10 Best High Fantasy Books for Young Adults of All Time

As a lifelong fan of high fantasy and young adult fiction, High Fantasy YA books are the ultimate sweet spot for me. On my journey as a reading addict, I have come across quite a few amazing novels and series that beautifully merge these two subgenres.

The enchanted worlds of high fantasy written specifically for young adults are not quite small. There actually are a vast number of YA High Fantasy books that are sure to give you some really good times. If you are a seasoned reader of fantasy, you know what I am talking about.

However, if you are new to reading fantasy, let’s briefly talk about what these two genres are.

What is high fantasy?

This fantasy subgenre goes beyond the conventional confines of a secondary world populated by magic, fantastical creatures, and complex characters. It frequently incorporates themes of epic battles, good versus evil, and journeys of self-discovery. These stories typically take place outside of real-world problems and issues, offering an incredibly alluring and captivating sense of escapism.

What is Young adult (YA) Fantasy?

YA literature, whether it’s fantasy or otherwise, speaks to the core of the adolescent experience. It is infused with the energizing currents of self-identity exploration, first love, transformation, and adventure.

The fusion of high fantasy and YA is truly magical. Young heroes experience the angst and exhilaration of growing up while undertaking epic quests, discovering their own strength, debating difficult moral questions, and learning about themselves.

Here, I am going to talk about 10 such books that beautifully hit the sweet spot bringing these two subgenres together.

Reading these books wasn’t just a way to get lost in a different world; it was also a way to feel a wide range of emotions, such as the fear of an impending war, the joy of friendships made through hardship, the pain of lost love, and the joy of doing the impossible. I have enjoyed each of these books to the fullest, and I hope you will too.

10 YA high fantasy books you Don’t want to miss

1. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Come with me on a journey into a world where every magic has a cost. The world of Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens is one in which the fair folk, immortal beings, are unable to carry out routine tasks. They are drawn to the human craft that we all naturally have – a captivating fusion of creativity and the material.

Isobel, the main character, is a creative artist. She makes beautiful portraits of these fair folks with a flourish of her paintbrush and gets enchantments in return. Right, this barter system seems ideal. But keep in mind that all enchantments have a price.

Consider yourself painting Rook, the autumn prince’s portrait, when all of a sudden, you notice something – a hint of deathly sorrow in his eyes. You paint this without realizing that it might cost him his throne or even his life. This is where our beloved Isobel finds herself after taking a dangerous turn and ending up in enchanted chaos.

Isobel was taken to the realm of Rook, where she is now being tried for her crime. Rook and Isobel discover trust blossoming in the most unexpected places as they navigate through the threatening thorns of danger and perhaps even a sprinkle of forbidden love. But keep in mind that in this world, beauty frequently conceals corruption, and merely surviving could come at a terrible cost.

I was enchanted when I first started reading this book, just like Isobel’s paintings. The captivating narration, the original world-building, and the characters hooked me. The story takes an unexpected turn just as you think you understand it.

The combination of high fantasy, elements of romance, and the struggles of young adulthood in An Enchantment of Ravens is breathtaking. You gasp for more as you ride this magical rollercoaster. Will Isobel be able to overcome the fairy courts’ vengeful past with her artistic magic? There is only one way to learn!

2. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

Is there a book that is the ideal introduction to the captivating world of epic fantasy? It’s The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the answer is a resounding yes.

Meet Bilbo Baggins, a relaxed, unassuming hobbit who is about to leave his comfortable life behind and enter the splendor of Middle-earth when you enter a hobbit hole. As the wizard Gandalf whisks him away on an epic adventure, Bilbo’s world expands beyond his wildest expectations. He meets strange creatures, magical rings, and terrifying dragons along the way.

Its accessibility is what makes The Hobbit a great epic fantasy read for young adults. Tolkien originally wrote this timeless story for his kids, and it magically combines the simplicity of YA fiction and the complexity of high fantasy. Despite having a universal appeal to all ages, it’s great for young adult readers and offers an inviting entrance into high fantasy.

The Hobbit was one of the first high fantasy books I read as a young reader, and it was a complete revelation. It was breathtaking to read about this unlikely hero surviving in a vast, perilous, and stunning world. It showed me that bravery can take many different forms and that even the smallest among us can be heroes.

Are you prepared to leave your comfort zone, then? Are you willing to embrace the excitement of a journey that may cause you to be late for dinner? Buckle up for an unforgettable journey, as The Hobbit promises. Remember this as you read through its pages: even the smallest person has the power to influence the future. Isn’t that a journey worth going on now?

