Article contributed by Katherine Hilker
Ever caught yourself daydreaming about trading in your day job for a bullwhip and fedora? Well, you’re in excellent company!
At some point, we’ve all imagined ourselves as the legendary Indiana Jones—plunging into abandoned temples, outwitting cunning booby traps, and liberating priceless treasures from their dusty resting places. But what if we told you that these globetrotting archaeological adventures are just a page-turn away?
Get that iconic fedora ready, because we’ve rounded up the best YA books like Indiana Jones that’ll have you channelling your inner Indy faster than you can say “It belongs in a museum!”
Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken
Out of all the Indiana Jones-inspired books on this list, Silver in the Bone is the one we’re the most excited about.
In a world steeped in Arthurian legend, Tamsin Lark starts a perilous quest to locate a fabled ring and rescue her cursed brother. With rival sorceresses, deadly secrets, and a race against time, Tamsin must forge unlikely alliances to secure her family’s future in this adrenaline-fueled series opener.
The Last Crusade meets The Last of Us in this YA urban fantasy from the bestselling author of The Darkest Minds and Lore.
FOR FANS OF: Mythology inspired books, complex sibling dynamics, YA books like Tomb Raider
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
Pitched as a gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty retelling, The Bone Spindle follows a bookish treasure hunter and an ax-wielding warrior who must join forces to break a century-old curse on a sleeping prince. Dark magic, witch hunters, and bad exes combine in this YA book like Indiana Jones perfect for anyone who loved Cinderella is Dead.
FOR FANS OF: LGBT fairytale retellings, Lara Croft, YA treasure hunting books
Read our book review of The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder for the full scoop.
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
It’s Rick Riordan—need we say more? But just in case we actually do…
In The Kane Chronicles, two siblings must unlock their hidden magical powers, battle ancient Egyptian gods, and embark on a globe-trotting adventure to save the world. It mixes Percy Jackson with The Raiders of the Lost Arc for a pyramid-sized twist!
With over 300,000 reviews on Goodreads, it’s safe to say that The Red Pyramid is one of the best Indiana Jones read-alikes on this list.
FOR FANS OF: The Mummy, Egyptian mythology, Percy Jackson, YA archaeology books
Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke
Indiana Jones gets a refresh with this female-driven cryptology adventure, set in the 1920s, full of ciphers, historic relics, and heart-stopping action.
From the author behind Hood comes a YA archaeology book set in the green hills of Dublin, where a reluctant bookseller and her childhood crush must decipher an ancient journal to prevent the resurrection of an evil queen.
FOR FANS OF: Books like National Treasure, novels set in Ireland, Celtic folklore, YA cryptology books.
The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
Looking for a YA book that’s like Tomb Raider? Meet your next Lara Croft in The Lady Rogue!
When Theodora’s treasure-hunting dream takes a turn for the worst, she must team up with her ex-boyfriend to rescue her missing father and unearth a legendary ring tied to Dracula.
From the author of Always Jane, Chasing Lucky, and Serious Moonlight, comes an action-pulp romance book like Raiders of the Lost Arc set in Gothic Romania.
FOR FANS OF: Dracula, novels set in Romania, second chance romances, Marion Ravenwood
Read our book review of The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennet for the full scoop.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
In the spellbinding world of 19th-century Paris, a diverse group of talented misfits comes together to infiltrate high society’s glittering façade and unlock ancient secrets. What they find might change the course of history—but only if they can stay alive.
Six of Crows meets Dan Brown in Roshani Chokshi’s beloved historical fantasy series that gives Indy a run for his money.
FOR FANS OF: Novels set in Paris, diverse Indiana Jones books, Ocean’s Eleven
Read our book review of The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi for the full scoop.
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Looking for adventure books like Uncharted but with the romance of The Mummy? Join Clio Havel on a research expedition alongside her estranged father as they uncover a sunken treasure off the coast of Italy.
Filled with ancient historical secrets, a budding summer romance, and gripping archaeological mysteries, Maureen Johnson is no doubt the master of thrilling beach reads.
FOR FANS OF: YA treasure hunting books, Nathan Drake, Atlantis
Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones…IN SPACE.
In this high-octane space opera from the bestselling author duo of The Other Side of the Sky, comes a story of two unlikely explorers who must rely on each other to decipher a distant planet’s secrets. Brace yourself for booby-trapped alien temples, dangerous artifact scavengers, and a sizzling romance.
FOR FANS OF: Doctor Who, YA archaeology books, Aurora Rising, The Mandalorian
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. LaFevers
Theodosia Throckmorton is far from ordinary—she’s the daughter of a museum curator, entrusted with forgotten Egyptian magic. But when her mother brings back the cursed Heart of Egypt, Theo must harness all her ancient knowledge to prevent a catastrophic war that could crumble the British Empire and threaten her very existence.
FOR FANS OF: Books like The Mummy, Egyptian mythology, Sallah from Raiders of the Lost Arc
Lion’s Legacy by L.C. Rosen
Step aside, Harrison Ford. There’s a new Indiana Jones in town, and his name is Tennessee Russo.
When his life unravels after a painful breakup, seventeen-year-old Tennessee has two choices: wallow in misery or go to Greece with his archaeologist dad. Joining his father’s quest for the Rings of the Sacred Band of Thebes, Tennessee navigates ancient ruins, unravels mysteries, and explores a hidden chapter of queer history.
FOR FANS OF: Queer books like Indiana Jones, Camp, novels set in Greece
Read our book review of Lion’s Legacy by L.C. Rosen for the full scoop.
Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck
The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. With mythical creatures, enchanting romance, and exotic locales, this young adult book like Indiana Jones is a treasure trove of pulp-action adventure.
FOR FANS OF: The Temple of Doom, Hindu mythology, paranormal romance
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Dubbed The Mummy meets Death on the Nile, this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt is filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.
If you enjoyed Isabel Ibañez’s Together We Burn and Woven in Moonlight, then you’re sure to fall head-over-heels for this upcoming YA book like Indiana Jones.
FOR FANS OF: Rivals-to-lovers romance, Egyptian mythology, Rebecca Ross, Agatha Christie mysteries
BONUS: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Snakes…Why did it have to be snakes?
As we conclude our journey through these Indiana Jones-inspired YA books, one thing becomes clear:
The spirit of exploration and the quest for the unknown are timeless.
So whether you’re running away from a giant boulder or just navigating daily life, these novels remind us that the best treasure can be found within the pages of a good book.
Now over to you:
