S. Labrecque is a fantasy author. She received her Bachelors of Science in Geology from the University of Rochester and her Masters from the University at Buffalo. After college, she returned to her dream of becoming an author. Her short story “The Killer Doll and the Dollmaker” is published in Aphelion Webzine.
She writes a twice-monthly newsletter and posts book memes on Instagram as she works on publishing her next novel. When she’s not writing, Serena can be found hiking, cuddling her cats, and playing D&D with her family.
The fantasy genre
We all have our favorite genres.
The fantasy genre itself has plenty of subcategories to choose from. With so many options, how do we decide which ones we should try?
What if we had a figurative sample platter of genres to pick from?
You’re in luck! I’ve compiled a list of a YA or MG book recommendations for 10 different fantasy genres.
You’ll find many books on this list cross genre. For example, almost all of them feature romantic plotlines. So even if a certain genre isn’t usually your thing, give it a look and you might find a new read.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, and Laura’s Books and Blogs will receive a commission on any sales.
Mythology: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
YA/MG Greek Mythology Urban Fantasy
Synopsis
12-year-old Percy Jackson has been a troubled kid his whole life. Things get a lot worse when he discovers that not only is Greek Mythology real, but he himself is the son of a god – a demigod. Now Percy must face a deadly quest to retrieve Zeus’ stolen lightning bolt, or else the Greek gods may send the world into chaos.
My Thoughts
Let’s start this off with a classic. I first read the Percy Jackson series as a teenager, and I’ve kept up with each new installment even as an adult. It’s full of humor, heart, and action, and I enjoy the unique spins Riordan puts on Greek myths.
Romance Fantasy: So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
YA LGBTQ+ Romance High Fantasy
Synopsis
Arek, the Chosen One, has defeated the Evil King. Now he finds himself the new king of Ere, and he must choose a spouse before his eighteenth birthday or be cursed to fade into nothing. With his best friend’s help, he sets out to woo a partner, beginning with his adventuring companions. Hilarity ensues.
My Thoughts
This stand-alone novel is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. The romance between Arek and his final love interest is so sweet. They are always respectful of boundaries and encourage each other’s goals. It’s always nice to read a book where people care about each other, whether it be in the romantic plotline or the found family dynamic they share with the rest of the adventuring party.
Portal Fantasy: Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
MG Portal Urban Fantasy
Synopsis
Twelve-year-old Sophie has always been different. Brilliant, but unable to connect to her older classmates – and secretly a telepath. Then she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who claims she’s not human at all. Sophie must leave her old home and discover a magical world– a world that holds as much danger as wonder.
My Thoughts
This is a classic portal fantasy with a Harry Potter-esque feel but without a transphobic author. The first few books are meant for younger readers, although I hear the series gets more mature as the characters age. It’s great for kids who enjoy escapism fantasies.
Contemporary Fantasy: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
YA Queer Romance Contemporary Fantasy
Synopsis
Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One ever. He’s got a magic-eating monster to destroy, a roommate who’s probably an evil vampire to contend with, and he can’t even get his magic wand to work right. It’s his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and as Simon struggles to fulfill his destiny, nothing and no one are what they seem. Who can Simon really trust?
My Thoughts
What if Harry Potter and vampire-Draco Malfoy were gay? Apparently, you’ll get a queer love story full of angst and passion. This book has a lovably dense hero, a hot but distant love interest, a morally questionable mentor, and a brilliant girl best friend. The magic itself is run on turns of phrase and clever language, which, as an author, I found a lot of fun.
Urban Fantasy: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
YA Urban Romance Fantasy
Synopsis
Bree is still struggling with her mother’s death when she’s accepted to an early college program. She hopes college could be her opportunity to escape her old life, until she witnesses her first demon attack.
Bree enters a magic society of modern day legends and soon awakens her own hidden power. She’s determined to uncover the society’s secrets and their involvement with her mother’s death.
My Thoughts
A fantastic YA urban fantasy with diverse characters and unique worldbuilding. The characters are well rounded with great strengths balanced by realistic flaws.
