20 YA Fantasy Stanadalones

Looking for a young adult fantasy novel but don’t want to get caught up in reading a series? Check out our list of YA fantasy standalones! Find our first list of YA fantasy standalone recommendations here.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Fatima lives in the city of Noor–only one of three humans not killed by the Shayateen djinn. Now, however, the city is ruled by the milder Ifrit djinn. But when one of the Ifrit djinn dies, Fatima finds herself drawn into the conspiracies of the ruling elite.

We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bartlett

The Union has been at war for years and the situation is growing desperate.  The draft age has been lowered once again and, even worse, the army is now reduced to recruiting women who wield illegal magic in order to power a new flight unit.  Revna is a disgraced factory worker whose skill manipulating the Weave gains her a spot in the unit.  Linné is the disgraced daughter of a general, angry she was caught serving in the regular army as a “boy.” Now they have to work together both to complete their missions and to gain the first women’s flight unit the respect it deserves.

Cinderella Is Dead by Kaylynn Bayron

200 years ago, Cinderella married Prince Charming. Now, in her honor, the young maidens of the kingdom must appear each year at the king’s ball, where the men will choose their brides. Those who are not chosen are sentenced to a labor camp. Sixteen-year-old Sophia must attend this year, but she would rather marry her best friend Erin. So, she makes a desperate attempt escape, finding Cinderella’s last descendant in the process. Could it be that the fairy tale they have all been told was never true? This feminist retelling encourages readers to smash the patriarchy and choose their own destiny.

Vial of Tears by Cristin Bishara

Sixteen-year-old sisters Samira and Rima don’t have the easiest lives. Their dad is dead and their mom regularly disappears, gambling away the little money then have. Then a mysterious box arrives from their Lebanese grandfather and, in it, a cursed coin sought by an angry god. Shortly the sisters find themselves in the Phoenician underworld, trying to escape.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Every seven years, nine Greek gods must become mortals and be hunted. The humans who defeat them become gods themselves. Lore turned her back on that life after her family was brutally murdered by a man now turned a god. But then a childhood friend asks for her help, as does the goddess Athena. Lore believes this is her chance to escape the hunt forever, but her alliance will come at a cost

Into the Bloodred Woods by Martha Brockenbrough

Upon his death, King Tryan divides his land, giving half to his son Albrecht and half to his daughter Ursula. But Albrecht is not content with half. He overtakes her land and declares himself king. Now Ursula is gathering followers to take back what is hers–as well as the land that was Albrecht’s.

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe

Mae has spent her whole love on the island owned by the Prospers, and she dreams of being trained as a magician like the patriarch of the family. But then the spirits on the island start dying. And Mae might have to consider that the family’s magic is very different from what she thought.

A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe

Daughter of a famous alchemist, Thea Hope longs to create the legendary Philosopher’s Stone with her mother. But when her mother destroys the Stone in a fit of madness, Thea finds herself shipped off to England to live with the father she has never met. She believes making the Stone could cure her mother–but others want the Stone and its power, as well.

House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig

Annaleigh lives with her sisters in Highmoor Manor, a house by the sea. Once there were twelve of them, but four of her sisters are already dead, and Annaleigh is beginning to think that is no accident. Each night, she and her sisters sneak out to attend glittering balls. But who–or what–are they really dancing with? Now Annaleigh must place her trust in a mysterious and handsome stranger if she is to break the curse that haunts her family.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

Sixteen-year-old Koffi is indentured to the Night Zoo, which houses terrible and fearsome creatures. Then one night she unleashes a power she did not know she possessed. On the run, she encounters a monster called a Shetani and a hunter named Ekon. Now all their fates are intertwined.=

Deeplight by Frances Hardinge

Thirty years ago, the gods tore each other apart. Now scavengers search the deep for pieces of their bodies to sell for technology. When fifteen-year-old Hark finds a still beating heart of a long-dead deity, he uses it to heal his best friend Jelt. But Jelt starts to change. Can Hark prevent him from becoming a monster?

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

Princess Hesina of Yan unexpectedly ascends the throne when her father is murdered. Determined to discover the culprit, Hesina consults an illegal soothsayer and uses the information she gains to hire a convicted criminal to investigate. But, with an unstable kindgom, Hesina will have to find answers before everything crumbles around her.

Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer

In the forest, a witch captures souls to feed to the heartless tree, and thus expand her domain. But then one of her daughters, Seren, saves the life of a man. Seren longs to be human, but finds herself drawn into a war.

Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson

Because Isda can manipulate the memories of people who sing, she was cast in a well to die at birth. The owner of the opera house saved her. But now Isda finds herself attracted to the handsome Emeric–and in his memories a chance for her to escape the life she’s been given.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington is a skilled thief whose life becomes intertwined with that of Varin when she steals a package from him, thus endangering his life. But their interactions become more complicated when they find themselves investigating the deaths of four queens. Only by discovering the culprit can they save their own lives.

Jade Fire Gold by June C. L. Tan

Altan is the lost heir to the throne. He believes that Ahn, a peasant girl with magical abilities, can help him reclaim his birthright and get revenge. But their quest puts both their lives in danger.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Determined to prove himself a brujo to his family, Yadriel attempts to summon the ghost of his murdered cousin to set him free. Instead, his summons Julian, and Julian will not leave until he solves the mystery of his murder. Soon, Yadriel does not want Julian to leave at all.

Lost in the Neverwoods by Aiden Thomas

Five years ago, Wendy and her brothers went missing. Only Wendy returned. Now, she has found an unconscious boy in the woods–a boy named Peter who seems to remember the time she cannot. He says that if they do not act, other children in the town will disappear, as well. But Wendy is not sure she is ready to face her past.

A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth

Rowenna Winthrop has magic in her veins, but her mother Mairead will not teach her how to use it, believing that Rowenna lacks control. Then Mairead dies, leaving their Scottish village unprotected. And a woman wearing the shape of Mairead appears to take her place. She transforms Rowenna’s brothers into swans and takes Rowenna’s voice. Now Rowenna is on the run. And she will have to claim her power if she is to save her family.

The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young

Bryn Roth has waited her whole life for the letter that arrives on her eighteenth birthday from her uncle Henrik. Now, finally, she can return to Bastian and take her rightful place in the family. But the Roths play a dangerous game, creating fake gemstones for trade, and they have many enemies in the city and abroad. If Bryn wants to survive, she will have to create her own stake to bring in money for the family. She just didn’t count on losing her heart in the process. A companion book to Fable and Namesake.