5 Epic First Books in the Best YA Fantasy Book Series

This post was last updated on September 5th, 2025 at 11:35 pm

Within this captivating genre awaits your next great read, but sorting through the enormous number of books out there can be intimidating, to say the least. Not to worry! We’ve pulled together five of the best YA fantasy book series sure to delight and keep you up past your bedtime reading “one more chapter.”

Young adult fantasy authors have been carving a place for themselves in fantasy and science fiction over the years. Like fantasy novels and series, young adult fantasy book series have forged their own path and become part of a thriving industry.

Many young adult fantasy book series have attracted readers with their rich worlds, compelling characters, and imaginative storytelling. However, some series stand out among the rest, weaving enchanting tapestries of magic, adventure, and unforgettable journeys.

This post is about the best YA fantasy book series.

Best YA Fantasy Book Series

Enter realms where the extraordinary meets the ordinary and heroes are forged through adversity. Destinies are shaped by courage and resilience. These series delve deep into themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope. 

Best YA Fantasy Book Series: The Atlas Six (Atlas Series) by Olivie Blake

Beginning our list of the best YA fantasy book series for young adults is The Atlas Six by Olivia Blake. The Alexandrian Society, guardians of ancient knowledge from the world’s greatest civilizations, is the preeminent clandestine order of magical scholars worldwide. Those accepted into the Alexandrians will secure a life exceeding their wildest dreams—abundant in wealth, power, and unparalleled prestige. Every decade, only six exceptionally gifted magicians earn consideration for initiation.

Now, meet the latest group of six candidates: Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, intrinsically connected yet unwilling partners possessing extraordinary command over every aspect of the physical realm. Reina Mori is a naturalist gifted with an innate understanding of the essence of life itself. Parisa Kamali is a telepath delving into the subconscious, navigating the uncharted depths of the human mind. Callum Nova, an empath often misconstrued as a manipulative illusionist, can influence the inner workings of a person’s being. Lastly, Tristan Caine perceives reality beyond illusions—an exceedingly rare ability whose true implications elude both him and his peers.

Recruited by the enigmatic Atlas Blakely, the candidates learn they have a year to qualify for initiation. During this time, they’ll gain preliminary access to the Society’s archives and be evaluated based on their contributions to various extraordinary fields: time and space, luck and thought, life and death. They’re informed that five will be initiated while one will be eliminated. The six potential initiates must compete fiercely to survive the coming year, proving themselves superior to their rivals for the chance of initiation.

The Luminaries (The Luminaries Series) by Susan Dennard

Hemlock Falls is different from other towns. It doesn’t appear on maps, your phone loses signal here, and the forest bordering the town poses a genuine threat to those who enter.

Winnie Wednesday’s sole aspiration is to join the Luminaries, the ancient guardians dedicated to shielding her town and all of humanity from the nightly emergence of monsters and nightmares within the Hemlock Falls forest.

Ever since her dad was found to be a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have faced rejection. However, on her sixteenth birthday, she can undertake the perilous Luminary hunter trials, proving her loyalty and truthfulness—or risking her life to restore her family’s reputation.

To survive the trials, Winnie seeks assistance from the one person capable of aiding her training: Jay Friday, the town’s rebellious figure and Winnie’s former closest friend. While Jay exhibits remarkable potential as a new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he holds an unsettling familiarity with the forest’s nightmares. Together, they uncover a lurking danger in the forest that catches the unprepared residents of Hemlock Falls off guard. Not all monsters succumb to defeat, and not every nightmare remains confined to the shadows. 

What readers are saying:

“In The Luminaries, bestselling author Susan Dennard kicks off a darkly magical, action-packed new series and introduces a mysterious world filled with monsters. . . . Plenty of gasp-inducing thrills, monstrous gore, and empathetic soul-searching―plus a little tentative flirting―bring The Luminaries to a satisfying conclusion.”―BookPage

Best YA Fantasy Book Series: Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer Series) by Laini Taylor

The dream doesn’t follow the dreamer’s lead—it’s the other way around. Lazlo Strange, an orphan of war and young librarian, has long feared that his dream made a wrong choice. Since he was five, he’s fixated on the fabled lost city of Weep, but it would take someone braver than him to journey halfway across the globe in pursuit of it. Then, an extraordinary opportunity arises with the arrival of a hero known as the Godslayer and a troupe of legendary warriors. Lazlo must seize this chance or watch his dream slip away forever.

