Kathryn Purdie is a young adult fantasy author celebrated for lush settings, emotional storytelling, and memorable characters. She first drew wide attention with Burning Glass, a novel that showcases her flair for magic, intrigue, and dramatic stakes.
If you enjoy Kathryn Purdie’s books, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Leigh Bardugo writes fantasy filled with layered worldbuilding and sharply drawn characters. One of her best-known novels, Six of Crows , follows a crew of outcasts and criminals brought together for a nearly impossible heist.
Every member of the group has a distinct history, from Kaz, a mastermind shaped by pain and ambition, to Inej, a spy known for moving through the shadows. As the mission grows more dangerous, trust becomes fragile and betrayal always feels close.
Bardugo’s work is immersive, suspenseful, and full of personality. If you like fantasy with clever plotting and morally complex characters, she’s an easy recommendation.
Sara Raasch is known for vivid fantasy settings and high-stakes adventures. Her novel Snow Like Ashes opens a trilogy set in a world where kingdoms are bound to the power of the seasons.
The story centers on Meira, an orphan raised among rebels determined to reclaim the lost kingdom of Winter. Trained as a warrior, she risks everything to recover a magical locket that may restore her people’s strength.
Along the way, the book delivers battles, uneasy alliances, and revelations that reshape Meira’s understanding of who she is. Readers who enjoy strong heroines and inventive magic may find Raasch especially appealing.
Victoria Aveyard creates dramatic fantasy worlds where power and class collide. In Red Queen , Mare Barrow lives in a society divided by blood: red for ordinary people, silver for the elite who possess extraordinary abilities.
When Mare unexpectedly reveals powers of her own despite being red-blooded, she is thrust into a web of royal politics, deception, and rebellion. Suddenly, she becomes a threat to the very system that once ignored her.
The novel combines palace intrigue with relentless tension, making it a strong choice for readers who enjoy rebellion stories with a dark, dramatic edge.
Sabaa Tahir writes gripping fantasy with emotional intensity and a vivid sense of danger. Her novel, An Ember in the Ashes, unfolds in a harsh empire inspired by ancient Rome.
It follows Laia, a young woman willing to risk everything to save her brother, and Elias, a soldier trapped between loyalty to the empire and his longing for freedom.
Their paths converge when Laia goes undercover in the military academy where Elias trains, and together they uncover secrets that could shake the empire itself. With betrayal, sacrifice, and hope woven throughout, it’s an especially compelling read for fans of intense YA fantasy.
Marie Lu is known for fast-moving stories and protagonists readers quickly invest in. Her novel Legend is set in a dystopian future where a fractured United States has become a battleground.
The story follows Day, a notorious fugitive from the streets, and June, a military prodigy raised in privilege. A shocking loss brings them into conflict, but as they learn more about each other, they begin to uncover disturbing truths about the society around them.
Tricia Levenseller writes adventurous fantasy with quick pacing and fearless leads. Her novel Daughter of the Pirate King follows Alosa, a pirate captain’s daughter who intentionally gets herself captured so she can search an enemy ship for a legendary map.
Alosa is clever, capable, and rarely outmatched, and her lively exchanges with the first mate, Riden, add charm and tension to the story. Expect daring escapes, hidden motives, and just the right touch of romance.
Readers who appreciate Kathryn Purdie’s blend of imagination and strong characterization may have a lot of fun with Levenseller’s books.
Susan Dennard writes fantasy packed with magic, danger, and memorable friendships. In Truthwitch, she introduces a world shaped by supernatural gifts and rising political conflict, following Safiya, a witch who can sense truth, and Iseult, her threadwitch best friend.
Together they are drawn into dangerous alliances, hidden schemes, and the pursuit of a deadly Bloodwitch. The heart of the story lies not only in its twists and action, but also in the powerful bond between its two heroines. Fans of Kathryn Purdie may find Dennard’s work especially rewarding.
Margaret Rogerson writes YA fantasy rich in atmosphere and emotion. In An Enchantment of Ravens, the heroine, Isobel, is a gifted artist who paints portraits for dangerous and alluring faeries.
When she captures something in a portrait of the faerie prince Rook that she should not have seen, the consequences are immediate. What follows is a journey filled with enchantment, tension, and hidden truths.
Readers drawn to lyrical fantasy and romantic, magical settings may find Rogerson an excellent match.
Stephanie Garber is known for dreamy, twist-filled fantasy with a strong romantic streak. Her novel Caraval follows Scarlett, who has spent years longing to attend the legendary performance game known as Caraval.
When she and her sister, Tella, finally arrive, the experience quickly turns perilous. Tella vanishes, and Scarlett must follow clues, decipher illusions, and decide what can be trusted in a world designed to deceive.
The result is a story that feels theatrical, mysterious, and constantly surprising.
Elise Kova writes fantasy centered on personal growth, magic, and political tension. In Air Awakens, Vhalla Yarl is a quiet library apprentice who discovers she possesses a rare affinity for wind magic.
That revelation pulls her from a sheltered life into the heart of imperial politics within the Solaris Empire. As her powers grow, she must decide whether to embrace a destiny she never wanted.
Kova’s novels often balance emotional stakes with adventure, making them a strong pick for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy.
Adrienne Young writes atmospheric fantasy with emotional depth and striking settings. Her novel Fable, follows a young girl left behind by her father on a dangerous island, where survival depends on grit, instinct, and the ability to bargain well.
As Fable searches for a way off the island, she navigates treacherous seas, ruthless rivals, and the painful complexities of her relationship with her father. Readers looking for immersive, emotionally charged fantasy may find her work especially compelling.
Rin Chupeco writes imaginative fantasy that often draws on dark themes and cultural folklore. In The Bone Witch, a girl named Tea accidentally raises her brother from the dead and discovers that she is a bone witch, one of the rare few able to wield necromantic magic.
Tea is sent away to train as an asha, where she learns to control her power while confronting fear, suspicion, and political danger. The novel moves between her early training and her future as a formidable, feared figure, giving the story a haunting sense of momentum.
It’s an excellent choice for readers who enjoy dark magic, rich worldbuilding, and emotionally layered storytelling.
Gena Showalter writes dramatic, supernatural stories with high emotion and plenty of danger. In Alice in Zombieland, Alice loses her family in a devastating accident and soon learns that terrifying creatures stalk the night.
After meeting a mysterious boy named Cole, she begins uncovering hidden truths about her past and the world around her. The book mixes action, grief, romance, and paranormal intrigue in a way that keeps the story moving.
If you enjoy adventurous fiction with a darker edge, Showalter may be a good fit.
Marissa Meyer is celebrated for inventive retellings of classic stories. In Cinder , she reimagines Cinderella as a gifted mechanic who is also a cyborg, living in a futuristic New Beijing.
Cinder faces prejudice, dangerous political forces, and long-buried secrets about her identity. Alongside a charming prince, a deadly lunar queen, and a plague threatening humanity, the novel builds a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
Meyer’s mix of fairy tale and science fiction makes her books especially fun for readers who enjoy genre-blending fantasy.
Laini Taylor is admired for lyrical prose, imaginative concepts, and emotionally resonant fantasy. Her novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone, follows Karou, a blue-haired art student raised by chimeras—beings that are part human and part beast.
Her unusual life begins to unravel when mysterious black handprints appear on doorways around the world, signaling the start of something vast, dangerous, and otherworldly. What follows is a sweeping tale of magic, war, identity, and forbidden love.
Readers who love beautifully written fantasy with a strong emotional core will likely be drawn to Taylor’s work.
