This post was last updated on September 5th, 2025 at 11:50 pm
These 9 exquisitely told, best selling YA fantasy books with Welsh or Celtic themes are sure to take you on otherworldly journeys filled with royalty, romance, and magic. The Celts were a diverse group of ancient Indo-European peoples who arrived in Britain between 1000 and 600 BC. They left behind a rich tapestry of storytelling tradition that has inspired many novels.
Best selling YA Fantasy books are as diverse as the authors who write them and the readers who read them. This list features 9 books with Welsh or Celtic themes that have all been best sellers in some way. As pagans and animists, the Celts’ relationship to the spiritual realm is a strong theme in almost every tale. Their belief in reincarnation and the concept of the “Otherworld” were also intrinsic elements of the spirituality in their stories. Celtic literature brought us such works as the Mabinogion and the Arthurian legends. Their storytelling influenced many famous novels in more recent history as well. It’s no wonder that Celtic mythology eventually found its way into best selling YA Fantasy books.
What makes a book a “bestseller?” Traditionally, we consider a book a bestseller if it makes it onto one of the main bestseller lists. These include The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. However, Amazon also keeps its own bestseller lists of books across every genre. Whichever of the fantasy book recommendations below you decide upon, you’ll be adventuring beyond the veil before you know it!
This post is about best selling YA Fantasy Books with Welsh or Celtic themes.
Best Selling YA Fantasy Books
Dark Waters: Book 1 (Celtic Legacy Series) by Shannon Mayer
Dark Waters is the first book of one of the best young adult fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Shannon Meyer. When two sisters, Quinn and Ashling, come across something that’s, well, strange, to put it lightly, what starts out as a typical holiday quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal. As the world of the Fae abruptly appears on a rocky shore, the sisters are thrown into a world of dark magic and ancient strife. Now Quinn and Ashling, bound by a strong love but kept apart by terrible circumstances, must each draw on their inner strength to live—and to save one another.
The conflict tests their previously unshakable relationship in unexpected ways. They are torn between two Fae tribes, one of which claims to represent the light and the other the dark. As tensions rise, both sides compete for allegiance and neither provides honesty or safety. The sisters’ futures are shaped by hidden history and secrets that gradually surface as they make their way through the unfamiliar and perilous realm. And even worse, a prophecy suggests that fate may turn Quinn and Ashling into enemies. Readers love the resilient yet vulnerable characters and their strong bond, the story’s twists on Celtic mythology, the fast pace, and the non-stop tension. You can also look forward to some unexpected alliances and a bit of romance, including a love triangle.
Morgan Is My Name (The Morgan le Fay series Book 1) by Sophie Keetch
A Times Literary Supplement Summer Book 2023, A Sunday Times Best Historical Fiction Pick for 2023, and one of National Book Tokens’ 23 Books to Read in ’23. There’s no denying that Morgan is My Name is one of the best YA fantasy books of 2023!
Morgan, the youngest of Duke Gorlois and Igraine’s three daughters, was raised in Tintagel Castle. Her childhood was loving and carefree, but then tragedy struck her family when King Uther Pendragon murdered her father and forced her mother into marriage. Despite this drastic change, Morgan is clever, persistent, and seeks her own path. She will not be subdued. As she navigates the deceptive power machinations of both her stepfather and Merlin, she educates herself in secret. Developing a passion for healing and the magical arts, she even explores necromancy.
Morgan’s forced marriage to King Urien of Gore, intended to strengthen Uther’s alliances, instead confines Morgan to another cage. Despite this, Morgan uses her secret magic and healing skills to gain respect and form surprising partnerships. She allies with her half-brother Arthur when he becomes king. Morgan is tested as she fights to claim her independence and begin a new chapter in her life. Readers love this journey of empowerment, self-discovery, and the complicated navigation of medieval politics.
Best Selling YA Fantasy Books: The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
With the unique capacity to perceive and manipulate water, Mererid, also known as Mer, is the last surviving water diviner in the kingdoms of Wales. She was once forced to put her abilities to lethal ends, poisoning wells and destroying villages at the behest of a cruel prince. Guilt-ridden and determined to never be used again, Mer is currently a fugitive and lives in hiding.
Renfrew, her former mentor, finds her and gives her an unexpected opportunity to turn her life around. He asks Mer to assist him in destroying a magical well that fuels the prince’s power. This could be the key to weakening the prince’s grip on the land. In order to succeed, they need to put together a small but competent crew. That includes Trefor, a corgi with unexpected abilities; Ifanna, a crafty thief from Mer’s past; and Fane, a mysterious fighter who’s been cursed by a fae.
The quest takes the five of them on a journey through dangerous territory. They navigate a strange realm steeped in Welsh folklore where regular people and the magical folk lead an uneasy coexistence. Mer must confront her past decisions, balance delicate relationships, and decide how far she will go to achieve justice and freedom. The Drowned Woods is a tale of magic, devotion, and the price of regaining one’s power. Readers love this Celtic blend of a dark fairy tale and a heist novel.
Secrets of the Starcrossed: An unforgettable new YA dystopian sci-fi fantasy romance (The Once and Future Queen, Book 1) by Clara O’Connor
We start off with the super-creative and imaginative aspect of Secrets of the Starcrossed, which is set in an alternate history of modern-day Britain, where the Roman Empire never fell. Wow! The country is split between the downtrodden Celtic underclass and the Citizens, who are affluent and wield the power. Against this backdrop, we find a high-born citizen named Aurelia “Lia” Dacre leading a privileged life in Londinium. Her future appears totally set. She’ll secure a position in high society, along with stability and entitlement, and an advantageous engagement to the son of a prominent young senator.
