Ya Fantasy Book reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 170 Reddit reviews across 9 subreddits and 18 posts to rank the best Ya Fantasy Book brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/suggestmeabook, r/fantasyromance, r/Grishaverse, r/Fantasy, r/YAlit. Top-rated brands include Sarah J. Maas (4.1/5), Brandon Sanderson (4.7/5), T. Kingfisher (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews170
Subreddits9
Posts18
Brands80
Products97
170 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Sarah J. Maas
4.1
(8)
"Came here to recommend ToG too! Throne of Glass is amazing. It definitely starts out as YA though I personally think it gets more NA in the later books."
"And the throne of glass series, they’re really good."
"If you want a fast paced series with magic I absolutely recommend Throne of Glass by Sarah J mass."
"The Throne of Glass series would fit the bill if you're good replacing your thief with an assassin. Lots of morally gray characters and enemies to lovers is done a few times over."
"TOG is much more plot based with a side of romance while ACOTAR is romance in a fantasy world. It’s not a heist or anything, but definitely has the darker characters that SOC has."
"It’s a lot less romance focused than ACOTAR and the plot is more complex / interesting. The FMC is also more complicated than in ACOTAR."
"I prefer the Throne of Glass series. I found the worldbuilding and storyline in ToG much more interesting. Not a huge fan of the romance, but the fantasy/action elements were good!"
"Would recommend Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass, but honestly would never recommend ACOTAR especially if you are going for complex and developed characters lol."
#2
Brandon Sanderson
4.7
(7)
"Mistborn is a standout. The world building is stellar and the magic system is interesting without getting too crazy."
"Mistborn and Reckoners. Reckoners is like dark X-Men with elements of heist. It's YA."
"Read the final empire. If you like it you'll be hooked on Sanderson and you'll have a lot to read."
"Mistborn and Lies of Locke Lamora. Both series include heist plots. And Lies of Locke Lamora really resembles Six of Crows."
"It’s a LONG one, but I think the Mistborn series feels like a natural progression if you really enjoyed the heist/complex world/action of SOC."
"Mistborn? I wouldnt say its exactly YA with the darker theme, but the prose is simple enough. There is a love triangle with an enemy later too."
"I 2nd or 3rd or whatever Mistborn."
#3
T. Kingfisher
4.6
(7)
"I second the recommendation of A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher."
"Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher"
"Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher"
"T. Kingfisher is my holy grail author."
"Swordheart was good, too. Neither have much spice though."
"Have you read anything by T Kingfisher? Her characters are usually older/more mature. I really loved Nettle and Bone (though the romance is definitely a subplot in that one)."
"Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine by T. Kingfisher. A Thief, a Paladin, an Assassin and a Cleric journey to Anakut City."
#4
Stephanie Garber
5.0
(6)
"Omg Caraval and OUABH were like a fairytale to me I loved them"
"Its one of the besttt young adult fantasy romance i have ever read. Even now i wish i could read it for the first time again."
"The Caraval trilogy and Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy by Stephanie Garber"
"The Caraval trilogy and Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy by Stephanie Garber"
"100% once upon a broken heart got me to fall in-love with reading again."
"Caraval was so magical, and the love story was a pleasure to read about."
#5
Megan Whalen Turner
4.7
(6)
"The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner is a gem."
"Historically influenced Fantasy. I've only read the first book ... but Amazing!!!"
"The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (and the rest of the series. It is excellent)"
"The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, starts with The Thief"
"The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner."
"Get ye a copy of The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner. No romance in the first book, but some enemies-to-lovers in the later books."
#6
Garth Nix
4.5
(6)
"Sabriel by Garth Nix."
"I truly love the Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix. I have reread it so many times even as an adult."
"Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series, starting with the excellent Sabriel."
"The Seventh Tower is pretty solid from what I remember."
"Sabriel by Garth Nix Rating: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"The old kingdom series by Garth nix, such a beautiful and dark landscape."
#7
Leigh Bardugo
5.0
(4)
"Have you tried six of crows by Leigh bardugo? It’s maybe not political in the sense of kingdoms, but one of the protagonists is basically rising up as a gang leader slum lord type of thing."
"You might enjoy Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I believe it's technically YA but it read like an adult novel to me."
"Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo"
"If you’ve not read Leigh Bardugo's short story collection I very much recommend. Really enjoyed it."
