Best YA Fantasy Goodreads (2026): 5 YA Fantasies Compared

Teens find their next obsession on Goodreads, and the best ya fantasy goodreads lists keep circling the same fae courts and academies. We compared five YA fantasies by author, series, page count and reading age, using only what each listing publishes. Every pick names who it suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Girl of Fire and Thorns by Carson	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Three Dark Crowns	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Witches and Wyverns by Ramsey	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Faebound by El-Arifi	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Fallen Academy by Stone	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Carson

Rae Carson·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 ›

For teen readers who want a YA fantasy with a chosen heroine, dark magic and a series to follow.

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Pros

• Grade level 8 to 9 and a reading age of 13 years and up both fit a teen reader
• Magic, a chosen heroine and a royal plot make fantasy the core of the book
• Listed as Book 1 of 4, with a stand-alone companion novel named in the description

Cons

• The description mentions romance and a secret marriage, so check mature themes first
• The description raises early death as a theme, so check it before buying for a sensitive reader
• Book 1 of 4 means a longer series than a single purchase

2

Three Dark Crowns

Kendare Blake·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 432-page dark YA fantasy by Kendare Blake, rated 14 years and up, published 2018.

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Pros

• 432 pages, the longest here
• Rated 14 years and up
• By Kendare Blake
• Dark YA fantasy stated

Cons

• 432 pages is the longest here
• Rated 14 years and up
• 2018 publication
• Dark themes stated

3

Witches and Wyverns by Ramsey

S. Ramsey·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 teen fantasy about Enid, who follows the boy she loves into the hidden realm of Afallon, suited to a reader who wants fae courts and wyverns.

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Pros

• Reading age 12+ stated, marked as from customers
• Book 1 of 1, complete in one volume
• Published July 12, 2023

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• No page count stated
• No publisher stated

4

Faebound by El-Arifi

Saara El-Arifi·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 ›

Book 1 of the Faebound Trilogy, about two elven sisters drawn into the fae court, suited to a reader starting a romantic fantasy trilogy.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in the Faebound Trilogy
• 400 pages from Del Rey
• Published August 27, 2024

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• Trilogy starter means more books to buy
• Romance is central, per the description

5

Fallen Academy by Stone

Leia Stone·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 girl with black wings is admitted to an elite school in Angel City, suited to older teens who like urban fantasy romance.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 5 in Fallen Academy, so the first volume starts the series
• Grade level 8 to 12 and 352 pages are both stated
• Urban fantasy with demons and fallen angels at an elite school

Cons

• Reading age of 17 years and up is marked as from customers, while grade 8 to 12 is listed, so the two conflict
• Book 1 of 5, a longer commitment than a standalone
• The description centers a romance between a student and her teacher, so check for mature content

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026. One of the five states a reading age, marked as from customers.

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. Only the Tales of Witches and Wyverns pick states a reading age, 12+ years marked as from customers; the other four state none. 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 goodreads

Trilogy, series or standalone

Faebound is Book 1 of 3 in the Faebound Trilogy, and Fallen Academy: Year One implies a series start. Tales of Witches and Wyverns is Book 1 of 1, complete in one volume. The other two state no series. Trilogies suit a reader ready for a commitment; single volumes suit a quick read. For younger fantasy readers, see our best fantasy books for 15 year olds.

Fae courts or academies

Faebound and Tales of Witches and Wyverns both visit fae courts, one with elven sisters and one with wyverns. Fallen Academy is an academy fantasy by title, Three Dark Crowns a dark fantasy, and The Girl of Fire and Thorns an adventure fantasy. Match the subgenre to the reader’s shelf. For readers new to the genre, see our best fantasy books for beginner readers.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: Book 1 of 3 means more books to buy.
• Check the reading age on the listing and whether it is marked as from customers.
• Confirm the page count: only Faebound states one, at 400 pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these start a series?

Faebound is Book 1 of 3 in the Faebound Trilogy, and Fallen Academy: Year One implies a series start. Tales of Witches and Wyverns is Book 1 of 1.

Which states a reading age?

Tales of Witches and Wyverns lists a reading age of 12+ years, marked as from customers. The other four state none.

Which is the longest book here?

Faebound at 400 pages, the only pick with a stated page count.

Still deciding? Our top pickGirl of Fire and Thorns by Carson

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Related lists

See every young adult list and all kids and teens lists. Also see our best fantasy books for 15 year olds.

More lists: young adult, fantasy books for beginner readers, fantasy books for summer.