Young adult fantasy has a special power: it combines the wonder and imagination of fantasy with the emotional intensity of adolescence. The best YA fantasy series don't just tell great stories—they become companions, offering escape during difficult times and validation for the complex feelings of growing up. These series are the ones that keep you reading past bedtime, that make you laugh and cry, and that stay with you long after the final page.
Whether you're a teenager yourself or an adult who appreciates great storytelling regardless of target audience, these fantasy series deliver compelling characters, intricate worldbuilding, and narratives that resonate on a deep emotional level. Prepare to lose some sleep.
Epic Fantasy Journeys
Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo
Set in the Grishaverse (Bardugo's larger fantasy world), this duology follows a crew of criminals attempting an impossible heist. Each of the six main characters has a fully developed backstory, motivation, and arc. Bardugo's dialogue crackles with wit, and the heist plotting would make Ocean's Eleven jealous.
What sets Six of Crows apart is its willingness to let its characters be morally complex. These aren't traditional heroes—they're thieves, killers, and con artists. But Bardugo makes you root for them anyway, understanding the circumstances that shaped them while never excusing their choices.
Reading Order: Six of Crows → Crooked Kingdom. (Optional: Read the Shadow and Bone trilogy first for context, though it's not required.)
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Inspired by West African mythology and the Black Lives Matter movement, this Nigerian-influenced fantasy follows Zélie as magic returns to Orïsha after a brutal genocide against maji. Adeyemi's worldbuilding is stunning, drawing from Yoruba culture to create a fantasy world unlike anything in the Western tradition.
The book doesn't shy away from heavy themes—racism, oppression, trauma, and the cycle of violence—while still delivering adventure, romance, and hope. It's the beginning of a trilogy that has captivated readers worldwide.
Romantasy Picks
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Beginning as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, this series evolves into a sweeping faerie epic with romance, politics, and war. Maas excels at creating swoon-worthy love interests and tension-filled relationships. The later books in the series venture into more adult territory, making this a good bridge for readers aging out of traditional YA.
Maas's Prythian is richly developed, with distinct courts, complex power dynamics, and a magic system that becomes increasingly important as the series progresses. Be warned: these books have inspired intense fandom discussions about team allegiances.
Reading Order: A Court of Thorns and Roses → A Court of Mist and Fury → A Court of Wings and Ruin → A Court of Frost and Starlight → A Court of Silver Flames
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude Duarte is human, raised in the faerie realm after her parents' murder. To survive among creatures who despise mortals, she must become cunning, ruthless, and willing to play dangerous games. Black's faerie politics are deliciously Machiavellian, and the central romance burns with enemies-to-lovers tension.
This trilogy leans dark, with a morally gray protagonist willing to do terrible things for power and protection. It's not for readers who need likeable characters—but for those who enjoy watching complicated people navigate impossible situations, it's perfection.
Contemporary Fantasy
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson proved that Greek mythology could be hilarious, accessible, and deeply meaningful all at once. Riordan's ADHD and dyslexic hero discovers he's a demigod, launching a series that has introduced millions of young readers to classical mythology while telling genuinely exciting adventure stories.
The series has spawned an entire extended universe (the Riordanverse), with companion series covering Roman, Egyptian, and Norse mythology. Start with The Lightning Thief and see where the gods take you.
Tips for the All-Night Reader
Have snacks ready. Keep your phone charged for emergency book club texts. Accept that productivity the next day may suffer—but the reading experience is worth it.
Consider audiobooks for series you're revisiting. Many YA fantasy audiobooks feature excellent narration, and listening while doing other activities lets you experience beloved stories without cutting into your new-book time.
Finally, don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed for reading YA. Great storytelling is great storytelling, regardless of its marketing category. These books tackle real themes with imagination and heart—and they're really, really fun.