Top 10 Young Adult Fantasy Novels 2025: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Young Adult fantasy continues to captivate readers with its magical worlds, unforgettable characters, and stories that resonate long after the final page. The 2025 lineup promises to be particularly exciting, with highly anticipated releases from beloved authors and stunning debuts that are already generating buzz in the fantasy community.
Whether you’re seeking dragon riders, fae courts, magical competitions, or witch covens, this year’s selection offers something for every fantasy enthusiast. We’ve carefully curated this list of the top 10 young adult fantasy novels 2025 has to offer, complete with detailed reviews, specifications, and recommendations to help you find your next literary adventure.
2025 YA Fantasy Novels Comparison
Before diving into detailed reviews, here’s a quick comparison of our top 10 picks to help you find the perfect match for your reading preferences:
| Title | Author | Page Count | Publication Date | Age Range | Key Features | Rating |
| Sunrise on the Reaping | Suzanne Collins | 384 | March 18, 2025 | 14-18 | Hunger Games prequel, dystopian, political intrigue | 5.0/5 |
| Heir of Storms | Lauryn Hamilton Murray | 432 | June 3, 2025 | 15-19 | Elemental magic, competition, romance | 4.9/5 |
| A Forgery of Fate | Elizabeth Lim | 368 | June 10, 2025 | 14-18 | Beauty and the Beast retelling, dragons, romance | 4.8/5 |
| The Rose Bargain | Sasha Peyton Smith | 416 | February 11, 2025 | 15-19 | Fae, competition, enemies-to-lovers | 4.7/5 |
| Needy Little Things | Channelle Desamours | 352 | February 4, 2025 | 14-18 | Mystery, premonition powers, Black protagonist | 4.6/5 |
| Nightweaver | R.M. Gray | 384 | March 25, 2025 | 15-19 | Elemental magic, forbidden romance, revenge | 4.5/5 |
| A Language of Dragons | S.F. Williamson | 416 | January 14, 2025 | 14-18 | Dark academia, dragons, enemies-to-lovers | 4.4/5 |
| Somadina | Akwaeke Emezi | 336 | April 22, 2025 | 14-18 | West African fantasy, magical powers, twins | 4.3/5 |
| Unhallowed Halls | Lili Wilkinson | 368 | February 18, 2025 | 15-19 | Dark academia, boarding school, demonic magic | 4.2/5 |
| Thorn Season | Kiera Azar | 400 | July 8, 2025 | 15-19 | Court intrigue, survival, slow-burn romance | 4.1/5 |
Editor’s Choice: Sunrise on the Reaping
The most anticipated YA release of 2025, Sunrise on the Reaping takes readers back to the world of Panem for Haymitch Abernathy’s story during the Second Quarter Quell. Suzanne Collins delivers another masterclass in dystopian storytelling, combining heart-wrenching character development with razor-sharp political commentary.
This prequel reveals how a young, idealistic Haymitch became the cynical, broken mentor we meet in the original trilogy. The novel expertly balances action sequences with emotional depth, making it impossible to put down. Collins’ world-building remains unmatched, adding new layers to the Hunger Games universe while maintaining perfect continuity with the established timeline.
Pros
- Exceptional character development for a beloved character
- Perfect balance of action and emotional storytelling
- Expands the Hunger Games universe with new insights
- Collins’ signature political commentary remains sharp
- Satisfying connections to the original trilogy
Cons
- Emotionally devastating (bring tissues)
- Some familiar Hunger Games story beats
- May be too intense for younger YA readers
Specifications
| Scholastic Press | 978-1338635171 |
| 384 pages | March 18, 2025 |
| Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | 14-18 years |
Experience Haymitch’s Story
Discover the origins of one of the Hunger Games’ most complex characters in this unforgettable prequel.
2. Heir of Storms – Lauryn Hamilton Murray
Scottish debut author Lauryn Hamilton Murray makes a spectacular entrance with Heir of Storms, the first in a planned trilogy that combines elemental magic with a deadly competition for the throne. This romantasy follows protagonist Elysia Stormborn as she navigates a world where crowns aren’t inherited—they’re won through magical trials.
Murray’s elemental magic system is brilliantly crafted, with each contestant wielding control over different natural forces. The love triangle is genuinely compelling, avoiding typical tropes while creating authentic emotional stakes. The world-building is immersive, with Scottish-inspired landscapes and mythology woven seamlessly into the narrative.
Pros
- Innovative, well-developed magic system
- Strong female protagonist with authentic flaws
- Genuinely unpredictable plot twists
- Scottish-inspired world with rich mythology
- Perfect pacing that balances action and character development
Cons
- First in a trilogy (cliffhanger ending)
- Some secondary characters need more development
- Political system could use more explanation
Specifications
| HarperTeen | 978-0063258945 |
| 432 pages | June 3, 2025 |
| Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | 15-19 years |
Enter a World of Elemental Magic
Discover this stunning debut that’s already being compared to Red Queen and Shadow and Bone.
3. A Forgery of Fate – Elizabeth Lim
Elizabeth Lim returns with another breathtaking Asian-inspired fantasy in A Forgery of Fate. This Beauty and the Beast retelling follows Mei, a talented artist who can paint the future, as she becomes entangled with a cursed dragon lord in a plot to overthrow the gods.
Lim’s prose is as lyrical and enchanting as ever, creating a world rich with cultural details and magical wonder. The romance develops at a perfect pace, with the Beauty and the Beast framework providing a familiar foundation that Lim transforms into something wholly original. The magic system centered around art and creation is particularly innovative.
