H.A. Clarke
The Scratch Daughters
A sharp, witty entry into the witchy fantasy genre that prioritizes sisterhood and self-acceptance over romance or heavy angst.
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The Dragon Book
by Jack Dann
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 950L · 2010
A solidly crafted dragon-rider coming-of-age that doesn't pretend to be more than it is — tight pacing, genuine stakes, and a protagonist who earns his power through vulnerability, not birthright.
Howl's Moving Castle
by Diana Wynne Jones
Young adult · ages 10–14 · 920L
A sly, emotionally satisfying fantasy that feels like a literary prize-winner disguised as a romp — Sophie's growth from cursed hat-maker to witch is the real magic.
Ghosts of the Shadow Market
by Cassandra Clare
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 820L · 2019
A bridge collection for Shadowhunters fans—shorter, more intimate stories that fill gaps and deepen the world without requiring book-length investment, though existing knowledge of the universe helps.