40 YA Fantasy Books We're Highly Anticipating In 2021

Add a bit of magic to your bookshelves.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

1. Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Page Street, Via joannaruthmeyer.com

Release Date: Jan. 12

What it's about: If you love lyrical, fairy-tale books such as Among the Beasts & Briars or Uprooted, you'll love this! For centuries, a witch has harvested souls lured by siren songs into the forest, using them to feed the heartless tree and growing its, and thereby her, power. Owen is one of the souls being led into the wood, but Seren, a tree-siren daughter of the witch, breaks all the rules to save him, leading to an impossible love story amid Seren's quest to become human.

For more forest-aesthetic fantasies, check out Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker and Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

2. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr), Via hafsahfaizal.com

This title was previously included in our 29 YA Fantasy Books We Can't Wait To Read In 2020; but the release date pushed to 2021, so here it is again!

Release Date: Jan. 19

In case you haven't yet read book one We Hunt the Flame: Zafira is the Hunter, searching for a lost artifact that can restore magic to her world. Nasir is the Prince of Death, sent to assassinate those who defy his father, the King — including the Hunter. Set in a world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame has exquisite worldbuilding and characters you'd follow into the darkness.

What it's about: In the final chapter of this delectable fantasy duology, the dark forest of the Arz has fallen, but that doesn't mean their world is safe. Nasir and Zafira have returned to a ghostly sultan's keep, both fighting against darkness — Nasir against the power in his blood, Zafira against her bond with the Jawarat.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

3. Shadow City by Francesca Flores

Wednesday Books, Sarah Deragon

Release Date: Jan. 26

In case you haven't yet read book one Diamond City: This wonderful series follows Aina Solís, an assassin in a city built by magic. She took the job after the murder of her parents.

What it's about: After taking control of the assassin empire previously owned by her old boss Kohl, the only thing she has to fear is two men trying to get their power back. Kohl will do anything to get his empire back, and Aina sets out to kill him before he kills her. Alsane Bautix, a corrupt army general who lost his government seat because of Aina, will destroy anyone in his way to power. And to defeat Bautix, Aina might need to team with Kohl, with the knowledge that once he's gone, they'll be facing each other.

For more sequels, check out Sisters of Reckoning by Charlotte Nicole Davis, Rising Like a Storm by Tanaz Bhathena, and When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

4. Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

Simon & Schuster, Via wingsofebony.com

Release Date: Jan. 26

What it's about: If you've been looking for a dynamic new series starter, Wings of Ebony is here for you! After her mother is shot (and subsequently dies), Rue is taken to Ghizon, a hidden island of magic wielders, to live with her father. She leaves her younger sister behind. The only half-god/half-human there, Rue breaks a big rule (no leaving) and returns to Houston, where her sister is in danger from the very forces that took their mother. And when it turns out that the evil in her home and the evil in Ghizon are the same, Rue must embrace the full power of her ancestors to save her neighborhood from the gods.

For more series starters, check out Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard, Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier, and Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

5. Everything That Burns by Gita Trelease

Flatiron, Tim Trelease

Release Date: Feb. 2

In case you haven't yet read book one All That Glitters (previously titled Enchanteé): Camille uses magic to transform scraps of metal into money, buying food and medicine for herself and her siblings after the deaths of their parents. But when her brother disappears with their savings, Camille must find a new mark and finds it in the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

What it's about: In this intricately woven sequel, Louis XVI declares magic a crime and all magicians, including Camille, traitors to France. Safety may no longer be possible. Camille has been working for the rebellion, printing pamphlets telling stories of girls on the outskirts of society. But as bonfires ignite enchanted books and special patrols search for magic users, Camille might lose everything she worked so hard to keep.

For more historical fantasy, check out Under a Starlit Sky by Em Castellan, Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare, A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth, and The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

6. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Delacorte, Via goodreads.com

This title was previously included in our 29 YA Fantasy Books We Can't Wait To Read In 2020; but the release date pushed to 2021, so here it is again!

Release Date: Feb. 9

What it's about: On the day of Deka's blood ceremony, the ceremony that determines whether she will become a member of her village, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity. And Deka knows she will face the consequences. But that's before a mysterious woman offers her a choice: Stay in the village to face the backlash or join an army of girls like her — they're called alaki, near-imortals with rare gifts — who fight for the emperor. And as she journeys to the capital for training, she will discover that nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be. Fans of Children of Blood and Bone, Mulan, and the Dora Milaje from Black Panther are going to adore this one.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

7. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

Margaret K. McElderry Books, Ashley Shuttleworth

Release Date: Feb. 23

What it's about: Sure to be a new obsession for fans of The Mortal Instruments, A Dark and Hollow Star is certainly one of my new favorites. The Eight Courts of Folk have peacefully lived, concealed, among humans for centuries, but there's war brewing between the Mortal and Immortal realms, thrown to the forefront after a series of ritualistic murders in Toronto. Four queer teens — a half-fae outcast of a royal family, a Fury in exile, a fae prince, and the prince's guardian — are trying to track down the killer, before one of them tips the scales of war.

