Now, we all know that Lord of the Rings has inspired a crazy amount of fantasy works out there. From classics like The Chronicles of Narnia to new phenomena like Game of Thrones and The Witcher, chances are, if the fantasy work you’re reading as deeply rich lore, Lord of the Rings played some role in the inspiration.
It’s part of the reason we took a closer look at it in our Evolution of Fantasy premiere!!
But the series mentioned above aren’t the only works that feature deep lore—obviously, considering all the fantasy novels we love to read! There are a ton of YA fantasy series with mythology as epic as Lord of the Rings, and we rounded up a select few of our favorites and some you may not have heard of. Scroll down and discover a brand new world to get lost in!
YA Fantasy Series Like ‘Lord of the Rings’
FALL INTO WORLDS OF DEEP MYTHOLOGY
1. The Shannara Series
The Shannara series has been around since the late 70s, so you may have heard of it. It’s a book series that has a strong cult following and its fans—members of Team Epic Reads included—have a deep investment in the lore of Shannara.
Spanning nearly 40 books and numerous short stories, Shannara builds a compelling world split into four lands filled with compelling characters, interesting plots, and a unique perspective on the high fantasy genre. The series is split up into many different smaller series, allowing for new readers to jump right into a timeline that spans thousands of years. Want to check it out without even that commitment? MTV’s adaptation starring Austin Butler ran for two seasons and is streaming on Netflix now!
The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Long ago, wars ravaged the world. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon reveals that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord is plotting to destroy everything in his wake. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness is the Sword of Shannara, which can be used only by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rests the hope of all the races.
Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of evil forces, flies into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save his home, Shea must flee, drawing the Skull Bearer after him in menacing pursuit.
Thus begins the enthralling Shannara epic, a spellbinding tale of adventure, magic, and myth.
2. Legacy of Orïsha
A newer series in the world of fantasy, the Legacy of Orïsha series is a beautifully unique take on the genre inspired by African myth and culture. The world of Orïsha, introduced in Tomi Adeyemi’s tour de force debut, Children of Blood and Bone, highlights magic users known as Maji who hold deep elemental connections to gods and goddesses. Unfortunately, after some Maji began to abuse their powers and the king ordered the destruction of all Maji, their powers are few and far between.
Separated into 10 clans, the Maji all feature unique features and abilities and all have rich histories and inter-personal politics. As noted, this is a pretty new series to the scene and the trilogy isn’t yet complete, but we cannot recommend it enough!
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.
3. The Wheel of Time Series
This Robert Jordan series is often mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Game of Thrones with its well thought out fantasy world, as well as the length of time it took to complete. In fact, Robert Jordan passed away prior to completing the series in 2007. This resulted in fellow author (and fan of the series) Brandon Sanderson coming in to finish it.
The world depicted features a hybrid timeline, both occurring in the distant past as well as the future. Don’t worry—it’s less confusing in the books. An extremely detailed system of magic, known as channeling, exists in the series and it’s perfect for readers looking for that magical edge to their fantasy! All of this—combined with a compelling plot and characters—makes this series primed for a wider cultural impact in the future. In fact, there’s a series in development right now at Amazon Prime!
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance.
What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
When The Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs―a savage tribe of half-men, half-beasts― five villagers flee that night into a world they barely imagined, with new dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.
4. The Throne of Glass Series
This series begins by introducing us to Celaena, an 18-year-old assassin in the kingdom of Adarlan, as she’s recruited by the crown prince to compete in a competition to be deemed the King’s Champion. Pretty simple setup, right? Loosely inspired by Cinderella, this series brings a new edge to classic fantasy with a super relatable and awesome female character at its center. The big drawing point here is the cast of characters involved in the central plot, each of whom have in-depth backstories that help build a compelling world—a world which opens up as the series progresses.
Once Celaena departs the capital, readers are taken to kingdoms, continents, and maybe even worlds abroad, and each has a distinct culture and role to play in the overarching plot. A small array of supporting characters are elevated to point-of-view protagonists as the series progresses, so odds are, you’ll develop at least one favorite amongst them. We’re totally Team Manon.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.
5. The Shadowhunter Chronicles
If you’re not one for high fantasy, we’d like to welcome you to Cassandra Clare’s world of the Shadowhunters. Set in our own world—but where, unbeknownst to humans, angels and demons battle it out—the Shadowhunters Chronicles span multiple series and covers the complex politics that have dated back hundreds, even thousands of years.
What makes this world wholly relatable are the individuals who keep us safe. Families across generations, supernatural folk across stories… Cassandra Clare has crafted an entire world that spans numerous books that utilize well-worn tropes in new and interesting ways. No two characters are the same, and you can’t make us choose!!
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…
6. Old Kingdom
Bringing a level of detail to magic and magical creatures rarely seen in other fantasy series, Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series follows several core main characters through an alternative 1910s England. As noted, the real draw here is how magic is broken down into various schools of thought and magical creatures have a natural order, giving a realistic approach to fantastical creatures.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
Since childhood, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who refuse to stay dead. But now her father, the Abhorson, is missing, and Sabriel must cross into that world to find him.
With Mogget, whose feline form hides a powerful, perhaps malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage, Sabriel travels deep into the Old Kingdom. There she confronts an evil that threatens much more than her life and comes face-to-face with her own hidden destiny…
7. The Shattered Realms
We’re going to throw a curveball here, because part of what makes the Shattered Realms so notable off the bat is that it’s actually a sequel series to another amazing series.
Following up the Seven Realms, this quarter by Cinda Williams Chima expands the world in exciting and high-stakes ways. Primarily set in the Queendom of the Fae, one of the titular seven realms, both series shows off an amazing set of environments and people. The Shattered Realms in particular deepens the lore by following many of the descendants of the original series’ characters, making for a story that spans generations.
Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now he’s closer than ever to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. Can Ash use his powers not to save a life but to take it?
Abandoned at birth, Jenna Bandelow was told that the magemark on the back of her neck would make her a target. But when the King’s Guard launches a relentless search for a girl with a mark like hers, Jenna assumes that it has more to do with her role as a saboteur than any birth-based curse. Eventually, Ash’s and Jenna’s paths will collide in Arden. Thrown together by chance and joined by their hatred of the ruthless king, they will come to rescue each other in ways they cannot yet imagine.
8. The Witchlands
Susan Dennard’s Witchlands series is a master class in worldbuilding. Each of her books, starting with Truthwitch, follows a different protagonist in the cast, and each embellishes the magic, danger, and adventure in new and unique ways. There’s even Sightwitch, the illustrated novella, that uses journal entries to pull us even deeper into the world.
The Witchlands are set on a continent that’s ruled by multiple kingdoms in a world in which everyone is born with a witchery. This is a magical trait that sets them apart from others. Some are incredibly rare, and some are incredibly desired. War is breaking loose just as the magic has begun to die out, and two young women find themselves at its center. Empowering, romantic, and dare we say swashbuckling, these books are easier to fall into than they have any right to be.
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home. Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she’s a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden – lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult’s true powers are hidden even from herself.
In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls’ heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.
What other series would you add to the list? Let us know!