#8
Cassandra Clare
5.0
(4)
"The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Claire is my all-time favourite Ms CLaire YA trilogy."
"The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. The universe she created is great."
"I adored The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare and all of the other side stories she's written."
"Seconding this and would specify by saying the infernal devices is absolutely divine."
#9
Rick Riordan
4.8
(4)
"If you've read the OG Percy Jackson series, try the Heroes of Olympus."
"Anything by Rick Riordan, the man is the gold standard on kids' Urban fantasy."
"Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan!!!!!!"
"Try the Percy Jackson series."
#10
Naomi Novik
4.8
(4)
"Naomi Novik's Temeraire series might also be what you're looking for- they're about dragon riders in an alternate history Napoleonic War. Temeraire himself is a delight to read."
"Her Scholomance series is my favorite of hers and more classically YA. But it’s phenomenally, maturely written."
"Naomi Novik is great and very readable. Temeraire is a series with the premise "what if dragons were around during the Napo""
"The Scholomance series by Naomi Novik, although the main character is 16 or 17 when the series starts. The first book is A Deadly Education."
#11
Maggie Stiefvater
5.0
(3)
"I love the Raven Cycle!"
"The Raven Cycle!!!! Best found family and friendships I’ve ever read."
"I can’t decide if soc or the raven cycle are my favorite YA series. i love them both too much!!"
#12
Daniel Polansky
5.0
(3)
"The Builders, Daniel Polansky"
"Daniel Polansky's The Builders. Pretty short, but loved it nonetheless"
"The Builders by Daniel Polansky"
#13
Tarajeh Mafi
5.0
(3)
"Try "This Woven Kingdom" by Tarajeh Mafi. She wrote the "Shatter me" series and this is her new one."
"This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi is the first in a trilogy (third one due out in February) inspired by Persian mythology"
#14
Rebecca Ross
4.7
(3)
"Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross! It immediately became one of my new all time favourites, and within a few weeks of reading it I started a reread."
"I really loved Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross"
"Divine Rivals has beautiful writing and a super wholesome love story."
#15
Marie Rutkoski
4.7
(3)
"The Winner’s Trilogy is hands down one of the absolute best depictions of enemies-to-lovers that I have ever read."
"Marie Rutkoski’s Winner’s trilogy! YA with amazing tension between the two leads."
"The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkowski ( clever FMC, set in the past, so beautif)"
#16
V.E. Schwab
4.7
(3)
"LOVED the Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab! Not so much heist but lots of action, morally grey characters, and cool magic systems, plus sweet found family vibes."
"Try the darker shade of magic trilogy! I read them after soc/s&b and really liked it."
"Shades of Magic by VE Schwab was the series that graduated me from YA to adult fantasy."
#17
John Flanagan
4.7
(3)
"Ranger's Apprentice series is very well-written regardless of the reader's age."
"You might also like the Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series (2 different ones) by John Flanagan"
"If you liked Ranger's Apprentice, I think you'll like this series. Royce and Hadrian have a lot of back and forth dialogue."
#18
Lois McMaster Bujold
4.7
(3)
"Love Lois Bujold. Strong recommend."
"I would also checkout the Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold (check content warnings for all her books)"
"Sharing Knife by Lois Mcmaster Bujold F/M female POV"
#19
David Eddings
4.0
(3)
"The Belgariad series by David Eddings, which starts with Pawn of Prophecy."
"Belgariad by David Eddings."
"David and Leigh Eddings - start with pawn of prophecy, the first book of the Belgariad."
#20
Emily Thiede
4.0
(3)
"This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede"
"This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede Fmc's magic at start doesn't allow her to touch anyone without killing them, so there's a lot of unresolved sexual tension due to that issue."
"I also like This Vivacious Grace by Emily Thiede. It's an unfinished series but it felt very different from other YA books I've read."
#21
Holly Black
4.0
(3)
"Folk of Air by Holly Black"
"I really liked the trio called cruel prince by holly black."
"Holly Black's The Folk of the Air series (follows faeries), also her other books involve urban fantasy of some kind as well."
#22
Marissa Meyer
5.0
(2)
"Heartless - Marissa Meyer"
"Heartless by Marissa Meyer is very good. Cleanest YA ive ever read, barely has any kissing at all."
#23
Brian Jacques
5.0
(2)
"The Redwall series is the greatest example of what OP is looking for."
"Redwall by Brian Jacques. The entire series."
