18 insanely thrilling books like Legendborn you’ll love

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Recently updated on July 14th, 2024 at 11:20 am

Looking for books like Legendborn? Here are 18 page-turning ya fantasy books you seriously need to read

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Secret societies, dark academia and magic. Legendborn is one of my all time favourite reads.  Once you get into this ya fantasy book it’s almost impossible to put down.

With it’s twisty plot and dark academia world building. And if you’re anything like me, then  you also wanted to read more books like this one once you’d finished.

Well you’re in luck, I’ve rounded upp the absolute best  books like Legendborn.

Whether you’re looking for ya fantasy books, books about hidden worlds or books with strong female characters. This post has got you covered.

This post is all about books like Legendborn

What are the best books like Legendborn?

1. Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

This is an action-packed fantasy book with an incredible main character. And it executes the found family trope perfectly.

We follow 16-year-old Deka. She lives in a village where all the girls undergo a blood ceremony. If their blood runs gold – they are impure.

Deka has lived in fear of this ceremony. And on the day – her blood runs gold. And Deka must face consequences worse than death.

But then a mysterious woman comes to her rescue. And offers her the chance to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her.

This book is not for everyone – it has a lot of violence. Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

2. Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Lore is ideal if you enjoyed the way mythology/legends was woven into the plot of Legendborn. It reads as Greek mythology meets The Hunger Games.

Every seven years Greek Gods are hunted by descendants of ancient bloodlines. If the hunters succeed they seize their immortality. It follows Lore Perseus who has turned her back on this world.  But as the next hunt dawns, two participants seek out her help.

Lore features a strong female lead, trials and a hidden world. Alexandra Bracken did an exceptional job at building the concept. It hooks you in from the first chapter. Perfect if you’re after books like Legendborn.

3. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

A great recommendation if you enjoy mythology in fantasy books. This features Mexican mythology and trials.

Set in a world where the Mexican Gods and Goddesses are real. And they had children – the semidioses. 

As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished to that Sol can keep travelling along the sky and keep the Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses aged between thirteen and eighteen are chosen as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. 

If you’re after books like Legendborn, you’ll love this incredible fantasy book.

4. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

A fast-paced adventure story with magical West-Africa inspired worldbuilding. It has an incredible main character.

There used to be magic in Orïsha. Zélie remembers how powerful her reaper mother was. But one-night magic disappears and Zelie is left without hope.

She now has to bring back the magic with the help of a runaway princess. Orïsha is full of danger everywhere. But Zeéie’s greatest danger is herself.

Children of Blook and Bone has much in common with Legendborn – A strong female lead and magic. But it also explores much darker themes such as racially charged violence. And that makes it a really powerful read.

5. Crescent City by Sarah J Maas

Did you enjoy the worldbuilding and mystery in Legendborn? Then you’ll love Crescent City.

We follow Bryce, she is half-fae, half-human. And she is tasked with investigating a series of crimes with Hunt Athalar – a fallen angel. But they discover some dark powers at work.

The romance is excellent. A sassy main character and a grumpy male love interest. Both characters grow and learn from each other. The writing style is very similar to Legendborn.

Highly recommend if you want books like Legendborn.

6. Cemetary Boys by Aiden Thomas

An autumnal fantasy with Mexican mythology woven into the plot. It also features a transgender main character and an adorable romance.

Cemetery Boys follows Yadriel whose traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender.

To prove himself, he performs a ritual. And sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin.

The Mexican Mythology woven into the plot makes this ideal for fans of Legendborn. Aiden Thomas writes incredible fantasy books – atmospheric, unique plots and excellent character development.

7. We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

A Ya dystopian novel with Sapphic romance and Latine representation. This is ideal if you enjoyed the dark academia worldbuilding.

We Set The Dark On Fire follows  Daniela Vargas. She lives in a dystopian world where each man is entitled to 2 wives. A Primera and a Segunda. The Primera is intelligent, calm and analytical. The Segunda is the mother figure.

Outside the wall, the people go hungry. Dani started life outside of the wall. And she must use her wits to survive illegally in the capital. She is also married to one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

With excellent worldbuilding, dark academia tones and discussion of immigration politics, this is ideal for Legendborn fans.

8. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Kalynn Bayron writes some of the best contemporary fantasy books! This Poison Heart weaves mythology into the storyline. And it features amazing plant magic.

This Poison Heart follows Briseis. She has a magic gift where she can magic tiny seeds grow into rich blooms with a single touch.

