27 Sci-Fi/Fantasy YA Books That Are About To Be Your New Favorites

    If you like epic adventures, intergalactic missions, and fantastical creatures, these books are for you!

    Rachel Strolle
    by Rachel Strolle

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

    Swoon Reads, aiden-thomas.com

    Release date: March 23

    What it's about: A dark, mysterious take on Peter Pan is what awaits you in Aiden Thomas's outstanding sophomore outing. After Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, Wendy resurfaced; the boys didn't. Now children are going missing in their small coastal town, and as her brothers' mysterious disappearance is brought back to the surface, folks turn to Wendy for answers...even though she can't remember anything from when she was missing. And when she tries to outrun her past, she runs into Peter, a boy she thought lived only in stories, who tells her that they need to find the missing children before they meet the same fate as her brothers.

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

    2. Renegade Flight by Andrea Tang

    Razorbill, andreatangwrites.com

    Release date: March 23

    What it's about: Viola Park lives in the world of cybernetic dragons first brought to us by Rebelwing (which is the companion novel to this one, although you don't have to have read it to understand this book!). After being caught cheating on the entrance exam to the GAN Academy, she uses the recent disappearances of pilots, the academy's desperation for new recruits, and her family connection to the school to get herself a probationary spot. She'll try to win the academy's combat tournament for all students in order to get a guaranteed spot in the Peacekeeper corps — though, as Peacekeepers keep going missing, even winning doesn't seem like much of a guarantee.

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

    3. Flamefall by Rosaria Munda

    Penguin, Brooke Amber Photography / Via rosariamunda.com

    Release date: March 23

    If you haven't read Book 1, Fireborne: Annie and Lee grew up together as orphans in a regime shaped by the revolution that happened when they were children. With seven years of training under their belt, they are now not only friends but also rivals — both fighting for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.

    What it's about: The dragonlords are eager to reclaim their city, and their next stop is the dragonriders. While Annie is serving as the new Firstrider (and public enemy number one), Lee is struggling to choose whether to support Annie or to join a group of radicals.

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

    4. Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

    Imprint, leighbardugo.com

    Release date: March 30

    Note: I know I normally give you a Book 1 summary here so you can be intrigued without spoilers, but since this series is the spinoff of the two prior series (Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows), I'm just gonna note here that there may be spoilers for those series or for King of Crows below.

    What it's about: Nikolai is preparing for the invasion of Fjerda's army and will need to summon every bit of ingenuity and power to defeat a dark threat. Zoya must embrace her power in order to avoid losing anyone else, especially after her worst enemy is resurrected. Nina is undercover in Fjerda's capital, holding tight to a desire for revenge. The final book in this duology is sure to be epic, and once you get your hands on it, there's only a short wait until the Shadow and Bone TV show!

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

    5. Blessed Monsters by Emily A. Duncan

    Wednesday Books, goodreads.com

    Release date: April 6

    If you haven't read Book 1, Wicked Saints: In this Slavic-inspired fantasy, we follow Nadya, a cleric who can speak to the gods, and Serefin, a blood mage prince, who must assassinate a king and stop a war.

    What it's about: Nadya is in the capital of Kalyazin, grieving the death of the monster boy who stole her heart and murdered her goddess. Serefin needs the help of the person he left murdered at the top of a mountain if he wants to have a kingdom to return to. And Malachiasz woke up with a hole in his chest and something waiting with him, ready to take control. Duncan brings this atmospheric trilogy to a stunning close with a final volume that delivers on the mood, monstrosities, and character relationships that have made this series a joy.

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

    6. Oculta by Maya Motayne

    Balzer & Bray/Harperteen, mayamotayne.com

    Release date: April 6

    If you haven't read Book 1, Nocturna: Finn Voy is a faceshifter who just got caught by a powerful mobster, who offers 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: Finn has been unexpectedly installed as the new Thief Lord of one of the crime families of Castallan. Alfie is dealing with the reemergence of Los Toros, the syndicate responsible for his brother's murder, who are targeting the International Peace Summit that Alfie has been preparing for. 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 your local indie through Indiebound here.

