The Ultimate List of Fantasy Books for Teens

The “Harry Potter Series” by J.K. Rowling invites readers into a world where magic is real and adventures await at every corner. Harry Potter learns he’s a wizard on his 11th birthday. Soon, he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, making friends and foes alike.

However, Harry’s journey is not just about magic and school life. If he’s to survive, he must face the dark wizard who seeks to destroy him. Alongside his friends, Harry battles evil forces, uncovering mysteries and embracing his destiny.

“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner thrusts readers into a mysterious, ever-changing maze alongside a group of boys with no memory of the outside world. Thomas wakes up in a lift, only to find himself in The Glade, a community surrounded by stone walls. With no memory of his past, he must adapt quickly.

However, the arrival of the first girl, Teresa, brings a message that changes everything. If they want to escape, they must solve the maze. This task is fraught with danger, including mechanical monsters and the ever-looming threat of betrayal.

“An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir is a gripping tale set in a brutal, ancient-like world under martial rule. Laia, a slave, and Elias, a soldier, are at opposite ends of this empire. Yet, their destinies intertwine as they seek freedom and justice.

However, the path is fraught with danger and betrayal. If they’re to succeed, Laia and Elias must make unthinkable choices. Their story is a testament to the power of hope and resilience.

“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien is a classic adventure that takes readers into the heart of Middle-earth. Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit, finds himself on an unexpected journey. Alongside a group of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf, he seeks to reclaim a treasure guarded by a dragon.

However, the path is fraught with danger, from trolls to goblins and worse. If Bilbo is to help his friends succeed, he must discover his own courage and wit. Their adventure lays the groundwork for the epic saga that continues in “The Lord of the Rings.”

The Lunar Chronicles” by Marissa Meyer reimagines classic fairy tales in a futuristic world where Earth and the Moon are on the brink of war. Cinder, a cyborg mechanic with a mysterious past, becomes entangled in a struggle against a ruthless lunar queen. Along the way, she joins forces with a fugitive prince, a sharpshooter pilot, and a gifted hacker.

However, their mission is fraught with danger and betrayal. If they’re to succeed, they must overcome their differences and unite against a common enemy. These tales weave together, creating a saga of courage, love, and determination.

“The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater draws readers into a world where the line between the living and the dead blurs. Blue Sargent, the daughter of a psychic, has been warned she will cause her true love’s death. Yet, she’s drawn to a group of boys from the local private school, known as the Raven Boys, who are on a quest to find a lost king.

However, as Blue and the boys delve deeper into the supernatural, their paths intertwine in unexpected ways. If they’re not careful, their search for the king could bring dire consequences. This novel weaves together magic, quest, and the complexities of friendship against a backdrop of ley lines and prophecy.

“Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo plunges readers into the Grishaverse, a world teeming with dark magic and darker secrets. Alina Starkov, an ordinary soldier, discovers she possesses an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Her ability to summon light makes her a target for forces vying for control.

However, as Alina trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical elite, she uncovers a web of intrigue and deception. If she’s to survive, she must master her new powers and navigate the treacherous politics of the court. Her journey is a testament to the strength within and the power of unexpected alliances.

“The Wrath & the Dawn” by Renée Ahdieh reimagines the tale of “One Thousand and One Nights” with a captivating twist. Shahrzad volunteers to marry the caliph, Khalid, who’s known for taking a new bride each night only to have her executed at dawn. However, Shahrzad has a plan to survive and avenge her best friend’s death.

As nights pass, Shahrzad begins to uncover the truth behind the murders and discovers that Khalid is not the monster she expected. If she’s to end the cycle of death, she must delve deeper into the mysteries of the palace and the caliph’s heart. Their growing love could be the key to salvation or the doom of them both.

“Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi thrusts readers into the vibrant land of Orïsha, where magic once flourished. Zélie Adebola remembers a time before the king ruthlessly eradicated magic and oppressed the magi. However, a chance encounter sets her on a quest to bring magic back.

Joined by a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and battle the crown prince who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. If they can’t control their powers and unite the divided kingdom, their world will fall into darkness forever. Their journey is fraught with danger, but hope sparks in the fight for freedom and equality.

“The Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard plunges readers into a world divided by blood—red for commoners, silver for the elite. Mare Barrow, a Red, discovers she possesses a deadly power, something unheard of among her kind. This revelation thrusts her into the Silver royal court’s dangerous intrigues.

However, Mare’s abilities make her a pawn in a high-stakes game of power and rebellion. If she hopes to survive, she must hide her true identity and outwit her enemies. Along the way, she learns that the line between Reds and Silvers is more complicated than she thought.

“The Belles” by Dhonielle Clayton unveils a lush world where beauty is not just coveted—it’s controlled and commodified. In the opulent world of Orléans, Camellia Beauregard is a Belle, blessed with the power to make people beautiful. However, beauty comes with a dark price, and Camellia learns the true cost of perfection.

As she rises to become the favorite Belle of the royal court, Camellia uncovers sinister secrets about her own powers. If she doesn’t play the court’s dangerous game, she could lose everything, including her own life. Yet, Camellia is determined to find a way to use her gifts for a greater good.

“The Star-Touched Queen” by Roshani Chokshi transports readers to a world where destiny is written in the stars. Maya is cursed with a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction. However, her fate takes a turn when she marries Amar and becomes the queen of Akaran, a kingdom unlike any other.

In Akaran, Maya discovers that her new home harbors secrets tied to her past. If she unravels these mysteries, she could change her destiny and the world’s. Yet, trust is a fragile thing, and the truths she seeks might be closer to her than she realizes.

“Strange the Dreamer” by Laini Taylor unfolds the tale of Lazlo Strange, an orphan who dreams of the mythical city of Weep. His fascination turns into a quest when he gets the chance to join an expedition to the lost city. However, upon arrival, Lazlo discovers that the city harbors mysteries and sorrows beyond his wildest dreams.

In Weep, Lazlo encounters Sarai, a goddess with the ability to infiltrate dreams. If they can bridge the gap between their worlds, they might heal the city’s ancient wounds. But their connection brings dangers of its own, challenging their beliefs and the very fabric of reality.

“Caraval” by Stephanie Garber invites readers to the spellbinding performance of Caraval, where nothing is as it seems. Scarlett has dreamed of attending Caraval, a faraway, once-a-year show where the audience participates in the performance. However, when she and her sister Tella finally arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett learns that this year’s Caraval revolves around finding Tella, and the winner will be granted a wish. If Scarlett wants to save her sister, she must win the game. But as she delves deeper, she discovers that distinguishing reality from illusion is harder than she thought.

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins thrusts readers into the dystopian world of Panem, where the Capitol forces districts to send tributes to fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place in the Games, entering a brutal arena of survival. However, she’s not just fighting for her life; she’s become a symbol of resistance.

Inside the arena, alliances form and enemies emerge. If Katniss can survive, she might change Panem forever. But the Capitol has its own plans, and every move she makes is watched. Katniss must navigate the games’ perilous twists with skill and cunning.