3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

This one is hands-down my favorite YA High Fantasy book of all time. Residing in a captivating secondary world, Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes is a captivating fusion of magic and dangerous situations.

I can assure you that once you get caught up in Laia, Elias, and Helene‘s captivating journeys, it will be impossible for you to put down the book. If you’re like me, you’ll become completely engrossed within the first 10 pages. In fact, I found myself reading a few pages in class.

An Ember in the Ashes is the first book in a compelling four-part series, and it masterfully establishes the scene for the development of the epic saga. You’ll see as you read through its pages that Tahir doesn’t just create characters; she gives them life. The phenomenally nuanced character development immediately engrossed me.

The exquisitely created world that Tahir has created is one of the things that really makes this book stand out. Her South Asian and Muslim origin allowed her to blend exotic Eastern cultures and elements with the European tone, and it’s a fantastic blend.

You will see that in this world, the Greek Spartan culture goes hand in hand with middle eastern culture, and it’s truly fascinating. It’s eerie yet enticing, harsh yet appealing, and it makes you both shiver and want more.

Then there is Tahir’s poetic and potent writing style. Long after you finish the book, the symphony of her words continues to reverberate in your mind. You get the impression that you are actually living the story rather than just reading it.

There is no turning back once you enter this world that I assure you of. With each page turn, the embers will ignite into a fire, illuminating your imagination.

4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

This is perhaps one of the most famous YA High Fantasy book series of recent times. The books were already bestsellers, and now the well-received Netflix show has made this one a household name. Just as The Song of Ice and Fire books are worth reading even after watching the series, the same goes for this one too.

The books in the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo have left a lasting impression on me. Traveling through a land encompassed in darkness, where hope is as rare as a ray of sunshine breaking through the Shadow Fold, can be an alluring journey.

The first book, Shadow and Bone, plops you right in the middle of Ravka, a once-proud country that is now torn apart by war and the ominous Shadow Fold. Terrifying creatures lurk in this tangible darkness, feasting on the flesh of those unlucky enough to cross paths with them.

This is the terrifying reality that humble refugee Alina Starkov deals with on a daily basis. But she possesses a dormant power that could change the destiny of her nation.

Alina’s dormant power awakens when her regiment is ambushed inside the Fold, saving the life of her best friend. Alina is abruptly thrust from her familiar, simple surroundings into the opulent court of Ravka’s magical aristocracy, the Grisha. Here, she receives training from the mysterious Darkling on how to control her newfound abilities.

However, everything in this lavishly decorated world is not what it seems. Alina must confront the eerie secrets of the Grisha and make her way through the maze of her own heart because the weight of her nation rests on her shoulders.

If you delve into Shadow and Bone, you’ll realize that it’s not just a story of magic and battle but also a profound exploration of self-discovery and inner strength. This exhilarating journey will captivate you, defy your expectations, and arouse feelings you never knew a book could. It might open your eyes to the strength of the human spirit and its capacity to shine light in the darkest places, just as it did for me.

5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

As a fan of fantasy and romance, this one has a special place in my heart. A Court of Thorns and Roses is one of the most talked about books in the YA fantasy circles. The mystical setting of A Court of Thorns and Roses will make you enchanted by a tale that skillfully weaves together danger, love, and the eradication of curses. It’s a magical journey that will get your blood pumping and your mind flying.

The story follows a hunter and a survivor called Feyre. Her capacity for hunting and killing is essential to her survival in the chilly, desolate forest. So she seizes the chance when she sees a wolf chasing after a deer. However, there is a heavy cost associated with eliminating a predator as gorgeous and magical as a faerie.

Feyre is abruptly taken from her familiar world and thrust into a magical kingdom as retribution for her deed. Behind a jeweled mask, her captor – a faerie – is more than just his chilling aloofness and piercing green eyes. Feyre begins to understand that much more is at risk than just her freedom the longer she stays at his court.

The threat surrounding her increases as she struggles with her developing feelings for her captor. Feyre is forced to fight to break an old curse or risk losing her heart permanently.

The captivating fusion of romance and adventure in A Court of Thorns and Roses will keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll find yourself navigating a whirlwind of emotions, just as Feyre does in the dangerous faerie lands.

I alternated between holding my breath in anticipation while reading this book and exhaling in awe. Because of the way Sarah J. Maas tells the story, you don’t just read a story; you live in it. You will be tested, inspired, and, most importantly, reminded of the unbreakable spirit of love by Feyre’s journey.

