Journey to new worlds: 7 adventure and fantasy series

The holidays are the perfect time to dig your nose into a book and get lost in a new storyline. With all the extra time in the long break, there’s no better time to start a new series and dedicate your time to a whole new world. After spending so long with the one series, you’ll feel as though you’re part of their world and one of the characters yourself by the end of it!

Here are 7 of our favourite series that range from duologies to 12-book series that still have more to come!

Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Born on an unlucky day, she is blamed for all local misfortunes – and worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on Eventide. Morrigan’s cursed fate changes, however, and she instead lives a life filled in the Wundrous Society (book one). The series takes us on many of Morrigan perilous adventures from magic to suspicion in book two, to Morrigan facing her most dangerous challenge yet in book three. 10+ years

Keeper of the Lost Cities (book 1-8.5) by Shannon Messenger 

Keeper of the Lost Cities is a marvellous series of 9 books – or 8.5, to be specific – that take us deep into the world of elves, ogres, dwarves and goblins. At the centre of the books is an amazing school where the main “teenage” characters study, learning how to discover and master their specific magical talents. Shannon Messenger has created a whole world where it’s very easy to start believing in alicorns and teleporting. It’s a series of marvellous adventures, perfect for readers 10+.

Monuments duology by Will Kostakis 

Monuments is the first book in the duology from YA star, Will Kostakis. It follows the life of Connor Giannopoulos who discovers a Monument under his high school, he doesn’t have any idea how much his life is going to change forever. Sixteen-year-old Connor and his friends Sally and Locky continue to navigate their new world of gods, secret chambers, immortality and strength with all its chaos in Rebel Gods, the gripping conclusion to book one. 14+ years

The Monster Who Wasn’t and The Werewolves Who Weren’t by T.C. Shelley

It is a well-known fact that fairies are born from a baby’s first laugh. What is not as well documented is how monsters come into being. The Monster Who Wasn’t  is a brilliantly rich and strange fantasy adventure that will make us all believe in monsters – be they good, bad or somewhere in between. The Werewolves Who Weren’t is the magical follow up to the first book, where Sam, the main character, is dragged into an adventure that will force him to confront both halves of his own identity: monster and fairy. 9+ years

The Wizards of Once series by Cressida Cowell

From the bestselling author of How to Train Your Dragon comes an exciting high-adventure series. This is the story of a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who have been taught since birth to hate each other life poison; and the thrilling tale of what happens when their two worlds collide. This series is set in an ancient, magical time, full of wizards, warriors, giants and sprites – perfect for boys and girls who love fantasy adventures. The series is funny, detailed and thoughtful, and explores themes of resilience and moving beyond differences to work together. 8+ years

Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan 

Orphan Will is an apprentice Ranger who strives to keep the Kingdom of Araluen safe from invaders, traitors and threats. In this 12-book series, Will is joined by his mentor, Halt, and best friend, Horace. John Flanagan draws on his interest in history and knowledge of warfare to build the world where this story occurs. The history helps us to understand the characters’ motivations and missions, and it doesn’t get in the way of the grand adventure and nail-biting tension. 9+ years

The Fowl Twins books by Eoin Colfer 

Myles and Beckett Fowl are twins but the two boys are wildly different. Prepare for an epic adventure in which the Fowl Twins and their new troll friends experience jam-packed action sequences, and discover that the strongest bond in the world is the one that exists between a pair of twins. Eoin Colfer creates characters that are multi-faceted, creating a great scope for discussion about the characters’ different traits and skills, exploring themes of collaboration, synergy and diversity. 8+ years