Article contributed by Suya Chry
The best way to escape our monotonous reality is by reading and fantasy is probably the best genre for that because it takes us to a completely new world. By reading pages and pages of unreal creatures, breathtaking adventures, and swoon-worthy characters, you will definitely be less stressed from your worldly tasks. So, here are our picks for the top 5 YA fantasy series everyone needs to read!
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
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This six-book series by Richelle Mead starts by the capturing of the mortal vampires’ Princess Lissa Dragomir and her best friend, Rose Hathaway by the guards and bringing them back to the Vampire Academy, after two years of disappearance. Back at the institute, Rose starts training to be a full-fledged Dhampir guardian to her princess. The pair face multiple problems following their return like hiding Lissa’s healing abilities, Rose and Lissa’s psychotic bond, and the immortal Strigoi hell bent on killing the mortal princess. To top it all, Rose starts to have feelings for her trainer, Dimitri Belikov. A stunning write-up of teenage friendships, psychotic bonds, bad vampires, good vampires and their guardians, and a thrilling forbidden romance, Vampire Academy is a remarkable fantasy series you have to read.
“Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.” ― Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
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One of the longer YA fantasy series, with seven books and a prequel, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is an epic read. Celaena Sardothien, an assassin entrapped in slavery by a tyrannical king is called to the castle as Prince Dorians’ nominee to compete with other thieves and assassins so she could be freed from slavery after serving as the king’s champion for a few years. Once in the glass castle, Celaena starts training with Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Royal Guard, and occasionally associates with Prince Dorian. Inevitably, Celaena is torn between the two men as she goes on with her tasks to become the king’s champion. The series is filled with humor, romance, amazing characters, and of course, badass heroines!
““You could rattle the stars,” she whispered. “You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.”” –Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
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The young princess, Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, on her nineteenth birthday, sets off towards the castle where she was born to become the Queen and save her country, the Tearling, from the Red Queen, a sorceress possessing dark magic. Kelsea being solemn and simple, is different from her dead mother, Queen Elyssa Raleigh who was known for being beautiful yet frivolous. But determined to claim the throne that was rightfully hers, Kelsea is accompanied by her queen’s guard, led by the covert Lazarus, and comforted by her love for books and education, to improve the situations of her people in her country. This trilogy by Erika Johansen is a combination of mystery, magic, romance, action and adventure.
“There’s a better world out there, so close we can almost touch it.” ― Erika Johansen, The Invasion of the Tearling
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
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Sabaa Tahir wrote An Ember in the Ashes, one of the best YA fantasy series of all time. The Martial Empire oppresses the scholars since they had taken over the rule from the Scholars five centuries ago. When Laia, a scholar girl’s grandparents are murdered and her brother taken by the Martial Empire, she strikes a deal with the Resistance- she will spy on the Blackcliff military academy’s commandant and in return, they will help her find her brother. At the strict Blackcliff Academy, Laia acts as a slave, and eventually meets Elias Veturius, a masked student and son of the commandant, who secretly loathes the oppression on the Scholars. When the two get acquainted, they will realise that they are supposed to change the fate of the Empire. Still incomplete, this series has An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch against the Night, and A Reaper at the Gates, with book 4 scheduled to release sometime in 2020.
“You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it.” “You are full, Laia. Full of life and dark and strength and spirit. You are in our dreams. You will burn, for you are an ember in the ashes.” ― Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes
Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo
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The Grishaverse follows a world where there are people who can exhibit a special type of magic called the small science who are called Grisha, and the others are normal. In the first series, The Shadow and Bone trilogy, Alina Starkov, when faced with danger of the volcra in the fold, exhibits a dormant Grisha power that saves her best friend’s life. The Darkling immediately rushes her to the Little Palace, knowing she bears power similar to his own. Alina becomes the Sun Summoner, and everyone counts on her to destroy the fold in the Unsea. But her own problems arise, the unwillingness of her power, her unusual lust for the darkling, and her wanting to find her best friend, Malyen Oretsev. Shadow and Bone trilogy is followed by the Six of Crows duology which takes places two years after the former, in Ketterdam, another place in the Grishaverse. The third series is the King of Scars duology, whose second book is yet to be released.
“I didn’t think he was in love with me and I had no idea what I felt for him, but he wanted me, and maybe that was enough.” ― Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone
