There’s something special about finding a fantasy series that completely draws you into another world. Whether it’s a school filled with magic, a dangerous quest or a kingdom where dragons roam, the best stories make it difficult to put the book down.
And when you finish one, there’s always that familiar problem: what on earth do you read next?
If you’re looking for fantasy book series for teenagers, there are plenty of brilliant options, from magical adventures suitable for younger teens to darker stories for older readers.
Here are ten series worth exploring, along with some guidance on who might enjoy them.
1. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
Start with: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Suggested age: 11+, with later books becoming darker.
It’s difficult to discuss fantasy books without mentioning Harry Potter.
The series follows a young wizard who discovers a hidden magical world and begins attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
What starts as an exciting school adventure gradually develops into a much larger story about friendship, loyalty, prejudice and the battle against Voldemort.
One of the series’ biggest strengths is how the characters grow alongside the readers.
The early books are relatively light-hearted, while the later instalments deal with loss, danger and increasingly complicated moral choices.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy magical schools, strong friendships and an enormous fictional world to explore.
2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Start with: The Lightning Thief
Suggested age: 11+
Percy Jackson discovers that the gods and monsters of Greek mythology are real, and that he’s much more closely connected to them than he ever imagined.
Before long, he’s caught up in dangerous quests involving mythical creatures, ancient prophecies and the fate of Olympus.
The books are packed with humour, action and memorable characters.
They’re particularly appealing to readers who enjoy fast-moving adventures without overly complicated language.
Percy’s friendships with Annabeth and Grover also provide plenty of heart alongside the action.
Perfect for: Readers who love Greek mythology, humour and exciting quests.
3. Skandar by A. F. Steadman
Start with: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Suggested age: 11+
Forget everything you think you know about unicorns.
In the Skandar series, these creatures are powerful, dangerous and capable of extraordinary magic.
Skandar Smith dreams of becoming a unicorn rider, but his journey takes an unexpected turn when he becomes involved in a much bigger mystery.
The series combines magical training, friendships, rivalries and dangerous competitions with an imaginative world.
It’s a particularly good choice for readers who enjoy the excitement of Harry Potter but want something different.
Perfect for: Readers who love magical creatures, adventure and characters discovering hidden abilities.
4. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Start with: Northern Lights
Suggested age: 12–13+, depending on the reader.
Philip Pullman’s trilogy follows Lyra Belacqua as she becomes involved in a mystery that stretches across different worlds.
The story features animal companions known as dæmons, armoured bears, unusual scientific discoveries and powerful organisations.
Although the books contain plenty of adventure, they also explore complicated ideas about authority, freedom and growing up.
The themes become increasingly mature as the trilogy progresses.
Perfect for: Thoughtful readers who enjoy imaginative worlds, complex characters and stories that raise big questions.
5. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Start with: Eragon
Suggested age: 12+
When a farm boy named Eragon discovers a mysterious stone, he has no idea that it will change his life.
The stone turns out to be a dragon egg, and Eragon soon becomes involved in a struggle against a powerful ruler.
The series features dragons, elves, magic, battles and a richly developed fantasy world.
These are longer books than some of the other recommendations, so they’re particularly suited to confident readers who enjoy getting absorbed in an epic adventure.
Perfect for: Readers who love dragons, traditional fantasy and large-scale battles.
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Start with: The Hunger Games
Suggested age: 13–14+, with consideration for violent themes.
Although it’s more dystopian science fiction than traditional fantasy, The Hunger Games deserves a mention because it appeals to many of the same readers.
Katniss Everdeen lives in a society where children are selected to compete in a televised fight to the death.
When her younger sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place.
The series combines survival, political conflict, relationships and difficult moral decisions.
It’s considerably darker than Percy Jackson or the early Harry Potter books, so it’s better suited to readers comfortable with violence and distressing situations.
Perfect for: Older teenagers who enjoy high-stakes adventures, rebellion and strong protagonists.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
Start with: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Suggested age: 10+, although older readers can enjoy it too.
The Chronicles of Narnia follows children who discover a magical world filled with talking animals, mythical creatures and battles between good and evil.
The books are shorter than many modern fantasy novels, making them approachable for readers who aren’t ready to commit to enormous volumes.
Although they’re often introduced to younger children, the stories contain themes of courage, loyalty, sacrifice and responsibility.
They’re also an interesting introduction to classic fantasy literature.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy magical worlds, talking animals and traditional adventure stories.
8. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Start with: The School for Good and Evil
Suggested age: 11–12+
Sophie and Agatha are taken to a mysterious school where children are trained to become fairy-tale heroes and villains.
However, things don’t go quite as either girl expects.
The series plays with familiar fairy-tale ideas while exploring friendship, appearances, identity and the difference between good and evil.
