Cover Story: Fantasy, Myths and Magic

Here are our librarians' picks of the best teen reads in the Fantasy, Myths and Magic genre.

The Immortal Games

Annaliese Avery 

Every year the gods on Mount Olympus hold games, selecting humans to represent them in dangerous challenges from which only one will emerge alive. This year is different, however, as they have unknowingly picked someone with a dark secret- she is planning to kill a god. This story blends dramatic action, characters from Greek mythology and a sprinkling of romance. 

9780702306099 Scholastic: 2023    ebook available 

The Girl who Broke the Sea

A Connors

When Lily and her Mum arrive at Deephaven, an experimental deep-sea research station three miles below the sea level, they are both hoping that she will be able to get a fresh start and leave her troubled past behind. But something else is lurking in the deep sea, something very old, and it doesn’t want to be alone anymore. Combining action-filled sci-fi with ancient mythology, this is a thrilling tale set at the bottom of the undiscovered ocean.   

9780702317583 Scholastic: 2023 

Daughter of Darkness 

Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Deina is a Soul Severer, forced to spend her life taking souls to the Underworld. She is desperate to escape, and jumps at the chance when King Orpheus offers freedom to any Soul Severer who can rescue his wife from the Underworld. But the task is dangerous, and to succeed Deina has to work with other Soul Severers that she does not trust. An exciting fantasy rooted in the world of Greek myth. 

9781471410918 Hot Key: 2022 

Unraveller

Francis Hardinge 

Kellen should be the richest and most popular person in Raddith, as he has a unique ability to undo the curses that can turn people into birds or boats. But Kellen’s bad temper has left him poor and with many enemies. When a stranger offers him protection in return for using his skills to solve a mystery he reluctantly agrees and finds himself on a challenging and dangerous quest. Bursting with imagination and full of engaging and eccentric characters. 

9781529081411 Macmillan: 2023 ebook available 

Warrior of the Wild 

Tricia Levenseller

Banished from her village after failing the trial that would have made her a fully-fledged warrior, Rasmira is facing an uncertain future avoiding flesh-eating monsters in the wilds. Her only hope of returning home is to complete the challenge that she has been given- kill the cruel god Peruxolo who terrorises her village. But how can you defeat a god who can kill people with just a look? Viking-inspired fantasy adventure.  

9781782693741 Square Fish: 2023 

A Magic Steeped in Poison 

Judy I Lin 

In Ning’s world shennong-shi can conjure magic by tea-making and are much prized. When she is invited to take part in a competition in the Imperial capital that will select the princess’ new shennong-shi, Ning discovers a Court riddled with intrigue and back-stabbing, while the tea competition itself turns out to be bloodily ruthless. But Ning must win, because she knows that it is the only way to save her sister’s life. Atmospheric fantasy infused with Chinese mythology. 

9781803362182 Titan Books: 2022 ebook available 

The Girl who Fell Beneath the Sea

Axie Oh

To save her village from the anger of the Sea God, Mina hurls herself into the sea as a sacrifice to him. Beneath the waves she discovers a spirit world where the Sea God is not angry but is trapped in an enchanted sleep. If she can break the enchantment she will save her village, but she only has a month and not everyone wants her to succeed. Based on Korean legend, this is full of fabulous creatures and constantly shifting intrigues. 

9781529391732 Hodder: 2023 

A Forgery of Roses

Jessica Olsen

Myra was born with the power to change a person’s appearance by painting their portrait  but must conceal her skill as many consider this magic to be evil. She struggles to make ends meet, so when she is offered a life-changing amount of money to paint a picture that will bring someone back to life she thinks this may be a way out of her troubles. In fact, her troubles are only just beginning. Horror-infused gothic romance. 

9780008592462 HarperCollins: 2022 ebook available 

Mountainfell

Katharine Russell

The villagers of Loftbory have always lived in fear of the cursed mountain that towers above them, regularly offering human sacrifices to the cloud dragon who is said to live at its peak. When Erskin’s sister is snatched away by the terrifying beast she sets off on a quest to save her, an adventure that uncovers the incredible truth of Mountainfell and the magic within Erskin. Fantastical and thrilling with a fierce heroine and wonderfully imagined mythical creatures.   

9781529503296 Walker: 2022 ebook available 

A Curse of Salt

Sarah Street 

In this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Ria sacrifices herself to save her sisters, facing the monster that everyone in her kingdom fears, the Heartless King. She soon discovers that there is more to him then she realised. He is just a misunderstood man, bound to the seas by an ancient curse. As their chemistry turns into something more, Ria finds herself tangled in a web of secrets. 

9781444967661 Hodder: 2023 

Hotel Magnifique

Emily Taylor

Jani and her sister Zosa have managed to get employed in the infamous Hotel Magnifique – a building full of magic and glamour, where the guests are treated like royalty and the location moves every midnight. But beneath the beautiful rooms and exquisite food, something is not quite right at the Hotel. Why does the mysterious owner want none of the guests to leave, and what is he really searching for in their endless journey to Elsewhere?  Jani is determined to find out. 

9781782693499 Pushkin: 2023 ebook available 

The Storm Swimmer 

Clare Weze 

When Ginika sees a boy swimming in the sea she knows that there is something strange about him. He swims incredibly fast and speaks a language unlike any that she has ever heard. Is he really one of the sea people her grandad told her about? He seems fascinated with the bright lights and sounds of Ginika’s world, but is will he be able to cope with life on dry land? Two worlds collide in this story of an unlikely friendship. 

9781526622211 Bloomsbury: 2023 ebook available