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Riot Recommendation

40 of Your Favorite YA Fantasy Books

S. Zainab Williams

Executive Director, Content

S. Zainab would like to think she bleeds ink but the very idea makes her feel faint. She writes fantasy and horror, and is currently clutching a manuscript while groping in the dark. Find her on Twitter: @szainabwilliams.

This Riot Recommendation is sponsored by Elly Blake’s Fireblood, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

In this action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Frostblood, Ruby must choose between her fiery homeland and the icy king who loves her.


From Harry Potter to Flame in the Mist to Shadow and Bone, nobody can deny the success and proliferation of beloved YA fantasy books. It’s the go-to genre for so many people of all ages, perhaps because there’s something absolutely, well, magical about the idea of growing up in a world of fantasy. We asked you to tell us your favorite YA fantasy books and you responded. Here are 40 of your favorites!

Tiffany Aching Series by Terry Pratchett

Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown

The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

The Young Elites Series by Marie Lu

The Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking

Finishing School Series by Gail Carriger

House of Secrets Series by Chris Columbus

Shadow Magic Series by Joshua Khan

Frostblood Saga by Elly Blake

Queen’s Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner

Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta

Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Maas

Graceling Trilogy by Kristin Cashore

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Splintered Series by A.G. Howard

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Shadow and Bone Series by Leigh Bardugo

Mythos Academy by Jennifer Estep

Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Laini Taylor

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy

Chrestomanci Series by Diana Wynne Jones

The Heavenly Horse of the Outermost West by Mary Stanton

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

Tortall Series by Tamora Pierce

Skinjacker Trilogy by Neal Shusterman

Dark is Rising Series by Garth Nix

Mister Monday Series by Garth Nix

The Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson

The Kingfountain Series by Jeff Wheeler

Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi