7 YA Reads for Game of Thrones Fans

The Wrath And The Dawn, by Renee Ahdieh
Drawing from the grandeur of a magical, Middle Eastern–flavored setting, this A Thousand And One Nights unspinning has it all—revolution and politics, a slow-simmering, impossible romance, and vengeance, of course, all unfolding in lush, lyrical language. Smart and resourceful Shazi, on a suicide mission to kill the Caliph of Khorasan—who’s married then murdered countless girls, including her best friend—discovers herself fighting to survive instead. And finding love with the enemy in the process? Confounding, yes. But delicious indeed.

Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo
Building from elements of Russian and Slavic Myth, this reluctant Chosen One narrative follows Alina Skarkov as she’s swept up into a world of devious political machinations involving a Rasputin-like figure. Hailed by the Darkling as the Sun Summoner, she’s charged with overcoming the darkness that falls over Ravka. A twisty, thrilling, magic-filled world filled with gorgeous world-building and rich, detailed storytelling.

The Young Elites, by Marie Lu
A survivor of the ravaging blood fever, Adelina Amouteru finds herself blessed—or is it cursed?—with otherworldly powers, ones that leave her marked for death as a Young Elite by Teren Santoro and his Inquisition Axis. With a dark, scarred, “unlikable” female narrator who’s nonetheless riveting and embraceable; fast-paced, alternating POVs that keep you flipping pages; astounding, vivid world-building; and a shattering plot, this one will leave you breathless and ready for more.

An Ember In the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir
The book most likely to throw its own Red Wedding? Tahir’s An Ember In the Ashes, boasting a fantasy world as intricate, unrelenting, and violent as Game of Thrones. Can a scholar and a soldier—sworn enemies—bridge the societal divide and cull through centuries of mysticism to understand both one another and what lies at the heart of their empire’s struggle?

Crimson Bound, Rosamund Hodge
This is not your old school Little Red Riding Hood. Sinister, sexy, and dreamlike, Hodge’s retelling is infused with mythology and moodiness, harkening back to the Beast of Gévaudan. A startlingly smart take, Crimson revels in darkness and magic, beckoning with the lure of the unknown. Plus, great fight scenes!

Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard
Monarchy, rebellions, caste turmoil, forbidden romance—this is one juicy thriller, taking us from the dusty Stilts to the opulent Archeon. In a world divided by blood—the lowly reds and the superior silvers—Mare Barrow goes from being a frustrated pickpocket to the King’s minion in the span of days. Posing as a Silver princess, she’s secretly aiding the Scarlet Rebellion, even as it means risky her own life and those of the ones she loves. 

The Winner’s Curse, by Marie Rutkoski
What is they say about all that glitters? Chock full of courtly intrigue, The Winner’s Curse is a forbidden romance with a deep darkness at it’s core. A general’s daughter buys a slave, and unwittingly falls in love. The problem? He’s working to infiltrate her house and, in doing so, bring down the ruling class. Imagine a YA that’s all about House Lannister versus House Stark, showcasing the best and the worst of both families.