I talk a lot about Romance, I mean A LOT. What can I say.... it’s my favorite! I used to love YA Fantasy though, but those were the days before I was introduced to authors like Colleen Hoover..... Sorry YA Fantasy.... Just Kidding! I still really love YA Fantasy, but I’m a lot pickier on which books I pick up now. I can tell pretty quickly if I’m not going to love a YA fantasy series.
I have started so many and then get halfway through the first book and then I end up DNF’ing it, or I’ll finish the first book and just know I’m not going to like the rest of the series, so why waste my time? These series I’m going to recommend are some of my ABSOLUTE favorites. Wondering why you don’t see Harry Potter on here? It’s technically labeled “children” so yeah, but everyone already knows about HP! If you’re on the hunt for a new series, and you happen to love YA Fantasy... you’re in the right place!
1. The Dark Artifices
by Cassandra Clare
So typical...so so typical... but can anyone really create a list of favorite YA series without Cassandra Clare? Most people (well really everyone) already knows about the Mortal Instruments series, which I love!! If you’ve read any of Cassandra Clare’s work you know The Dark Artifices is her best work. It’s written so WELL, and literally you fall in love with Julian and Emma so completely. Honestly they’re my favorite YA couple.. OTP for LIFE!
It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses. Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…
Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?
If you have read the Mortal Instruments you've already had a glimpse of Julian and Emma. The Dark Artifices consists of three agonizingly slow burn books that make you want to rip your hair out. You become so invested in all of the characters, and Cassandra Clare literally makes you throw your drink across the room...multiple times! (Those endings though.......RIP) If you love a good YA fantasy then this is the series for you.
Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?
If you have read the Mortal Instruments you've already had a glimpse of Julian and Emma. The Dark Artifices consists of three agonizingly slow burn books that make you want to rip your hair out. You become so invested in all of the characters, and Cassandra Clare literally makes you throw your drink across the room...multiple times! (Those endings though.......RIP) If you love a good YA fantasy then this is the series for you.
You don’t have to pick up any of the other books in the Shadow world, you can start with these. Like I said this is her most mature and well written work. Cassie Clare made these three books a melting pot full of representation, so this series is literally for anyone, super universal. Julian and Emma though are the exact pairing I want when I read a YA fantasy. Honestly they are probably one of my favorite couples ever, out of every genre. There is so much in this world that it's too much to try and explain. You just need to pick it up! It’s definitely intimidating, but like I said if you don't want to start from the very beginning Cassie Clare does an amazing job of explaining things to where you could just pick up any series and start there!
2. An Ember in the Ashes
by Sabaa Tahir
Can I just say before we jump in that I follow Sabaa on instagram, and she is such a gem. SUCH A GEM. SO SO SO funny, if you aren't following her, do it. You won’t regret it! Anyways this series is no secret in the YA world. This is a series that is literally on fire, it’s SO good. I would give an arm and both legs for the fourth book right now. April 2020...man. I think the fourth book is the last, but not sure. I couldn’t find anything that said it would be the final book, but we shall see. These books do have pretty long gaps between each book, but it’s worth the wait because the author writes so beautifully and her work is amazing!
Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
Laia and Elias are great and all, but I am SO here for Helene. Helene and Harper though! Just read the first book and you’ll be just as much on team Helene as the rest of us! That girl though, man she deserves SOME kind of happy ending... preferably with Harper, ok? ok. This world that Sabaa Tahir creates is so intriguing and from book one you’re invested in what’s going to happen. My favorite book so far is probably the third one, Reaper at The Gates. I flew through it, and it had a lot from Helene’s perspective which I loved. The first book mostly focuses on Laia and Elias, and the second is like a blend and we get to meet new characters (HARPER). So much happens in this series and you’ll want answers the entire time, well to bad because I’m still waiting for answers as well!!! The author gives you just enough and then when you think you’re going to get a big reveal it’s like CLIFFHANGER, surprise! If you love a good plot, wonderful characters, a good fantasy world, and forbidden romances then pick up this series!