6. Sabriel by Garth Nix

Get ready to be carried away to the alluring Old Kingdom in Garth Nix’s Sabriel. You will become completely engrossed in this amazing story as it transports you to a world where the line between the living and the dead is vague, and the power of free magic holds both wonder and threat.

The main character, Sabriel, has led a comfortable life since being sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre, where she has had little contact with the erratic forces of free magic or the restless dead who won’t stay in their graves. The disappearance of her father, the Abhorsen, however, causes everything to change. In a moment of resolve, Sabriel realizes she must go into the mysterious Old Kingdom to save him.

This first book in the Abhorsen series demonstrates the author’s extraordinary storytelling talent by transporting readers into a setting where life and death interact in unexpected ways. You will be captivated as Sabriel sets out on her perilous journey with a story that deftly combines fantasy, adventure, and elements of mystery. You are eager to learn the secrets that are concealed within as the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead become blurry.

Fans of high fantasy and young adult literature will find Sabriel to be a compelling read, thanks to Garth Nix’s skillful storytelling and rich world-building. I became fascinated as I read through its pages by the vivid imagery and the masterfully crafted lore.

Your interest will remain up until the very last page, thanks to the intriguing combination of magic, adventure, and the complexities of life and death.

7. Uprooted by Naomi Novik

This one was a fantastic read for me as I love a story with a strong female character who has to go through a lot of struggles and tests in order to become who she is meant to be.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik is a captivating young adult high fantasy that will take you to a valley where the mysterious Dragon and the looming threat of the corrupted Wood shape the residents’ lives.

Rumors about a dragon that kidnaps young girls are circulating in this valley, but the reality is very different from the fantastical stories spread by outsiders. The security of the valley is in the hands of the Dragon, who is a formidable wizard with immortality on his side. A young woman is selected to serve him every ten years, making the sacrifice necessary to defend the village against Wood’s menacing power.

Our brave protagonist Agnieszka adores her valley, where she lives in a house surrounded by trees and a glistening river. But the influence of the corrupted Wood adversely shadows her life. Agnieszka is terrified as the time for the subsequent choosing draws near because she knows that her best friend Kasia is probably going to be chosen.

However, fate takes a surprising turn, and Agnieszka learns that her worries weren’t justified. It is Agnieszka herself, not Kasia, who is drawn into a spellbinding journey when the Dragon appears.

You’ll be spellbound by the richly detailed world-building and expert blending of magic and folklore in this book. Agnieszka’s transformation from a common village girl to a formidable force is evidence of Novik’s talent for creating alluring characters.

The delicate balance between sacrifice and power, friendship and loyalty, which is explored in Uprooted, captivated me as I read through the pages. Novik creates an emotional tapestry that transports you on a journey where unforeseen alliances form and unrevealed truths are revealed. You’ll turn pages eagerly in order to solve the mysteries that exist in the world of the Wood and the Dragon as a result of the story’s twists and turns.

8. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

I had got my copy of this magical novel from a used bookstore. To be honest, I bought it because it was cheap and it was fantasy; however, little did I know that these old, dusty pages would hold such a magical world that would keep me awake for a few nights!

Eragon is the first book in The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. This captivating fantasy novel welcomes you into a world filled with magic, adventure, and the bond between a young boy and a magnificent dragon. This fascinating young adult fantasy leads us on a perilous journey alongside Eragon, a lowly farm boy whose life dramatically changes when he discovers a mysterious blue stone in the woods.

Eragon initially views the stone as a lucky break that might provide his family with much-needed sustenance, but he soon realizes that it is much more than a simple gem. To his surprise, the stone gives birth to a dragon, and he finds himself caught up in a destiny tied to a long-forgotten legacy.

Eragon is suddenly thrust into a world rife with magic, power, and cunning foes, shattering his previously mundane existence. Eragon and his new dragon companion must cross a perilous landscape and confront the evil forces that lurk within an Empire ruled by a king consumed by darkness while being led by the guidance of an old storyteller and an ancient sword.

The future of the Empire is in Eragon’s hands as he struggles with his newfound abilities and difficult tasks. Can he accept his position as a legendary Dragon Rider and perform admirably? Eragon’s pages contain the solutions.

Christopher Paolini’s masterful storytelling expertly weaves together a story of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery. The accessible but appealing writing style of the author will transport you to a world with majestic dragons, ancient prophecies, and the struggle between good and evil.

Through the vividly described setting and the masterfully woven story, the relationship between Eragon and his dragon deepens with every page, laying the groundwork for an adventure that will enthrall readers of all ages.

