When it comes to young adult fantasy novels, Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco has got a little something for everyone who loves the genre. The expansive supernatural worldbuilding, witches, demons, werewolves, romance, mystery, hidden magic…the unique universe and intricate plot of this YA trilogy capture your imagination.
If you’ve enjoyed all three books in the series, you are likely looking for a new young adult fantasy book like Kingdom of the Wicked you’ll love for all the same reasons. We’ve rounded up the 20 best young adult fantasy books like Kingdom of the Wicked to add to your shelves.
The 20 Best Books Like Kingdom of the Wicked
These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1) by Lexi Ryan
If your favorite YA fantasy books are romance-driven plots, These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan is a must.
With her sister’s future on the line, Fae-hating Brie has to make a deal to get her back. Unfortunately for Brie, that means posing as a maybe-bride for Prince Ronan, who Brie starts to have feelings for. But when she accepts help from a motley crew of Unseelies, she finds herself also drawn to their leader, Finn.
This young adult fantasy book by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Ryan can be purchased here.
Mindwalker (Mindwalker #1) by Kate Dylan
Get ready for an action-packed sci-fi adventure in the cyberpunk dystopian fantasy novel Mindwalker by Kate Dylan. Kate Dylan’s master of prose and wicked imagination bring this gritty adrenaline rush to life, perfect for Kingdom of the Wicked fans.
Sil Sarrah is eighteen years old and will die in 12 months. As a Mindwalker for the Syntex Corporation, she has a perfect record saving imperiled field agents and intends to keep it. But when a mission takes a wrong turn, Sil sets out to prove her loyalty, only to discover an awful truth that could ruin everything.
Grab a copy of this thrilling post-apocalyptic YA fantasy book here.
City of Nightmares (City of Nightmares #1) by Rebecca Schaeffer
Do you like young adult fantasy novels of humorous and horror fashion? Look no further than City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaefer.
In Ness’s world, you can become your Nightmare, a possibility for her future that Ness has been terrified of ever since her sister became one. To avoid a similar fate, Ness joins the cult-ish Friends of the Restful Soul…but membership doesn’t come without its price.
As hilarious as it is gritty, City of Nightmares is a YA fantasy book you don’t want to miss. Get a copy here.
Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston
Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston is filled with vampires, romance, and magic and is one of the best YA romance fantasy books for fans of Kingdom of the Wicked.
A vampire orphaned Ava and Parker. Almost a decade later, Ava is ready to avenge her mother’s death by joining a troupe of vampire hunters who use magic in their hunt. There’s just one catch: Ava must prove her worthiness in a dangerous competition with deadly stakes.
The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1) by Roshani Chokshi
If the historical fiction aspect of Kingdom of the Wicked got the pages turning for you, you’ve got to check out The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, another historical fiction YA fantasy book.
Wealthy hotel manager and treasure hunter Séverin Montagnet-Alarie has been chosen by the Order of Babel to hunt down an artifact. His reward? His true inheritance. Séverin recruits a disparate group to help him on his conquest across the heart of Paris that might change history – if they can survive the mission.
We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal
We Hunt the Flames by New York Times bestselling author Hafsah Faizal is the perfect next read for Kingdom of the Wicked fans.
Zafira is the Hunter, facing the cursed Arz forest to help her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, son of the sultan, and assassin of anyone who defies his father. Both conceal truths that could be their undoing, though both consent to their respective roles. With war on the horizon, Zafira goes on a quest to stop the Arz, and Nasir is sent to kill the Hunter. However, neither is prepared for what the truth behind their missions will reveal.
Buy a copy of this thrilling young adult fantasy novel here.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Looking to add more mystery to your life à la YA fantasy novels? Look no further than Olivie Blake’s bestselling book, The Atlas Six.
Follow six talented magicians selected to earn their place in the secretive Alexandrian Society. For one year, they must live together at the Society’s headquarters, where they will study and learn how their powers can work together. The catch? Only five will ultimately earn their place, and one will be eliminated – maybe permanently.
Dive into this thrilling mystery with your copy, which you can buy here.
These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong
New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong delivers a monster-filled revamp on a Shakespearean classic: Romeo and Juliet. Only this time, it’s in fair Shanghai where we lay our scene.
Juliette Cai of the Scarlet Gang has returned from her banishment for falling in love with Roma, the son of her family’s rival gang, the White Flowers. But when they suspect a mysterious plague killing their family is caused by a monster in the river, the gangs must come together to stop it.
