Resource List
Magic in Young Adult Fiction
A list of books and related media featuring magic wielders and high fantasy in young adult (ages 13-17) fiction.
Books
Legendborn
Tracy Deonn
Book #1
Dive deep into the best this generation has to offer in fantasy teen literature with Legendborn. Follow teenager Bree, a girl whose first day of college is tainted by a demon attack. She then discovers a secret group of other magic users calling itself “Legendborn” who hunt down dark creatures. But can they be trusted?
Book #2
Amari Peters didn’t think anything magical could ever happen in her life. After her older brother goes missing, she doesn’t think her life in the projects could get any worse. When she discovers that her brother is not only not missing, but is also a celebrity in the magical world, Amari learns of her own unique powers. Sent to a training academy, Amari learns that not all magicians are nice.
Amari and the Night Brothers
B.B. Alston
The Witch Boy
Molly Knox Ostertag
Book #3
A fantasy story created with today’s youth in mind, The Witch Boy challenges readers to overlook traditional gender roles. Aster is a boy who’s been taught his whole life that girls become witches and boys become shapeshifters. But not only does Aster fail to shift when he’s supposed to, he’s also drawn to witchcraft and finds that he’s actually quite adept at the practice. No one seems to really understand his interests until his skills are put to the test when his community is threatened.
Book #4
A perfect fantasy book for older teens looking for a little more spice with their sweet, Serpent & Dove ticks a lot of boxes for fans of the genre. Set in a world where the Church is still hunting down and burning witches, this novel takes the classic enemies-to-lovers trope to strange new places. Louise le Blanc, a witch on the run from the authorities, and Reid Diggory, a witch hunter, are suddenly thrust together in the unlikeliest of scenarios.
Serpent & Dove
Shelby Mahurin
House of Earth and Blood
Sarah J. Maas
Book #5
The first book in the new Crescent City series, powerhouse fantasy writer Sarah J. Maas strikes gold again with her more mature book House of Earth and Blood. A look into the dark and seedy world of the magical underground, this novel follows Bryce Quinlan, who’s swept up in an investigation to find a killer - the same killer who murdered her friends. This book blends romance, suspense, and dark supernatural forces into something exciting and gripping.
Movies
Howl’s Moving Castle
Based on the novel of the same name, this animated masterpiece by famed director Hayao Miyazaki follows Sophie, a young woman who gets swept up into a world of magic when she is cursed by a witch to resemble an old woman. She puts her trust in Howl, an eccentric wizard, to break the spell.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
A more mature perspective of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts revisits the magical world in an entirely new context. This an excellent recommendation for teen fans of Harry Potter who want to explore that universe more, as well as its more adult themes.
Games
Wylde Flowers
A PC-based game in which you play as Tara, a young woman who moves into her grandmother’s cottage and discovers that they’re both witches! In a game similar to Farmville, you can join a coven and use your powers to grow magical plants. Developed to be played by many ages, this game is both accessible and inclusive.
Witchy Life Story
Magic, romance, and drama, oh my! In this PC-based game, your task is to save the harvest festival from becoming a disaster. You play a witch-in-training, and you must gather enough ingredients and resources to succeed. However, young adults will love this game as it will give them a chance to date and interact in the world. Filled with beautiful artwork and a plot that everyone can enjoy, Witchy Life Story is a must-play!
Spellcaster University
If you want to add a little adult responsibility to your magic game, give Spellcaster University a try! You’re in the driver’s seat as the director of a magical university where you get to decide staffing, curriculum, and specialty disciplines. That may sound awfully boring for a video game, but you also get to slay orcs! Rated as one of the top simulation games of 2021, this fresh new take on magic school games might surprise you!
Ikenfell
A modern game with an old-school aesthetic, Ikenfell blends all the best parts of the Gen Z fantasy genre. It may look like a classic eight-bit video game, but Ikenfell actually brings great storytelling into the 21st century. In what’s being touted as one of the most queer-friendly games available, Ikenfell lets you explore more than just magic. You fight monsters, build relationships, and increase your power through short story-based chapters. Also, there are lots and lots of cats.
Websites
The YA Shelf
A young adults’ go-to space for all things literature and fandom! One of the best parts of this website is the plethora of book (and related media) lists. So if you’re looking for something specific, or you want to try out a new genre, they probably have a list for it! They also have an entire page dedicated to free books, so discover something new today!
Molly Nelson
LIS 518: Literature and Related Media for Young Adults
The University of Southern Mississippi
December 6, 2022