"Best of" Lists

Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest:

Thrilling Books for Teens Who Love Fantasy

Last updated: July 9, 2026

Wonderful world-building and exciting stories make these fantasy books gripping reads for teens. From magic spells to ghosts, fairies, evil rulers, and fearsome, grotesque creatures, the fantastic elements and riveting characters in these books take readers out of the here and now and plunge them into unreal action, peril, and triumph. There's romance and brave self-sacrifice, too. Pick your poison -- literally. For more exciting teen reads, check out our Thriller Books for Teens and Romantic Fantasy Books for Teens

Filter by:
Sort by:
Beasts of Ruin book cover: Young Black woman in foreground framed by branches; young Black man in the background
BOOK

Beasts of Ruin: Beasts of Prey, Book 2

age 12+

Teens battle rogue god in suspenseful adventure.

Ayana Gray Fantasy (2022)
See full review
Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen book cover: A red-haired, stitched doll holds a sword surrounded by a swirling dragon
BOOK

Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen

age 12+

Third spooky fantasy volume has scares, mild violence.

Megan Shepherd Fantasy (2026)
See full review
The Cursed Rose book cover: Three young women stand in a forested area, two holding hands slightly behind one
BOOK

The Cursed Rose: The Bone Spindle, Book 3

age 12+

Fantasy series finale keeps up the excitement and adventure.

Leslie Vedder Fantasy (2024)
See full review
The Encanto's Curse book cover: Elaborate crown with green jewels
BOOK

The Encanto's Curse: The Encanto's Daughter, Book 2

age 12+

Hot kisses, gory monster, Filipino fashion in magic sequel.

Melissa de la Cruz Fantasy (2025)
See full review
The Eternal Ones book cover: Black teen girl in gold warrior face paint and clothing
BOOK

The Eternal Ones: The Gilded Ones, Book 3

age 12+

Teen finds her true identity in satisfying trilogy finale.

Namina Forna Fantasy (2024)
See full review
The Otherwhere Post book cover: Under the title, two feather quills cross, one tip drips silver liquid that swirls into silver thorny vines
BOOK

The Otherwhere Post

age 12+

Teen looks for truth in absorbing magical fantasy.

Emily J. Taylor Fantasy (2025)
See full review
A young woman holds a teacup and steam, koi fish, and flowers swirl around her.
BOOK

A Magic Steeped in Poison: The Book of Tea, Book 1

age 13+

Unique fantasy has intrigue, magic, and tea.

Judy I. Lin Fantasy (2022)
See full review
A Psalm of Storms and Silence Poster Image
BOOK

A Psalm of Storms and Silence

age 13+

African myth drives exciting saga of cursed princess.

Roseanne A. Brown Fantasy (2021)
See full review
A young woman in a flowing, bright-red kimono-style robe.
BOOK

A Thousand Steps Into Night

age 13+

Fantastic, sweeping, folklore-based fantasy epic.

Traci Chee Fantasy (2022)
See full review
Avatar Legends: City of Echoes book cover: An Asian girl holding a bag of scrolls looks offscreen; green strings float in the background
BOOK

City of Echoes: Avatar Legends, Book 1

age 13+

Exciting, philosophical Avatar novel has some violence.

Judy I. Lin Fantasy (2025)
See full review
Defy the Night book cover: Dark castle framed by white flower petals
BOOK

Defy the Night: Defy the Night, Book 1

age 13+

Complex characters, moral dilemmas in thrilling outlaw tale.

Brigid Kemmerer Fantasy (2021)
See full review
Drown Me With Dreams book cover: Saoirse stares out with her golden siren eyes in front of Hayes who holds a lit magic candle; waves crash behind them
BOOK

Drown Me with Dreams: Sing Me to Sleep, Book 2

age 13+

Heart-centered duology finale features powerful Black siren.

Gabi Burton Fantasy (2024)
See full review
Flamecaster: Shattered Realms, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Flamecaster: Shattered Realms, Book 1

age 13+

Absorbing fantasy romance full of spies and palace intrigue.

Cinda Williams Chima Fantasy (2016)
See full review
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns: Rise of the Empress, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns: Rise of the Empress, Book 1

age 13+

Vivid dark-fantasy series off to a compelling start.

Julie C. Dao Fantasy (2017)
See full review
Glorious Rivals: The Grandest Game, Book 2 Book Cover: Items used in the game are framed in a golden diamond
BOOK

Glorious Rivals: The Grandest Game, Book 2

age 13+

Absorbing series second adds more puzzles, dark secrets.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes Adventure (2025)
See full review
His Mortal Demise book cover: Above title and phrase "Every miracle demands a price," songbirds, lotus blooms, and blue flowers circle a human skull
BOOK

His Mortal Demise: The Last Bloodcarver, Book 2

age 13+

Less violence, more suspense in gripping fantasy finale.

Vanessa Le Fantasy (2025)
See full review
House of Marionne book cover: Bejeweled sword resting on bouquet of flowers
BOOK

House of Marionne, Book 1

age 13+

Absorbing tale of teen unraveling her lineage and magic.

J. Elle Fantasy (2023)
See full review
Illustration of three young brown women posing confidently in front of a building, one holds a pink bottle emitting smoke.
BOOK

How to Succeed in Witchcraft

age 13+

Modern-day witch story has fun while making a strong point.

Aislinn Brophy Fantasy (2022)
See full review
In Every Generation Poster Image
BOOK

In Every Generation

age 13+

Witty, fun, and very gory Buffy vampire series reboot.

Kendare Blake Fantasy (2022)
See full review
Into the Sunken City book cover: Jin's partially submerged face looks out of a dive suit, skyscrapers reflected in the glass
BOOK

Into the Sunken City

age 13+

Rainy futuristic tale excites with pirates, perilous dives.

Dinesh Thiru Fantasy (2024)
See full review
Common Sense Media

About the Author

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.

Other great lists from our editors

Articles