For more books featuring fae, check out The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa and The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

8. Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

Wednesday Books, Lisa DeNeffe Photography

Release Date: March 2

What it's about: This gorgeous book definitely has that "must...keep...reading" power (I read it in one sitting!). After being dismissed from the Queen's Guard and separated from the girl she loves, Wren is summoned to Colwick Hall, an estate owned by the reclusive Lord Alistair Lowry, to cure a servant from a mysterious illness. When she arrives, she discovers, to her dismay, her patient is Hal Cavendish. Not only is he not a servant, but he's also a killer and a sworn enemy of her kingdom. She could heal him and commit treason against her kingdom, or she could kill him, which goes against the ethics of being a healer. Regardless, as she spends more time in the crumbling mansion, she realizes that deception has infected both kingdoms; and the facts she's been taught are less than truthful.

For more Gothic-feeling fantasy, check out Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone and Stalking Shadows by Cyla Panin.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

9. Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera

Quill Tree, Elliot Knight

Release Date: March 2

In case you haven't yet read book one Infinity Son: Silvera's twisty fantasy series follows Brighton and Emil, brothers who have always idolized the Spell Walkers — a vigilante group born with powers who rid the world of specters (those who take magic for themselves). Brighton always dreamed of powers of his own, while Emil wishes for peace... But when powers manifest for one of the brothers, it ends up being Emil.

What it's about: After Brighton drank the Reaper's Blood and both brothers escaped, Emil is in a race for an antidote to the poison killing his brother. Not only that, but the Spell Walkers are fracturing, Maribelle is out for revenge, Ness is keeping Emil at a distance, and there may be more enemies out there than the brothers ever knew.

For another sequel featuring phoenix imagery, check out Bloodsworn by Scott Reintgen.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

10. A Queen of Gilded Horns by Amanda Joy

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Via amandajoywrites.com

Release Date: March 16

In case you haven't yet read book one A River of Royal Blood: In the Queendom of Myre, only the strongest heir survives. Eva is preparing to face her older sister Isa in a battle to the death where the winner takes the throne. But before the battle, she's attacked by an assassin, leading her to seek out a fey instructor and a khimaer prince to grow her magick —the magick of marrow and blood, previously unseen for generations — into something to fear.

What it's about: The eagerly anticipated sequel to the fantastic River of Royal Blood (one of my favorites from 2019) finds Eva on the run with her sister in tow, heading to the north in the hopes of finding allies. With the past on their heels, Eva is convinced that peace between her and Isa is needed for the queendom to survive, despite the fact that after the Entwining ceremony, Isa and Eva are the only ones that can kill each other.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

11. The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore

Feiwel & Friends, Christina Grout

Release Date: March 16

Content Note: This book deals with sexual assault, which is mentioned in the summary below.

What it's about: Ciela and a boy she barely knows were both sexually assaulted at the same party. After, she loses her gift for making enchanted pan dulce, and mirrored glass appears alongside reckless magic. When the boy Lock shows up at her school, it becomes clear that while Ciela remembers everything, including who assaulted them, Lock has no memory of the night. And Lock has no idea that a single piece of mirrored glass is taking his life apart.

For more books with fairy tale inspirations (The Mirror Season is inspired by The Snow Queen), check out Little Thieves by Margaret Owen (The Goose Girl) and Small Favors by Erin A. Craig (Rumpelstiltskin).

Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

12. Oculta by Maya Motayne

Balzer & Bray/Harperteen, Via mayamotayne.com

Release Date: April 6

In case you haven't yet read book one Nocturna: This magnificent fantasy follows Finn Voy, a faceshifter, who just got caught by a powerful mobster offering her a choice: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan's royal palace or be stripped of her magic. Alfie is first in line for the Castallan throne after the death of his brother, but he's become obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back. And when Finn and Alfie collide, an ancient power will be unlocked.

What it's about: The only thing better than a sequel is a competition fantasy, and this is both! Finn has been unexpectedly installed as the new Thief Lord of one of the crime families of Castallan, which forces her to preside over the illegal, underground Oculta competition. Alfie is dealing with the reemergence of Los Toros, the syndicate responsible for his brother's murder, who are targeting the International Peace Summit Alfie has been preparing for (and that coincides with the Oculta competition). Though they haven't seen each other in months, Finn and Alfie will need to work together again to stop the assassins.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or from your local indie through Indiebound here.

13. Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart