Turn the chapter on last year’s literary scenes, and jump into new worlds of adventure with fantasy and science fiction books for teens. Known for crafting incredible worlds of detailed magic or advanced technology, fantasy and science fiction authors can transport you to imaginary territories ripe for exploration. Looking for some fresh excitement in 2025? Enroll in a magical school, spy on a bubbling dystopian revolution, or survive an intergalactic war by traveling to new worlds at your library. Read on for a full list of recommended reads, upcoming otherworldly teen library events, and a handy library resource that can help with future fantasy or science fiction adventuring.
COLLECTION
- A Song of Salvation by Alechia Dow (also available on Hoopla)
- Zaira, the reincarnated embodiment of the god of creation and the last remaining nightweaver (people who channel music’s power), must unearth her inherited magical gifts, rescue her people from the shadows with the help of two friends, and defeat the greedy empire who colonized her planet.
- Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams
- After a decade living in the foster care system and hiding his magical powers, 17-year-old Malik Baron discovers an estranged grandmother and enrolls in his mother’s alma mater, Caiman University, a historically Black college for magical teens in New Orleans.
- Fledgling by S. K. Ali
- A political marriage planned between an Upper Earth celebrity daughter and a Lower Earth crown prince is billed as the guaranteed truce between two feuding worlds. But as Lower Earth rebel factions fight to keep their people safe from technological enslavement by Upper Earth’s overreach, the bride goes missing, throwing the impending alliance into peril.
- The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha (also available on Hoopla)
- In this graphic novel, Kai, rumored to be a descendant from a shape-shifting fox demon on her mother’s side, secretly trains in martial arts with her legendary general father, dreams of skirting historical Korean society’s rigid gender norms, and unexpectedly discovers the fantastical reason for her gifted fighting skills.
- Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer
- In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, Mara is recovering from the Letalis Technosis virus that turned her into a mindless brain-eating “Tick.” While learning to cope with the traumatic memories of violence she committed while infected, Mara is also wrestling with feelings for her former best friend and crush, Rory, who escaped the virus’s bite but is furious about everything she lost during the pandemic.
In addition to these, you might also enjoy:
- Darker by Four by June C. L. Tan (also available on Hoopla)
- The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew
- The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs
- Heir by Sabaa Tahir
- The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
- Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger (also available on Hoopla)
- Sky’s End by Marc J. Gregson
- The Space Between Here & Now by Sarah Suk (also available on Hoopla)
- The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig
- Throwback by Maurene Goo
- To a Darker Shore by Leanne Schwartz
Visit our catalog, browse Hoopla, or stop by the Teen section at your library to find many more fantasy and science fiction books.
PROGRAMS
- DIY Love Potions
- Wednesday February 12, 6-7PM at Gayton
- Create a decorative “love potion,” or another potion of your choosing, in small bottles. All supplies will be provided.
- Plan Your D&D Campaign
- Thursday February 13, 6:30-7:30PM at Fairfield
- Whether you’re a DM planning the perfect campaign or a player building a character sheet, check out the library’s resources, plan for your next D&D session, and make new friends. DMs will have access to the library’s set pieces for planning. DMs and adventurers are invited to visit the library next month during Open D&D hours to use what they’ve created.
- National Pokémon Day: Pokéball Terrariums
- Thursday February 27, 4:30-5:30PM at Twin Hickory
- “Gotta Catch ‘Em All”, but once you have them they need a home! Celebrate National Pokémon Day by making your own Pokéball terrarium.
- Code with Roblox Studio
- Thursday February 27, 6:30-8:30PM at Libbie Mill
- Whether you know a little or a lot about coding, grow knowledge and confidence in your skills bit by bit. We will use Roblox Studio to learn some basics of scripting for games and game design.
- Teen Role-Playing: Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot
- Wednesday March 12, 5-7PM at Gayton
- Dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons and grow your role-playing game skills in this one-shot session. A selection of pre-made characters will be provided or you can bring your own level three character. All experience levels are welcome. Pencils, paper, and dice provided.
- Open D&D Hours
- Thursday March 13, 6-8PM at Fairfield
- Whether you’re an adventurer looking for a Dungeon Master or a DM looking for players, stop by the Teen Room during the month of March to sign up for a campaign. Then meet your party during Open D&D hours and start your adventure. The library will not be providing a DM during this program but will have D&D resources, such as pre-printed character sheets and one-shots, maps, character tokens, official rule books, and more available for use. Library staff will be on hand to monitor games and provide support.
- Teen Role-Playing Game: Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Adventure
- Saturday March 22, 3-5PM at Libbie Mill
- Dive into a single, one-shot adventure to practice your D&D skills. Bring your own level 5 character or play with one of our pre-made characters. All experience levels welcome.
- Teen Role-Playing: Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot
- Wednesday March 26, 6-8PM at Varina
- Dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons and grow your role-playing game skills in this one-shot session. We will have a selection of pre-made characters, or you can bring your own level three character. All experience levels are welcome. Pencils, paper, and dice provided.
RESOURCES
- NoveList Plus
- Use NoveList Plus to find your next favorite read. Here you’ll find curated lists of recommended titles for teens based on your favorite books, authors, genres, settings, character types, themes, pop culture phenomena, and so much more. Ask your friendly neighborhood librarian at any HCPL location for further information on navigating this amazing resource!