And now she’s quite reluctant to leave it. Beggar, pick pocket, thief, she lived hand to mouth on the city streets until fortune–or fate–pulled her into Kalanthe’s orbit. Olsa Rhetsdaughter was never meant for heroism at all. With time running out, Kalanthe may be forced to betray not her kingdom or her friends, but her own heart as she seeks a stable future for herself and those she loves. The heroes who brought the gem home are renowned in story and song, but for two fellows on the quest, peace and prosperity do not come easily.Īpprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart wasn’t meant for heroism this early in life, and while she has no intention of giving up the notoriety she has earned, her reputation does not pay her bills. “It has been a year since the mysterious godsgem cured Cadrium’s king and ushered in what promised to be a new golden age. But can a rebellion built on mistrust ever hope to succeed?” The Afterward by E.K. They are sworn enemies, yet they form a tenuous pact to unite the commoners and former nobility against the Shadow Society. Forced to hide in the sewers beneath the city, Josse’s hope of reclaiming Paris seems impossible―until his path collides with Mirabelle’s. But when the Shadow Society assassinates the Sun King and half of the royal court, he must become the prince he was never meant to be in order to save his injured sisters and the petulant dauphin. Royal bastard Josse de Bourbon is more kitchen boy than fils de France. Mira tries to ease her guilt by brewing helpful curatives, but her hunger tonics and headache remedies cannot right past wrongs or save the dissenters her mother vows to purge. “After unwittingly helping her mother poison King Louis XIV, seventeen-year-old alchemist Mirabelle Monvoisin is forced to see her mother’s Shadow Society in a horrifying new light: they’re not heroes of the people, as they’ve always claimed to be, but murderers. And if you want more, you can find lists of the best feminist YA, YA fantasies by women of color, and #Ownvoices YA fantasy.ĭescriptions come from Goodreads. Dipping into sub-genres of contemporary, historical, and high fantasies, it includes a mix of new and newer titles, a few to look forward to (and preorder!) and a few classic YA fantasy mainstays that are just so good that you, well, must read them. But better late than never.Īs you can expect, this list of YA fantasies isn’t comprehensive. Young Adult fantasy is expansive and growing, which makes it all the more surprising that Book Riot hasn’t had a must-read list of the best YA fantasy books before. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind.

Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Until she crash lands on Old Earth, pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, and becomes the forty-second reincarnation of King Arthur. A fugitive refugee in territory controlled by the evil Mercer Corporation, Ari has always had to hide who she is. This list of must-read YA fantasy books is sponsored by JIMMY Patterson Books.Īri Helix has been chased her entire life.

Kingdom of the dead bone key