13 Best Fantasy Fiction Books for Young Adults 2025
Explore magical worlds with our top picks of fantasy fiction books for young adults. Find new favorites and adventure on every page!
Welcome, fellow book lovers! We get it—choosing the right fantasy fiction books for young adults is harder than finding a dragon at a pet store. With so many magical lands, clever heroes, and plots twistier than our aunt’s spaghetti, it’s tough to know where to start. When picking the 13 best books for this list, we focused on stories with wild adventures, relatable characters (yes, even the witches), and worlds that stick with you long after you’ve finished the last page. Whether you want thrilling quests, clever heists, or enough romance to make you blush, our list of fantasy fiction books for young adults has something for every new reader. So, grab your bookmarks—adventure (and maybe a little chaos) is just a page away!
On this list:
13 Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This series is practically a right of passage for lovers of fantasy fiction books for young adults. Riordan nails the voice of a sassy teen with Greek gods, monsters, and tons of humor. Perfect for anyone who wishes their Algebra teacher was a centaur. Plus, the chapters are short. Great for us attention-challenged folks.
12 Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Fantasy fiction books for young adults rarely get as fun or clever as Bardugo’s heist. We had to Google half the terms (and questionable curse words), but the crew of misfits totally stole our hearts—and the plot. Kaz Brekker’s cane alone is worth the read.
11 Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Bardugo gets a second spot for the Grishaverse starter. There’s a dark prince, magic that’s actually called ‘small science’ (makes us feel smart), and a lovable cast. There’s also a heavy dose of drama, which is required reading in the world of fantasy fiction books for young adults.
10 Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Here’s one for those who like their dragons with a side of destiny. Paolini wrote this when he was basically a fetus, which makes us question our own life choices. You get elves, swords, and dragon bonding—what more could you want from fantasy fiction books for young adults?
9 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Dystopian? Yes. But there’s just enough wild tech and action to fit with our favorite fantasy fiction books for young adults. Katniss never misses, and neither does this book. (Make sure to hide your snacks before reading.)
8 An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Rebels, soldiers, mystical prophecies and a whole lot of sword swinging. We actually tried to stage a mock fight with broomsticks after reading this. If you like action and heart, this one’s for your fantasy fiction books for young adults TBR.
7 A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
We still can’t pronounce half the character names. But if you like fairy intrigue, court drama, and a lot of steamy moments, this book is your ticket. Fantasy fiction books for young adults just got a lot more blush-worthy.
6 The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
This one’s for fans of puzzles, Paris, and quirky squads. The banter made us laugh out loud, and the magic is super unique. Basically, fantasy fiction books for young adults plus treasure hunting? Sign us up.
5 Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Witches and holy warriors forced into marriage? The only thing more dramatic is our group’s group chat. Swoony, fast-paced, and funny in a ‘how did we end up HERE?’ way, it’s fantasy fiction books for young adults done right.
4 Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Magic. Rebellion. Lush African mythology. Our book club was shouting at the characters (sorry, neighbors!). It’s fantasy fiction books for young adults with real world bite and stakes.
3 Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Assassins, tournaments, and just enough romance to keep us up way past bedtime. Fantasy fiction books for young adults rarely feature this much stabbing and fun. We tried fencing after reading. Didn’t go well.
2 The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Not your classic fantasy, but it has riddles and a fortune at stake. It’s like playing Clue with more secrets and less awkward small talk. Awesome pick if you’re easing into fantasy fiction books for young adults.
1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
We pick this as our top choice for fantasy fiction books for young adults, and not because we’re basic—okay, maybe a little. But this book convinced a whole generation that reading can be magical. We still keep waiting for an owl to bring us mail. The story packs charm, humor, and heart. The world feels so real that our snacks disappeared while reading (no Nargles, just us). Sure, it’s very popular, but there’s a reason. Even re-reading it as adults, we’re still picking up on details we missed as kids. It’s not a perfect book—there are dated bits and the food descriptions made us too hungry—but it stands tall as a classic that welcomes new readers into the world of fantasy fiction books for young adults.