Pros
- Stunning Asian-inspired world-building
- Creative magic system based on artistic creation
- Beautiful, lyrical prose
- Fresh take on Beauty and the Beast
- Complex, morally gray characters
Cons
- Slower pacing in the middle section
- Some mythology elements could be clearer
- Side characters sometimes overshadowed
Specifications
| Knopf Books for Young Readers | 978-0593427538 |
| 368 pages | June 10, 2025 |
| Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | 14-18 years |
Paint Your Destiny
Fall in love with Elizabeth Lim’s magical new world where art can shape the future.
4. The Rose Bargain – Sasha Peyton Smith
The Rose Bargain is a captivating duology opener that combines elements of The Cruel Prince and The Selection. Sasha Peyton Smith creates a world of beautiful, cruel fae where protagonist Briar must navigate a deadly competition to win the hand of the Winter Prince—while secretly plotting revenge for her family’s destruction.
Smith’s fae world is richly imagined, with court politics and magical challenges that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The enemies-to-lovers romance develops with delicious tension, and the supporting cast of competitors adds depth to the story. The novel balances darkness and beauty in a way that perfectly captures the essence of fae tales.
Pros
- Atmospheric fae world with unique court systems
- Compelling enemies-to-lovers romance
- Strong female protagonist with clear motivations
- Excellent supporting characters
- Beautiful, immersive writing style
Cons
- First in a duology (wait for conclusion)
- Some familiar fae court tropes
- Competition structure feels somewhat familiar
Specifications
| Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | 978-1534454385 |
| 416 pages | February 11, 2025 |
| Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | 15-19 years |
Enter the Fae Courts
Discover a world of beautiful, cruel fae and a competition where the stakes are life and death.
5. Needy Little Things – Channelle Desamours
Channelle Desamours makes a powerful debut with Needy Little Things, a speculative YA mystery that follows Zora, a Black teen with premonition-like powers who must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger.
This novel brilliantly combines supernatural elements with a sharp social commentary on how the disappearances of Black girls are treated differently than their white peers. Desamours, who works as a high school science teacher, brings authentic teen voices to life while crafting a mystery with twists that will keep readers guessing until the final page.
Pros
- Authentic teen voice and dialogue
- Important social commentary woven naturally into the story
- Unique supernatural elements
- Genuinely surprising mystery twists
- Strong Black female protagonist
Cons
- Some uneven pacing in the middle
- Supernatural rules could be more clearly defined
- A few plot threads left unresolved
Specifications
| Balzer + Bray | 978-0063268739 |
| 352 pages | February 4, 2025 |
| Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | 14-18 years |
Uncover the Mystery
Experience this powerful debut that combines supernatural elements with important social commentary.
More Top YA Fantasy Novels of 2025
6. Nightweaver – R.M. Gray
A propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine seeking revenge through elemental magic while discovering her destiny. Gray’s debut features breathtaking worldbuilding and a forbidden romance that will leave readers desperate for the sequel.
7. A Language of Dragons – S.F. Williamson
An epic fantasy with a dark academia setting, clandestine romance, and dragons. Williamson creates an immersive world where ancient languages hold the power to control dragons, and a forbidden romance develops between rivals at an elite magical academy.
8. Somadina – Akwaeke Emezi
Set in a magical West African world, this novel follows a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers. Emezi’s lyrical prose and rich cultural worldbuilding create an unforgettable fantasy experience.
9. Unhallowed Halls – Lili Wilkinson
A dark academia fantasy following a teen girl who transfers to an exclusive Scottish boarding school after a deadly incident, only to discover the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society with ties to demonic magic.
10. Thorn Season – Kiera Azar
Alissa Paine is clever, flawed, and fighting to survive in a court that wants her gone. With dangerous secrets, political intrigue, and a slow-burning romance, Thorn Season delivers a tense fantasy that keeps readers guessing with every betrayal and revelation.
Find Your Next Fantasy Adventure
2025 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for YA fantasy, with diverse worlds, innovative magic systems, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re drawn to dystopian struggles, magical competitions, or supernatural mysteries, there’s a perfect adventure waiting for you.
Reader’s Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fantasy Match
- Heir of Storms – Elemental magic competition
- The Rose Bargain – Fae court selection
- Sunrise on the Reaping – Hunger Games prequel
For Fans of Competition Stories
- A Forgery of Fate – Beauty and the Beast retelling
- Nightweaver – Forbidden romance
- A Language of Dragons – Enemies-to-lovers
For Fans of Romance
- Somadina – West African magic
- Needy Little Things – Premonition powers
- Thorn Season – Court intrigue and magic
For Fans of Unique Magic
The best fantasy novels don’t just transport us to other worlds—they help us understand our own. The top young adult fantasy novels of 2025 continue this tradition, offering stories that blend escapism with powerful themes of identity, justice, and courage.
Conclusion: A Golden Age for YA Fantasy
The top 10 young adult fantasy novels 2025 has to offer represent one of the strongest years for the genre in recent memory. From established authors like Suzanne Collins and Elizabeth Lim to exciting debuts from Lauryn Hamilton Murray and Channelle Desamours, there’s an incredible range of stories, worlds, and characters to discover.
Our Editor’s Choice, Sunrise on the Reaping, stands out for its masterful storytelling and emotional depth, but each book on this list offers something special. Whether you’re drawn to elemental magic, fae courts, dark academia, or West African fantasy, 2025 has a YA fantasy novel that will transport you to new worlds and leave you eagerly turning pages.
Start Your Fantasy Journey Today
Don’t miss out on these incredible stories that are defining YA fantasy in 2025.
