Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you are a teen who loved Keeper of the Lost Cities, try A Deadly Education, The Raven Boys, Six of Crows, Caraval, Daughter of Smoke & Bone and The Mortal Instruments. They have hidden worlds, secret powers and found families, with older characters.
Shannon Messenger's series follows Sophie Foster, a telepathic girl who learns she is an elf and enters a hidden world. Many readers grow up with the books and want similar series with older heroes and higher stakes. These 15 YA fantasies offer hidden worlds, school settings and mysteries for ages 14 and up.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Deadly Education | Naomi Novik | 16+ | readers who want a dangerous school |
| The Raven Boys | Maggie Stiefvater | 14+ | readers who like atmosphere |
| Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo | 14+ | readers who like ensemble casts |
| Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo | 14+ | readers who want epic fantasy |
| Caraval | Stephanie Garber | 13+ | readers who like atmosphere |
| Daughter of Smoke & Bone | Laini Taylor | 14+ | readers who love beautiful prose |
| City of Bones | Cassandra Clare | 14+ | readers who like hidden worlds |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | 14+ | readers who like faerie courts |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 10+ | readers who want a lighter read |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | 16+ | older readers |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | 14+ | readers who like clear rules |
| The Scorpio Races | Maggie Stiefvater | 14+ | readers who like standalone fantasy |
| Graceling | Kristin Cashore | 14+ | readers who like independent heroines |
| The Darkest Minds | Alexandra Bracken | 13+ | readers who like road-trip dystopia |
| Truly Devious | Maureen Johnson | 13+ | readers who like mystery |
1. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
El Lazarus Lake attends a school where monsters hunt students. Sharp, funny and tense.
Best for: readers who want a dangerous school.
2. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Blue Sargent meets a group of prep-school boys searching for a sleeping king. Strange, lyrical and funny.
Best for: readers who like atmosphere.
3. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A crew attempts an impossible heist. Funny and tense.
Best for: readers who like ensemble casts.
4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Alina discovers a power that could free her land. Russian-inspired fantasy.
Best for: readers who want epic fantasy.
5. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Scarlett enters a magical game to save her sister. Dreamy and twisty.
Best for: readers who like atmosphere.
6. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Karou lives between worlds and meets an angel. Lush and romantic.
Best for: readers who love beautiful prose.
7. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Clary learns she is a Shadowhunter. Urban fantasy with romance.
Best for: readers who like hidden worlds.
8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude, a human girl in Faerie, wants a place at court. Intrigue and enemies-to-lovers romance.
Best for: readers who like faerie courts.
9. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is a demigod. Funny and fast.
Best for: readers who want a lighter read.
10. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells the story of his life, from orphan to University student. Long and lyrical.
Best for: older readers.
11. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Vin, a thief, discovers metal-based magic. A tight plot and clever system.
Best for: readers who like clear rules.
12. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Puck and Sean race deadly water horses. Atmospheric and romantic.
Best for: readers who like standalone fantasy.
13. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa has a deadly Grace and works for a king. Strong heroine and quiet romance.
Best for: readers who like independent heroines.
14. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Ruby, a teen with powers, escapes a camp and joins other fugitives. Fast and emotional.
Best for: readers who like road-trip dystopia.
15. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Stevie Bell investigates a cold case at an elite boarding school. Clever and funny.
Best for: readers who like mystery.
How to Choose
If you want the hidden-world feeling, start with City of Bones, The Raven Boys or A Deadly Education. For heists and teams, read Six of Crows. For epic fantasy, choose Shadow and Bone or Mistborn. A simple plan is to pick one series and read the first three books before moving on. Several of these books have violence and romance, so they suit ages 14 and up. Many of these have audiobooks and long series, which are good for commutes. If you want to keep the middle-grade cozy feeling, mix in a lighter book like Percy Jackson between darker ones. Read the content notes first, since YA romance and violence vary.
Related: 15 Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities Kids Will Love: Magical Worlds and Secret Powers · What Age Is Keeper of the Lost Cities Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keeper of the Lost Cities middle grade?
Yes, it is for ages 8 to 12, though many teens and adults read it.
What should I read after the series?
The Raven Boys and Six of Crows are popular next steps for teens.
How many Keeper books are there?
There are nine main books, plus companion novels.
Are there series with telepathy?
Keeper is the best-known, but Mistborn and Shadow and Bone have similar special powers.
Is Keeper of the Lost Cities good for teens?
Yes, many teens enjoy it, and the later books are longer and more complex.
What if I want something shorter?
Graceling and The Scorpio Races are standalone.