Bree is a brave, strong heroine but far from perfect as she struggles to come to terms with her mother’s death and her newfound power. I also enjoyed reading an urban fantasy that wasn’t the classic “every myth is true” kitchen sink world. Legendborn revisions the Arthurian legends into modern day society.
High Fantasy: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
YA High Fantasy
Synopsis
Tress has only ever known life on her miserable island surrounded by a sea of lethal spores. But when her love Charlie goes missing across that sea, Tress must leave the island and rescue him. Even if it means crossing the even deadlier Midnight Sea to face pirates, a dragon, and an evil Sorceress.
My Thoughts
This was one of Brandon Sanderson’s secret projects, and not only is it my favorite secret project, it’s one of my favorite stories he’s ever written. The stakes aren’t “the world is ending,” but we care so much about the main characters that threats to their lives and happiness keep us in just as much suspense. This book makes you care from the very first chapter, and you get to watch Tress and her crew grow as they face obstacles and danger in a classically-Sanderson unique world.
Sword and Sorcery: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
YA Romance Sword and Sorcery Fantasy
Synopsis
Elisabeth has been taught all her life that sorcerers are evil. But when Elisabeth is framed in her mentor’s murder and the theft of her library’s most dangerous grimoire, she is forced to team up with the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn and his mysterious demon servant. As her alliance grows stronger, Elisabeth must reconsider everything she knew about magic and demons.
My Thoughts
Elisabeth is the sword and Nathaniel is the sorcery in this stand-alone novel. Elisabeth has a great character arc from a naive, sheltered girl to a headstrong and brave heroine. If you want a book full of magic, intrigue, and a young woman defeating patriarchal villains alongside her hot sorcerer partner, give this one a try!
Dark fantasy: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
YA Dark High Fantasy
Synopsis
In the bustling hub of Ketterdam and its dangerous, crime-ridden streets, criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker is hired for a deadly heist that could make him wildly rich. Or kill everyone involved. Kaz and his rag-tag group of misfits set out for great risk and great reward, but the ramifications may go beyond anything they’d ever expected.
My Thoughts
I think this duology lived up to the hype! It’s full of high stakes and drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I especially loved the main characters’ development from mistrustful loners into a true found family dynamic.
Fairytale Retelling: The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
YA LGBTQ+ Romance Fairytale Retelling
Synopsis
When adventurer Fi pricks her finger on a spindle, she’s haunted by the spirit of Briar Rose, a sleeping prince from an old, forgotten kingdom. Fi and her tough-as-nails partner Shane must face dark magic, bad exes, and a mysterious witch who might steal Shane’s heart. Their path to waking the sleeping prince is a treacherous one, but nothing scares Fi more than the possibility of falling in love with Briar Rose.
My Thoughts
A fun twist on a classic fairytale! It’s refreshing to watch the heroine rescue her beautiful prince instead of the other way around. I appreciated how the heroines Fi and Shane balanced each other. Fi’s great strength is her intelligence and problem solving skills while Shane is a badass warrior, so we get a variety of women protagonists.
Steampunk: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
YA Romance Dystopian Steampunk Fairytale Retelling
Synopsis
As a cyborg, Cinder is a second-class citizen under the guardianship of her cruel stepmother. When a plague strikes her little sister, Cinder will stop at nothing to save her.
Yet her life becomes unexpectedly entwined with the charming Prince Kai along the way– and an intergalactic struggle. Cinder will have to uncover her forgotten past to survive as she’s torn between loyalty and freedom.
My Thoughts
Fairytale retelling but steampunk. It’s fun to see fairy tales with steampunk and sci-fi technology. Due to her brain cybernetics, Cinder interacts with the world in unique ways that I found quite interesting. Not to mention I’m a sucker for stories where the heroine has to save her dashing prince!
Final thoughts on YA and MG fantasy
I hope you’ve found my fantasy sample platter helpful. Whether you prefer to read a certain genre, or are looking for a new one to explore, there’s always more, wonderful reads to discover.
Thanks for reading!
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Ooh! I’ve read Tress from this list!! That’s it though…
That’s a good start! Thanks for reading!