Books
Our modern world moves at a breakneck pace, and especially in today's political climate, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the 24/7 news cycle. Making time to take care of yourself and your mental health is more important now than ever, so the next time you feel bombarded by all the unbelievable real-life events unfolding around you, take a break and check into one of these addictive YA fantasy series instead. When you can't stand another second of your reality, an session of binge-reading stories about magical and mythical one is just what you need.
Books do an amazing job at providing an escape no matter the genre, but fantasy books are the best at taking readers out of their own lives and into another world entirely. Even better, fantasy series provide the perfect distraction for someone to get lost in the magical, mystical, and mythical (rather than the mad, malicious, and misogynistic) all weekend long. With hundreds and hundreds of pages of action, adventure, and enchantment to keep readers occupied, they're like fantastical vacations you don't actually have to leave your house to go on.
Are you fed up with reality and ready to get lost in another world? Check out one of these 13 addicting YA fantasy series so good, they'll distract you from whatever real life throws at you.
1Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In this #1 New York Times bestselling series from Victoria Aveyard, readers get swept up in magic and rebellion — The Selection meets Game of Thrones style. Starting with Red Queen, this series follows Mare Barrow, a young girl born a poor Red who finds herself walking a dangerous tightrope between who she really is and who she is forced to pretend to be when she discovers she has magical abilities akin to the upper class Silvers of society. Exciting, action-packed, and plenty romantic, this is one fantasy series you won't be able to stop talking about.
2The Witchlands by Susan Dennard
In this alternate fantasy world, three magical empires are on the brink of another war as their Twenty Year Truce comes to an end. It's up to two young women, both born with extraordinary powers, to find away to save the world — and save themselves. Packed with everything fantasy fans know and love, including swordplay, magical powers, pirates, and just the right amount of romance, this the Witchland series is perfect for readers who love getting lost in the lives of some seriously kick-ass young women.
3An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
In this beloved character-driven fantasy series, Sabaa Tahir reminds readers what humanity is really about. Set against a brutal backdrop reminiscent of ancient Rome, An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against throw readers into the lives of Laia, a slave, and Elias, a soldier, two unlikely allies whose fates become inextricably intertwined in their fight against the Empire. Violent as it is beautiful, this series will seriously blow you away and leave you begging for more.
4Kingdom of Fire by Jessica Cluess
In this dark fantasy series from up-and-coming YA author Jessica Cluess, Henrietta, the first female sorcerer in centuries is celebrated as the chosen one — the one destined to take down the ancient demons terrorizing her lands. But is she really the chosen one? An exhilarating action story featuring magical duels, mystical training, and terrifying monsters that will keep you awake at night, the Kingdom of Fire series will get you hooked after just one chapter.
5The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Set in an old, Renaissance-like world, bestselling Legend author Marie Lu weaves a story about magic, chaos, and power. At the center of it all is Adelina, an unwanted daughter who rises from the rubble of her life to become a powerful and fearsome leader to the Young Elites. A beautiful mix of fantasy and history, The Young Elites is a captivating tale of the human scars, both physical and emotional, that change our lives.
6The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
In Leigh Bardugo's fictional world of Ravka, there are two kinds of people: The Grisha, who can control magic know as the Small Science, and those who can't. When the land is overtaken by the Shadow Fold, an evil darkness where monsters thrive, it's up to young refugee Alina to master the powers and secrets of the Grisha and save her nation.
7A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
This instant New York Times bestseller will have you frantically flipping the pages to follow the addicting story of Feyre, a young woman who finds herself whisked away to a land of powerful faerie land where magic and passion burn hot and deep. It's sexy, romantic, and exhilarating.
8The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
In this four book series, Blue, the latest in a long line of clairvoyant women, doesn't seem to share her family's powers. That is, until she meets Gansey, one of the Raven Boys she's been warned about, and her entire life changes. An intricate tale of magic, love, fate, and choices, The Raven Cycle will have you reaching for the next installment as soon as you finish the one before it.
9Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Another in a growing list of regency-inspired fantasy novels, Kendare Blake's Three Dark Crown series stands out from the rest as an epic and compelling read. In the series first installment, readers are transported to Fennbirn, a magical world where three triplet sisters are forced to fight for their right to the throne they all share an equal claim to. What will happen next? Readers have to wait until Sept. 2017 to find out.
10Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Politics and fantasy collide in Sara Saasch's Snow Like Ashes Series. After the Kingdom of Winter was captured and its inhabitants enslaves, the citizens thought all hope was lost. That is, until they learn of eight survivors who lay in wait for the perfect opportunity to steal their land's magic, and their people's freedom, back. Meira, one of the refugees, will stop at nothing to make sure that happens, if not for herself, then for her best friend and true love, Winter's future king.
11The Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet
A romantic, action-packed fantasy series perfect for fans of intense worldbuilding, Amanda Bouchet's The Kingmaker Chronicles tells the story of Cat Fisa, a disguised soothsayer with the power to divine the truth from lies. When her powers are discovered by Griffin, a power-hungry warlord who decides to use Cat's powers for his own bidding. Enter romance, betrayal, and passion. Trust me when I say, this is one hot series you won't want to miss.
