Top Three YA Fantasy Series
Well, you see, it all started with, “How fast can you make and detonate a bomb?”
Right here, right now. I’m introducing you to the three best fantasy series of all time. Buckle up and let’s go explore!
1. Six of Crows
Six problematic teenagers go on a triple date to the highest maximum security prison for an epic heist. Why, you ask? For money. Just as insane as it sounds.
This crew’s got personalities as explosive as the plan. First up, we got Kaz. He may be living on caffeine with serious people problems, but he’s also a mastermind strategist. Beside lurking in the dark alleyways, his hobbies include plotting revenge and counting money. Next is Inej. She may just be the least insane of the gang, except for her taste in men. Kidnapped from a young age, she excels at scaling walls and silently spying on others. Inej tags along in order to secure her freedom. Now, Jesper is the comedic relief guy in this series. He keeps the vibes going, even in not so appropriate times. Jesper is an insane sharpshooter. He also may or may not have gambled away his college tuition to end up here. Wylan, a runaway flutist who is a genius at chemistry. He also has family issues, fitting in perfectly with the rest. How did this innocent kid end up in this mess? Well, you see, it all started with, “How fast can you make and detonate a bomb?” Then, there’s Nina, just a girl, obsessed with waffles and cookies. Oh, and did I mention, she can manipulate organs and halt breathing? Yeah, that too. Finally, Matthias Helvar. An honest guy, born and raised as a soldier in the very place they’re infiltrating. He has… simply put, a long history with Nina, filled with betrayal. Needless to say, they can’t go one second without throwing insults at each other. He’s also seen as the most decent of them all.
The dynamic of these six characters is, simply put, interesting. Kaz claims he only cares about money, although we all know that’s not true. Matthias is just done. So done with this group. At some point, he questions whether he should “exorcise the demon out of Kaz or exorcise Kaz out of that poor demon”. Wylan just joined and is contemplating, These people are crazy. Why am I here? Kaz is always thinking, “I’m surrounded by idiots”. It’s also implied by fans that Jesper loves making fun of Inej’s height without thinking of the consequences. On the way, Jesper being Jesper says,” Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.” Kaz then replies, “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s [butt].” He answers, “My ghost won’t associate with your ghost”, wondering if the sea air was getting to his head. Now, tell me where else you’re going to get a crew as dysfunctional as this lot!
This series has distinctive supernatural beings, the plot rooted in a serum which empowers them to an unimaginable degree. You’ll understand when you read it. In fact, the author, Leigh Bardugo, has two other series based in the same world. Overall, Six of Crows does a good job of building the most likable characters while creating depth.
2. Shatter Me
I’m sure you’ve all heard of this series before, written by Tahereh Mafi. Or at least of the infamous Aaron Warner. Him and Kenji are one of the main reasons so many people love Shatter Me.
Besides his height, Aaron Warner is often seen as the ideal, very existent boyfriend, with many, many admirers. He’s also known for being a germaphobe, fashionista, and eating a cookie with a fork. Warner is also delusional. She shot me in the leg. She must love me.
Apart from its romance, this series has one of the best world building. It’s set in a dystopian world where the population is brainwashed under the Reestablishment. Juliette is in an insane asylum for her powers while Warner just so happens to be her jailer. Together, they must find a way to overthrow the corrupted regiment.
Furthermore, being locked up in a cell while losing sanity gives you another layer of emotion as the writing style in her pov is just beautiful. Tahereh Mafi writes many deep quotes while implementing lines through phrases, one of which, “I always wonder about raindrops. I wonder about how they're always falling down, tripping over their own feet, breaking their legs and forgetting their parachutes as they tumble right out of the sky toward an uncertain end. It's like someone is emptying their pockets over the earth and doesn't seem to care where the contents fall, doesn't seem to care that the raindrops burst when they hit the ground, that they shatter when they fall to the floor, that people curse the days the drops dare to tap on their doors. I am a raindrop. My parents emptied their pockets of me and left me to evaporate on a concrete slab.” The writing makes me yearn for what’s to come, wondering how it’ll all play out.
In addition, the series really depicts struggles and emotions well. There’s Juliette, struggling with depression and identity. Warner grew up in endless hours of ruthless training in addition to literal brain manipulation. Kenji witnessed his parents murdered right in front of him. But as the story progresses, pretty much the whole cast goes through character development. One of my favorite parts is when Warner trusts Kenji to cut his hair. Kenji, having no idea what he’s doing, absolutely screws up and Warner, being his perfectionist self, is angry. Very angry. And it pretty much goes like, “You incompetent moron, this is not a trim!” “Well… you know beauty is subjective.” That earns him a pointed gun.
The author also recently released Watch Me, set 10 years later from the perspective of the younger brother. And let me say, this one is also going to be a masterpiece. Instead of having the words crossed out, it has words in red instead. Of course, deeply rooted trauma is still a theme here, which shapes how the story plays out. Kenji and Warner are still bickering of course and James, the younger brother, is like a blend of both.
3. Throne of Glass
This–-this–was the first YA fantasy series I've read in my life. I still remember finding this gem in 5th grade on Libby. Without even knowing of its popularity, I was immediately captured by the summary of assassins and royalty. As stated, “When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.” This is the series that started it all, introducing me to a world of fae, witches, wyverns. Not only is the plot incredible, it’s the only book I've read without feeling even a little second hand embarrassment because the main character is just so incredible.
The start might be a bit slow, but I promise it’s worth it. The story follows Celaena, a deadly assassin who gets caught in all sorts of trouble. Her past slowly starts to unveil, leading to a greater cause to fight for. We have a fire summoner, shapeshifters, fae warriors, and Elide—who makes good choices. She's the most important one, by the way. The world building is so intricate, like Sarah J Maas’ other two series, A Court of Thorns and Roses and House of Earth and Blood. Like Six of Crows, the characters have interesting dynamics. In fact, the set was so likable that I read all of A Court of Thorns and Roses, mind you, 5 whole books just for that tiny crossover scene.
I love when the Ilken attack, the ship is infiltrated, and the characters are in serious trouble. Rowan’s over here trying to save their lives. Fenrys, still wounded and in pain, goes, “A gold coin says he misses.” And Aedion replies, “Make it two. I say it hits.” Celaena starts off serious but ultimately adds, “Make it five, ten says he goes down with the first shot.”
The series is long, with over a million words. It’s not like the typical trilogy with 400 words each. But with the plot and multiple povs, it goes by in an instant. This is also one of those books that really empower you through all the trials and fighting. What’s even more crazy is that this is a debut series. She started writing it at just 16. Since the publishing, it has sold 12 million copies with numerous fanbases. The author tackles a lot of incredibly deep and worldly themes here, for example, “Don’t you ever do anything other than read?” I don’t think I could have asked for a better start on fantasy.
