Book Recs: Reading Beyond the Bestseller List: YA Fantasy Picks for the Reluctant Reader
We love a good Leigh Bardugo moment. And if you saw the recent New York Times list highlighting some of her top fantasy recommendations, you know it’s full of beloved, bestselling fantasy powerhouses. These books have earned their place, and for many readers, they’re the gateway into magical worlds filled with rich lore, high stakes, and unforgettable characters.
But what if you’re not a traditional fantasy reader (hi hello)? What if the idea of diving into a multi-book saga with 400 pages of political intrigue and ten different kinds of magic makes your head spin? Or maybe you’re just looking for something a little quieter, weirder, or off the beaten path?
Enter the magic of reading the work of incredible midlist authors (amongst others) whose stories deserve just as much love. Here’s a list of YA fantasy or fantasy-adjacent books I’ve actually read and enjoyed that aren’t always front and center (or are backlist titles!) but offer just the right amount of magic, mood, and meaning for fantasy skeptics and lovers alike.
Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies
by Lindsay RibarPublished by: Kathy Dawson Books
on June 7, 2016
Goodreads
Twin Peaks meets Stars Hollow in this paranormal suspense novel about a boy who can reach inside people and steal their innermost things—fears, memories, scars, even love—and his family’s secret ritual that for centuries has kept the cliff above their small town from collapsing.
Aspen Quick has never really worried about how he’s affecting people when he steals from them. But this summer he’ll discover just how strong the Quick family magic is—and how far they’ll go to keep their secrets safe.
With a smart, arrogant protagonist, a sinister family tradition, and an ending you won’t see coming, this is a fast-paced, twisty story about power, addiction, and deciding what kind of person you want to be, in a family that has the ability to control everything you are.
YA Fantasy for Reluctant Fantasy Readers
- 🪨 Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar: Weird and wonderful, this book leans into magical realism with a morally messy protagonist and powers passed down through generations. Think teen drama meets supernatural consequences, and you’re halfway there.
- 👑 My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: This book asks: what if English history was hilarious, magical, and full of clever anachronisms? It’s the perfect read for someone who says they “don’t read fantasy” because it’s light, laugh-out-loud funny, and more like The Princess Bride than Game of Thrones.
- 📚 Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson: Living, dangerous books. A snarky demon. A moody magician. This standalone fantasy is perfect for book lovers and reluctant fantasy readers alike. The worldbuilding is rich but not overwhelming, and the vibes are top-tier.
- 🎼 This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab: No romance, just tension. No wizards, just monsters born from human violence. Schwab creates a haunting, dystopian fantasy world that still feels grounded and deeply human. Perfect for fans of morally gray protagonists and light urban fantasy.
- 🪦 Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: A trans Latinx brujo summons a ghost who won’t leave, and might just become something more. A blend of queer romance, cultural magic, and heartfelt coming-of-age moments, this one hits all the emotional notes.
- 🩸 The Grace Year by Kim Liggett: Part feminist fable, part survival story, this book blends speculative horror and quiet dystopia. The fantasy is light, the mood is dark, and the message about girlhood and power lingers long after the final page.
- 🐾 Pet by Akwaeke Emezi: Set in a “perfect” world where all monsters are supposedly gone, Pet explores the blurry lines between justice, truth, and visibility. It’s a short, surreal, unforgettable read for anyone who wants their fantasy to feel like a fable.
- 🧛 The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black: A vampire novel that feels like reality TV meets post-apocalyptic dread. Gritty, romantic, and just the right kind of chaotic. For fans of The Hunger Games but wishing it had fangs.
- 👑 Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh: Memory-erasing trials, class rebellion, and a determined heroine fighting for her family. The stakes are high, but the fantasy elements are easy to grasp. Action-packed but grounded in emotion.
- 💔 The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling: A sapphic paranormal fantasy where one girl can see how people die and another is already dead. It’s part romance, part murder mystery, and 100% perfect for readers who like their fantasy with heart and high school drama.
- 🕯️ A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee: Boarding school. Witchcraft. Ghost stories. Sapphic tension. This one is dark academia at its finest, perfect for fans of The Secret History but wishing it had more girls and actual magic.
- 🧛♂️ The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig: A queer teen in a vampire-infested town just wants to survive high school without becoming someone’s dinner. Hilarious, fast-paced, and full of heart, this one makes fun of vampire tropes while embracing them.
- 🔮 Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth: What happens after you save the world? This is technically an adult crossover but will definitely hit with older YA readers. Roth explores trauma, disillusionment, and what it means to be “chosen.” Fantastical, yes, but also deeply real.
- 🐦 The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson: Mental health rep, political scheming, and elemental magic tied to magical birds (yes, birds). It’s about rebellion, resilience, and finding strength in your own voice.
- 🌲 The Lost Coast by A.R. Capetta: Queer witches in the redwoods of California. It’s dreamy, haunting, and full of emotional magic rather than complex worldbuilding. The story unfolds like fog—soft, slow, and captivating.
- ☠️ An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley: Revolution meets royal court intrigue in this alternate historical fantasy filled with alchemy, secrets, and slow-burn romance. Think Les Misérables with poison.
So whether you’re just starting to dip into fantasy or you’ve sworn it off in the past, these reads might surprise you, in the best way. You don’t have to be a fantasy reader to fall in love with a fantasy story. You just need the right one.
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