; that is our rebellion.”
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Colonization, Death, Death of a parent, Violence, War (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: Song of Silver, Flame Like Night
Lan has a mysterious mark, acquired during the worst moment of her life. No one else has ever been able to see it, but Zen can.
Zen is a practitioner of magic and traditions lost to time, or more accurately stated, traditions eradicated by the Elantian colonizers.
When their paths cross, it’s more than fate, but what is their destiny? What if all the myths and folktales were true?
Vibes: Young adult fantasy romance, xianxia, wuxia, gods and demons, dragons, unique magic system
What makes it stand out? Epic romantasy series that incorporates Chinese mythology into the story
Next book? The Song of the Last Kingdom duology is complete as of January 2024 with Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White!
The Spells We Cast Series By Jason June
Published: 2023 - 2024 (Duology)
"But do you have any idea what it’s like to feel so alone? To feel that, no matter what you do, you’re not enough?"
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: The Spells We Cast
Every teenage magician has to pass the Culling, a magical competition and rite of passage, to ensure there isn't too much magic in the world.
Nigel Barrett's ready to prove himself and live up to his family name, but can he survive Ori, a broody rival with sharp wit, or the challenges thrown their way?
Vibes: Cowboy magic, grumpy/sunshine, competition, magical school
What makes it stand out? Urban fantasy romance series with LGBTQIA+ representation
Next book? The sequel and conclusion, The Magic We Make, was published in October 2024!
Threads That Bind Series By Kika Hatzopoulou
Published: 2023 - 2024 (Duology)
"It's fine. Hurts, but I can take it." The statement pretty much summed up their lives, didn't it?
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Blood, Classism, Controlling relationships, Murder, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: Threads that Bind
Threads that Bind makes us question if our fates are all predetermined. Io Ora is Moira-born, meaning she’s a descendant of the goddess of fate.
All 3 Ora sisters have magic, allowing them to interact with threads, the very fabric of someone's life.
One sister can weave, the other can draw, and perhaps the most dangerous of all, Io can cut them.
This story wonderfully blends questions of privilege and power, fate vs choice, and family struggles into a powerful story!
Vibes: Epic fantasy, fate, political intrigue, dystopian setting, sisterhood
What makes it stand out? Greek mythology retelling with a murder mystery
Next book? Hearts That Cut, the sequel and conclusion, was published in June 2024.
Threads That Bind was featured in OwlCrate's “If The Fates Allow” Young Adult Fantasy book subscription box back in June 2023.
House of the Dead Series By Nicki Pau Preto
Published: 2023 - 2024 (Duology)
"I know it's the reckless thing to do-," she continued but he cut her off. "But that doesn't mean it's not the right thing."
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Death, Kidnapping, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: Bonesmith
Wren's been trained her whole life to become a valkyr, a ghost-fighting warrior. . When her qualifying trial goes horribly wrong, she finds herself banished to the edges of the realm and will do anything to prove herself and earn back her place... Even if that means rescuing a spoiled prince and learning to cooperate with her house's sworn enemy.
Vibes: Epic fantasy with high stakes, dark, necromancy, ghosts, snark
What makes it stand out? Written by the author of Crown of Feathers, the popular young adult fantasy book series published back in 2019
Next book? The House of the Dead duology was completed in August 2024 with the release of Ghostsmith!
Deathless Series By Namina Forna
Published: 2020 - 2024 (Trilogy)
"No matter my origins, there is worth in what I am."
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Abuse, Blood, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault (including rape), Torture, Violence, War (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: The Gilded Ones
Deka was raised as a "good pure daughter," but when she turns 16, and her Ritual of Purity doesn’t go as planned, she's faced with a deadly choice: join the army of "un-pure" girls, or stay in her village and be sacrificed for the cause.
Now she must fight for her life and question everything she’s ever believed to be true.
Vibes: Found family, epic fantasy, strong females, fantastic creatures, religious intrigue, action-packed, chosen one
What makes it stand out? High fantasy world inspired by West Africa with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation
Next book? The Eternal Ones, the third and final book of the Deathless trilogy, was published in February 2024, so this YA series is ready for binging!
The Guilded Ones was featured in OwlCrate's “Magic Unleased” Young Adult Fantasy book subscription box back in February 2021.
The Legendborn Cycle Series By Tracy Deonn
Published: 2020 - present
(Currently a trilogy with one more book planned to be released in the future - date to be announced)
"Legends are dangerous, Bree. Don’t underestimate them."
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Car accident, Death, Discrimination, Grief, Racism, Slavery (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: Legendborn
Doing her best to compartmentalize her overwhelming grief, high-school junior Bree Matthews leaves home for the residential early college program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Little does she know her extracurriculars will require her to infiltrate a secret society, bringing her face-to-face with magic, demons, and deeply rooted secrets of her family's past.