What transpired in Weep two centuries ago that isolated it from the world? What did the Godslayer truly vanquish under the guise of a god? And what enigmatic issue now drives him to seek aid?

The answers lie within Weep, yet so do numerous enigmas—among them, a blue-skinned goddess who frequents Lazlo’s dreams. How could he dream of her before knowing she existed? And if all the gods have perished, why does she feel so tangibly real? Welcome to Weep.

What readers are saying:

“Characters are carefully, exquisitely crafted, the writing is achingly lovely, and the world is utterly real… This is a thing to be savored.”—Booklist, starred review

Half a King (Shattered Sea Series) by Joe Abercrombie

The protagonist of this tale is Prince Yarvi, who is essentially disregarded by his family and the kingdom despite having a severed stump for an arm. He is learning magic and will soon take an exam to become a wise man, an advisor, and a minister.

Both his brother and father are fighters. They are adored, fierce, and powerful. Yarvi is not well-liked, is soft, and is physically frail. Still, he tries to ignore the bullying and is content with his situation. For a few pages, that is, until he learns that his brother and father have passed away. As soon as he ascends to the throne, he is betrayed and abandoned for dead in the Broken Sea.

Yes, the Shattered Sea really is as horrible as it seems. Determined to avenge his father, he fights to get back home and reclaim his throne. You can tell where the story is headed by imagining the worst things that could occur on his journey. This is not a trip to be taken lightly. It is exhausting and gloomy. Twists abound as our gentle and compassionate hero hardens. There is no denying that “Half a King” is a timeless story about a coming-of-age.

What readers are saying:

“The Shattered Seas trilogy has worked its way into a very exclusive group of my favorite fantasy novels of all time.”—James Dashner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner

The Fever King (Feverwake Series) by Victoria Lee

In the remnants of what was once the United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro awakens in a hospital bed, the lone survivor of a viral magic that claimed his family and bestowed upon him the power of technopathy. His mastery over technology draws the attention of the defense minister, propelling him into the upper echelons of Carolinia’s magical society.

As the child of undocumented immigrants, Noam has tirelessly advocated for the rights of refugees fleeing the ravages of magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia callously expels with ruthless efficiency. Perceiving an opportunity for change, Noam agrees to the minister’s tutelage in understanding the science behind his magic, intending to covertly wield it against the government. However, his plans shift when he encounters the minister’s son—a figure both cruel and charmingly alluring—muddling his path forward.

Caught amidst his convictions and emotions, Noam faces a pivotal choice—navigating whom to trust and the lengths he’s willing to traverse in pursuit of a greater cause.

What readers are saying: 

“Lee thoughtfully gives the subject of refugee and immigration policies center stage…the setup of this new world and planned series is genuinely compelling, and it’s filled with striking moments…Readers will be absorbed as the book melds fantasy and action with psychology and political intrigue.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Other Ways to Find the Best Fantasy Books to Read

You can find many reader favorites under the best YA fantasy book series Reddit that may not be mentioned elsewhere.

Goodreads has compiled a list of the top 100 YA fantasy books in their article The 100 Most Popular Young Adult Books on Goodreads.

For romance lovers out there, you can find lists of the best YA fantasy book series romance, high fantasy romance, and best fantasy romance books by clicking the links. Please note that some books are recommended for adult readers.

This post was about some of the best YA fantasy book series.

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Young Adult Fantasy Book Series: The Joining

A dark, imaginative tale of the Cinderella you never knew!

Having telepathic powers isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Especially when it only works with animals. And especially when it works best with… wolves. Giant, terrifying ones included. 

I’ve seen some strange things. And now that Father has a new wife, and I got a glimpse of her true face, I wish I could unsee it. That woman’s got plans for me, and I doubt I’ll live through them. But no one believes me. My only chance is to escape and find help before it’s too late. 

I wonder if the wolf pup I met as a child will help me — if I can find him. I wonder if he’ll remember me after all these years. Maybe we’ll still feel a bond. Trystan is all grown up now, just like I am. Can he shed some light on my troubled past and the danger I’m in, or will he turn me away, too?