    7. The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman

    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, akemidawnbowman.com

    Release date: April 6

    What it's about: Nami wakes up after her murder in a place called Infinity, where consciousness goes when the physical bodies die. Infinity is ruled by Ophelia, a virtual assistant used widely on Earth who has declared herself queen. And Nami will have to reckon with her past and future and work with a team of rebels to stop Ophelia from eradicating humans once and for all. Akemi Dawn Bowman has written some of the most heartfelt wonders in contemporary YA, and this venture into sci-fi proves that her skill transcends genre.

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

    8. Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders

    Tor Teen, Sarah Deragon / Portraits to the People

    Release date: April 13

    What it's about: When the interplanetary rescue beacon that Tina has been the keeper of activates, she discovers that her destiny is even more dangerous than she assumed. After all, she's the clone of Captain Thaoh Argentian, a famed alien hero and brilliant tactician, who was left on Earth disguised as human. And though she looks like the captain, she's really just Tina, and she's now in the middle of a war that the Royal Fleet is very much losing. Sci-fi master Charlie Jane Anders finally arrives in YA with this inventive book filled with twists, turns, and intergalactic destinies.

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

    9. Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

    HarperTeen, ciannonsmart.com

    Release date: April 20

    What it's about: Two witches — Iraya, the exiled heir of an overthrown dynasty who has spent her life in a cell awaiting vengeance, and Jazmyne, a princess unwilling to die to strengthen her mother's power — band together to take down the Witch Queen. Witches Steeped in Gold is overflowing with energy and magic and is one of the absolute must-read YA books of this year.

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

    10. These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

    Inkyard Press, Sam Hardy / Via alexandraovery.com

    Release date: April 20

    What it's about: Izaveta and Asya are twin heirs to the Tourin throne, but their roles have always been separate. Asya was trained by her aunt to be the Firebird, keeping magic balanced in the realm, while Iza was to follow in her mother's footsteps at court to learn the ropes as the future queen. But when Asya's power activates, meaning that the queen is dead, a new ruler must rise to take her place. You'll be enthralled by the journey of Iza and Asya as they try to discover if they'll surrender to destiny or forge a path of their own decisions.

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

    11. The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He

    Roaring Brook Press, joanhewrites.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: Kasey is a STEM prodigy, living in a skydome — supposedly a sanctuary for those committed to planetary protection and the last unpolluted place on Earth. Though she's expected to use science to help humanity, she can't help thinking of its failure when it came to her sister, Cee. Though Kasey has never fully believed that her sister is dead as everyone says, she doesn't know the truth: Three years prior, Cee woke up on an abandoned island, where she had an old android and a single memory: that of a sister. Joan He's sophomore outing is nothing short of a masterpiece, one that will leave you wrecked when you've finished reading it.

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

    12. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

    HarperTeen, victoriaaveyard.com

    Release date: May 4

    What it's about: Corayne an-Amarat can feel the oncoming darkness in her world, even if she's slightly distracted by the discovery that she is the last of an ancient lineage and the last hope to save the world from destruction. Luckily, she's not alone, for she's joined by an avenging immortal, an exiled assassin, an ancient sorceress, a bounty hunter, a squire, and a forger with a secret past. Victoria Aveyard begins her new epic fantasy series with a bang (not to mention wonderfully compelling characters and intriguing world-building) and leaves you reeling as you await the sequel.

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

    13. Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova

    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Sarah Younger / zoraidacordova.com

    Release date: May 11

    If you haven't read Book 1, Incendiary: When Renata was young, she was kidnapped and brought to the Andalucia palace, where she was used to carry out a siege that brought about the deaths of thousands of her own people. Though she was rescued by a group of rebel spies called the Whispers, she is unable to escape the memories of her time in the palace. When the commander of her unit, Dez, is taken captive, she must return to Andalucia. Now faced with completing his mission, Renata has to keep her cover, even when faced with a chance at vengeance against the prince.

    What it's about: With the king's forces on their heels, Ren is on the run with none other than Prince Castian, aligned by the common goals of finding the Knife of Memory and killing King Fernando. But Ren's grip on reality is threatened by the crumbling of the Gray, her fortress of stolen memories. Easily one of my favorite sequels of all time, Illusionary ups the romance and intrigue in the most delightful ways.