9. Star-touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

They say, Don’t judge a book by its cover – well, I did, and I am happy that I did it. When I first saw the book cover and the interesting title of this book on a book forum, I purchased it right away, and it took me on a wonderful journey. I did not expect such a beautifully written fantasy book from a debutant author. Roshani’s writing style kept reminding me of Patricia A. McKillip, the queen of poetic fantasy.

This beautifully written fantasy carries you to a captivating world where destiny and magic are intertwined. Maya, a seventeen-year-old princess with a cursed horoscope that predicts a future of death and destruction, is the subject of this captivating story. Maya, who is despised and reviled in her father’s kingdom, experiences an unexpected turn in her life when her father, the Raja, forces her into a politically motivated union.

Maya’s world is transformed in ways she never could have anticipated as she ascends to the throne of Akaran and marries Amar. She meets a variety of secrets in Akaran that are hidden behind countless locked doors, shimmering glass gardens, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit, as well as finding her own voice and embracing her newly discovered power. Maya, however, detects a looming threat to her life amidst the wonder and beauty.

Maya must navigate a perilous landscape of uncertainty in her search for the truth and protection because she isn’t sure who else to believe besides her mysterious husband. In an effort to save not only those she holds dear but also herself, Maya solves an old mystery that spans lifetimes as the balance between the human and otherworldly realms hangs in the balance.

Incorporating themes of destiny, love, and self-discovery, The Star-Touched Queen transports readers to a vividly imagined world where passion and power clash. From the very first page, Roshani Chokshi’s lyrical prose and vivid descriptions will captivate you by bringing to life a tapestry of magic and mythology.

This enchanting debut book, which is up for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Debut Goodreads Author, invites readers to take a wild ride where Maya’s bravery and tenacity shine against the backdrop of a kingdom shrouded in secrecy. Join Maya as she unearths the truth about her ill-fated horoscope, faces the difficulties that lie ahead, embraces her inner strength, and rewrites her destiny.

10. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

There is a popular group on Facebook called YA Fantasy Addicts, and I have been a member of this group since its early days. One day a post popped in front of me about a book with a very strange, poetic, and beautiful name: Strange the Dreamer.

What a fascinating name! The moment I saw it, I knew I had to read it, and a few moments later, the book was on my Kindle, and it gave me a few days. I don’t remember doing anything else but reading. It’s beautiful, melancholic, and mesmerizing, and many more things that I cannot describe.

In the world of Strange the Dreamer, dreams and reality are strangely entwined. Lazlo Strange, a war orphan and young librarian, is the protagonist of the tale. He has always believed that his dreams have chosen him rather than the other way around. Lazlo has been obsessed with the fabled lost city of Weep, a place shrouded in mystery and cut off from the rest of the world, since he was a young boy.

Lazlo encounters a hero known as the Godslayer and a group of legendary warriors, and despite the daunting distance that separates them, an extraordinary opportunity arises. Lazlo sets out on a dangerous journey that could either realize his lifetime dream or destroy it forever because he is determined to take advantage of his opportunity.

He uncovers the mysterious events that occurred two hundred years ago and isolates the city as he delves deeper into Weep’s mysteries. He is questioned about the being that the Godslayer killed and was worshipped as a god.

But as Lazlo searches for the truth, he comes across more mysteries, including a blue-skinned goddess who frequently appears in his dreams. How was it possible for Lazlo to dream of her before he even knew she was real? And why does she seem so real and alive if the gods are really gone?

The Goodreads Choice award nominee for best Young adult fantasy & science Fiction, Strange the Dreamer, invites you to join it on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the influence of dreams. Lazlo discovers as he makes his way through the depths of Weep that the lines separating dreams from reality are permeable and that the decisions he makes have the power to alter not only his own destiny but also the course of an entire city.

Enter the magical world of Strange the Dreamer, where mysteries abound, dreams are infused with magic, and the promise of learning the truth waits for those bold enough to delve into the depths of Weep.

Final Thoughts

The ten books I’ve talked about above are a window into the vast and alluring world of young adult high fantasy. These books provide an escape into worlds that will spark the imagination and leave a lasting impression, whether you are looking for epic quests, magical realms, intricate world-building, or captivating characters.

There are many outstanding stories in the YA high fantasy genre that are just waiting to be read. These ten books stand as a testament to the creative potential of readers and the author’s capacity to take them to fantastical settings.

Each book on this list is an adventure just waiting to happen, inviting you to set out on an unforgettable journey. I will keep reading more books for sure in the coming days, and if any new good book I read fits into the YA High Fantasy Category, I will definitely add them to this list. Happy Reading.