Best Fantasy Novels YA (2026): 5 Picks Compared

When a teen finishes one fantasy series and asks what world to fall into next, the best fantasy novels ya readers reach for range from single standalones to long series. We compared five young adult fantasy novels by fit for teen readers, contents and edition, value, and the stated reading age or grade level, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	An Ember in the Ashes by Tahir	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Unchosen by Blair	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	House of Salt and Sorrows by Craig	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Smoke and Spells by Knight	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Fallen Shadow King by Grey	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

An Ember in the Ashes by Tahir

Sabaa Tahir·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 ›

A series-opening fantasy following Laia and Elias under a brutal Rome-inspired empire, for teen readers who want a long series; skip it if the reader avoids violent settings.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4, so the series has a defined arc to follow.
• Reading age 14 to 17 years and grade level 9 to 12 are both stated.
• G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers is the stated publisher, with an April 28, 2015 publication date.

Cons

• The description mentions death and executions under the empire; parents may want to check before buying.
• The print length field reads "English" instead of a page count, so no page count is stated.
• Published in 2015, the oldest stated publication date here.

2

Unchosen by Blair

Katharyn Blair·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 ›

A standalone fantasy about Charlotte posing as the Chosen One to save her sister, for readers who want one book with no series commitment; skip it if monster-filled dystopias are not a fit.

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Pros

• A standalone, so there is no series to catch up on.
• Reading age 14 years and up and grade level 9 to 12 are both stated.
• HarperCollins is the stated publisher, with a January 26, 2021 publication date.

Cons

• The description mentions flesh-eating monsters and a deadly curse; parents may want to check before buying.
• No page count is stated; the print length field reads "English".
• A standalone offers no sequel if the reader wants more.

3

House of Salt and Sorrows by Craig

Erin A. Craig·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 ›

A sheltered daughter investigates the mysterious deaths of her sisters and the eerie nocturnal balls they attend at their isolated island manor.

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Pros

• Grade level 7 to 9 and a reading age of 12 years and up match readers moving into darker young adult fantasy
• Combines an isolated coastal manor setting with a fairy tale mystery inspired by the Twelve Dancing Princesses
• The description promises an atmospheric mystery with magic, ghostly visions and family secrets

Cons

• The listing does not state a page count in its print length field
• It is Book 1 of 2, so readers will need the sequel to continue the series
• The description mentions deaths, ghostly visions and family curses, which may be too dark for younger readers

4

Smoke and Spells by Knight

Ryver Knight·9.6/10 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 ›

A series opener about fifteen-year-old Asha discovering a rare power at a magic academy, for readers who want to start a new series; skip it for readers who prefer standalones.

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Pros

• Book 1 of the Althuria Chronicles, a stated starting point for the series.
• Reading age 12 to 18 years is stated.
• First edition published February 20, 2022.

Cons

• The description mentions murder at the academy; parents may want to check before buying.
• The description calls it a four-book series while the listing also says Book 1 of 9; confirm the series order before buying book two.
• No page count is stated.

5

Fallen Shadow King by Grey

Jen L. Grey·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 ›

A young woman taken from Earth must survive a deadly bridal tournament in a fae realm while navigating an enemies-to-lovers bond.

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Pros

• The listing states this is Book 1 of 3 in the Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy, providing an entry point for fantasy fans.
• Recent May 15, 2025 publication date offers a current romantasy story.
• The description highlights popular enemies-to-lovers romance and fantasy intrigue.

Cons

• Page count is not stated on the listing.
• Neither reading age nor grade level is stated on the listing.
• The description mentions violence, betrayal, and life-or-death competition themes.

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Three of the five picks list a reading age or grade level; the two title-only listings state neither. 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 novels ya

Reading age and grade level

Three of these five list a reading age or grade level. An Ember in the Ashes gives 14 to 17 years with grade level 9 to 12, Unchosen gives 14 years and up with grade 9 to 12, and Smoke and Spells gives 12 to 18 years. When both numbers are stated and agree, they give a solid starting range; the two title-only listings state neither, so preview those first.

Series or standalone

An Ember in the Ashes is Book 1 of 4 and Smoke and Spells is Book 1 of the Althuria Chronicles, so both begin multi-book arcs, while Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King opens the Of Fae and Wolf trilogy. Unchosen is the lone standalone for readers who want one book and done. Browse every young adult list for more by level, and see best YA fantasy standalone books for more single-volume picks.

What to do with thin listings

House of Salt and Sorrows and Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King come with title and author only, so they sit last in this ranking. Use them as leads to look up, not as judged picks: check the listing for a description, page count and reading level before buying.

Before you buy

• Check the publication date on the listing; the dates here run from 2015 to 2022.
• For a series, buy book one first: An Ember in the Ashes is Book 1 of 4, Smoke and Spells is Book 1 of the Althuria Chronicles, and Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King is Book 1 of the Of Fae and Wolf trilogy.
• Match the stated reading age or grade level to the reader: 12 to 18 years, 14 years and up, or grade level 9 to 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start with An Ember in the Ashes?

Start at book one: the listing states it is Book 1 of 4 in its series, published April 28, 2015.

What age do these fantasy novels suit?

The listings state a reading age of 14 to 17 years for An Ember in the Ashes, 12 to 18 years for Smoke and Spells, and 14 years and up for Unchosen; the two title-only listings state no reading age.

Which of these is a standalone?

Unchosen is described as a standalone adventure; An Ember in the Ashes and Smoke and Spells are series books.

Still deciding? Our top pickAn Ember in the Ashes by Tahir

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Related lists

See every young adult list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: YA fantasy and sci fi series, YA book series, clean YA fantasy and dystopian books.