• Start Here
    • ABOUT
    • MCW Podcast
    • Subscribe
    • CONTACT
  • Kentucky
    • Louisville
  • Destinations
    • North America
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • Colorado
      • Georgia
      • Indiana
      • Tennessee
      • Ohio
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • Utah
      • West Virginia
    • Caribbean
    • South America
    • Europe
  • Blog
    • Playlists & Books
    • Packing & Gear
      • Shop Our Instagram & Gear
      • Packing Guides
      • Trip Planning
    • Inspiration
    • Our Home
    • Wellness
    • Blogging
  • Magnolia & Pine
  • Work With Us
0

My Colorful Wanderings

My Colorful Wanderings

Playlists & Books, Wellness

The Top 30 Young Adult Fantasy Series & Standalone Novels

Somewhere In Your Mind Scape...
Daughter of The Pirate King

Hello reader friends! If you found this post, you most likely also know about my highly popular post – 110 Books Like A Court of Thorns & Roses. (Most readers find me that way!) Recently, that list became so massive that I realized I needed to split it up to explain my thoughts behind books better and share my reading experience.

Plus – If you’re looking for more young adult or new adult books – this list is much more concise and explains my thoughts a little better behind some of the themes present for different age groups.

Young Adult vs. New Adult Books

There is a definite difference in the feel of young adult vs. new adult books. As a heavy reader, I’ve realized that mentally I categorize them differently based on what the characters go through at the time. We’re all learning and growing, but the characters will experience things emotionally/ sexually/ romantically/ morally differently at different ages.

**These are my definitions based on how I would want my children to read. What you decide is up to you and your family!!

  • YOUNG ADULT FANTASY BOOKS: Most young adult book series focus on adventures, acts of heroism, strong platonic friendships, and almost no sexual themes throughout.
  • NEW ADULT FANTASY BOOKS: These stories are where characters’ eyes are somewhat open to the world, but the books thematically lean into conversations around sexuality and potentially darker themes like sexual non-consent, torture, etc., that may be too much for young readers.

Young Adult Books Fantasy Series

This section of books is for those who don’t like romantic scenes and want more of a slow build. These books are like A Court of Thorns and Roses in that they all involve fantasy world-building and romances, but they’re based on young adult angst, general themes of good vs evil etc.

These may have some romance, but really that’s not the focus of the books.

  1. The Cruel Prince Series by Holly Black – This one is all talked about over the place and highly recommended!
  2. Where Dreams Descend (Kingdom of Cards Series) by Janella Angeles
  3. Ash Princess (First of the Ash Princess Series) by Laura Sebastian
  4. A Curse So Dark & Lonely (First of the Cursebreaker Trilogy) by Brigid Kemmerer – Everyone should read this one!
  5. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (She also has a few others like An Enchantment of Ravens and Vespertine!)
  6. Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
  7. Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
  8. A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
Read Next:  June 2020 Playlist: The Violet Hour

Young Adult Fantasy Books on Kindle Unlimited

All of these are available for purchase as paperbacks as well as included with a Kindle Unlimited subscription!

**Please make note that while these are available on Kindle Unlimited, at any time they may be removed and you’ll have to purchase a physical copy!

  1. Air Awakens (5 Book Series) by Elise Kova – Elise Kova is a great YA Fantasy genre author!! You’ll see quite a few from her sprinkled throughout my lists.
  2. A Trial of Sorcerers (3 Book Series) by Elise Kova
  3. The Fair Isle Trilogy by Tessonja Odette – I loved every book in this series!! This book includes To Carve a Fae Heart, To Wear a Fae Crown, and To Spark a Fae War. Other awesome books by to include Heart of the Raven Prince: A Cinderella Retelling, then Curse of the Wolf King: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling, and Kiss of the Selkie: A Little Mermaid Retelling.

