The Best Gift Books for Young Fantasy Fans

Moon Rising (Wings of Fire Book 6), by Tui T. Sutherland
Here’s what kids need to know about the Wings of Fire series: Dragons! Those fire-breathing mythical creatures are already enough of a draw for fantasy fans, but this bestselling series is also full of plot twists and turns, page-turning drama, and exciting battle scenes. A new school, Jade Mountain Academy, has been created; it’s meant to be a place where dragonets from all tribes will gather so they can study together and learn to get along in peace. But Moonwatcher is ambivalent about this school thing, and now that she’s enrolled, her gift of reading minds and peering into the future is about to get her into a lot of trouble.

The Battle of Hackham Heath, by John A. Flanagan
Ranger’s Apprentice author John Flanagan brings young fantasy-adventure fans a second prequel to the series’ first novel, Ruins of Gorlan. In it, readers finally get the full backstory of how Halt came to be Araluen’s most famous Ranger. Former Baron Morgarath is in hiding, but he’s already preparing for his next move, which involves recruiting his savage army of Wargals. In order to foil Morgarath’s plan of attack, Halt must complete a seemingly insurmountable task—climbing the deadly cliffs of the Mountains of Rain and Night. Is he up for the challenge?

Return to the Isle of the Lost (Descendants series #2 B&N Exclusive Edition), by Melissa de la Cruz
Author Melissa de la Cruz is returning to Disney’s Isle of the Lost with this stellar second book in the Descendants series. Now living in Auradon and dating King Ben, Mal thought she left her villainous roots behind her. But she and friends Evie, Carlos, and Jay have all received menacing messages demanding they return to the Isle of the Lost—and they suspect their parents are behind it. Maleficent, Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, and Jafar won’t rest until their kids are back in their clutches and Auradon is destroyed, so the teens are sneaking back to the island to put a stop to it. Will Mal discover she’s still wicked at her core, or has she truly turned over a new leaf?

Serafina and the Twisted Staff, by Robert Beatty
Serafina defeated the Man in the Black Cloak in Serafina and the Black Cloak, and she’s facing a new evil in this equally suspenseful follow-up. One evening, Serafina is attacked by a group of vicious wolfhounds in the forest near her home at Biltmore Estate. The animals seem to be under the control of a terrifying creature—and Serafina believes this stranger isn’t acting alone. Someone else is wreaking havoc at Biltmore, and it’s up to Serafina to put a stop to it.

The Burning Tide (Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts Series #4), by Jonathan Auxier
The riveting Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts series comes to a thrilling conclusion with this fourth installment by Jonathan Auxier. The wicked Wyrm is awakening beneath the surface of Erdas, and Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan have only one hope of saving their home—an ancient trap hidden in Erdas. They’ll have to work with their spirit animals to uncover a secret older than time itself. Otherwise, this could be the end for Erdas and the heroes.

Disney Descendants Wicked World Wish Granted Cinestory Comic, Volume 1, by Disney
This graphic novel adaptation of the hit Disney Descendants movie follows the adventures of Carlos, Jay, Evie, Mal, and Ben as they navigate the treacherous waters of tweendom as the children of some of Disney’s most evil villains. Fans of Melissa de la Cruz’s Descendants series will love this colorful story.

Darkstalker (Wings of Fire: Legends) B&N Exclusive Edition, by Tui T. Sutherland
In this first-ever special edition of the popular Wings of Fire: Legends series, readers will travel back to a time when powerfully dangerous dragons Clearsight, Fathom, and Darkstalker were just dragonets. It’s a surprising story about the origins of evil in Pyrrhia long before the battle of the SandWing queens and the prophecy of the dragonets. Fans of the series will love the new background info and plot twists and turns in this adventurous tale. And bonus: this Barnes & Noble exclusive edition includes seven dragonet game pieces and a Pyrrhia map game board.

The Last Ever After (The School for Good and Evil Series #3), by Sonan Chainani
Sonan Chainani’s riveting School for Good and Evil series explores the darker side of fairy tales, offering uniquely twisted versions of familiar characters and stories children already know and love. The novels follow the exploits of Agatha and Sophie, two very different friends who find themselves enrolled in the mysterious School for Good and Evil, which teaches youngsters the skills they need to become the heroes and villains of fairy tales. But by the time they discover that the legendary school has its own surprising plans for them, it’s too late. The Last Ever After is the third and final novel in this whip-smart adventure trilogy, reminiscent of Harry Potter meets the Brothers Grimm.