Addicted to YA discussion

I'm trying to get back into reading as someone who has always enjoyed fantasy. I have always liked reading books with characters either in my age range or older, because most of the time I just cannot relate to younger characters. I am looking for a book or even better a series that has a whimsical atmosphere- fantasy that is unconventional or quirky, with either a fairytale kind of vibe or more of a sinister mysterious one with twists and mystery. I would prefer the lead character to be a girl/woman, who is at least 15 years or older. I also would love if it relies less on dialogue that seems very cheesy or like an attempt at making the characters sound "gen-z"-like by an obviously older author. It's fine if its a little bit, but i've noticed some books sound like they were written by whoever writes the riverdale script. I also like slowburn romance subplots, but if there aren't any then the atmosphere or plot should def make up for it. Please give me your best recommendations!

I'm not sure how whimsical it is, but the Shadowfell trilogy by Juliet Marillier is definitely different and might fit the bill.

Hi Alison.
I'm not sure if you would call this whimsical, but The Jewel of Arcturus is a YA fantasy. The main character Leah is in her early twenties. It's a warrior/love story set in a different realm. Very character driven, full of twists and turns.

When Leah discovers a dusty old chest hidden away in the attic, the truth about her grandmother’s past starts to unfold. Driven by visions in her dreams, Leah leaves the comfort of twenty-first-century England for the brutal life of medieval Arcturus. There she discovers that her life has been predetermined to intertwine with two warriors and a young carpenter. Together they set out to rid the kingdom of Alina, Leah’s aunt. With only the words of an old magical book which writes warnings of the future, they aim to destroy Alina and the powerful stone she has used to hold the kingdom within her shadows.

Where winds blow so cold they can freeze the warmest of hearts, can love find its way through?
548 pages, Paperback

The School for Good and Evil is a good choice. It is about a school for storybook characters that are taken by the brother Grim and sent to the school to be a continuation/next generation of the fairytale story. I think that you will like it there are like 6 or 7 books I am doing a re-read since the TV show series is coming out.

Once & Future
Fantasy/sci-fi, very unique plot, and generally a great read

I HAVE THE PERFECT ONE!
Caraval by Stephanie Garber is super whimsical and not super modern. The main character is an older teen girl.

Would you be interested in reading my debut novel Wild Souls? It's a YA romance with fantasy elements.

A Winter's Promise by Christielle Dabos. Main character is around mid twenty. The world building is quite nice and the magic system good integrated. Plot gets a bit darker at the end of the series.

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge!!! TO-DIE-FOR enemies-to-lovers romance, full of lush fairytale vibes without being cheesy or cringe.

Hey,
I think you will enjoy reading The Cruel Prince
As you wanted, the lead character is indeed a girl of age 17-18. It is all set in a fairyland and the fantasy vibes are strong. The romance is the real gold in the book. I hope you will like it!

allison ♡ wrote: "I'm trying to get back into reading as someone who has always enjoyed fantasy. I have always liked reading books with characters either in my age range or older, because most of the time I just can..."

Hi Allison, I'm appy to hear you are getting back into reading. I have a debut YA fantasy series you may like. Book 1 is "Chasing Time" (Adrielle Maddox). It's an adventure, mystery, wild ride with a love story that spans all three books. Here is the link if you'd like to try it out: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Adriel...

Throne of glass

Six Crimson Cranes!

Sonja wrote: "A Winter's Promise by Christielle Dabos. Main character is around mid twenty. The world building is quite nice and the magic system good integrated. Plot gets a bit darker at the end of the series."

My first thought after reading "whimsical fantasy".
I admire how this book has climate from best child stories (rich world construction, extraordinary names), but is serious and complex at the same time. And for me it has perfect romance - very slow, concentrated on relation, not desire and taking very little place at book at all.

Twilight is a human and vampire romance (not really that scary) with no smut and (AHHH) EDWARD CULLEN! It also has a movie!! The main character is like 17 or 18

This is not whimsical fantasy, but maybe when you want to read something else you could look at

The Anna Davies Mystery Series

Five mysteries in one! Missing in Egypt, Missing at Sea, Missing in London, Missing in France and Missing in Australia. Five stand-alone books set on far-flung continents, the only link being Anna herself. Australian Anna Davies is working as a Personal Assistant when she becomes involved in a mystery which takes her to the temples of Egypt. Three years later, trying to put the past behind her on a cruise from Sydney to London, she finds herself thinking about the woman who fell overboard. Later in life, she is embroiled in finding a missing author and his latest manuscript. When her husband, Mike, takes a two-year contract in France, Anna is once again searching for answers. In Australia, Anna finds herself in the outback, trying to locate her best friend's missing husband. Travel with Anna as she immerses herself in these mysteries.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas sounds like the perfect series. The main character is Celaena Sardothien, she is 18 and it is a fantasy/mystery/romance/mystical theme. My new favorite series!

Lost in the Never Woods. A Peter Pan reimagining. It does become a little dark at parts, but it is absolutely littered with little parts that will make you at least smile, if not giggle.

Can I promote my own book? The main character is a 19-year-old mage named Maia with a penchant for mischief and trickery. Her two best friends are a Fey wizard apprentice and a part-dragon scholar who was her college roommate, both of which join her on a quest to find her missing father. The story is Urban Fantasy with plenty of magic, mystery, and shenanigans, plus a slow-burn romance throughout the series. It's called SEARCHING FOR MAGIC and it's available as an e-book on amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXBCZTTT

The Sweetest Spell

I truly do not remember how old the main character is, but she's gotta be at least 15. You want whimsy? This is whimsy. She talks to cows and can make chocolate (a rare commodity in that world). I remember liking this one's vibes.

PLEASE try Into the Deep
It's an underground college coming of age YA with a lot of natural forest magic
Some romance but not too much, definitely influenced by folklore/fairy tales from scotland