New Adult Fantasy Series & Standalone Books

  1. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller (The next book Daughter of the Siren Queen, is also available on Kindle Unlimited!)
  2. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
  3. These Violent Delights by Chlor Gong – A Booktok (Book Lovers Tik Tok) favorite everywhere!
  4. Crave (Part 1 of 6 in the Crave Series) by Tracy Wolff – I loved this one!!
  5. Divine Rivals (Book #1 of The Letters of Enchantment) by Rebecca Ross – A really well-written series based on two rivals connected by their typewriters and how much they absolutely don’t want to love each other.
  6. A Court of Honey and Ash Series by Shannon Meyer – Really good! The incredible world-building and just long enough of a series to keep me entertained but not bored!
  7. Dance With A Fae Prince by Elise Kova – Another great EK novel – best for your older YA readers.
  8. Six of Crows Series by Leigh Bardugo – (The beginning of the Shadow and Bone books/Netflix Series!)
  9. For The Wolf by Hannah Witten – This two-part duology was a fun series! Lauded as a darker Beauty and The Beast retelling, I had a lot of fun dissecting the plot and finding those hidden elements from the original story. What makes this book New Adult is how the world-building and fantasy ‘religion’ are woven throughout the plot, needing almost a more mature intellect to comprehend.
  10. Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber – A young woman and her sister escape an
  11. Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – This is a three part series (the last book, A Curse for True Love, is being released October 2023!) written by the same author as the Caraval series. Based on the rose gold haired heroine Evangeline and her quest to discover more of her mother’s Northern heritage, she becomes entangled in the web of lies and half truths of the devastatingly handsome Prince of Hearts.
Read Next:  50 Unique Things to Do In Lexington, Kentucky: Horse Country

Fantasy Books & Series I Haven’t Read Yet

These are marketed as ‘young adult’ books – but I haven’t read them yet to classify where they fall on the young adult vs. new adult spectrum.

  1. We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
  2. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
  3. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
  4. Daughter of the Moon Goddess: A Novel by Sue Lynn Tan
  5. Fable by Adrienne Young
  6. Red Queen (Book 1 of the Red Queen Series) by Victoria Aveyard – Also on my April 2022 Books Under $10 on Amazon post!!
  7. Furyborn (Part 1 of the Empirium Trilogy) by Claire Legrand

***This list is updated regularly based on what I’ve read and reviewed so check back every now and then!

I hope you love whatever book you pick up next! Enjoy my bookish pals! – Southern.Lady.Reads

Thanks for sharing!

1 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
TAGS:Beach Vacationsbooksfall travelsroad tripwellness
Evan and Shelby

Sharing beautiful places, sustainable & slow living tips, + good food from across the globe. You can probably find Shelbs creating a new playlist or editing photos, and Ev researching the latest and greatest in all manner of travel gear and tech. We're so happy you're here taking a moment to read and slow down a little.

You May Also Like...

The Romance Novel Lover’s Masterlist: 200+ Books & Series

February 2020 Playlist: Hand That You Hold

Smiles On Faces: Road Trip Playlist For November 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
21 Spring-Ready April 2023 Book Releases
Next Post
Amazing Women In Stem Novels (From A Woman in STEM)
Hey there! It’s Ev & Shelbs

Hey there! It’s Ev & Shelbs

We're husband and wife hikers, explorers, foodies, readers and photographers. Our blog is dedicated to romanticizing life, inspired by our home in Southern USA. We hope you leave feeling inspired for your next adventure or picking up a new favorite book!

Get More of The South

Hiking, foodie recommendations and more!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
    Built with ConvertKit

    Shop Our Staples

    product_title_1

    Men's La Sportiva Hiking Boot

    product_title_2

    Women's La Sportiva Hiking Boot

    product_title_3

    Sony a6600 Mirrorless Camera

    product_title_4

    17-70mm f/2.8 Lens

    product_title_5

    Camera Backpack Clip

    Current Location

    Current Location
    Louisville, Kentucky

    FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES ON INSTAGRAM! @MYCOLORFULWANDERINGS | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED – PHOTOGRAPHY CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION

