It's been a wonderful year for imaginative and inclusive works of fantasy and science fiction for young adults! This list is by no means exhaustive — there's simply too many excellent books — but it is certainly a wonderful place to begin exploring a selection of this year's highlights.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

In this enchanting debut YA fantasy, a young tea-maker travels to the capital city to take part in a cutthroat magical competition that could be the key to saving her sister’s life. In a world where tea is both magical and potentially deadly, there is a competition to find the best tea-makers in the world.

Also including court politics and a handsome stranger, this is a thrilling debut and the first in a duology, with the second book coming in early January 2023.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

 Read review

The Upwelling by Lystra Rose

This highly original fantasy novel by First Nations author, Lystra Rose, is a time travel mystery that takes us back to a pre-colonisation Australia.

When Kirra surfs a big wave and ends up in an ancient past, she must work together with two other teenagers – a dolphin caller and a language unweaver – to help save the clan from a malevolent spirit. Strong characterisation, fascinating depictions of culture and beautiful writing make this book a stand-out. 

Suitable for readers aged 12 and up.

 Read review

If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang

Set in a Beijing International Boarding School, this story of a scholarship student who discovers she has the power to turn invisible is a fun rom-com with a twist. Skewering power and privilege, the story also has (of course) a handsome nemesis who may not be so bad after all, and some great secondary characters.

This is a really fun, beautifully written and very enjoyable debut. 

Suitable for ages 12 and up. 

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Not officially young adult, but enjoyed by many of our young adult readers, this story is inspired by the Chinese legend of the moon goddess. Xingyin and her mother have been exiled on the moon by the powerful Celestial Emperor for stealing his elixer of immortality. But Xingyin must flee her home when her magical powers are discovered, travelling incognito into the heart of the Celestial Kingdom itself.

This is epic fantasy at its finest, and the first book in a duology.

Suitable for ages 14 and up.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh is one of this year’s YA gems. It’s a feminist retelling of the classic Korean legend, The Tale of Shim Cheong. When Mina sacrifices herself in place of her brother’s beloved, she is swept into the Spirit Realm where she must find a way to awaken the enchanted Sea God, and break the curse that sees her homeland ravaged by lethal storms.

Oh's latest novel sparkles in its atmospheric storytelling and exploration of love, fate and what lies beneath the surface.

Perfect for ages 12 and up.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Princess Shiori has hidden her magic for as long as she can remember, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony her secret is revealed. Her stepmother – who is revealed as a sorceress herself – exiles Shiori for her secret. Shiori can't speak of what she is nor what she has learned to anybody; every time she speaks, one of her six brothers (who have been enchanted to become cranes) will die. Exiled, Shiori looks for her brothers, but what she discovers is worse than she could have imagined ...

This transformative book (the first in a duology) is bursting with gorgeous prose, tightly bound mystery and a hint of romance.

Suitable for ages 12 and up.

Black Girls Unlimited by Echo Brown

A gorgeous work of autofiction, Black Girls Unlimited follows Echo Brown, a wizard caught between worlds; in her neighborhood, Echo finds magic everywhere. Growing up East Side, where people live in cramped apartments and many people, including her parents, suffer addictions to white rocks, hasn't been easy. When Echo transfers to a prestigious school on the West Side the cracks between her worlds begin growing wider.

An empowering coming-of-age story about pushing back against oppression and exploitation, finding your inner power, and discovering allies. Despite a magical touch, this story does not shy away from difficult realities, and we recommend taking a moment to check trigger warnings if concerned.

Suitable for ages 15 and up.

So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

A subversive and queer reimaging of everyone's favourite fairytale trope: find someone to marry or risk losing the throne!

Arek has gotten himself into a touch of strife. It all started when his best friend, and notable mage, Matt convinced him to temporarily assume the throne until they could rescue the rightful heir; turns out – she's dead. Now what? Well, now Arek must find a spouse by his eighteenth birthday or he'll turn to dust – literally.

This trope-filled fantasy is perfect for fans of series like Rainbow Rowell's Carry On.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

 Read review

We Who Hunt the Hollow by Kate Murray

In keeping with the monsters theme, the main character in this novel, Priscilla, comes from a family of female monster-hunters charged with killing evil beasts that come into our universe from a place called the Hollow. Priscilla doesn’t think her own powers are very strong, so she attempts to enhance them, and discovers she can now summon monsters. Oops!

Shortlisted for our Readings YA Prize, this is an action-packed, fantasy adventure. 

For readers aged 12 and up. 

 Read review

Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin

Having only known life as a servant, Kurara's world shifts when she learns her simple party trick is actually an ability that's both highly sought after and critical to the functioning of the empire of Mikoshima: a kindgom of floating sky cities. It turns our Kurara is a Crafter – a person gifted with the rare ability to make paper come to life.

Learning this, Kurara joins a sky crew to hone her craft and hunt shikigami (wild paper spirits), but it's not long before Kurara begins questioning the realities and ethics of her world.

Steampunk meets whimsy in this crafted tale that pays tribute to Japanese papercraft and culture, while exploring themes of slavery, oppression and empire. This is also an excellent story for those who enjoy narratives of friendship rather than romance.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

Chloe Gong returns to 1930s Shanghai with a thrilling tale of redemption.

A few years ago, Rosalind Lang was spared from death by a strange serum. The catch? It did more than cure her ... it made her immortal. In a bid to atone for her treacherous past she becomes an assassin for her country, but the job – no cake walk even for an immortal – doesn't get any easier when your mission partner is the obnxious Orion Hong, who you're forced to masquarade as a married couple with during the investigation. The two spies soon find this mystery is more twisted than they ever imagined.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

This time-travelling fantasy epic published back in February has been one of our stand-out YA titles this year. The main character, Joan Chang-Hunt, discovers she is part of a family of monsters, and must come to terms with this knowledge, particularly when the boy she has a crush on is actually a monster-hunter. Awkward!

This is brilliant must-read fantasy.

Suitable for readers aged 14 and up.  

 Read review

Strike the Zither by Joan He

A feminist reimagining of the Chinese military epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Set in the year 414 during the Xin Dynasty, Strike the Zither follows military strategist Zephyr, who seeks to lead her honourable warlordess Ren to victory against the Northern and Southern kingdoms.

A powerful fantasy exploring duty, honour, found family and what we do to survive.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

Unraveller by Frances Hardinge

From the inimitable and imaginative Frances Hardinge comes another stellar, dark, atmospheric fantasy.

Set in a world where anyone can create curses, true power lies in the rare ability to unravel them; there is only one person who holds this ability, and he's not sure he even fully understands it. Kellen is able to unravel curses and help those around him though he is powerless against that which has begun to shadow his own life. It will be up to those he has helped in his past, particularly his greatest ally Nettle, to help save him, as well as everything they hold dear.

Suitable for ages 12 and up.

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

In Ashoka, magic is a physical resource ... and it's running out. Ashoka's queen oversees the magical protection of the kingdom, but conflict looms on the horizon if supplies become depleted or knowledge of the scarity gets out. Vira is the daughter of the queen and she's desperate to ascend the throne herself – though it won't happen under current circumstances. Vira's only chance lies in whether she can find the legendary Ivory Key, an object of great power that is said to unlock a new source of magic.

The first book in a new duology, this Indian-inspired fantasy is full of political intrigue and sibling rivalry.

Suitable for ages 13 and up.

Sequels and companions of Note

• Beyond the End of the World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
• The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni
• Gleanings by Neal Shusterman
• The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna