At Hodderscape, we love young adult fiction, a genre that allows you to travel to magical realms, explore difficult themes as well as share in unforgettable friendships. But we know that it can feel like too large of a genre to even know where to start, so we’ve compiled some of the best YA Fantasy around for you to dive into, and don't miss our separate YA Fantasy Romance list as well!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Like the idea of the boundaries between our world and a magical world blurring? Try Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
Seventeen-year-old Karou doubles as a helper to a creature name Brimstone from Elsewhere, Earth’s twin world of magical beast and celestial bodies. When the boundaries between the two worlds begin to weaken, a war erupts that changes both worlds – and Karou herself – forever.
The first in a magical trilogy and beloved by Stephanie Meyer, Daughter of Smoke and Bone will captivate you.
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The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
The Scarlet Alchemist is a dark fantasy duology set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China.
Alchemy is rife: the rich and royal rely on eating alchemical gold to stay young and healthy, but another, illegal kind of alchemy is resurrecting the dead. Zilan can do the second for a price that she uses to support her family, but she dreams of becoming a royal alchemist. She travels to the capital to compete with other alchemists for that spot, but the tasks are difficult and deadly. The Prince hears of her skills in raising the dead and enlists her help. As Zilan attempts to keep the secrets of her past hidden, she becomes entangled in dangerous games of politics and royalty.
Tackling issues of privilege and wealth as it enthralls us into the world of Zilan and the Prince, The Scarlet Alchemist will sweep you away.
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Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
Only a Monster’s Joan experiences everything a normal sixteen-year-old does: weird family, cute crush ... family actually secretly being monsters?
Sixteen-year-old Joan is staying with her eccentric family in England and is enjoying getting to know her charming co-worker Nick. She’s happy. Until she learns the truth: her family aren’t just strange, they’re actually powerful monsters. Nick isn’t just her almost-boyfriend, he’s a monster slayer on a mission to destroy her family. Joan must save her family and embrace her truth: maybe, just maybe, she’s not the hero in this tale.
Blurring the lines between heroes and monsters, Only a Monster is sure to entertain.
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The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
First in The Queen’s Thief series and well-loved since the nineties, The Thief is beautiful and immersive.
There is an ancient treasure that a magus wants to find for his King. He can’t get it alone, however, so enlists the help of a skilled thief named Gen, who is currently in the King’s prison. They embark on a dangerous journey to find the treasure and uncover secrets about themselves and their world along the way.
A quest fantasy for readers young and old, The Thief is a masterclass in the genre.
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The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
The Gilded Wolves is a political fantasy with a bit of The Da Vinci Code peppered in.
Set in 1889 Paris, this book doesn’t shy away from that time’s culture: the book features a real-life world fair that had a ‘human zoo’ as one of its attractions – a place where white attendees could come and observe Black and Brown people in enclosures or performances. Paired with critique of colonial history, The Gilded Wolves also challenges the reader with puzzles and mysteries that the main character, a thief named Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, must solve to find the Horus Eye in order join the Order of Babel.
This is a sharply clever YA fantasy brimming with diverse and lovable characters, that – despite its serious undertones – will delight and charm the socks off you.
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The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Meet wily, brave and talented Kiva Meridan in The Prison Healer.
Kiva Meridan is a healer in the deadly prison of Zalindov. When the infamous Rebel Queen is imprisoned, despite being on death’s door, and Kiva receives a mysterious message telling her she must keep the Rebel Queen alive and that they both will be rescued, Kiva’s world is upturned. The queen has been sentenced to the most ardous punishment: Trial by Ordeal, challenges involving air, fire, water and earth. Kiva knows the queen will not surive these challenges – in fact, no one has – but she knows she must rely on the queen surviving if Kiva will have the chance to be free. So Kiva does the only thing she can think of: she volunteers to face the challenges in the queen’s place.
Slow-burn and twisty, The Prison Healer will have you on the edge of your seat.
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City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer
Our most horror-filled YA is City of Nightmares.
Nineteen-year-old Ness lives in Newham, a city that is crawling with corruption and fear. Newham citizens take drugs to keep them perpetually awake because if they fall asleep, they will become living Nightmares. When her sister becomes a giant murderous spider, Ness knows she must find a way to escape the perils of Newham. The Friends of the Restful Soul – which may or may not be a cult – offer her safety… if she does one simple task for them. After an explosive mishap, Ness meets a Nightmare boy named Cy, who might just work with her to uncover the horrifying truths of Newham.
Chaotic and darkly comic, City of Nightmares will take you on a wild journey through nightmares and plots.
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Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
Fancy espionage and assassins? Foul Lady Fortune will delight you.
Shanghai, 1931. Spy Rosalind Lang survives an experiment that gives her new abilities and strengths. A string of murders leaves members of the advancing Japanese Imperial Army under suspicion. Rosalind’s cover story to infiltrate and uncover the culprits is a fake marriage to another spy, Orion Hong. Rosalind finds Orion aggravating but knows they must work together to stop the terror plot – even if they’re both keeping secrets.
Blending a fake-marriage plot with a political thriller, this first in a YA duology will keep you guessing.
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The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
A beautifully captivating story of love and family, and how much we are willing to sacrifice. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a gorgeous feminist retelling of an ancient Korean legend.
Mina’s homeland is cursed by a Sea God who was once their protector. To appease him, someone is thrown in the ocean each year hoping that the Sea God will choose a bride and cease his violence. When Mina’s brother’s beloved is chosen, Mina goes in her place. Instead of certain death she finds the Spirit Realm where the Sea God is in an enchanted sleep. Working with a group of demons, gods, and spirits – and the mysterious and charming Shin – Mina attempts to free the Sea God from his slumber before it is too late, before those who are keeping the Sea God in his sleep find her.
Twisty and charming, and with a quirky cast of characters The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a must-read.
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The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Part heist novel, part dark fairy tale, and rich with Welsh legends, The Drowned Woods is a darkly gripping YA fantasy.
Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict - and Mer is well-acquainted with both. For years, she has been running from the prince who bound her into his service - and forced her to kill thousands with her water magic. Now, all Mer truly wants is a quiet life, far from power and politics.
But then Mer's old handler offers her a proposal: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both. With the help of a fae-cursed man, a snarky thief, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer must decide if she's prepared to run for the rest of her life, or to stand and fight for her freedom - and peace . . .
Melding a retelling of classic Welsh mythology with faeries, The Drowned Woods is perfect if you you love ethereal fantasy with unforgettable characters and captivating writing.