Highest Rated Young Adult Fantasy Books on Amazon in 2019
One of the most exciting aspects of the end of the year is the feverish “it-factor” ranking that even effects books. Readers are able to find novels that they may have skipped with the help of lists like these that point out books that, well, ought not have been skipped!
Listed here, in order of publication date from January to December, are some of Amazon’s hottest Young Adult Fantasy Books of 2019, with ratings between 4.3 stars and 4.8 stars of 5 total. These magical books, which were well received by their audiences, are sure to be a blast to read.
1) The Wicked King (The Folk of Air #2) by Holly Black
Published: January 2019.
Starting off this list is the second book in a highly praised trilogy that touched readers’ hearts from book one.
Jude, the sharp-witted protagonist snatched away from humanity ten years ago with her two sisters to live in the High Court of Fairie, must now use whatever resources are at her disposal to keep her younger brother from harm. Though, this proves challenging as Jude discovers that someone close to her is treacherous; not to mention, the cruel and beautiful fae prince, Cardan, has become her—bound—wicked king.
2) The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1) by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
Published: April 2019
The Red Scrolls of Magic, an LGBTQ+ novel, is the first book in a new series within Cassandra Clare’s well-loved Shadowhunters universe.
Warlock Magnus Bane and his Shadowhunter boyfriend, Alec Lightwood, are finally on a vacation getaway in Paris—which is quickly ruined by news of a demon-worshipping cult that was supposed to be ancient history. Jokingly created by Magnus years ago, the newly formed Crimson Hand cult are wreaking havoc. Magnus and Alec become bound in a troubling case that has demons on their tail and personal secrets they’d never wanted revealed coming out into the open.
3) Aladdin: Far From Agrabah by Aisha Saeed
Published: April 2019.
Aisha Saeed’s original version of Aladdin has garnered much attention and praise from readers and reviewers.
Described as an enchanting Aladdin story full of adventure and suspense, featuring the magic carpet ride that has famously grasped the hearts of many, Aisha Saeed’s Aladdin begins with the kind Princess Jasmine. While handing out candies to the wonderful children of Agrabah, Jasmine tries to hide her sadness and secretly hopes to see the warm-eyed, black-haired Aladdin at the Harvest Festival.
4) Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare, et. al
Published: June 2019.
Another Shadowhunters novel, this book, a collection of interesting short stories featuring the worldwide Shadow Markets, is a great treat for hungry readers, which explains its high ratings.
Brother Zacharia, keeper of Nephilim lore and law, previously known as the Shadowhunter Jem Carstairs, searches the world’s Shadow Markets for his forever love, the warlock Tessa Gray. The Shadow Markets, which are homes to dark dealings between faeries, werewolves, vampires, and warlocks, also capture doomed romances, embarrassing sins, wandering souls—literally—and have Jem’s beloved Tessa Gray trapped in a world war.
5) Rebel: A Legend Novel by Marie Lu
Published: October 2019.
The fourth and final novel in the well-loved Legend series. With a style of storytelling that has been described as ‘cinematic,’ this highly rated novel has induced awe in readers worthy of the series’ prior success.
Eden Wing, depressed by his lack of individuality in the eyes of the people of Ross City, Antarctica who see him only as ‘Daniel Wing’s little brother,’ becomes sucked into the dark circles of Ross City. Now, he has to count on his brother Daniel, the former hero of the Republic of America revolution who has since become a mere shadow of his past heroic self, to save him.
6) Call Down the Hawk (The Dream Trilogy, Book 1) by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: November 2019.
Snagging readers through its intriguing plot, Call Down the Hawk has earned its fair share of high ratings from appreciative readers.
In a world completely controlled by and at the mercy of dreams, Ronan Lynch is a dreamer whose life is endangered by hunters like Carmen Farooq-Lane. Dreamers have the ability to, sometimes unwittingly, dream up catastrophic events, or become thieves like Jordan Hennessy—and those whom they dream up cannot ever be dreamed to life, their existence depending on their dreamer’s own. Carmen, against the harm that dreamers can cause, is out to end the danger before it gets out of hand.
7) Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao
Published: November 2019.
An epic fantasy novel about a strong princess, a murder for which the she has been blamed, and a con man which has garnered increasing attention from readers this near the year’s end.
Anastacya Mikhailov, daughter of the emperor and possessor of an Affinity to blood, is forced to flee the Cyrilian Empire, her home, when her father is murdered, and she is framed. Unfamiliar with the dangers outside of the empire’s walls, Ana must enlist the help of a man who might be every bit as dangerous to help find her father’s true killer: Ramson Quicktongue. Trusting Quicktongue may prove tricky—but Princess Ana is no small fish to fry.
8) Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orisha, Book 2) by Tomi Adeyemi
Published: December 2019.
While published late in the game, this novel following the bestselling Children of Blood and Bone has already made its mark as one of the best in YA Fantasy of 2019.
The battle over and magic finally restored to the maji of Orïsha, Zélie and the rogue princess, Amari, thought their troubles behind them. But, without their knowing, they did more than intended and also brought magic to the living noble ancestors of past maji, giving the now united monarchy and military the power to control Orïsha. Zélie must now unite the maji in their efforts to protect the land of Orïsha before it falls apart.
As 2019 comes to a close, the thirst for reading picks up all over again—it doesn’t end! Found which of these books are enticing enough to snag before the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve?
Happy reading!