This delightful YA fantasy book is perfect for your next read. Buy a copy here.
Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves #1) by Mary E. Pearson
Part of the New York Times bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, Dance of Thieves by Mary E Pearson is another young adult fantasy romance packed with adventure that should be at the top of your TBR list.
Jase is the new leader of the Ballenger empire, taking the throne of his outlaw-governed kingdoms. However, when the infamous thief Kazi is sent by her queen to investigate Jase, Kazi learns there’s far more to him than she expected. Soon, the two are drawn together by events out of their control, and they must embark on secret missions.
Get a copy of the first book in this epic YA fantasy series here.
Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by Tricia Levenseller
Set sail on a YA fantasy adventure with the Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller, sure to be loved by all Kingdom of the Wicked fans.
Seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa has a unique approach to finding the ancient treasure map that will lead her to an infamous treasure trove: she gets captured by her enemy – on purpose. Using her time as a captive to search her enemy’s ships for the map, Alosa has everything under control…until she meets Riden, the attractive first mate.
Buy a copy of this wonderful young adult fantasy book here.
Into the Crooked Place (Into the Crooked Place #1) by Alexandra Christo
International bestselling author Alexandra Christo brings an imaginative and unique twist on magic to life in her novel Into the Crooked Place.
In Creije, most magic is illegal, bought and sold in secret. When dark magic threatens to destroy Creije and everyone in it, four crooks must work together to save it…that is if they can trust one another.
This gritty YA fantasy novel can be purchased here.
Waking the Witch by Rachel Burge
You won’t be able to put down the delightfully witchy and creepy Waking the Witch by Rachel Burge, one of the best young adult fantasy novels for fans of Kingdom of the Wicked.
Steeped in Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend, this brilliant coming-of-age tale follows Ivy, a seventeen-year-old searching for her mother after spending her whole childhood in foster homes. But once she finds her, dark, mysterious things start to happen. With only herself to rely on, Ivy is about to discover that legends aren’t always what they seem.
Get a copy of this captivating young adult fantasy novel here.
Daughter of Darkness (House of Shadows #1) by Katharine Cross and Elizabeth Corr
Bestselling sister author-team Katharine and Elizabeth Corr are at it again with their YA fantasy book Daughter of Darkness. Based on Greek mythology, this epic tale of the Underworld is perfect for fans of Kingdom of the Wicked.
Deina is a Soul Severer who serves Hades on Earth, cursed to shepherd the dying to the Underworld. Opportunity to buy out of her responsibilities knocks in the form of Orpheus, who has promised freedom to whoever can retrieve Eurydice from the Underworld. And while Deina is eager to complete the task, it means teaming up with a crew of Soul Severers she doesn’t trust.
You can get a copy of this intriguing and vivid YA fantasy here.
With Fire In Their Blood (Skeleton Keepers #1) by Kat Delacorte
Another great YA fantasy romance you’ve got to check out is With Fire in Their Blood, the first novel in the Skeleton Keepers series by Kat Delacorte.
Lilly’s last years of high school, and she couldn’t be less thrilled to spend them in secluded Castello, Italy, especially given the town’s intense history of mafia-family war. Order is kept by a strict General who ensures nothing non-human gets into the city: Purity is the number one rule. When Lilly befriends a rebellious group, she may find love – until she breaks the most important rule of her new city.
Get this dark, magical dystopian young adult fantasy book here.
The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the perfect next series for everyone who devoured the Kingdom of the Wicked series.
Inheriting a billionaire’s fortune seems like a dream come true, but for Avery Grambs, it’s a mystery. She has no idea who Tobias Hawthorne is or why she’s up to inherit his fortune, especially when his four grandsons expected to get it. But claiming the inheritance comes with a catch: Avery must move into the Hawthorne House with the rest of the Hawthorne family. Soon after, Avery finds herself piecing together clues to determine why she was chosen.
This fast-paced, puzzle-filled YA fantasy romance series awaits. Get a copy of the first book of four here.
All the Stars and Teeth(All the Stars and Teeth Duology #1) by Adalyn Grace
Prepare yourself for an adventure sure to keep the pages turning with the bestselling YA fantasy novel All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace.
