Best Fantasy Quest Books (2026): 5 Picks Compared

When a young reader finishes one quest and immediately asks for another map to follow, the best fantasy quest books are the ones with a clear goal, a brave party and a long road. We compared five by fit, contents, value and the listed reading age.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Unwanteds Quests by McMann	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Kingdom of Fantasy by Stilton	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Flower Kingdom by Gigi D.G.	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Melody Kingdom by Gigi D.G.	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Dragon Quest Art by Toriyama	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Unwanteds Quests by McMann

Lisa McMann·9.8/10 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 ›

Seven quest books in one box set, 3296 pages, for series readers.

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Pros

• Seven complete books in one box, the strongest value here
• 3296 pages of quest story
• Reading age 8-12 and grade level 3-7

Cons

• A sequel series; new readers may want the original books first
• 3296 pages is a long commitment
• No single-volume option stated

2

Kingdom of Fantasy by Stilton

Geronimo Stilton·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 320-page full-color hardcover quest through seven lands.

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Pros

• 320-page full-color hardcover
• A quest through seven fantastic lands
• Reading age and grade level stated

Cons

• A sequel to the first Kingdom of Fantasy adventure
• Published October 1, 2010
• Reprint edition per the listing

3

Flower Kingdom by Gigi D.G.

Gigi D.G.·9.5/10 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 ›

The fourth graphic novel in a four-volume adventure, 240 pages.

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Pros

• Book 4 of 4, the series finale
• 240-page graphic novel
• Adapted from a popular webcomic

Cons

• Reading age 8-11 and grade level Preschool-2 do not match
• Book 4 of 4, so new readers start at the end
• Read books 1 to 3 first for the full story

4

Melody Kingdom by Gigi D.G.

Gigi D.G.·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 ›

The third graphic novel in a four-volume adventure, 240 pages.

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Pros

• Book 3 of 4 in a four-volume adventure
• 240-page graphic novel
• Reading age 8-12 stated

Cons

• Reading age 8-12 and grade level Preschool-2 do not match
• Book 3 of 4, so new readers start mid-series
• Published May 29, 2018

5

Dragon Quest Art by Toriyama

Akira Toriyama·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 ›

A 240-page art book of Dragon Quest game illustrations.

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Pros

• Over 500 illustrations in a 240-page hardcover
• 30th anniversary edition from VIZ Media
• Fold-out Dragon Quest timeline poster included

Cons

• An art book of game illustrations, not a quest story to read
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Published December 11, 2018

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More picks to compare

• Rise of the Green Flame by MensahA 96-page Branches book, ages 6-8, for newly independent readers.Check on Amazon
• Curse of the Akoma Stone by MensahBook 4 of the Kwame series, 96 pages, for readers following the quest.Check on Amazon
• Usborne Big Book of Fantasy QuestsA 128-page combined volume for readers 12 and up.Check on Amazon
• Puzzles & Perils by AyresA 320-page puzzle quest for readers who like solving along.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and value. Four listings state a reading age; four also state a grade level. 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 quest books

Match the reading age to the reader

The picks list ages from 6-9 up to 8-12; the Dragon Quest art book states no reading age. The two Cucumber Quest books pair a reading age of 8-11 or 8-12 with a grade level of Preschool-2, which does not match, so read both numbers. More fantasy for young readers lives in fantasy books.

Start at Book 1 when you can

Three picks are sequels or finales. If the reader is new, the Unwanteds box set is the only complete arc here.

Box sets vs single volumes

The Unwanteds box set holds seven books and 3296 pages. Single volumes like the 240-page Cucumber Quest books are shorter commitments.

Before you buy

• Confirm the series number on the listing; three picks are sequels or finales.
• Read the reading age and grade level together; two listings do not match.
• Check whether the pick is a story or an art book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these quest books for?

The picks list reading ages from 6-9 to 8-12; the Dragon Quest art book states no reading age.

Can a new reader start with the Unwanteds Quests box set?

The box set is the complete sequel series to the Unwanteds books. New readers may want the original series first.

Are these all fantasy quest stories?

Four are quest narratives; the Dragon Quest listing is a 240-page art book, not a story.

Still deciding? Our top pickUnwanteds Quests by McMann

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Related lists

See every fantasy books list and all fiction lists.

More lists: YA fantasy duologies, fantasy series like Harry Potter, fantasy series like Lord of the Rings.