YA Fantasy Books
What makes a book Fantasy?
- Magical / Supernatural Elements
- Exploration of Fantastical Worlds / Themes
- Not Bound to Scientific or Societal Laws
- Speculative
What are the sub-genres of Fantasy?
- High / Epic Fantasy: Taking place in its own world / environment on a grand scale and has rules and laws specifically for its world.
- Low Fantasy: Set in the real world, or a world similar to ours, that brings in fantasy elements.
- Magical Realism: Very similar to Low Fantasy, Magical Realism brings in Fantasy elements to characters within a realistic world, but uses Fantasy sparingly.
- Sword and Sorcery: A sub-genre of High Fantasy, it has medieval influences and can include use of magic by sorcerers or witches.
- Dark Fantasy: Combines Fantasy and Horror.
- Fables: Personification of animals and the supernatural, and usually imparts moral lessons.
- Fairy Tales: Usually for children, set in distant magical lands, where the fantastical elements are accepted. Can start with "Once upon a time..." but doesn't always have to end with a "happily ever after". Can include warnings to children, such as not to go in the woods alone or not to talk to strangers.
- Superhero Fiction: Not to be confused with Superheros who get their powers through scientific experiments, these characters have powers through supernatural occurrences.
- Romantasy: Combines Fantasy and Romance.
Want to read Fantasy? Try these:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
"His eyes. Katsa has never seen such eyes."
Synopsis
In another world, people can be born with a Grace, an ability to do something extremely well such as being able to tell the weather, mind read, fight, etc. People who are born with a Grace have two different colored eyes and are either loved or feared for their Grace. Katsa is feared and King Randa uses her for his own reasons. Until, Katsa doesn't want to anymore ... She leaves King Randa's kingdom to help Prince Po of Lienid find out what happened to his grandfather. Along the way, they both discover something they never thought possible.
Awards
- Mythopoeic Fantasy Award For Children's Literature (2009)
- Washington Evergreen Award, Nomination (2010)
- Eliot Rosewater Award, Nomination (2010–2011)
Spotlight
An adventure that spans Kingdoms, a strong and self-reliant female protagonist who knows what she wants, and a supportive non-toxic love interest who happens to be a Prince? What's not to love?! Kristin Cashore does not transform this reluctant relationship into a toxic love-triangle and allows Kasta to do what she does best, which is kick-butt by her own rules! But she is not a superman character despite her Grace. She does have weaknesses bringing the drama to a heighten climax. And let's talk role reversal. In the end, it's the Prince that needs saving, but let's be real, they save each other (awww). The book ends on a happily-ever-after book hangover that leaves you wanting to learn about their next adventures. Oh, and bonus, the book features a map!
Additional Information
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
"All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim."
Synopsis
Kronos, the Lord of Time, is putting the Olympians to the test with monsters and mayhem and they are struggling to survive. Camp Half-Blood has been preparing for battle, but the odds of winning are slim. The prophecy surrounding Percy Jackson's 16th birthday is on the horizon and the all out battle between good and evil is coming to a head. The only question that remains is, who will win?
Series Awards
- Mark Twain Award (2008, The Lightening Thief—Book 1; 2009, The Sea of Monsters—Book 2)
- School Library Journal Best Book of 2005
- Young Adult Literary Services Association Best Books for Young Adults (2006)
- New York Times Children's Series Best Seller List
- Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
- Florida - Sunshine State Young Readers Award
- Hawaii Nene Award
- Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
- Kids' Book Choice Awards
- Massachusetts Children's Book Award
- Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Award
- Missouri Mark Twain Award
- Ohio Buckeye Children's Book Award
- Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Awards
- Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award
- Tennessee Volunteer State Book Awards
Spotlight
The fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson series brings all the drama to one major climax. We've followed Percy Jackson since he was 12, rooted for him each year and on each adventure, and now he's almost 16 and the prophecy surrounding him brings ... you get it. It's a roller coaster of a ride that features a diverse set of characters and weaves in all the Greek mythology we know and love. Plus, you have to love the little Easter Egg that the book is set in 13-point Centaur MT! If you loved Percy Jackson from the beginning, or are just discovering him, this book will leave you satisfied with the saga ending—I can tell you, it's not a let down. Rick Riordan dedicates this book to his 8th grade English teacher and I think that's super sweet. What else is sweet? The book features a map!