Amora Montara is more than just a princess of Visidia. She’s also training to become a master of souls. Not that she had much choice in the matter, unlike everyone else in the realm. Mastering her magic is the only way to secure her as heir to the throne. But when she is forced to flee after a catastrophic demonstration, she makes a deal with Bastian, a pirate. However, new magic threatens to undo everything unless Amora can conquer it.
Pick up this instant New York Times Bestseller here.
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Bracken delivers a tale fit for Kingdom of the Wicked fans in her phenomenal YA fantasy novel Lore.
During the Agon, nine Greek gods must walk the earth as mortals and be hunted by those who wish to seize power and immortality. In the wake of her family’s murder, Lore Perseous chose to turn her back on any thoughts of revenge on the man-turned-god who killed them. But then a friend she’d long thought dead and Athena, one of the last original gods, seek her help just before the next hunt. Their alliance may be Lore’s way out for good…if she can survive the rise of the new god.
Purchase your copy of this Greek-mythology-filled YA fantasy here.
Fable (Fable #1) by Adrienne Young
If you enjoy high-stakes adventures with female protagonists, add Fable by bestselling author Adrienne Young to your reading stack.
Abandoned on an island with little to survive, seventeen-year-old Fable is learning to survive by keeping to herself and using the skills she learned from her late mother. Determined to get off the island and reunite with her father, the most powerful trader in the Narrows, Fable teams up with a young trader named West. But it turns out West isn’t who he says he is, and there is much more to fear in the Narrows than the dangerous storms.
Buy a copy of this thrilling YA fantasy adventure here.
The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black
With an abundance of books to her name, #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black knows how to spin a yarn. The Cruel Prince is one of her YA fantasy books perfect for Kingdom of the Wicked fans.
As a human living in the High Court Faerie, Jude desperately wants to belong, even though many Fey want nothing to do with humans. Unfortunately, Prince Cardan, the youngest and most wicked son of the High King, is one of the Fey who despise humans, and Jude is forced to oppose him and suffer the consequences, ultimately risking her life to save herself, her sisters, and all of Faerie.
You can get a copy of this gripping, twisted YA fantasy here.
Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin
Shelby Mahurin delivers an incredible young adult fantasy tale filled with witches, magic, and romance in her debut novel Serpent & Dove.
Louise la Blanc is a witch who has given up magic, fleeing her coven to live in the shadows of Cesarine. Reid Diggory is a witch hunter who was never supposed to meet Louise. But after chaos brings them together, they find they need one another to survive, so they make an arrangement: they get married. But the war between the Church and witches rages on, and when Lou and Reid develop real feelings for one another, their once-simple arrangement gets complicated.
Buy a copy of this brilliant, beautifully written YA fantasy novel here.
Final Thoughts
Kingdom of the Wicked is a beloved young adult fantasy series that leaves readers wanting more – more adventure, more magic, more romance, and more lore. Even though the Kingdom of the Wicked series isn’t set to have any more books added to the series, there are plenty of other YA fantasy books to enjoy. This list of the 20 best YA fantasy books like Kingdom of the Wicked is just the beginning.
Happy reading!
FAQ
What age range is Kingdom of the Wicked?
Kingdom of the Wicked is in the young adult genre, typically written for ages 12-18. However, Kingdom of the Wicked is generally recommended for ages 16+.
Will there be a 4th book in the Kingdom of the Wicked series?
Unfortunately, no. The third and final book in the series is Kingdom of the Feared. But don’t worry: even though the series ends there, Kerri Maniscalco completes it satisfactorily.
What book is Kerri Maniscalco best known for?
Kerri Maniscalco became a #1 New York Times Bestselling author with her debut series Stalking Jack the Ripper.
What is a YA fantasy book?
Young Adult Fantasy (a.k.a YA Fantasy) is a subset of the fantasy genre aimed at readers ages 12-18. Generally, the protagonist is under 18, and since it is fantasy, the plot includes elements of magic, mythology, and lore.
What is the most popular YA genre?
While it’s hard to say which is the most popular, some more popular YA genres include fantasy, romance, dystopian novels, and contemporary fiction. The Young Adult genre is one of the most popular genres among readers of all ages and one of the fastest-growing categories in recent years.
Maile Allen discovered her love for books as a young child browsing the shelves at bookstores and libraries. Reading and writing are how she makes sense of the world, and she cannot remember a time when she was not absorbing stories and making up her own. Maile holds her Bachelor of Arts in Film and currently works in marketing. Find her at maileallen.com, and follow her on Twitter on Instagram @mailewrites
