Fairies really have stood the test of time, and there's never any shortage of fairy books to read since there are so many reasons to love the fey (or fear them, depending on the Court). Maybe you love folklore, maybe you love paranormal romance books, maybe you're tired of vampires and want something different. Maybe you love Once Upon a Time or Grimm (wait for my "fractured fairy-tale list" to come!). Whatever your reason for falling for the fey, there are a lot of fairy books in young adult, so I've made a list of some of the ones we own; check out the full list here.
It can be really hard to find a decent paranormal romance in the sea of paranormal books out there, so I've vetted some for you (sacrificing hard-won space on my book shelf for some of these fine picks). The ones below are some of my favorites from the fairy list. I've read all of these and loved all of these (except for the last one which I want to read but haven't yet).
Tithe by H. Black 4 stars
Sixteen-year-old Kaye, who has been visited by faeries since childhood, discovers that she herself is a magical faerie creature with a special destiny.
The first in a series. The second is Valiant, and the third is Ironside.
Sarah's review: Suspenseful, romantic, and very cool. I love the characters and the plot. I read the whole series... and that is saying something since I usually don't read the whole series.
Need by C. Jones 4 stars
Depressed after the death of her stepfather, high school junior Zara goes to live with her grandmother in a small Maine town, where new friends tell Zara the strange man she keeps seeing may be a pixie king, and that only "were" creatures can stop him from taking souls.
The first in a series. The second is Captivate, third is Entice, and fourth is Endure.
Sarah's review: An interesting twist with her father! Loved the father-figure aspects of this book (though the twist with her father is a trope in fairy books, it's still a good one).
Wicked Lovely by M. Marr 4.5 stars
Seventeen-year-old Aislinn, who has the rare ability to see faeries, is drawn against her will into a centuries-old battle between the Summer King and the Winter Queen, and the survival of her life, her love, and summer all hang in the balance.
The first in a series. The second is Ink Exchange (though this is more of a companion than a sequel), followed by Fragile Eternity, then Radiant Shadows (also a kind of companion), then Darkest Mercy.
Sarah's review: I will never forget this book; it was more original than most of the other fairy books I've read. Hit the spot for that fairy itch you get sometimes without being derivative. An excellent read!
Paranormalcy by K. White 4.5 stars
When a dark prophecy begins to come true, sixteen-year-old Evie of the International Paranormal Containment Agency must not only try to stop it, she must also uncover its connection to herself and the alluring shapeshifter, Lend. The first in a series, the second is called Supernaturally. The third book, Endlessly, will be out July 24th, so put your name on the list to get it when our copy comes in.
Sarah's review: Action-filled and the love interest, Lend, was a decently-developed character (as opposed to a lot of other paranormal romance interests these days). The world was also more inventive than not and the faeries took me by surprise.
Tiger Lily by J.L. Anderson
Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily receives special protections from the spiritual forces of Neverland, but then she meets her tribe's most dangerous enemy--Peter Pan--and falls in love with him. This story is told by Tinker Bell!
I want to read this because... Ms. Rachel recommended it and I love books written with an interesting narrator. I also love fractured fairy tales (which are standard fairy tales modified in some way).
Don't forget to check out the full list of fairy books for teens. Can't find the one you're looking for on the list? Ask a librarian at the Youth Services desk to help!
Ms. Sarah's Stars
5 stars = Awesome sauce! Must read! Highly recommended.
4 stars = Excellent read, recommended.
3 stars = Okay, but not bad. Tolerable.
2 stars = Ick. Not the brightest bulb on the block.
1 star = Gag. Avoid at all costs.
Happy reading! --Ms. Sarah, Youth Services Librarian