#24
Philip Pullman
5.0
(2)
"I loved the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman."
"His Dark Materials Trilogy. The final season based on book 3 will be out in HBO this year."
#25
J.D. Evans
5.0
(2)
"Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans Rating: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"I’m reading Reign and Ruin by J.D Evans at the moment and i think it sounds up your street! it’s book 1 in the 4 part Mages of the Wheel series."
#26
Laini Taylor
5.0
(2)
"Laini Taylor blew me away with this. No idea why it's not more popular bc let me tell you, it's written beautifully and the story is a can't put down burner with an epic romance."
"I’m surprised I haven’t seen the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor mentioned. It’s a bit more SaB than SoC but I think it’s better than SaB and the plot is more action oriented."
#27
Cat Rector
5.0
(2)
"The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector Rating: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"The Godess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector is my favorite book of all time and based in Norse Mythology."
#28
Frankie Diane Mallis
5.0
(2)
"Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"You might like the Drowned Empire series Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis romance is central to the plot."
#29
Anne McCaffrey
5.0
(2)
"Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey"
"Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series is dear to my heart."
#30
Robin McKinley
4.5
(2)
"The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (she's a good go to, the books are adult enough for someone my age - I'm GenX, and young enough to be read by middle schoolers - I read this one when I was 13)"
"The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley and it’s prequel, The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley will deliver on beautiful writing and angst."
#31
Scott Lynch
4.5
(2)
"Lies of Locke Lamora really resembles Six of Crows (I really feel like LB took some inspiration from this series for Crows) – it's got a heist plot, a Venice-like city, rich af world building, insane found family trope including one of the BEST written friendships ever."
"Gentleman Bastards series by Scott Lynch. Heist but not YA."
#32
Robin Jarvis
4.5
(2)
"Second The Deptford Mice trilogy, great stories!"
"If you want a bit of a stepping stone, try the Deptford Mice trilogy."
#33
Charissa Weaks
4.5
(2)
"The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"The witch collector by Charissa Weaks"
#34
Barbara Kloss
4.5
(2)
"The Gods of Men by Barbara Kloss Rating: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"Maybe you can check: The Gods of Men by Barbara Kloss (1st in a 3 books completed series)"
#35
Kristin Cashore
4.5
(2)
"Graceling and Fire, by Kristen Cashore. Those are the first two in the series, and while the rest of the series is fantastic those two have the most romance."
"Maybe try graceling and her second novel “fire” of kristin cashore. It’s more about friendship then romance."
#36
Cinda Williams Chima
4.5
(2)
"Black magic by Cinda Williams Chima!"
"The Demon King - Cinda Williams Chima, this is a 4 book series with a fun magic system and lots of characters."
#37
Daniel Abraham
4.5
(2)
"Dagger and Coin series by Daniel Abraham, war but mainly with money."
"Kithamar series, no war at all, same author."
#38
Terry Brooks
4.5
(2)
"Magic Kingdom For Sale—Sold! by Terry Brooks
It’s fantasy, but light and really funny. Very accessible and easy to read but a step up from YA."
"The Sword of Shannara, and my fav, The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks."
#39
Victoria Aveyard
4.0
(2)
"Check out the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard"
"I really liked the red queen series."
#40
Heather Guerre
4.0
(2)
"Demon Lover by Heather Guerre Rating: 3.68⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"Demon Lover by Heather Guerre is adult and has a pretty unique premise - which is the fmc realizing her sex dreams and actually from an incubus and inviting him to stay."
#41
Tessonja Odette
4.0
(2)
"Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette Rating: 3.64⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette features a woman applying as House Mistress (i.e. management) to a cursed wolf household"
#42
Juliet Marillier
4.0
(2)
"Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier Rating: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️"
"Wolfskin by Juliette Marillier Viking Fantasy"
#43
Kate Elliott
4.0
(2)
"Court of Fives by Kate Elliott"
"I think Court of Fives by Kate Elliott might be your kind of read. She’s a masterful writer with tension and drama, in all the right amounts."
#44
Sharon Shinn
5.0
(1)
"The Samaria series by Sharon Shinn"
#45
David Clement-Davies
5.0
(1)
"The Sight by David Clement-Davis which involves wolves."
#46
Piers Anthony
5.0
(1)
"I highly recommend Piers Anthony books, especially Dragon on a Pedestal, and Vale of the Vole."