    Not that we drink coffee… but 10/10 will go to a vibey coffee shop for a hot tea ☕️ 🖤
Strolling the adorable Main Street of #madisonindiana was well worth the chilly wind. Loved every second of our mini couples getaway with some of our favorite humans! 
Madison is only about an hour from where we live in Louisville so we’ll def be back for a few summer concerts and yummy food down by the rivvaaaaa. 
.
.
.
#madisonindianariverfront #indiana #onlyinindiana #travelindiana #indianaphotographer #coffeeshop #coffeeshopsoftheworld #coffeeshopdesign #coffeeshopinteriors #rusticmodern #rusticstyle #rusticcharm
    •
    Follow
    Not that we drink coffee… but 10/10 will go to a vibey coffee shop for a hot tea ☕️ 🖤 Strolling the adorable Main Street of #madisonindiana was well worth the chilly wind. Loved every second of our mini couples getaway with some of our favorite humans! Madison is only about an hour from where we live in Louisville so we’ll def be back for a few summer concerts and yummy food down by the rivvaaaaa. . . . #madisonindianariverfront #indiana #onlyinindiana #travelindiana #indianaphotographer #coffeeshop #coffeeshopsoftheworld #coffeeshopdesign #coffeeshopinteriors #rusticmodern #rusticstyle #rusticcharm
    1 year ago
    View on Instagram |
    1/6
    10/10 would walk the sun drenched rows of the Neon Museum again. ✨
If you haven’t been to Vegas - it really is so much more than a first timer thinks it will be. From world class food to everything being just a little brighter than you’re used to (not to mention covered in glitter or sequins), there’s always something happening in this glittering desert city. 
.
.
.
.
#lasvegasstrip #passportcollective #summervibes☀️ #vacationwolf #exploreourearth #lasvegasnevada #theneonmuseum #lasvegasmusicscene #lasvegaslife #neonsigns #neonsignage #neonsignsonly #vintageinspired
    •
    Follow
    10/10 would walk the sun drenched rows of the Neon Museum again. ✨ If you haven’t been to Vegas - it really is so much more than a first timer thinks it will be. From world class food to everything being just a little brighter than you’re used to (not to mention covered in glitter or sequins), there’s always something happening in this glittering desert city. . . . . #lasvegasstrip #passportcollective #summervibes☀️ #vacationwolf #exploreourearth #lasvegasnevada #theneonmuseum #lasvegasmusicscene #lasvegaslife #neonsigns #neonsignage #neonsignsonly #vintageinspired
    1 year ago
    View on Instagram |
    2/6
    Took our first hike of the spring today in the @theparklandsoffloydsfork . 
One of our favorite Louisville hiking trails is Paw Paw to Chinkapin Loop. Perfect if you have doggies who like to play in the water! 
P.S. 🦟season has started. Grab your bug spray southern friends 👌🏼
.
.
.
.
#hikingwithdogs #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #dogswhohike #dogsinwilderness #dogsinnature #gsofinstagram #germanshepherdofig #hikinggermansheperds #germanshepherdsgsd #louisvilletrails #hikingkentucky #kentuckyhikingadventures #kentuckyhiking #kycreatives #kybloggers #kytravel
    Took our first hike of the spring today in the @theparklandsoffloydsfork . 
One of our favorite Louisville hiking trails is Paw Paw to Chinkapin Loop. Perfect if you have doggies who like to play in the water! 
P.S. 🦟season has started. Grab your bug spray southern friends 👌🏼
.
.
.
.
#hikingwithdogs #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #dogswhohike #dogsinwilderness #dogsinnature #gsofinstagram #germanshepherdofig #hikinggermansheperds #germanshepherdsgsd #louisvilletrails #hikingkentucky #kentuckyhikingadventures #kentuckyhiking #kycreatives #kybloggers #kytravel
    Took our first hike of the spring today in the @theparklandsoffloydsfork . 
One of our favorite Louisville hiking trails is Paw Paw to Chinkapin Loop. Perfect if you have doggies who like to play in the water! 
P.S. 🦟season has started. Grab your bug spray southern friends 👌🏼
.
.
.
.
#hikingwithdogs #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #dogswhohike #dogsinwilderness #dogsinnature #gsofinstagram #germanshepherdofig #hikinggermansheperds #germanshepherdsgsd #louisvilletrails #hikingkentucky #kentuckyhikingadventures #kentuckyhiking #kycreatives #kybloggers #kytravel
    •
    Follow
    Took our first hike of the spring today in the @theparklandsoffloydsfork . One of our favorite Louisville hiking trails is Paw Paw to Chinkapin Loop. Perfect if you have doggies who like to play in the water! P.S. 🦟season has started. Grab your bug spray southern friends 👌🏼 . . . . #hikingwithdogs #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #dogswhohike #dogsinwilderness #dogsinnature #gsofinstagram #germanshepherdofig #hikinggermansheperds #germanshepherdsgsd #louisvilletrails #hikingkentucky #kentuckyhikingadventures #kentuckyhiking #kycreatives #kybloggers #kytravel