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
Laia and Elias are great and all, but I am SO here for Helene. Helene and Harper though! Just read the first book and you’ll be just as much on team Helene as the rest of us! That girl though, man she deserves SOME kind of happy ending... preferably with Harper, ok? ok. This world that Sabaa Tahir creates is so intriguing and from book one you’re invested in what’s going to happen. My favorite book so far is probably the third one, Reaper at The Gates. I flew through it, and it had a lot from Helene’s perspective which I loved. The first book mostly focuses on Laia and Elias, and the second is like a blend and we get to meet new characters (HARPER). So much happens in this series and you’ll want answers the entire time, well to bad because I’m still waiting for answers as well!!! The author gives you just enough and then when you think you’re going to get a big reveal it’s like CLIFFHANGER, surprise! If you love a good plot, wonderful characters, a good fantasy world, and forbidden romances then pick up this series!
3. Six of Crows Duo
by Leigh Bardugo
Is this even YA? Because this world is SO complex and the characters read so much more mature then most YA characters. I love this duo, and I am always recommending these books when someone wants a good fantasy. If you love YA fantasy, but you dislike how drenched in romance most are then this is the duo for you! It has the perfect amount of romance, but it mostly focuses on the world and the characters!Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .
A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes
Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
These characters though... Kaz Brekker you have my heart.
You become so invested in the lives of these characters and their world, that you won't want to put it down! Leigh Bardugo originally created this world in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, which I didn’t read. I’ve heard it’s great, but I’ve tried to read the first book and couldn’t get into it. I’ve been so spoiled by our ragtag team that I don’t want to read about anyone else! And you can just read these books. Everything is so explained that you don’t need to read the previous trilogy. The best way to describe this is like a young group (gang) that have special powers, kind of like the Scooby Doo gang, except they are the criminals and are the ones completing heists... Weird? YUH, this duo is so intense and you just need to pick it up. Just talking about this makes me want to reread these books! Also Kaz and Inej? Yes!!!! It’s such a real romance. This whole book is just so real, almost like if a fantasy world became real. This is what it would look like. This book has real characters, with real problems, and real pasts. Real, real, real....super literate, right? For real though this author really gives depth and creates such complex characters! Definitely check these two books out, you won’t be disappointed!
4. Stalking Jack The Ripper Series
by Kerri Maniscalco
Sherlock with a feminine twist? Serial killers? An annoying, yet devastatingly handsome partner? (aka Watson ;) ) Stalking Jack the Ripper was such a surprise for me! I was so hesitant going into it, but I was so obsessed not even three chapters in! I read this first book before it blew up in the book world, and I kept telling my friends that they HAD to check this book out! Now the world knows how amazing this series is! I think they're four books in this series and each book we get a new investigation. The second book is Hunting Prince Dracula and the third is Escaping from Houdini. These books are full of wit, murder, strong female characters in a time when women were meant to sew and drink tea, and Thomas Cresswell. Stop right here and read this book for our precious Thomas Cresswell!
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
This book is morbidly fascinating. When I was reading this book I kept whispering what out loud, and I was like, "alright I guess we’re going with this." Audrey Rose Wadsworth is definitely interesting and ahead of her time. Seeing her being interested in death had me like same girl, same. If Audrey Rose was in 2019 she’d be listening to true crime podcasts, like I can so see that. (Shout out to Crime Junkie, best True Crime podcast!) Each book has a case that needs to be solved and let me tell you, you’d think that with these type of books you’ll easily be able to figure it out...maybe you can, but for me I had no idea what was going to happen until it did! Also Thomas Cresswell.. Sarcastic? yes. Cynical? yes. Tall and broody? definitely! Handsome? FOR SURE. Perfect love interest? 100%!! Thomas and Audrey Rose are the perfect couple, they bicker and can’t stand each other, but then ultimately realize they’re a wonderful team and then of course the tension builds and OMG it took forever for that first kiss! My favorite book in this series so far is the first one, it’s so near and dear to my heart and I loved getting deep into the Jack the Ripper and seeing the way that the author made it her own. Definitely check this book out if you love true crime, romance, and sarcastic broody male characters!
Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
This book is morbidly fascinating. When I was reading this book I kept whispering what out loud, and I was like, "alright I guess we’re going with this." Audrey Rose Wadsworth is definitely interesting and ahead of her time. Seeing her being interested in death had me like same girl, same. If Audrey Rose was in 2019 she’d be listening to true crime podcasts, like I can so see that. (Shout out to Crime Junkie, best True Crime podcast!) Each book has a case that needs to be solved and let me tell you, you’d think that with these type of books you’ll easily be able to figure it out...maybe you can, but for me I had no idea what was going to happen until it did! Also Thomas Cresswell.. Sarcastic? yes. Cynical? yes. Tall and broody? definitely! Handsome? FOR SURE. Perfect love interest? 100%!! Thomas and Audrey Rose are the perfect couple, they bicker and can’t stand each other, but then ultimately realize they’re a wonderful team and then of course the tension builds and OMG it took forever for that first kiss! My favorite book in this series so far is the first one, it’s so near and dear to my heart and I loved getting deep into the Jack the Ripper and seeing the way that the author made it her own. Definitely check this book out if you love true crime, romance, and sarcastic broody male characters!
