Best Country & Ethnic Fairy Tales & Folklore Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh is a captivating feminist retelling of the Korean folktale "The Tale of Shim Cheong." Mina, the main character, sacrifices herself to save her brother and is transported to the Spirit Realm, where she sets out to wake the Sea God and end the killer storms that have ravaged her homeland for generations. Oh's world-building and character development are outstanding, and the book is a must-read for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a beautifully written fantasy romance book for teens and young adults that explores themes of sacrifice, family, and love.

The second book in the This Woven Kingdom series, These Infinite Threads, takes readers on an exhilarating ride. The novel is full of explosive magic, heart-wrenching romance, and shocking betrayals. The plot follows Alizeh, the heir to the Jinn throne, and Kamran, the crown prince of the Ardunian empire, as they fight to save their kingdoms and their love. The author, Tahereh Mafi, weaves a spell of destiny and danger, forbidden love and courtly intrigue, magic, and revolution. These Infinite Threads is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy books for teens and young adults.

Summer of the Mariposas is a magical journey of five sisters who embark on a heroic odyssey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico. Guadalupe Garcia McCall's retelling of The Odyssey is not only a celebration of sisterhood and maternal love but also a unique and vibrant addition to the Country & Ethnic Fairy Tales & Folklore Books for Teens & Young Adults category. With supernatural aid and fantastic trials, the sisters outsmart a witch and her Evil Trinity on their road to their long-lost grandmother's house. Originality and vibrancy shine through to make this story a worthwhile read.

This Woven Kingdom is an epic fantasy book for teens and young adults. Written by Tahereh Mafi, it is the first book in an exquisite trilogy inspired by Persian mythology. The book tells the story of Alizeh, the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, who is forced to hide in plain sight as a disposable servant. The forbidden romance, clashing empires, and the prophecy of a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people make for a spellbinding read. Mafi's clever prose, breathtaking world-building, and delicious twists make this book unique. This Woven Kingdom is a must-read that will leave readers speechless.

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee is a Japanese-inspired fantasy novel that follows the story of Miuko, an ordinary girl who becomes cursed and begins to transform into a demon. In her quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life, she discovers her true power and must navigate the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans coexist. This coming of age fantasy book is perfect for teens and young adults who enjoy Studio Ghibli films. The book offers a unique blend of Japanese culture, mythology, and fantasy elements that make it a compelling read. Overall, A Thousand Steps into Night is a well-written and enjoyable book that is definitely worth checking out.

A Taste of Poison: A Snow White Retelling (Entangled with Fae) is an upper YA/NA standalone novel that retells the Snow White story with a twist. The story follows half-fae Astrid Snow, who is accused of poisoning her father and forced into hiding. She finds herself in the Seven Sins Hotel where she meets bear shifter Torben Davenport, who serves the fae royals as their personal Huntsman. The Spring Queen offers him a bargain to erase his debts for good, which involves finding the queen's runaway stepdaughter and cutting out her heart. The book is a slow-burn romance with moderate steam, mature situations, moderate violence and gore, substance abuse, and some adult language. The editor recommends this book to those who like fairytale retellings with brooding heroes, grumpy sunshine romances, and just one bed.

Beasts of Ruin is an action-packed young adult fantasy novel that picks up where the bestselling Beasts of Prey left off. In this much-anticipated sequel, Koffi and Ekon continue their fight against the god of death with greater powers and darker secrets. The story is filled with vivid details and engaging themes of heritage, betrayal, and erasure, making it a riveting read for fans of the genre. The characters are beautifully realized, and the plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats throughout. Overall, Beasts of Ruin is a stellar sequel that deepens the characters and leaves readers wanting more stories set in this captivating world.

The Fair Isle Trilogy: Complete Series Collection is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy about a human girl who is sent to marry a fae king with razor-sharp fangs and a thirst for blood. The trilogy features three full-length novels in a single volume: To Carve a Fae Heart, To Wear a Fae Crown, and To Spark a Fae War. The story is perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince, ACOTAR, and The Iron King, with snarky fae, brooding fae royals, sizzling romance, and fierce heroines. The book is upper YA/NA featuring moderate steam, mature situations, some violence/gore, and some adult language. The Fair Isle Trilogy is a unique and captivating read that will leave readers wanting more.

Master of Souls is the electrifying conclusion to Rena Barron's Kingdom of Souls trilogy. The story follows Arrah, who sacrifices almost everything in her battle against the Demon King. Now, she must decipher the legacy of her past life as the orisha Dimma and forge an uneasy alliance between the Demon King and the remaining orishas to restore peace to their worlds. This thrilling finale is set in a richly imagined world inspired by voodoo and folk magic and is perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Strange the Dreamer. Barron expertly weaves together immortal magic, shocking twists, and star-crossed romance, creating an epic YA fantasy that readers won't be able to put down.