The Best Coming of Age Fantasy Books (2024 Edition)

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The coming of age storyline is a fantastic trope that is used across just about every genre.

Just because it is common does not mean it is boring or overused; just the opposite, actually.

Coming of age fantasy books are full of excitement and magic.

They tell stories of young people figuring out who they are and what is important to them.

Often, themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust are woven throughout coming-of-age fantasy books, making them a great choice for readers of any age.

If you are looking for a list of some of the best coming-of-age fantasy books, you have come to the right place.

Keep reading to learn about some of these incredible books and find your next read. 

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is a trilogy of novels by Tad Williams.

This series is a worldwide bestseller, and with good reason.

George R. R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire series, notes that he takes great inspiration from this series.

Fans of Martin’s work will certainly find a home in Williams’ writing.

This series is an epic fantasy series that is full of action scenes, adventures, and dragons.

Throughout the series, the author writes from many different points of view, so readers get a deep look at many different characters, both protagonist and antagonist. 

Though there are many different perspectives to read from, the main storyline follows a young man named Simon who is a kitchen scullion in the castle of the royal family.

He is the focus of the coming of age storyline, and the reader can learn and grow alongside him throughout the series.

Simon has a great sense of adventure, and he uncovers secrets that land him in a bit of trouble.

Readers who enjoy mystery and adventurous young protagonists will love this series.

It is one of the best coming-of-age fantasy books out there. 

The Broken Empire

The Broken Empire is yet another coming-of-age trilogy by Mark Lawrence.

This series follows a young man, Jorg, as he grows up and becomes emperor of a post-apocalyptic Europe.

He faces a huge amount of trauma and sorrow in his life, and the reader is there for every part of it.

Flashbacks are used throughout this series, giving Jorg even more depth and personality. 

Following the murder of Jorg’s brother and mother, he becomes very unsympathetic to the feelings of others. He does not concern himself with their suffering, so he can hurt and kill people to become emperor.

He forms a band of outlaws to help him on his quest, and it is a group of murderers, thieves, and knights that he surrounds himself with.

This group of criminals faces many obstacles and challenges, and they each have fantastic character arcs that demonstrate their change and growth, for good or for bad. 

This is a series that is packed with many action scenes.

There are many deaths and brutal murders, but it does not get overly graphic.

There are also deep themes throughout this series, but it is certainly a fantastic coming-of-age fantasy series. 

Shattered Sea

The Shattered Sea series is a trilogy by Joe Abercrombie.

Fans of fantasy are familiar with Abercrombie and know that he writes some of the best coming-of-age fantasy books.

He is an important part of the genre, so you cannot discuss coming-of-age fantasy without mentioning him.

This series is no different.

Though it may not be Abercrombie’s most popular or well-known series, it is full of great characters, a fantastic storyline, and many adventures. 

The Shattered Sea trilogy uses several different points of view throughout each book, but the main focus is on Yarvi, a young man who becomes king following his father’s death.

Yarvi faces many challenges after his ascension to the throne, and there are several people who attempt to take it from him.

As the series progresses, Yarvi begins to figure out who he is and what kind of leader he wants to be.

With the help of his advisors and friends, he grows up and becomes the ruler he was always meant to be. 

This series has an interesting setting, and it only adds detail and depth to the world.

Though it may seem like a fantasy world, it actually takes place in Scandinavia thousands of years in the future.

It is very reminiscent of medieval fantasy, and there are epic battles, knights, royalty, and magic that contribute to that feeling.

It is a great series for readers looking to escape the real world and become a king alongside a young man. 

The Wakening 

The Wakening is a series of novels by Jonathan Renshaw.

There is only one novel in publication at the moment, but there are at least two more coming in the future.

Though this series is not yet complete, it has received rave reviews from readers around the world.

The first novel in this series is Dawn of Wonder.

It Incorporates many different genres such as historical fantasy, epic fantasy, and sci-fi, alongside the main coming of age story. 

This series follows Aedan, a young man who is constantly going on adventures.

He is known for getting into trouble and causing mayhem around his quiet town.

When a high-ranking officer visits the town, Aedan begins to discover secrets about him and the town.

He ventures on many epic quests.

The novel has an eerie and ominous vibe to it.

It is full of suspense and terror on just about every page.

Even in the single novel of the series that has been published so far, readers begin to see how Aedan will grow up and become a fierce man. 

Coming of Age Fantasy Books: Conclusion

If you are looking for the best coming-of-age fantasy books, I hope this article was helpful.

You can’t go wrong with any of the series above; they will take you on journeys that lead through incredible fantasy worlds. 

And if you have some of your own recommendations you want to be featured in this list, leave a message in the comments below!

Lastly, if you want to read more about book recommendations on this website, check out:

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