YA Books Inspired by Mythology and Lore

We all have genres we can’t resist, and since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re a sucker for mythology and lore. The good news is that you’re in the right place! The YA books on this reading list will transport you to magical places filled with adventure, romance, angry gods, and epic quests. So what are you waiting for? Dive into a fantastical new world with one of these YA books inspired by mythology and lore.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken 

We can’t get enough of King Arthur, which is why we’re so obsessed with this new book from the author of the Darkest Minds series! When Tamsin Lark learns that her old foster father might have a magical ring that could break her younger brother’s curse, she sets out to track him down. Dark magic, dangerous secrets, and vicious competition will keep you racing through the pages!

Silver in the Bone

Silver in the Bone

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore comes a stunning new Arthurian fantasy—the tale of a teenage girl who seeks her destiny in the cursed ruins of Avalon, driven by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao 

Demon magic, romance, political unrest, and Chinese folklore—what more could you want in a fantasy novel? It’s about an orphaned girl named Lan who joins forces with a boy named Zen to save or destroy their kingdom (they’re not sure which). This book is just the thing when you’re in the mood for a total escape from reality!

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In a fallen kingdom, one girl carries the key to discovering the secrets of her nation’s past—and unleashing the demons that sleep at its heart. An epic fantasy series inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim 

Spice Road puts a unique spin on Arabian folklore in this gorgeous fantasy novel. Anything can happen in this world of magical spices, missing brothers, and mystical warriors. So find a comfortable spot to curl up with this book because once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!

Spice Road

Spice Road

★THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SERIES FANTASY READERS ARE RAVING ABOUT!★

Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, sixteen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother, whose betrayal is now the country’s greatest threat.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim 

We’ve all dreamed about being a magical princess at some point, but what if you had an evil stepmother to go with it? Unfortunately for Shiori, her stepmother lives up to the stereotype. She turns Shiori’s brothers into cranes and banishes her from the kingdom. The exiled princess must find her brothers, break the curse, and save her kingdom.

Six Crimson Cranes

Six Crimson Cranes

A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse… Drawing from ‘The Wild Swans’ and East Asian folklore, this breathtakingly original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo or Tomi Adeyemi.

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White 

Dark magic, arranged marriage, and true love make this series irresistible! It’s based on the Arthurian legend and is just as fantastic as you’d suspect. When you’re in the mood for an action-packed fantasy, pick this one up! You won’t be able to put it down!

The Guinevere Deception

The Guinevere Deception

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot . . . . There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen 

The Little Mermaid meets West African mythology in this lush under-the-sea fantasy series. Simi is a mermaid who angers the gods when she rescues a human boy from drowning. She journeys across the seas to earn back their trust, facing monsters, danger, and deception at every turn.

Skin of the Sea

Skin of the Sea

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The must-read Black mermaid fantasy series that #1 NYT bestselling author Nicola Yoon calls “epic and original,” in which one mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and anyone who can’t wait for the live-action The Little Mermaid.

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao 

This breathtaking fantasy series reimagines the fate of Anastasia Romanov, the legendary Russian duchess who supposedly escaped her family’s tragic demise. Even though the actual Anastasia died with her family, this book carries on the legend of her escape. Magic, romance, and political corruption make it utterly irresistible!

Blood Heir

Blood Heir

The first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to clear her name for her father’s murder.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna 

Strap yourself in because this high fantasy novel combines a West Africa­­–inspired setting with folklore and mythology to create a spellbinding adventure novel. When her village labels her impure, Deka runs away and joins an army of magical warrior girls like herself. But nothing in the empire is quite what it seems, and Deka faces corruption and unrest as she struggles to find her place.

The Gilded Ones

The Gilded Ones

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TEEN VOGUE

“A dark feminist tale spun with blood and gold. Must read!” –Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

Reawakened by Colleen Houck

If you devoured the Percy Jackson series when you were younger, you’ll love this series, too. Ancient Egyptian mythology (literally) comes to life when Lily meets a resurrected prince at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She soon finds herself racing across the globe to raise mummies from the dead and save the world from a vengeful god.

Reawakened

Reawakened

From Colleen Houck, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiger’s Curse, comes an epic Egyptian-inspired adventure about two star-crossed teens who must battle mythical forces and ancient curses on a journey with more twists and turns than the Nile itself!

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