Someone emailed me and asked for some YA (Young Adult) polls, and as always we do like to deliver, starting with the fantasy genre. I asked you on our Facebook page to name your favourite novels in the genre and over 400 over you replied, from that I have tallied all the votes and we from that we have 21 YA fantasy novels that you should add to your reading list!
Thanks to everyone who voted, there are some well known books in the list, but hopefully some lesser known ones too to add to your reading pile.
Harry Potter Series – J. K. Rowling
Maybe unsurprisingly, our winner with the most votes by far is the Harry Potter series, the fantasy series that spawned a generation of readers.
The Mortal Instruments Series – Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare made the top ten twice and is clearly a popular YA fantasy author, but it was the Mortal Instruments series that took second place in the poll results.
Hunger Games Trilogy – Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is a hugely popular dystopian fantasy with an entire movie series and merchandising. Loved by teens and adults alike, we’re not surprised to see the Hunger Games trilogy in third place.
Throne of Glass Series – Sarah J. Maas
This one is a new one on me but after looking it up it certain contains enough to keep the average reader busy for a while. Ten books with two more promised? That’s quite an investment, but according to our readers it’s worth it.
Twilight Saga – Stephenie Meyer
Sniff not, this series got so many youngsters reading and for that alone it deserves its place in our list.
His Dark Materials – Phillip Pullman
Although it’s named differently in the UK/US, the books are the same. This one is a favourite of my own daughter and takes 6th place on our list.
Infernal Devices – Cassandra Claire
Taking second place and seventh is Cassandra Clare, this time for the Infernal Devices series. As an author Clare received the most votes in the entire poll between the two book series.
Vampire Academy Series – Richelle Mead
If you can say one thing for Twilight it spawned a whole genre, bringing vampires back in the best way since Dracula! There are six novels in the Vampire Academy series and many of you thought it should be included in our list.
Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl was often mentioned in our books for those who love Harry Potter poll so we’re not surprised to see it here in this top YA fantasy list. There are eight books in this series, sure to keep even the biggest fantasy fan happy for a while.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs
I don’t know about YA, but everyone has been raving about this in our reading group so we’re not surprised it makes the top ten list here!
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (US)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (UK)
So that’s the top ten, but we had over 50 books mentioned in all, we’ve only included the ones with the most mentions but here are the next 11, making 21 in total:
House of Night Series – P.C and Kristen Cast
Maze Runner – James Dashner
Percy Jackson Series – Rick Riordan
A Wrinkle In Time – Madeleine L’Engle
Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy – Lani Taylor
Hush Hush Series – Becca Fitzpatrick
Eragon Series – Christopher Paolini
The Wee Free Men – Terry Pratchett
Uglies Series – Scott Westerfield
Chronicles of Narnia – C. S Lewis
Shatter Me Series – Tahereh Mafi
And that’s our definitive list, according to our reading addicts! No doubt we won’t all agree but if you have any other suggestions you can of course add them in the comments.
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Try j.r.ward black brotherhood series…….christine feehan carpathian series……..lora leigh breeds series..patricia briggs mercy thompson series. They r all great fantasy authors
For young adults, they might be older since I am as well, but I read the Tamora Pierce Lioness series in middle school and felt it was so empowering for young women, and just a good series. I’ve read all of her other series as well, it didn’t matter that I was in my 20’s and 30’s. I feel she deserves a mention!!!!