#47
Jess E. Owen
5.0
(1)
"The Summer King Chronicles by Jess E. Owen"
#48
Andre Norton
5.0
(1)
"A Breed to Come by Andre Norton is a story based in the future with evolved cats as the main characters."
#49
Sabaa Tahir
5.0
(1)
"Definitely recommend An ember in the ashes by Sabaa Tahir. The story is more espionage then regular fantasy in a setting inspired by ancient Rome."
#50
Travis M. Riddle
5.0
(1)
"Flesh Eater by Travis M. Riddle. They even have spider jockeys!"
#51
Michael Grant
5.0
(1)
"GONE series by Michael Grant is also a great series, and remember not sleeping as a kid, I was awake reading the books because I just had to know what happened next."
#52
Mindy Klasky
5.0
(1)
"Glasswright's Apprentice by Mindy Klasky"
#53
Kristin Britain
5.0
(1)
"Green Rider by Kristin Britain"
#54
Sky Lansing
5.0
(1)
"Honor’s Path series by Sky Lansing"
#55
Ilona Andrews
5.0
(1)
"So these are fantasy but worth the read promise kate daniels series by ilona andrews"
#56
Roger Zelazny
5.0
(1)
"Check out Lord of Light by Roger Zelazney. IMO one of the best ever written."
#57
Patricia Briggs
5.0
(1)
"So these are fantasy but worth the read promise kate daniels series by ilona andrews and mercy Thompson series by patricia briggs"
#58
Michael J. Sullivan
5.0
(1)
"Totally seconding Michael J. Sullivan’s books, specifically the Riyria Revelations series. They’re very fun to read, have great characters and are meaty enough to be satisfying."
#59
Derek Landy
5.0
(1)
"Skuldugery Pleasant by Derek Landy is one of my all time favorites"
#60
Frances Hardinge
4.0
(1)
"Verdigris Deep / Well Witched by Frances Hardinge? Urban fantasy with a dash of Alice-in-Wonderland-style stories. It's a bit dark though."
#61
Richard Adams
4.0
(1)
"Watership Down by Richard Adams."
#62
Robert Jordan
4.0
(1)
"The Wheel of Time can seem very intimidating judging by the length of the books and series over all. But it’s very readable and very well written."
#63
Taran Matharu
4.0
(1)
"I’d recommend The Summoner series by Taran Matharu, it’s definitely fantasy and while it’s focused most on the mc there is a core group of characters too."
#64
Sarah Henning
4.0
(1)
"The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning."
#65
Patrick Weekes
4.0
(1)
"The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes. It is the first in a trilogy."
#66
Roshani Chokshi
4.0
(1)
"The Gilded Wolves series by Roshani Chokshi is similar to SOC. The first book is a heist. The series does take place in the real world but there are magical elements to it."
#67
Guy Gavriel Kay
4.0
(1)
"The Fionavar Tapestry series by Guy Gavriel Kay, which starts with The Summer Tree."
#68
Tad Williams
4.0
(1)
"Tailchaser's Song (standalone), Memory, Sorrow & Thorn series, starting with The Dragonbone Chair, all by Tad Williams."
#69
Makiia Lucier
4.0
(1)
"Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier - A young man returns to his home country after a few years away - he'd been presumed dead and finds a mystery when he returns."
#70
Kelley York
4.0
(1)
"A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York It might not be this one but it fits what you're looking for."
#71
Cate Glass
4.0
(1)
"An Illusion of Thieves by Cate Glass - This is the first in a trilogy - each book has the group of characters on a caper/assignment."
#72
Jonathan Stroud
4.0
(1)
"The Bartamaeus Trilogy"
#73
Liselle Sambury
4.0
(1)
"Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury"
#74
Emily Rodda
4.0
(1)
"Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda."
#75
Yahtzee Croshaw
4.0
(1)
"Yahtzee Croshaw, funny author with great characters. Differently Morphus and Existentially Challenged - Governmental agency involved in the regulation of magic and extra dimensional beings."
#76
Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
4.0
(1)
"The Dragonlance Chronicles (by weise and hickman) - has an ensemble of characters."
#77
Matt Dinniman
4.0
(1)
"Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman"
#78
Seanan McGuire
4.0
(1)
"Try Every Heart A Doorway - it’s a quick, easy read and I adored it."
#79
Ursula K. Le Guin
3.0
(1)
"The Earthsea books (3 Decent, but very short books)."
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