Best Fantasy Books for YA (2026): 4 Picks Compared

A teen who has just finished a favorite series often wants the next one right away, so the best fantasy books for ya should match both the reader’s level and their time. We compared the picks by what each Amazon listing publishes: reading age, grade level, page count, publication date, series position and the description.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Sun and the Starmaker by Griffin	9.7/10	Buy
2	Heart of Mist by Scheuerer	9.4/10	Buy
3	Wings of Starlight by Saft	9.4/10	Buy
4	A River Enchanted by Ross	9.2/10	Buy

1

The Sun and the Starmaker by Griffin

Rachel Griffin·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For teen readers who like romantic fantasy: a girl with new magic is taken to an icy castle to study under the Starmaker.

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Pros

• The listing gives a reading age of 14 to 18 years and grade level 8 to 12, which overlap for teen readers
• Published February 17, 2026 by Sourcebooks Fire, the most recent date of the four listings
• The description centers on magic and a deadly frost, a clear hook for fantasy fans

Cons

• Romance is central to the description, so check that the theme suits the reader
• Series position is not stated, so the listing does not say whether more books follow
• At 448 pages it is long for a reader who wants a quick read

2

Heart of Mist by Scheuerer

Helen Scheuerer·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For teen fantasy fans who want a long series: a girl with forbidden power is snatched from home into a clash between a king and a warrior society.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3, so the listing shows a series to continue
• The listing gives a reading age of 13 to 17 years, which fits a teen reader
• Magic is forbidden, and a king and a warrior society both want the same girl, a clear epic hook

Cons

• Grade level 4 to 7 conflicts with the reading age of 13 to 17 years, so read the description and a sample before buying
• The description mentions a death, grief and alcohol use, so preview it for a sensitive reader
• Published August 28, 2017, the oldest date among these listings

3

Wings of Starlight by Saft

Allison Saft·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For fantasy fans who want a Pixie Hollow story: a fairy queen-to-be forms an unlikely alliance with a guardian of the Winter Woods.

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Pros

• The listing gives grade level 7 to 9, which suits a middle school to early high school reader
• Published February 4, 2025 by Random House/Disney, with 400 pages
• The description centers on magic, a monster threat and a fairy alliance, a clear hook for fantasy fans

Cons

• Reading age of 17+ years, marked as from customers, does not match the grade level of 7 to 9
• The description centers on a star-crossed romance and a deadly threat, so check the theme
• The listing does not state a series position, so it is unclear which book comes first

4

A River Enchanted by Ross

Rebecca Ross·9.2/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For adult fantasy readers who want a romance-led story: a bard is summoned home to an enchanted isle where girls have gone missing.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, so the listing shows a two-book story to finish
• Published November 1, 2022 by Harper Voyager, with 496 pages
• The description points to a folklore-infused island and a mystery that deepens

Cons

• The description places it on the adult fantasy stage, so it fits adult readers better than teens
• Neither a reading age nor a grade level is stated, so there is no listed level to check
• Enemies-to-lovers romance is central to the description, so check it suits the reader

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More picks to compare

• Chaos Woods by BarnesFor readers 13 to 18 who want an epic fantasy series.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a teen reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Three of the picks list both a reading age and a grade level, and A River Enchanted lists neither. Where those two conflict, the score drops and the conflict appears as a con. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy books for ya

Start with the reading level

The listed reading age and grade level are the first check. The Sun and the Starmaker gives 14 to 18 years and grade 8 to 12, while Heart of Mist gives 13 to 17 years and grade 4 to 7, so read its description before deciding. For more by age, see fantasy books for young adults.

Check the series position

Heart of Mist is Book 1 of 3 and A River Enchanted is Book 1 of 2, so buy Book 1 first. The Sun and the Starmaker and Wings of Starlight do not state a series position, so check the listing before buying. Browse all fantasy books for more titles.

Match the theme to the reader

Three of these picks center on romance, and the Heart of Mist description mentions a death, grief and alcohol use. Read the description for the themes a parent or teen cares about before buying.

Before you buy

• Check the publication date and edition on the listing, since these picks range from 2017 to 2026.
• Check which book comes first, and confirm the series number on the listing.
• Compare the listed reading age with the reader, and read the description for mature themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a teen start Heart of Mist?

Start with Book 1 of 3 in The Oremere Chronicles. Its listed grade level of 4 to 7 does not match its reading age of 13 to 17 years, so preview it first.

What age does The Sun and the Starmaker suit?

The listing gives a reading age of 14 to 18 years and grade level 8 to 12. The description centers on romance, so check that theme first.

Is A River Enchanted meant for teens?

The description places it on the adult fantasy stage, and the listing states no reading age or grade level. Check the content before giving it to a teen.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Sun and the Starmaker by Griffin

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Related lists

See every Young Adult list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: browse fantasy series for teens, YA books for girls, YA books for boys and fantasy books for teens.