Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books I would Have On a YA Fantasy 101 Syllabus

I absolutely love this week’s Top Ten Tuesday! Can you imagine taking a YA Fantasy 101 class?? This topic actually made me stop to think considering I wasn’t sure if some of the books that came to mind would be considered YA or not.

Either way, read on for my ten books that would be on my YA Fantasy 101 syllabus 🙂

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

How could you not have Tolkien on this list? 

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This is one of the books I wasn’t sure would qualify, but I’ve seen it on some YA fantasy lists and I think it’s a great story, so why not?

Harry Potter (any of them, really) by J.K. Rowling

I hardly need a reason do I? Although, I’m sure there are some Harry Potter books considered better than others.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I really enjoyed the concept with this one plus it had a strong female lead!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I really got sucked into this one and I cannot wait until I finish the trilogy. Another strong female lead, although she doesn’t necessarily start out that way, but nonetheless, is a great character.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

The female lead in this novel started out in an unconventional way, something that I loved about this novel. She wasn’t automatically beautiful and strong – she had to see that in herself and learn to embody those traits, examples of which are sorely lacking in many places right now.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

I’m sensing a theme with the female leads … I loved this whole series (I can’t remember if it’s a trilogy or a quartet). I read it many years ago, so I don’t remember a lot of specifics, but I do remember there being several good themes.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

A great retelling of Cinderella, but in a unique way, something that I greatly enjoyed about this one!

East by Edith Pattou

I’ve always been intrigued with folktales and this book is based off a Scandinavian tale I believe and instantly fell in love with it. It had an unexpected but delightful magical touch to it. 

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

This may be considered more adult than YA and maybe more urban fantasy than just fantasy by itself, but I love the story – a great female lead and an unexpected male lead. One of the best parts? Romance isn’t a vital part to the story, although there is some tension, but leaving it at that in the story is perfect.

Alright you lovely readers, what do you think?

Happy Reading ❤ Nicole