Vibes: Contemporary/urban fantasy, dark academia fantasy, secret society, adventure, chosen one, magical realism, paranormal elements
What makes it stand out? Arthurian retelling with a unique magic system
Next Book? This series is planned to be 4 books long. Book 2, Bloodmarked, and book 3, Oathbound, are ready to read.
Legendborn was featured in OwlCrate's “Legends And Lore” Young Adult Fantasy book subscription box back in October 2020.
The Luminaries Series By Susan Dennard
Published: 2022 - 2024 (Trilogy)
"You either trust the forest or you don’t, Winnie. You have to make up your mind."
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Blood, Bullying, Death, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: The Luminaries
Hemlock Falls is home to the Luminaries, a society that protects the unknowing humans from the monsters and nightmares of the forest.
Winnie Wednesday's family has been exiled from the Luminaries, but she's going to do whatever she can to win back their place, even if it means passing the Hunter Trials and risking death.
Vibes: Urban fantasy, secret society, dark forest
What makes it stand out? A dark, action-packed paranormal fantasy book series
Next book? The third and final book in the Luminaries book series, The Whispering Night, was published in October 2024!
The Luminaries was featured in OwlCrate's “The Dark Heart Of The Forest” Young Adult Fantasy book subscription box back in November 2022.
Monsters Series By Vanessa Len
Published: 2022 - 2025 (Trilogy)
"Only you can stop the hero, Joan."
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Blood, Death, Murder, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: Only a Monster
Only a Monster is an anti-hero coming-of-age story, featuring heroes, monsters, and family secrets you were better off not knowing.
Joan's always thought of her family as the good guys, but her chill summer plans come crashing down when she finds out they're actually monsters.
What does it mean to be human anyway?
Vibes: Contemporary fantasy, paranormal elements, secret society, heroes and villains, magic, star-crossed lovers
What makes it stand out? Urban fantasy series set in London involving time travel
Next book? This trilogy is completed by books 2, Never a Hero, and 3, Once a Villain!
Only A Monster was featured in OwlCrate's “Among The Monsters” Young Adult Fantasy book subscription box back in February 2022.
The Folk of the Air Series By Holly Black
Published: 2018 - 2020 (5 book series)
“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Death of a parent, Drugs, Gore, Harassment, Humiliation, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, War (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: The Cruel Prince
Young Adult romantasy has been having its moment these past few years, making this series a great choice for anyone wanting to explore the subgenre.
Jude, who's human, gets her life turned upside down along with Carden, a fae and the High King of Elfhame.
Each character in the story has their own unique motivations and interesting dynamics, adding to the fantasy world in some way.
Vibes: Young Adult romantasy, fae, enemies-to-lovers, magic
What makes it stand out? Popular YA fantasy series loved by many readers. A great starting point for anyone looking to read a YA fantasy series.
Next book? The next books in this series include The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing. There are also two novellas, The Lost Sisters (which should be read between books 1 and 2) and How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (which should be read after book 3).
BONUS: And if you just need one more young adult fantasy book series on your TBR, here's a slightly older recommendation that you shouldn't sleep on:
An Ember In The Ashes Series By Sabaa Tahir
Published: 2015 - 2020 (4 book series)
"There are two kinds of guilt. The kind that's a burden and the kind that gives you purpose. Let your guilt be your fuel. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw a line in your mind. Never cross it again. You have a soul. It's damaged, but it's there. Don't let them take it from you."
Content Warnings For Book 1 (may contain spoilers):
Death, Sexual assault (including rape), Slavery, Torture, Violence (This list might not cover all content in this book. Please do your research before reading.)
About Book 1: An Ember in the Ashes
Laia and Elias come from two very different yet bleak worlds. One is a slave turned spy, the other an unwilling yet highly skilled soldier, both trapped by the Empire.
In this story, defiance is met with death, but can they burn the rotten Empire down around them?
Vibes: Mythological demons, military school, forbidden and slow burn romance, prophecy, deadly trials
What makes it stand out? Popular epic fantasy series set in a world inspired by Ancient Rome and Middle Eastern mythology
Next book? All 4 books in the series are released and ready to binge! There are even 2 prequel graphic novels, with a third one yet to be released.
From duologies to series with multiple books, we apologize in advance if you get so invested in the plot of these series that you lose sleep. No matter which world you choose to explore first, grab your copy, find a cozy spot, and prepare to say 'just one more chapter' on repeat. Happy reading!
For image used in header: GRISHAVERSE trademark, logo, characters, books, art and indicia © & TM Leigh Bardugo. GV MONOGRAM © & TM Leigh Bardugo.
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