Let's just say, it's one of the best selling children's series of all time and there's a reason for it. If you haven't started from The Lightening Thief, you're missing out! And don't think that if you've seen the movies you don't need to read the book. They give Percy Jackson a bad rap.
Additional Information
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
"A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret."
Synopsis
Linas Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youths where he is sent to an orphanage on an island where he has to determine if the six orphans who live there are dangerous enough to bring about the end of days. As Linas tries to preform his duties by-the-book, he discovers an unlikely family and discovers something about himself, too.
Awards
- Alex Award winner (2021)
- RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner (2021)
- GoodReads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fantasy (2020)
Spotlight
The book features diverse characters dealing with not being accepted, feared by everyone, and ostracized by the mainland community. The orphans all have distinct personalities and internal troubles of their own. TJ Klune handles these tough topics beautifully throughout the entire book. "It is a house of healing, and one that I think is necessary." (pg. 238) It's a coming-of-age and finding your purpose kind of book. The truth is, this book is so unique and masterfully written that to point out a single thing that makes it special would let the rest of it down. It's a book of changing perceptions and includes all the feels.
The audiobook version is also a delight if that is more your jam.
Additional Information
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
"Stay away from the Hazel Wood."
Synopsis
Alice's reclusive author grandmother dies and soon after her mother is stolen away by someone claiming to be from one of the grandmother's books. Alice reluctantly teams up with a super-fan classmate and together they travel to the Hazel Wood to save her mother, precisely where her mother's note told her to stay away from.
Awards
- GoodReads Choice Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2018)
- Junior Library Guild Selection
- ALA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults List
- Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
- Publishers Weekly Flying Start
Spotlight
For fans of Fantasy that want something not so whimsical but edging on creepy, this book delivers. With the focus on Alice's grandmother's cultish stories and her mother's disappearance to go with it, this fairy-tale like novel steps into Dark Fantasy and has no romance. Although I would hold off recommending this book to a conservative readership as the book contains graphic and violent details. "[Name removed for spoilers] was a spilled cup, just before it hit the ground. A precious something dropped into the dark beneath a subway grate. A tangled mess of infinite possibilities, countless threads, cut at the quick by silver scissors. He was down. I screamed, crawling forward to press my hands over [name removed for spoilers] opened throat." (pg. 207–208) The text contains numerous similes bringing the feeling of a fairy-tale narrator describing the story. "The words hit me like an ice cube down the back." (pg. 198) It makes you feel and see the story as you are able to relate to what is being described whether or not you could relate to the scenario. The fantastical creepiness is perfect for any person who loves Fantasy and Horror.
Additional Information
Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles & Guadalupe García McCall
"Even 500 years can't keep them apart..."
Synopsis
Sitlali and Calizto are 500 years apart but a magical moon conch connects them both. Sitlali is on a dangerous journey from modern-day Mexico to the United States to escape a gang and Calizto is a warrior in Tenochtitlan when the Spanish invades. Both persevere and with each waxing moon, they are brought together, but will they be able to stay together?
Awards
- New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens (2023)
Spotlight
I first have to point out the chapter design in this book. Each chapter mentions the character (who's view we're reading), the date, and also includes a moon. As the book progresses the waxing moon brings the two main characters together and the moon indication really helps to build the tension. The magic manly centers around the Moon Conch and serves to bring the characters together. I love the two character's point of views. It highlights societal commentary from the cultural changes the Spanish brought between the Mexica People (Aztecs) and current day Mexico—from language differences, to religions, and customs. It emphasizes how much has changed and how cultural genocide is even present today. But along with all of this is a (you could say long-distance) romance that blossoms over the course of a month. The two characters help each other through time to overcome challenges and ends with hope for the future.
More bonuses! The book features a glossary of historical figures in Tenochtitlan in 1521 for both the Mexica and Spanish side, a glossary of gods and legendary figures, and a glossary of Nahuatl terms. Don't let this dissuade you from reading this book, it is all explained throughout the book and is not confusing. Plus, gasp, two maps!!
If you listen to the audiobook, it is narrated by two people and it really makes the characters come alive.
Additional Information
Comments
Post a Comment