However, when disaster strikes the city, Lia meets Cassius, a young man from the Celtic regions whose life is very different from hers. Despite their different social statuses, the two become drawn to one another and discover truths that contradict everything Lia has been taught. She starts to question her city, her heritage, and the Empire as a whole.
Lia is drawn into a labyrinth of political intrigue, risky liaisons, and secrets as tensions increase. Revolt between Citizens and Celts simmers in the provinces. Lia knows that now more than ever, every decision has consequences, both for her own destiny and the future of the people she loves. Secrets of the Starcrossed is the first installment of a provocative trilogy about identity, loyalty, and love in a split empire. Fans of stories combining romance, political drama, and alternate history will enjoy this unique tale.
Hood (The King Raven Trilogy Book 1) by Stephen R. Lawhead
How about Robin Hood in Wales? Yes, please! The late 11th century, following the Norman invasion of England, is the new historical setting in which Hood reimagines the legend of the hero who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. We begin with the well-known Sherwood Forest and move to Wales’ untamed mountains and valleys—a region defying Norman conquest.
Bran ap Brychan is the young heir apparent to the throne of Elfael, a tiny Welsh country torn between foreign dominance and political ambition. When his life is upended by betrayal and invasion, Bran is forced into exile, losing both his home and his crown. He must learn to live in the woods with only his wits, bravery, and the advice of unlikely companions.
Bran starts to embrace a new identity. Amid the trees and hidden valleys, he rallies the oppressed and retaliates against injustice in bold and unexpected ways. His journey transforms him from a reluctant young man into a legendary leader who brings hope to his people.
Hood combines adventure, history, and a hint of Celtic mythology alongside medieval politics. Readers love this new take on Robin Hood. The narrative flows richly with details and follows a flawed, very relatable hero throughout the Welsh countryside.
All the Tales We Tell: a Celtic YA Fantasy (Hearts Out of Water Book 1) by Annie Cosby
USA Today recommends All the Tales We Tell. It’s the perfect read if you’re looking for YA fantasy romance books or dark fantasy books.
From the blurb: “A darkly romantic beginning to what promises to be an unusual contemporary YA fantasy series.” —USA Today
A handsome local boy. An Irishman lost at sea. And a neighbor who thinks monsters are real. Cora’s life is about to change forever. With her future uncertain, Cora finds herself at the beach with her family for the summer. There, she’s forced to make a decision: invest in lucrative connections in the glimmering world of second homes where her parents belong or get lost in the local mystery surrounding a lonely old woman whose husband disappeared.
Through the fantastical tales and anguished memories of Mrs. O’Leary, as well as the company of a particularly gorgeous local boy called Ronan, Cora finds an escape from the reality of planning her life. But will it come at the cost of alienating her family, who struggle with tragic memories of their own? As the summer wanes, it becomes apparent that Mrs. O’Leary is about to do something drastic. And it’s up to Cora and Ronan to untangle the mystery before it’s too late.
Best Selling YA Fantasy Books: Fireflies (A Celtic Romance Series) by Shea Hulse
An excellent choice for fans of YA adult books, romance, and best selling YA fantasy books for young adults. It was also one of the best selling YA fantasy books in 2021 on Amazon.
From the blurb: Bridget had never considered herself special. Odd, definitely. But nothing worth looking at twice. And she had never cared to be looked at twice, either. Until Declan, that is. Then, one night, Bridget is approached by a strange (and large) dog. Rescued by Declan, he reveals that Bridget may be special, after all—a goddess, even. And the dog has been sent to protect her.
Does she have the strength to defeat a powerful witch and her three sons? Why is Declan involved in magic and mystery anyway? And can she save Ruad, her handsome mentor and the God of Knowledge into this new world? As they dig deeper, they uncover that they all have more in common than just their troubled pasts.
The Ulster Cycles are a part of Irish mythology, and this novel depicts characters from the old stories in a new and creative light. While much is taken from these oral stories, this novel is a historical romance loosely based on them.
Faelorehn: A Dark Young Adult Paranormal Romance Fae Fantasy (The Otherworld Series Book 1) by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
A continual Amazon bestseller, Faelorehn is among the top 100 YA fantasy books in several categories.
From the blurb: Meghan Elam has been strange her entire life. Her eyes have this odd habit of changing color, and she sees and hears things no one else can. On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, the visions and voices in her head grow worse, making her believe she’s lost her mind. That is, until the captivating Cade MacRoich arrives with an explanation of his own.
Cade brings Meghan news of Eile, an enchanted Celtic realm brimming with ancient magic, a world where whispering spirits exist in the very earth, and a place where Meghan just might find the answers she has always sought.
Celtic lore blends beautifully with the modern world in this dark, young adult paranormal romance fae fantasy series.
The Hidden King: A Celtic Fae-Inspired Fantasy Novel (The Coming of Áed) by E.G. Radcliff
From the blurb: On the shores of a rusty sea, in the streets of a starving city, a young man named Áed scrapes to build a life for himself and the makeshift family he loves. Scarred by a trauma he cannot remember and haunted by the brutal damage it left behind, he has no idea of the courage his future will demand.
When a heart-wrenching tragedy shatters his family, a desperate Áed risks a treacherous journey to seek a kingdom of legend—and a new beginning. But an ancient legacy smoldering within him is about to turn deadly, and neither he—nor the legends—will ever be the same.
If you’d like to check out more bestsellers in young adult fantasy, here’s a list of the best selling YA fantasy books of all time on Goodreads. Or, if you’re looking for more romance recommendations, you can find a full article here with 5 reader favorites in YA fantasy romance.
This article was all about best selling YA fantasy books with Welsh or Celtic themes.
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