In advance of our event next week with bestselling YA fantasy author Julie Kagawa and local legend Rebecca Lim, we highlight some of the best recent YA releases that draw on mythologies from around the world.

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

A naive and mysterious fox spirit and a highly-trained assassin come together in this epic fantasy adventure set in an alternate Japan. Spirited and mischievous human-kitsune girl Yumeko has been raised by monks in the Silent Winds temple, and taught to always control the fox-like aspects of her nature. When the temple is attacked, and her beloved family murdered, Yumeko finds herself on the run, and in possession of a valuable fragment of a fabled scroll. Every thousand years the person in possession of the complete scroll is able to have any wish granted by the great Kami dragon, making for a truly cutthroat atmosphere.

Tatsumi is a deadly young assassin, a Shadow Clan warrior and demon-killer who wields the dangerous sword, Kamigoroshi, the godslayer. He’s in a daily battle with Hakaimono, the demon trapped inside his sword, and must control and subdue his emotions at all times. Tatsumi has been hired to gather together the fragments of the scroll, and kill anyone in the way of this task, including Yumeko.

Peopled with samurai, ronin, shapeshifters, demons, spirits and the undead, Shadow of the Fox is dense, gripping and very, very addictive. The second book in the series, Soul of the Sword is out now. For ages 12 and up.

Nocturna by Maya Motayne

A crown prince and an orphaned thief team up to save the kingdom of Castallan from dark forces in this debut novel set in a magic-soaked, Latinx-inspired world. Streetwise orphan Finn is a faceshifter who can transform her appearance at will. Desperate to clear her debts to a mob boss, Finn attempts to steal a valuable vanishing cloak from the royal palace, but is caught by crown prince Alfehr.

Prince Alfehr is in political and physical peril; he’s still mourning his brother Dez, recently murdered in a coup attempt, and has been searching the world for the forbidden means to bring his brother back. When Alfehr’s cousin Luka ingests poison intended for him, Alfehr accidentally releases the ancient god Sombra, who threatens to unleash eternal darkness on the world. Together Alfehr and Finn work past their initial friction, grapple with their powers, reconcile past pain, try to save their kingdom and find a little time for romance too. For ages 13 and up.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Two teens are pitted against each other in this lush fantasy set in the kingdom of Arawiya and inspired by ancient Arabia. Seventeen-year-old Zafira disguises herself as a man known only as the Hunter, and hunts in the cursed forest of the Arz to feed the people of her caliphate. The sinister Arz is slowly encroaching on the kingdom and threatening her people, so when Zafira learns from a witch that a lost book can restore magic to Arawiya, she sets out to retrieve it.

Prince Nasir – who is so effective as his tyrannical father’s assassin that he’s known as the Prince of Death – is sent to kill the Hunter and seize the book. As Nasir and Zafir’s paths intertwine, an ancient and deadly evil stirs and they must learn to work not just with each other, but with a ragtag team of allies.

With a richly detailed world, witty banter, solid friendships and a touch of forbidden romance, We Hunt the Flame balances action and politics in a heady magical brew. For ages 13 and up.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Julie C. Dao’s wonderful debut is set in a fantastical version of East Asia and riffs off the Snow White fairytale, exploring the genesis of the Evil Queen character through a beautiful young woman, Xifeng. Xifeng has been raised by her aunt Guma in impoverished and abusive circumstances. Guma practises a dark and disturbing type of folk magic, often on Xifeng herself, and has prophesied that Xifeng will rise from her low position to become Empress of Feng Lu. Even though local blacksmith Wei has offered her love and refuge, Xifeng is drawn inexorably to her destiny, and finesses her way into the Imperial Palace.

Once ensconced within palace walls, Xifeng begins her strange and bloody rise to power, playing political games among concubines, eunuchs, handmaids, civil servants and soldiers, and maintaining both her beauty and favour with those that count. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns goes to some truly dark and gory places, and the story of a young woman grappling with malevolent powers, both within and without, is truly fascinating.

Book two in the trilogy, Kingdom Of The Blazing Phoenix, is also available. For ages 13 and up.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Steeped in West African mythology and culture, Children of Blood and Bone is a thrilling fantasy epic that combines bloody action with romance, supernatural powers and a nuanced depiction of prejudice and injustice.

Zélie lives in Orïsha, a place that used to be full of magic – until the evil king Saran ordered all maji, including Zélie’s mother, to be killed. The remaining descendants of the maji now live as the enslaved underclass of diviners, made visible and vulnerable by their white hair and skin tone. When Zelie accidentally comes into contact with the king’s runaway daughter, Princess Amari, she finds herself at the centre of a desperate quest to bring magic back to Orïsha, and in possession of developing powers. Zelie and Amari are pursued by Amari’s brother, Prince Inan, in a tense and unpredictable chase across the kingdom.

Adeyemi has created a fully realised and believable world that reflects real world shortcomings of inequality, colourism, intolerance, division and fear. The book ends on a truly staggering/frustrating cliffhanger, so you’ll be pleased to know that book two, Children of Virtue and Vengeance will be out in December 2019. For ages 13 and up.

Leanne Hall is a children’s and YA specialist at Readings Kids. She also writes books for children and young adults.