There are some fun looking YA fantasy books coming out in 2026! You’ll find cozy dragons, scary dragons, Asian fantasy, a magic carnival, and lots and lots of romantasy. Is anyone else tired of romance in their YA books? I don’t mind a sprinkling; my own YA dragon duology, The Gift of Dragons, has some, but I prefer less romantic tension/drama in my books. Ah, well, maybe these won’t have too much. Let me know in the comments which of these books looks the best to you or if there are any that I missed. (And yes, I realize this post is a little late, but better late than never! 😅)
January 2026 YA Fantasy Books
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
In this lush and romantic novel, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.
Tidespeaker by Sadie Turner
A girl with the power to command the tides has her life changed when she secures a job serving a wealthy noble family—only to learn upon arrival that the last person to fill her post mysteriously died, and her new employers are hiding dark secrets—in this haunting and lush debut fantasy.
Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova
The main character is terrified of being the next dragon cursed–slowly turning into a mindless beast. A guy following her has plenty of secrets and might know the only way out of her curse.
February 2026 YA Fantasy Books
The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin
There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world… and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. A whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy.
Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn
Set in Andalay, a world where the ruling Fates bestow gifts among the favored, a thief must join forces with the palace darling after he unwittingly steals a necklace with the power to change everything.
Carnival Fantastico by Angela Montoya
Esmeralda Montero, a thief pretending to be a fortune-teller, competes for the starring role at a magical traveling circus in the hopes of gaining the wealth and respect she’s always longed for. But when the irritatingly handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that carnival is more sinister than it appears, Esmeralda must decide whether fame and fortune are worth their deadly price.
Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman
A high-stakes, high-chemistry soft sci-fi romp about a stowaway girl and the richest boy in the galaxy, racing the clock to outwit a gang of mercenaries.
March 2026 YA Fantasy Books
Ballad Against the Betrayer by Elisabeth Warner
A Viking retelling of the story of David from the Bible. Dragons, music powers, and Viking vibes. What’s not to like?! (Also, it’s written by my friend😊.)
Her Hidden Fire by Cliodhna O’Sullivan
If he has the ability to wield magical powers, everyone will rejoice – especially the girl who loves him.
But what happens when they realize she has the gift?
Sing the Night by Megan Jauregui Eccles
Discover a fantastical story inspired by The Phantom of the Opera, as musical magicians compete for the once-in-a-lifetime role as the King’s Mage, but only if their magic—or fellow contestants—don’t destroy them first—perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Erin Morgenstern.
A Thousand Li: The First Step by Tao Wong
Long Wu Ying never expected to join a Sect or become a cultivator. His days were spent studying, planting rice, and spending time with his friends. But when the army arrives at his village, he and many other members of the village are conscripted. Wu Ying must decide between his pedestrian, common life and the exciting life of a cultivator.
Prodigal Tiger by Samantha Chong
A rich, cinematic celebration of Malaysian magic and folklore, as well as an emotional exploration of never quite feeling like your whole self after living in the diaspora.
Right as Rain by Tashie Bhuiyan
Recent high-school graduate Megh Rashid has plans to escape to the other side of the country for college and leave behind the stormy household she’s been trapped in for years. But things are complicated when she gets struck by lightning right before the start of a prestigious summer internship, and she wakes up to a storm cloud that follows her everywhere, seemingly attuned to her every emotion.
Midnight on the Celestial by Julia Alexandra
Roe Damarcus can summon spirits, and her gift will be another shining jewel in the Damarcus family legacy. But when she is deemed too dangerous for society, she faces a harrowing choice: give up her gift or serve a punishment sentence aboard the Celestial, a luxurious magical cruise ship where staff members compete for guest votes to earn a coveted retrial.
Roe will use whatever power she has to uncover the secrets of the ship, her family, and their entwined bloody past… before she becomes the Celestial’s next victim.
The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
So excited for another book by Sarah Beth Durst! After a devastating heartbreak, a teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn–but this fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret.
(This book would be a perfect fit for October’s prompt of our 2026 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Reading Challenge to read a cozy fantasy book!).
Craving more cozy fantasy books? Check out these 19 cottagecore books.
April 2026 YA Fantasy Books
To Steal a Throne by Gabi Burton
In this YA fantasy novel perfect for fans of Divine Rivals, a girl who has always served others decides to take power for herself.
Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai
A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, this book is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.
June 2026 YA Fantasy Books
The River She Became by Emily Varga
A high stakes, action-packed romantasy where a relic-hunter searches for an ancient fae object to restore the magic to her world, but must learn to trust her own powers—and her heart.
The Game of Oaths by S.C. Bandreddi
In this heart-pounding, richly imagined fantasy set in the Belle Époque, a trapeze artist fights to win a deadly tournament amid the glamour and illusions of a magical circus. But survival isn’t her only goal—she wants revenge.
Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas
When a maiden is selected to marry the emperor, her journey to the palace will see her fighting both a spark of magical power and her growing feelings for her broody escort in this romantic fantasy duology opener, inspired by a true story from the Inca empire.
All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier
A young woman sneaks her way into a magical baking contest but gets pulled into an elusive aristocrat’s lavish world and his nefarious plan as rebellion brews in their city.
Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
The city of Aravell is plagued by a deadly black mist that kills all it touches, and reapers who roam the streets, stealing magic from innocent children. Viridia Solace has trained for years to hunt these reapers but their ranks keep growing, led by the man who murdered her parents: the Reaper Priest.
When the Priest’s most loyal follower is captured, he offers Viri a chance to avenge her parents… for a price.
When Dealing with Dragons by Dana Swift
Bonding with dragons gave humans magic to craft metal―now, two school rivals have to work together to protect a priceless secret, all while fighting their growing attraction to each other.
The League of Dangerous Young Ladies by J.A. Morgenstein
Enola Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this YA fantasy adventure about monster-fighting and crime-solving Rose Moriarty.
July 2026 YA Fantasy Books
Worlds Collide by Clint Hall
Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.
As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.
But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.
September 2026 YA Fantasy Books
A Hearthful of Hatchlings by Gabrielle Landi
After being blamed for a tragedy she couldn’t prevent, healer Celia Carrington fled to the mountains and built a life caring for injured baby dragons. Since no one believes dragons exist, her world is warm, cozy, and quiet–until it’s no longer a secret.
I backed this Kickstarter project, and I can’t wait to read about these cute, cozy dragons and those who care about them. 🤗
October 2026 YA Fantasy Books
Mortal Things by Marie Lu
Rose despises Raven, the god of Death. His mysterious commands. His mercurial moods. His closed heart. But most of all, she loathes that she was forced to become his Harbinger, a human mercenary tasked to fulfil their god’s every want and whim. Still, she would do it again, because being a Harbinger is the only thing keeping her best friend alive.
When a murder rocks the world of the gods, Rose is suddenly thrust into the immortal realm’s spotlight as Raven’s heir. This is her chance to free her friend once and for all. But in order for her to ascend, she must first prove herself to the other gods—and the one person standing in her way is a fellow Harbinger.
Which of these YA fantasy books do YOU most want to read?
