Book recommendations: Five YA fantasy series to add to your TBR

As an avid romantasy reader, I tend to read significantly more YA fantasy books than adult. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I truly find YA fantasy books to be so magical and whimsical and filled with worlds I wish existed beyond the pages. While there are many adult fantasy books I love, I find many of them explore much darker themes and elements that I really need to be in a certain headspace to enjoy. If you are looking for some new adventures, here are some must-read YA fantasy series—bonus: they’re all completed series!

1. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Kingdom of the Wicked is a story of vengeance, self-discovery, magic, and steamy romance. The plot follows a devastated Emilia who is trying to unravel the mysterious and tragic death of her beloved twin sister. Her search leads her to Wrath, one of the Wicked—the forbidden Princes of Hell—and one of my all-time favorite MMC’s. If you’re looking for a book series filled to the brim with angst and enemies-to-lovers, this one is for you.

2. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Belladonna is an absolutely beautiful fantasy series that follows Signa, a nineteen-year-old orphan with a mysterious connection to Death. When her cousin suddenly falls ill and Signa discovers a murderer is among her and her family, she enlists the help of Death to find the culprit before it’s too late. Adalyn truly wrote an incredible gothic fantasy series, and the final book in the series is out in just a few days!

3. Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Twin Crowns is a trilogy that completely took me by surprise—I read the entire series in a week. Told from two POV’s, this series follows Wren and Rose—twin sisters raised entirely apart with two very different goals—who come together to rise above the evil that is closer than either of them thought possible. This was such a fun adventure with enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love sprinkled in, and a heartwarming story about the love between sisters.

4. The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

If you love a story with twists that give you whiplash and a series of deadly trials, you don’t want to miss this one! Kiva Meridan, a seventeen-year-old healer in Zalindov—a ruthless prison—finds herself in a terrible position when she receives an order from her family commanding her to keep the recently captured rebel Queen alive, leading her to volunteer to take the Queen’s place in a series of elemental trials that are designed to kill any who are sentenced to them. With a thrilling story, perfect pacing, and delicious twists, this is definitely a trilogy you want to add to your TBR.

5. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval is a thrilling fantasy series featuring a fascinating competition, a mouth-watering romance, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. This trilogy follows Tella and Scarlett as they unravel the mysterious world of Caraval—and fall in love while they’re at it. As they enter the game that only happens once a year, the sisters must try and remember that Caraval is only a game—or is it?