There’s plenty of magic, mystery and humour, alongside increasingly complicated relationships.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fairy-tale twists, magical schools and stories about friendship.
9. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Start with: Six of Crows
Suggested age: 14–15+, due to violence and mature themes.
Six of Crows follows a group of young criminals brought together for an extremely dangerous heist.
Each member of the team has their own skills, secrets and reasons for taking part.
The story is set in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, a fantasy world filled with magic, political tensions and criminal organisations.
Unlike some younger fantasy series, the characters are morally complicated and the themes can be dark.
It’s a good choice for older teenagers who enjoy clever plans, unexpected twists and stories where it’s difficult to know who to trust.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy heists, complex characters and darker fantasy.
10. The Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix
Start with: Sabriel
Suggested age: 13+
Sabriel has grown up away from the Old Kingdom, a place where magic is powerful and the dead don’t always remain dead.
When her father disappears, she must travel into the kingdom and confront dangerous forces.
The series features an unusual magical system, memorable characters and an atmosphere that feels quite different from traditional magical-school adventures.
It’s an excellent option for teenagers who are ready to move into slightly darker fantasy.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy unusual magic, atmospheric settings and courageous protagonists.
Which Fantasy Book Series for Teenagers Should You Choose?
With so many options, it helps to think about the kind of story the reader already enjoys.
| If they enjoy… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Magical schools | Harry Potter or The School for Good and Evil |
| Greek mythology | Percy Jackson |
| Magical creatures | Skandar |
| Dragons and epic adventures | The Inheritance Cycle |
| Thought-provoking fantasy | His Dark Materials |
| Classic magical worlds | The Chronicles of Narnia |
| Darker fantasy and heists | Six of Crows |
| Atmospheric magic | The Old Kingdom |
| Dystopian survival stories | The Hunger Games |
If you’re buying for a teenager who doesn’t read very often, it’s worth choosing something that matches their existing interests rather than simply picking the most popular series.
How to Choose Fantasy Books for Different Ages
Age recommendations are useful starting points, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Some eleven-year-olds are comfortable with complicated plots and darker themes, while some older teenagers prefer lighter adventures.
Younger teenagers aged 11–13
Series such as Percy Jackson, Skandar and The School for Good and Evil are good places to start.
They offer plenty of excitement and imaginative settings while remaining accessible to many younger readers.
Teenagers aged 13–15
His Dark Materials, The Inheritance Cycle and The Old Kingdom may appeal to readers looking for more complex fantasy.
These books often introduce more challenging themes or longer stories.
Older teenagers aged 15+
Six of Crows and The Hunger Games are worth considering for readers comfortable with darker material.
However, reading preferences matter more than age alone, and some younger readers may enjoy these books with appropriate guidance.
Why Are Fantasy Books So Popular with Teenagers?
Fantasy offers something that realistic fiction sometimes can’t: the opportunity to experience an entirely different world.
Readers can explore magical kingdoms, encounter extraordinary creatures and follow characters facing seemingly impossible challenges.
But beneath the magic, many fantasy stories deal with familiar experiences.
Friendships change. Characters struggle with expectations. They make mistakes, discover who they are and learn to make difficult decisions.
Those themes can be particularly relatable during the teenage years.
Fantasy series also give readers time to develop a connection with the characters.
Instead of saying goodbye after one book, they can follow their favourites through several adventures.
How to Encourage Teenagers to Try a New Fantasy Series
If a teenager is reluctant to start something new, there are a few ways to make choosing easier.
Let them choose the genre within fantasy. Some readers prefer dragons and battles, while others love magical schools or mythology.
Try the first chapter together. A sample from the library or a bookshop can help them decide whether they enjoy the writing style.
Consider audiobooks. Listening can be a great alternative, particularly for readers who struggle to find time to sit down with a physical book.
Don’t insist they finish a book they dislike. Sometimes a series simply isn’t the right fit.
Look for familiar connections. If they enjoy a particular film, television programme or game, they might be interested in books with similar themes.
For more children’s reading ideas, you can also explore my existing posts Top 10 Children’s Books Every Child Should Read and Books for Children & Young Adults That Predate Harry Potter.
Final Thoughts
The best fantasy book series for teenagers are the ones that capture their imagination and make them want to keep reading.
For younger teenagers, Percy Jackson and Skandar offer exciting adventures with plenty of humour and memorable characters.
For readers who enjoy longer, more detailed fantasy, The Inheritance Cycle and His Dark Materials are excellent options.
And for older teenagers who prefer darker stories, Six of Crows and The Old Kingdom are well worth exploring.
Whether it’s dragons, unicorns, mythical gods or magical schools, there’s a fantasy world out there waiting to be discovered.
