Another excellent choice is 'The Iron King' by Julie Kagawa. Although it mainly focuses on the faery world, there are elements of shapeshifting. The main character Meghan discovers a whole new world where magic and shapeshifting are common, and she has to navigate through it to save her loved ones. It has a richly developed world and complex characters.
The exploration of identity. Characters in these stories often struggle with who they are when they can change forms. For example, a werewolf might feel like a different person when in wolf form. This internal conflict is relatable to young adults who are also figuring out their own identities. Additionally, the fantastical settings in these books, like enchanted forests or hidden magical realms, add to the appeal. They offer an escape from the mundane world into a place full of mystery and adventure.
J.K. Rowling, though her main series started earlier, was still highly influential in 2010 fantasy fiction for young adults. Her 'Harry Potter' series continued to be a huge presence. The magical world of Hogwarts and the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione inspired a generation of young readers and also influenced a lot of the fantasy fiction that came after.
Fantasy young adult fiction books typically feature a sense of wonder. The unknown and the extraordinary are common elements. For instance, in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', Alice enters a world full of strange happenings. They also often deal with themes like friendship and loyalty. In 'The Golden Compass' by Philip Pullman, Lyra's relationships with her friends are crucial to the story. And many of these books have a strong moral or ethical message, whether it's about good vs. evil or the importance of standing up for what's right.
They often have young protagonists. For example, in 'The Maze Runner', the main characters are teens trying to escape a deadly maze. Another characteristic is the presence of fantastical elements like magic or mythical creatures. In 'Eragon', there are dragons which play a major role.
Fantasy young adult fiction can inspire creativity. For example, the vivid magical worlds in books like 'Harry Potter' can make young readers imagine new possibilities. It also helps in developing empathy as they get to understand different characters' feelings and situations, like in 'The Hunger Games' where Katniss's struggles can be related to real - world issues of survival and inequality.
Definitely check out 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs. There are some dark and death - related themes as the children in the home have special powers and face threats. 'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo is another. The Grishaverse is filled with danger and death, especially as Alina Starkov gets involved in the power struggles. Also, 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas has its share of death and violence as the main character navigates a faerie world.
A great one is 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It has a very unique take on death in a seemingly utopian society. In the story, people don't really understand death as we do. Another is 'City of Bones' from 'The Mortal Instruments' series. There are many battles where characters face death. And 'Graceling' by Kristin Cashore also has death as Katsa goes on her adventures in a fantasy world filled with political unrest and danger.
They often have a young protagonist. For example, in 'Harry Potter', Harry is a young wizard. These novels usually have elements of magic or the supernatural, like in 'Percy Jackson' where there are Greek gods and monsters. Also, they tend to deal with themes relevant to young adults such as friendship, coming of age, and finding one's identity.
Many of the 2016 young adult fiction fantasy books had strong female protagonists. For example, in 'The Star - Touched Queen', the princess is on a journey to break her curse and take control of her own fate. They also often had richly detailed worlds. In 'A Court of Mist and Fury', the faerie world is full of different courts, each with their own rules and cultures. Another characteristic was the presence of complex relationships, like the romantic and political relationships in 'The Crown's Game'.