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

    14. Switch by A.S. King

    Penguin, as-king.com

    Release date: May 11

    What it's about: There is a switch in the center of the house Tru lives in. While its function is unknown, her father builds larger and larger boxes around the switch. Tru lives in Box #7, leaving through a Tru-shaped hole to go to school. Outside of the switch, the world is trapped in a fold in time and space — though real time has stopped, artificial time has taken its place through the N3WCLOCK site. Reading an A.S. King novel is like stepping into a dream, with puzzle pieces that you don't yet know how to put together, and this one is no different.

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

    15. In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland

    Imprint, Lukas Strickland / Via adriannestrickland.com

    Release date: May 18

    What it's about: Rovan lives in Thanopolis, where those with magic are assigned undead spirits to guard and control them. When she accidentally reveals her powers, a fate her father died trying to keep her from, she's bound to Ivrilos and thrust into a world of intrigue and deception. Not only does she find herself falling for Ivrilos, but she's also falling for Lydea, a rebellious princess, despite the fact that she can't trust either of them. Strickland's world-building is remarkable, and the games of deceit woven throughout will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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

    16. A Chorus Rises by Bethany C. Morrow

    Tor Teen, bethanycmorrow.com

    Release date: June 1

    If you haven't read Book 1, A Song Below Water: Tavia is a siren, but since society is unkind to sirens, who are Black women, that identity is kept firmly a secret. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her best friend, Effie, where there are only a handful of Black folk and even fewer with powers. But after a murder trial is flipped on its head when it's revealed that the victim may have been a siren, Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia's magical voice makes an accidental appearance.

    What it's about: After being cast as the awful person who exposed Tavia's powers, teen influencer Naema Bradshaw is being dragged by the media. Her boyfriend, her friends, and even her Eloko community don't seem to understand her side; and when a new segment of her online supporters starts targeting Black girls, Naema must discover the power and purpose of her magic. A Chorus Rises is an incredible exploration of character and certainly places this series among the best YA has ever seen.

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

    17. Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke

    Disney, jennyeldermoke.com

    Release date: June 1

    What it's about: If you like your fantasy with a combo of the 1920s and Indiana Jones, this is the book for you! All it takes is a damaged diary to throw off Samantha Knox's entire life. As it turns out, the diary is being sought by ruthless men, setting her, her best friend, and her childhood crush on an adventure in post–World War I Ireland. And when it turns out that there's an ancient order attempting to raise the Specter Queen, the Celtic goddess of vengeance and death, Sam will need to unravel a cipher and find an ancient relic in order to stop them.

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

    18. The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

    Katherine Tegen Books, eliotschrefer.com

    Release date: June 1

    What it's about: Ambrose and Kodiak are on a rescue mission heading to Titan in a dual-country joint venture after the first settler there tripped her distress signal, but things aren't adding up. Ambrose has no memory of a launch, the operating system is voiced by his mother, and Kodiak has secluded himself away. But considering that the one they are rescuing is Ambrose's sister, he will do whatever it takes to succeed.

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

    19. The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

    Inkyard Press, heedgmon.com

    Release date: June 1

    What it's about: Wyatt is a witch in a world named Asalin where fae rule, and the fae prince Emyr is not only Wyatt's best friend but also his betrothed. But Wyatt fled to the human world after losing control of his magic...and Emyr has now hunted him to this world. Though the now-cold Emyr states that the throne is lost if they don't marry now, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy in hopes of leaving Asalin behind forever.

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

    20. The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

    Sourcebooks, rachelgriffinbooks.com

    Release date: June 1

    What it's about: If you're an elemental-magic lover, you're in the right place. The centuries-long maintenance of the climate by witches has faltered as the atmosphere has grown more unstable, and Clara might be the key to fixing it. Clara is an Everwitch, with rare magic tied to every season. As the seasons change and, along with them, Clara's control of her power, a question emerges: Is training enough to temper her power, or will it destroy those she loves as she tries to save the world?

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

    21. Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews

    Jimmy Patterson, clairemandrewsbooks.wordpress.com

    Release date: June 8

    What it's about: The powers of the gods are fading, necessitating the return of the nine items that have been stolen from Mount Olympus. As Artemis holds tight to the fate of aspiring warrior Daphne's brother, it's she who must attempt to collect these items. But Daphne isn't alone, as Artemis's twin brother, Apollo, is guiding her in a journey that takes her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur and the Sphinx of Thebes to some of the gods themselves.