Her aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York. And it’s there she must uncover her family’s heritage and secrets.

If you ‘re searching for books like Legendborn then you HAVE to read this book. The way mythology is woven into the plot reminds me of how Deonn incorporates Arthurian legends into Legendborn.  It also features a Black heroine, supportive same-sex parents and elemental magic.

9. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron

A Cinderella retelling with a twist on the classic story with BIPOC characters and a wlw romance.

The premise is that teen girls are now required to appear at an annual ball where men select wives. But Sophia wants to marry her childhood best friend Erin. And isn’t a fan of the whole parade in front of suitors thing.

She decides to flee and decided to take down the king once and for all.

The dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story makes this book so unique. The romance is a bit insta-lovey but it’s so well developed that it’s still engaging.

10. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Dragons, magic and incredible worldbuilding. This is a gripping fantasy series.

We follow Shiori. She is the only princess in Kiata. Shiori lives in a land where magic is banned. And demons are locked away inside a mountain. But forbidden magic runs through her veins.

Shiori normally conceals it. But on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, she loses control. And she attracts the attention of her stepmother Raikama.

The worldbuilding in this book is exquisite. If you’re looking for books like Legendborn you should read this one.

11. Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

If you enjoyed Legendborn then you’ll love Blood Like Magic. It’s a ya urban fantasy book about a teen witch. It’s the perfect choice if you’re searching for books with Black Girls with magic.

It follows Voya. After years of waiting for her Calling—a trial every witch must pass in order to come into their powers—the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail.

But then Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling. So she agrees. But she’s horrified when her task is to kill her first love. 

And failure means every Thomas Witch will be stripped of their magic. With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline.

12. Babel by R.F. Kuang

Babel is an excellent fantasy book that discusses racism in Academia.

We follow Robin Swift. Orphaned by cholera, The mysterious Professor Lovell brings him to London.

There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek and Chinese. All to prepare for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation.  Known as Babel.

If you enjoyed the discussions of racism in Legendborn, then this is the book for you.

13. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Searching for dark academia fantasy books? These Violent Delights is a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai.

Set in Shanghai in 1926, aA blood feud between two gangs leaves the city helpless.  And in the grip of chaos.

We follow Juliette Cai, an 18 year old at the heart of all the chaos. She’s a former flapper. And she’s returned to assume her role as heir of the Scarlet Gang —a network of criminals far above the law.

 Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows.

14. The Poppy Wars by R.F. Kuang

A strong female lead, a magical world and discussions of prejudice in Academia. This is an incredible fantasy books ideal for Legendborn fans.

Rin aces the Keju – a test to find the most talented youth to learn at Academies. And it was a huge shock when she gets into Sinegard – an elite military school in Nikan.

But surprises aren’t always good.

R.F Kuang expertly weaves discussions of complex themes into thrilling fantasy storylines. You will want to read the rest of the series as soon as you finish this book. Perfect if you want books like Legendborn.

15. The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport

An action-packed fantasy debut about deadly warrior trials. It also features magic. An excellent read for fans of Fourth Wing.

For his granddaughter, Ikenna, the only thing steady in her life was the man who had saved Mareen. The man who had trained her in secret, not just in martial skills, but in harnessing the blood gift that coursed through her.

Who trained her to keep that a secret.

16. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Did you enjoy the discussions of Colonialism and racism in academia? Then I recommend Ace of Spades. This thrilling YA Mystery deals with institutionalized racism.

Ace of Spades it set at  Niveus Private Academy. Here money paves the hallways. And students are never less than perfect. 

Until now. 

An anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light.

This book combines mystery, dark academia worldbuilding with incredible plot twists. The suspense leaves you at the edge of your seat. A profound look at racism in Academia.

17. The Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhouse

The Black Sun is the first book in the Between Earth and Sky Trilogy. The Pre-Colombian Americas inspired the captivating worldbuilding in this book. This is paired with magic and political intrigue.

In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.

Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

Slow burn romance, epic high-fantasy, sea captains and villains. This book has everything. Plus the novel is full of casually queer characters woven into the storyline, from bisexual to transgender characters. Highly recommend picking up this LGBTQ+ fantasy book.

18. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Ninth House reads as a darker, grittier version of Legendborn. This paranormal fantasy has an academic setting and an excellent female lead.

We follow Galaxy ‘Alex’ Sterm. She is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. By age 20, she is the only survivor of a horrific unsolved multiple murder. At her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance. Attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride.

But what’s the catch?

Alex is tasked with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

This post was all about books like Legendborn

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