    1 year ago
    View on Instagram |
    3/6
    It’s only Wednesday… and I suspect a well-earned cocktail break will be headed my way this weekend as we hang doors at the Airbnb cottage, maybe go for a hike since the 164893 days of rain have finally stopped and clean the house a little? 
Of all of our favorite places to quietly grab a an adult beveragé (#fancylike), the ones with moody interiors, tucked away in peaceful parts of the city and picture perfect craft drinks are my favorite. 
If you know you know fam. 
.
.
.
.
#wednesday #foodbible #buzzfeedtasty #tastethisnext #liveauthentic #tasteintravel #gardenandgun #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailhour #thefoodwhores #foodpicsovernidepics #cocktailoftheday #cocktailoftheweek #brewerylife #louisvilleapproved #louisvillefood 
@foodyfetish @tasty.hub
    •
    Follow
    It’s only Wednesday… and I suspect a well-earned cocktail break will be headed my way this weekend as we hang doors at the Airbnb cottage, maybe go for a hike since the 164893 days of rain have finally stopped and clean the house a little? Of all of our favorite places to quietly grab a an adult beveragé (#fancylike), the ones with moody interiors, tucked away in peaceful parts of the city and picture perfect craft drinks are my favorite. If you know you know fam. . . . . #wednesday #foodbible #buzzfeedtasty #tastethisnext #liveauthentic #tasteintravel #gardenandgun #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailhour #thefoodwhores #foodpicsovernidepics #cocktailoftheday #cocktailoftheweek #brewerylife #louisvilleapproved #louisvillefood @foodyfetish @tasty.hub
    1 year ago
    View on Instagram |
    4/6
    A good day doing what Kentuckians do: a little horse back riding. 🖤
Went #horsebackriding through the Smoky Mountains near Asheville and could not have asked for prettier weather. Most people thing you want sunshine and perfectly clear skies… but sometimes those cloudy days are really where it’s at!! When the clouds sit low over the mountain and you’re riding through on a horse - just something special about it. 
.
.
.
.
.
#ashevillefolk #ashevillestrong #horsesofinstagram #horsesofinsta #horselove #thingstodoinasheville #northcarolinaliving #ashevillenc #horsebackridinglessons #horsebackride #mountainsandhorses #horsesanddreams #horsesarelife #kentuckytravels
    •
    Follow
    A good day doing what Kentuckians do: a little horse back riding. 🖤 Went #horsebackriding through the Smoky Mountains near Asheville and could not have asked for prettier weather. Most people thing you want sunshine and perfectly clear skies… but sometimes those cloudy days are really where it’s at!! When the clouds sit low over the mountain and you’re riding through on a horse - just something special about it. . . . . . #ashevillefolk #ashevillestrong #horsesofinstagram #horsesofinsta #horselove #thingstodoinasheville #northcarolinaliving #ashevillenc #horsebackridinglessons #horsebackride #mountainsandhorses #horsesanddreams #horsesarelife #kentuckytravels
    1 year ago
    View on Instagram |
    5/6
    Architecturally satisfying restaurants with good wine lists and mimosa flights make me happy 🖤
P.S. The gals taught David Colton a valuable life skill on our family weekend away in West Virginia: how to take good photos for the gram. His Dad was SUPER happy about it. 💁🏻‍♀️😂 
.
.
.
#iseebeautyeverywhere #cornersofmyworld #bepresent #instagood #uniquedestination #glt #onlyinwestvirginia #morgantownwestvirginia #mountainstate #makemomentshappen #appalachia #westvirginia #aesthetic_photos #restaurantdesign
    Architecturally satisfying restaurants with good wine lists and mimosa flights make me happy 🖤
P.S. The gals taught David Colton a valuable life skill on our family weekend away in West Virginia: how to take good photos for the gram. His Dad was SUPER happy about it. 💁🏻‍♀️😂 
.
.
.
#iseebeautyeverywhere #cornersofmyworld #bepresent #instagood #uniquedestination #glt #onlyinwestvirginia #morgantownwestvirginia #mountainstate #makemomentshappen #appalachia #westvirginia #aesthetic_photos #restaurantdesign
    •
    Follow
    Architecturally satisfying restaurants with good wine lists and mimosa flights make me happy 🖤 P.S. The gals taught David Colton a valuable life skill on our family weekend away in West Virginia: how to take good photos for the gram. His Dad was SUPER happy about it. 💁🏻‍♀️😂 . . . #iseebeautyeverywhere #cornersofmyworld #bepresent #instagood #uniquedestination #glt #onlyinwestvirginia #morgantownwestvirginia #mountainstate #makemomentshappen #appalachia #westvirginia #aesthetic_photos #restaurantdesign
    1 year ago
    View on Instagram |
    6/6
    • CONTACT
    • Work With Us
    • BLOG
    • Legal

    MY COLORFUL WANDERINGS © Site Powered by Pix & Hue.

    1 shares
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email