FAQ About YA Fantasy Books

Yes, many YA Fantasy books draw inspiration from folklore and mythologies from various cultures around the world. These books offer readers a chance to explore diverse and rich cultural traditions through fantastical stories. Here are some YA Fantasy books inspired by folklore from different cultures:

• "A Song of Wraiths and Ruin" by Roseanne A. Brown: This West African-inspired fantasy follows two protagonists from different backgrounds who are drawn together in a deadly game of magic and political intrigue.
• "The Star-Touched Queen" by Roshani Chokshi: Drawing from Indian folklore, this book follows a young princess with a cursed horoscope and her journey to discover her own destiny.
• "Spin the Dawn" (The Blood of Stars) by Elizabeth Lim: Inspired by East Asian folklore, this novel follows a talented tailor who disguises herself as a boy to compete for the position of imperial tailor.
• "The Bear and the Nightingale" (Winternight Trilogy) by Katherine Arden: Set in medieval Russia, this series draws from Russian folklore and follows a girl with a special connection to the magical creatures of the forest.
• "The Wrath and the Dawn" by Renée Ahdieh: Inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights," this book features a young girl who volunteers to marry a murderous king and discovers his hidden secrets.
• "The Bone Season" by Samantha Shannon: This series draws from Celtic and Irish mythology and features a clairvoyant girl navigating a dangerous dystopian world.
• "We Hunt the Flame" (Sands of Arawiya) by Hafsah Faizal: Set in an ancient Arabian-inspired world, this book follows a huntress and a prince on a quest to restore magic.
• "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia: This middle-grade fantasy draws from African American folklore and follows a boy who accidentally punches a hole into another dimension.
• "The Poppy War" by R.F. Kuang: Inspired by Chinese history and folklore, this book follows a war orphan who discovers her extraordinary abilities and is drawn into a brutal conflict.
• "The Golem and the Jinni" by Helene Wecker: This adult fantasy novel blends Jewish and Arabian folklore, featuring a golem and a jinni who form an unlikely friendship in 19th-century New York City.