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

    22. When You and I Collide by Kate Norris

    Philomel Books, katenorriswrites.com

    Release date: June 8

    What it's about: Winnie has always been able to see splits, the outcomes of a choice diverging into her universe and another, but she keeps it a secret from nearly everyone. But her father wonders if choosing another split is possible, as he is consumed by his grief for the loss of Winnie's mother. But when an experiment goes wrong and Scott — the lab assistant Winnie loves from afar — is injured, Winnie accidentally chooses the split where he's unharmed, pulling herself into an alternate reality where there's already a Winnie.

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

    23. Fire With Fire by Destiny Soria

    Houghton Mifflin, Hilary Rochow, Little Bird Creative / Via destinysoria.com

    Release date: June 8

    What it's about: Sisters Dani and Eden Rivera have taken wildly different approaches to life as dragon slayers. While Dani prioritizes her high school normalcy, Eden throws herself into training first. But when Dani comes face-to-face with a dragon named Nox and forms a rare magical bond with him, she comes to realize that everything she's been taught about dragons, like the kill-or-be-killed instincts they've been trained to have, is wrong. Every Destiny Soria book is a gem, and this one is certainly the most fiery.

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

    24. Girls at the Edge of the World by Laura Brooke Robson

    Dial, laurabrookerobson.com

    Release date: June 8

    What it's about: The Kostrovian royal court is guaranteed safety from the epic flood heading their way, but the lives of the aerial silk performers — the Royal Flyers — are not promised. Natasha is the Principal Flyer, desperate to save the only family she's ever known. But her newest recruit, Ella, is driven by revenge, a quest that could negate any progress Natasha makes in saving them. This is a swoony sapphic romantic fantasy set amid a literal apocryphal flood.

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

    25. Sisters of the Snake by Sarena and Sasha Nanua

    HarperTeen, sarenasashabooks.com

    Release date: June 15

    What it's about: If you love delightful fantasies with a touch of The Prince and the Pauper mixed in, Sisters of the Snake is your book! Rani is a princess, desperate for a chance to prove herself. Ria is a street urchin, stealing to stay alive. And as luck would have it, they are identical. The two decide to switch places, but they'll have to combine forces to defeat the dangers — including deadly magic, hidden temples, and dark prophecies — living in both of their worlds.

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

    26. Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

    sarenasashabooks.com, lisellesambury.ca

    Release date: June 15

    What it's about: After failing her Calling, the trial every witch has to pass to come into their powers, Voya is given an unexpected second chance. But this chance comes with a hefty price for failure: Every Thomas witch would have their magic stripped from them. No pressure. But her task is to kill her first love, which is a problem, since she hasn't been in love yet. Enter a genetic matchmaking program that leads her to Luc...who wants nothing to do with her. This inventive series starter is one you'll immediately force everyone around you to read (and your friends will thank you for it).

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

    27. Broken Web by Lori M. Lee

    Page Street Kids, PrettyGeeky Photography / Via lorimlee.com

    Release date: June 15

    If you haven't read Book 1, Forest of Souls: Sirscha Ashwyn has undergone years of training to become the queen's next royal spy, but her plans are derailed when her best friend, Saengo, is killed by shamans. And then Sirscha, somehow, brings Saengo back to life. Summoned to the domain of the Spider King, who uses his influence over the Dead Wood — an ancient forest possessed by souls — to enforce peace, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities as a soulguide. For only a soulguide has the power to restrain the trees.

    What it's about: While Sirscha journeys to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn, the Soulless lurks in the Dead Wood, recovering strength from his centuries-long imprisonment. If anyone discovers that Sirscha is a soulrender, like the Soulless, and not a soulguide, she'll be executed. But if Sirscha can discover what or whom the Soulless has as his familiar, she might be able to cut him off from his power.

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

    For more spring sci-fi/fantasy recommendations, check out these reads!

    The Sprite and the Gardener by Joe Whitt and Rii Abrego

    Dustborn by Erin Bowman

    Aetherbound by E.K. Johnston

    The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

    The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag