Best YA Fantasy Duologies (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Finding the sequel out of print after book one is a special heartbreak, so the best ya fantasy duologies are the ones you can start and finish with confidence. We compared five using only what each listing publishes: series position, page count, reading age, grade level and publication date.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Heir by Tahir	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Keeper of Night by Baker	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Witch King by Edgmon	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	A Theory of Dreaming by Reid	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Lightstruck by Mara	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Heir 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 512-page duology opener of ruthless court fantasy with romance.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, a clean start to the duology
• Three point-of-view characters
• Published October 1, 2024

Cons

• Description mentions violence and murder
• Reading age 16+ marked as from customers
• 512 pages, the longest read here

2

The Keeper of Night by Baker

Kylie Lee Baker·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 384-page duology opener of dark mythology in 1890s Japan.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, a clean start to the duology
• Reaper and Shinigami myth in 1890s Japan
• Published September 6, 2022

Cons

• Description mentions death and demons
• Reading age 13-17 vs grade level 7-9
• Sequel sold separately

3

The Witch King by Edgmon

H.E. Edgmon·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 400-page duology opener of fae fantasy with a trans lead.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, a clean start to the duology
• A trans witch lead in a fae kingdom
• Published April 19, 2022

Cons

• Description mentions a traumatic past
• Grade 10-12, the oldest band here
• Sequel sold separately

4

A Theory of Dreaming by Reid

Ava Reid·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 deluxe-edition duology finale for dark academia fans.

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Pros

• Deluxe edition with foil case edges
• Closes the duology
• Published July 29, 2025, 416 pages

Cons

• Title says duology finale; table says book 2 of 3
• Sequel: start with A Study in Drowning
• Description mentions war and violence

5

The Lightstruck by Mara

Sunya Mara·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 448-page duology finale closing Vesper Vale’s story.

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Pros

• Book 2 of 2 closes the duology
• Published August 29, 2023
• 448 pages, second-longest here

Cons

• Finale: read book one first
• Description mentions war and a ruined city
• 448 pages is a long sequel

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More picks to compare

• The Empress of Time by BakerThe Keeper of Night sequel: Ren defends her title as Japan's Death Goddess.Check on Amazon
• The Monarchs by MorganThe Ravens duology finale with sorority witches facing demonic forces.Check on Amazon
• The Alcazar by EwingThe Cerulean duology conclusion, 480 pages of magic and friendship.Check on Amazon
• Cloak of Night by SkyeThe Circle of Shadows duology finale in a Japanese-inspired kingdom.Check on Amazon
• All These Warriors by TinteraThe All These Monsters duology conclusion with Team Seven.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five list both; the Heir’s 16+ is marked as from customers. 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 ya fantasy duologies

Start with book one when you can

Three of these are book one of two: Heir, The Keeper of Night and The Witch King. The other two are finales, so start with A Study in Drowning before A Theory of Dreaming, and with the first Darkening book before The Lightstruck. Our best YA epic fantasy books list has more starting points.

Match the reading age to the reader

Reading ages run from 13 and up to 16+, each with a grade level alongside. The 16+ on Heir is marked as from customers, which reflects buyer tags rather than the publisher’s line. For one volume and done, see our best YA fantasy standalone books.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: three are book one of two, two are finales.
• Read the reading age as given, including the from-customers mark on Heir’s 16+.
• Note each publication date so the edition matches the one described.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which duology should a new reader start with?

Heir, The Keeper of Night and The Witch King are all book one of two. The other two are finales.

What ages are these books listed for?

Reading ages run from 13 and up to 16+, with grade levels 7-9 through 10-12. Heir’s 16+ is marked as from customers.

Is A Theory of Dreaming really the last book?

The title says duology finale, but the spec table says book 2 of 3, so check the series before buying.

Still deciding? Our top pickHeir by Tahir

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Related lists

See every young adult books list and all kids and teens lists. Also see our best new YA fantasy books.

More lists: YA fantasy with dragons, fantasy books for YA, more young adult books.