5. Air Awakens series
by Elise Kova
Remember Avatar the last Airbender? Well this is it in book form!! You’ll love this book if you’re into elemental magic and a romance that starts off as hate to love, and then builds to a mentor/student relationship and then finally to L-O-V-E.
A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...
The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.
Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.
What I loved about this book was the balance. It had the perfect amount of fantasy and magic, and the perfect amount of romance. It didn’t heavily lean in one direction like most YA books do. Honestly the magic was one of my favorite parts of this entire series. I felt like it really gave more to the main female character then just the relationship, which unfortunately happens a lot. I liked that we got to see her be on her own and learning on her own even when she was in a relationship. As much as I was here for the fantasy element I also adored the romance. Aldrik and Vhalla have an almost forbidden relationship the entire series and MAN do they go through some serious crap. There are five books in this series so you definitely get time to explore the world, the magic, and the relationship. This author did such an amazing job taking such a complex world and making it understandable and even enjoyable! If you like the Falling Kingdom series you’ll love this series. I feel like this series is SO underrated which is crazy because it’s on Kindle Unlimited! Check this series out, it’s a wonderful fantasy world full of magic and love and you won’t regret it!
These were some of my favorite Ya Fantasy series, but I do have an honorable mention. It’s not on my favorites list because I don’t like all of the books. Really I’m just obsessed with the first two books, but if you’ve read all of the series above then you should definitely check out A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I loved the first two books, and really the second book sort of wraps up the romance and if you only care about the romance you can end it there, but if you want to see what happens after then you can pick up the third book which unfortunately just wasn’t my cup of tea. It focused more on the side characters then the main couple and I feel like our main couples story line died in the second book, and that the author just let them have sex in every scene in the third book like it would keep us intrigued.... which sure that’s nice and all but when there is no plot (one you care about) you can get bored really quick! FYI although this book is labeled YA there is no way that is a 100% YA. There are sex scenes that are detailed, so just be aware!
Alright guys I hope you found at least one series you like, and if you have any recommendations of series you think I’d like then let me know!!
The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.
Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.
What I loved about this book was the balance. It had the perfect amount of fantasy and magic, and the perfect amount of romance. It didn’t heavily lean in one direction like most YA books do. Honestly the magic was one of my favorite parts of this entire series. I felt like it really gave more to the main female character then just the relationship, which unfortunately happens a lot. I liked that we got to see her be on her own and learning on her own even when she was in a relationship. As much as I was here for the fantasy element I also adored the romance. Aldrik and Vhalla have an almost forbidden relationship the entire series and MAN do they go through some serious crap. There are five books in this series so you definitely get time to explore the world, the magic, and the relationship. This author did such an amazing job taking such a complex world and making it understandable and even enjoyable! If you like the Falling Kingdom series you’ll love this series. I feel like this series is SO underrated which is crazy because it’s on Kindle Unlimited! Check this series out, it’s a wonderful fantasy world full of magic and love and you won’t regret it!
These were some of my favorite Ya Fantasy series, but I do have an honorable mention. It’s not on my favorites list because I don’t like all of the books. Really I’m just obsessed with the first two books, but if you’ve read all of the series above then you should definitely check out A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I loved the first two books, and really the second book sort of wraps up the romance and if you only care about the romance you can end it there, but if you want to see what happens after then you can pick up the third book which unfortunately just wasn’t my cup of tea. It focused more on the side characters then the main couple and I feel like our main couples story line died in the second book, and that the author just let them have sex in every scene in the third book like it would keep us intrigued.... which sure that’s nice and all but when there is no plot (one you care about) you can get bored really quick! FYI although this book is labeled YA there is no way that is a 100% YA. There are sex scenes that are detailed, so just be aware!
Alright guys I hope you found at least one series you like, and if you have any recommendations of series you think I’d like then let me know!!
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