Susie (she/her) is a queer writer originally from Little Rock, now living in Washington, DC. She is the author of three rom-coms: QUEERLY BELOVED, LOOKING FOR A SIGN, and BED AND BREAKUP, all from Dial Press/Random House. Susie is also a bookseller at her favorite local indie bookstore and a cupcake enthusiast. You can find her on Instagram @susiedoom.
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Lila, a Polish girl who lost her parents during the Great War, now lives in a mansion with an immortal being known only as the Count. After witnessing the tragedies occurring across Europe along with Joerg, a German soldier who serves as her guard, she resolves to use the Count's powers in a desperate bid to protect her homeland. Meanwhile, Joerg must make a choice of his own, with the fate of mankind hanging in the balance. Conflict after conflict, humanity's history and deeds are filled with an endearing foolishness.
Fantasy books with historical settings have an immense power to draw readers in with captivating magical elements and teach us about our past along the way. Real events and speculative elements work together to tell remarkable stories and help us see the world through new eyes.
YA historical fantasy can be an especially powerful tool to show teens what life looked like for young people in different eras, with magical twists to keep them on their toes. These excellent YA historical fantasy books are only a small sampling of all the wonderful stories out there for teens and adults to enjoy.
In this list, you’ll find a journey into ancient Egyptian mythology, high-flying witches in 1930s Mississippi, Civil War zombie hunters, a pirate with power to control the elements, an enchanted dressmaker in the Regency era, and more. Travel the world, learn some history, and embrace your own power with these stunning YA historical fantasy novels and series.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Sail the seas toward ancient magic with this gorgeous historical fantasy set across 19th century Argentina and Egypt. Inez’s family is wealthy enough to provide anything she could want — except time with her parents, who are always traveling to distant places. When Inez receives word of her parents’ tragic deaths, she utilizes her inheritance to travel to Egypt in an effort to find out what really happened to them. A gift from her father draws Inez into the fantastical world her parents had been hiding from her. It’s an adventurous tale steeped in Egyptian mythology.
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
Arthie runs a respectable tearoom by day. But by night, it transforms into a shadowy feeding house for vampires. When Arthie’s business is threatened, she calls on some friends to help her pull of a heist in the heart of high vampire society. The Blood and Tea duology has something for everyone: an atmospheric historical setting, high-stakes action, found family, a love triangle, and vampires.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Justina Ireland puts a killer twist on the American Civil War in Dread Nation. When battlefields are cursed with undead soldiers with a taste for flesh, a group of young Black and Native Americans are trained to protect the white, wealthy living. As Jane nears the end of her training, she’s thrust into dangerous situations that make her wonder if she should be more worried about the undead soldiers or the people she’s tasked with protecting. This action-packed series will keep you on the edge of your seat and teach you some real Civil War history along the way.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
This spellbinding historical fantasy trilogy is set in a wintery, wild landscape at the edge of the Russian forest. After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father brings home a new wife from the city who forbids her stepchildren from honoring the folkloric spirits that have shaped their traditions. Vasilisa’s rebellious spirit puts her at odds with her stepmother, and the more she pushes back against her stepmother’s orders, the clearer it becomes that Vasilisa is meant for something more. Drawing on Russian legend, the Winternight trilogy is a snowy, atmospheric fairytale that feels both old and new. (Though technically not published as a YA novel, this one appeals to YA readers!)
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
This young adult Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai finds lovers on opposite sides of a blood feud between street gangs. Flapper-turned-boss Juliette and her first love Roma are now sworn enemies tasked with running competing crime rings. But a monster lurking in the Huangpu River puts both gangs at terrible risk, and it will take both of them to stop it. These Violent Delights is a gunslinging, fantastical twist on history’s most famous love story.
The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
Pirates! Demons! Magic! The Wicked Bargain is an adventure-packed YA historical fantasy you don’t want to miss. Mar is a nonbinary pirate with the power to manipulate fire and ice. Their 16th birthday turns dark when el Diablo comes for Mar’s father and their ship’s entire crew. Mar can save his father — but only by sacrificing their own soul to el Diablo. Can Mar’s magic help them find a different way to save their family?
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
Niamh has a magical talent for making beautiful clothing. But her skills come at great personal cost; she knows pouring her gifts into her work will eventually kill her. When she’s offered a job designing garments for a royal wedding, Niamh sees it as a chance to financially support her family before she’s gone. But a spark between Niamh and the groom could derail the entire event. This florid YA romantasy starring a disabled protagonist is perfect for fans of Bridgerton.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
The Gilded Wolves trilogy starts out amid the elaborate Exposition Universelle in 1889 Paris, a world’s fair taking place at a moment of great social change. Treasure hunter Séverin is given the chance to join the secretive Order of Babel and claim his inheritance. But first, he’ll have to find a lost ancient artifact with the help of his ragtag crew. Packed with real history, mysterious magic, and puzzles to solve, The Gilded Wolves will leave you begging for the sequel.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
Set in an alternate-history North America, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath beautifully blends Native American history and culture into an extraordinary tale of dragons. Teenager Anequs finds the first dragon egg seen on her island home in generations. But when the colonizers on the mainland hear of Anequs’s dragon, they make it clear that she must attend their school for dragon training or else her dragon will be killed. It’s a dragon fantasy unlike any you’ve read before, full of layered characters and powerful reckonings. This first book in the Nampeshiweisit series left me begging for the sequel, and it will finally hit shelves on January 27 with the title To Ride a Rising Storm. This is another title that wasn’t technically published as a YA read, but it has great appeal to fans of YA.
Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo DuVall
This high-flying graphic novel beautifully combines real history from 1930s Mississippi with a fantastical twist where racist anti-magic laws have led to illegal broom races with big prizes. Six members of the Night Storms team see an upcoming race as a chance to hone their powers and take control of their fate. Brooms is an enthralling tale with meaningful insights into the problems teens face in our real world.
We hope this list of YA historical fantasy books helped you find some new stories to explore! You might also enjoy:
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