In this post, modern fantasy is defined as fantasy taking place in a modern setting or some setting that closely resembles Earth.
YA Modern Fantasy Novels with Male POV:
Title: Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1)
Additional Genre(s): Horror, Romance
Summary: Cas (15) has seen and killed a lot of ghosts - but this murderous dead girl who inexplicably spares his life catches him by surprise. Anna Dressed in Blood mixes humor with horror to explore an atypical relationship.
Sequel(s): Girl of Nightmares
Literary Distinctions: Cybils Award Nominee for YA Fantasy & Science Fiction (2011), Endeavor Award Finalist (2012), Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Books of the Year (2011), NPR's Top Five Teen (2011), YALSA Best Fiction for YAs (2012), YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers (2012), YALSA Readers' Choice for "Horror/Thriller" (2012)
For more information: Goodreads
Title: The Demon's Lexicon (The Demon's Lexicon #1)
Additional Genre(s): Urban Fantasy
Summary: Nick (16) doesn't care about anyone except his older brother Alan, but will do anything to save his brother from a death mark - even face literal as well as metaphorical demons. Expect a snarky, prickly narrator, several unexpected twists, and a superficial resemblance to TV's Supernatural.
Sequel(s): The Demon's Covenant, The Demon's Surrender
Literary Distinctions: Cybils Award Nominee for YA Fantasy & Science Fiction (2009), TAYSHAS High School Reading List (2010), YALSA Top Ten Books for YAs (2010)
For more information: Goodreads
Title: Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #1)
Additional Genre(s): Horror
Summary: 8th Grade is not shaping up well for Vladimir (13): bullies, an unrequited crush, powers he is still figuring out, and a substitute teacher who is asking too many questions. Recommended for those who want a quick, light read about vampires; for those who prefer a darker read with more action, the "Cirque du Freak" series may be preferable.
Sequel(s): Ninth Grade Slays, Tenth Grade Bleeds, Eleventh Grade Burns, Twelfth Grade Kills
Literary Distinctions: YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (2008)
For more information: Goodreads
Author: Carman, Patrick Title: Thirteen Days to Midnight
Additional Genre(s): Horror, Romance, Thriller
Summary: Jacob (15) only survives the car crash that killed his foster father because he possesses an unusual power - and he soon learns that every power has its costs. Recommended for those who like dark thrillers with a supernatural bent.
Literary Distinctions: YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (2011)
For more information: Goodreads
Title: The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles #1)
Additional Genre(s): Adventure
Summary: Jack (16) forgets to take his heart medicine on the day of soccer tryouts - and almost kills another player without even touching him; clearly, someone has been keeping secrets. Fans of more traditional fantasy (such as Eragon) likely will enjoy this series.
Sequel(s): The Wizard Heir, The Dragon Heir
Literary Distinctions: South Carolina Book Award Nominee for YA Book Award (2009), YALSA Popular Paperbacks for YAs (2008, "Magic in the Real World")
For more information: Goodreads
Title: Raven's Gate (The Gatekeepers #1)
Additional Genre(s): Horror, Thriller
Summary: Falsely accused of murder, Matt (14, orphaned at 8) has to choose between jail and a program for rehabilitation of troubled teens; the seemingly obvious choice of the foster home soon entangles him in dark magic and darker schemes. Read this book if you're in the mood for spine-chilling page-turner.
Sequel(s): Evil Star, Nightrise, Necropolis, Oblivion
Literary Distinctions: YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (2006), YALSA Popular Paperbacks for YAs (2008, "Magic in the Real World")
For more information: Goodreads
Title: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (Necromancer #1)
Additional Genre(s): Horror, Humor, Urban Fantasy
Summary: Sam (18), a college dropout employed at a fast food joint, had always thought he was fairly normal; unfortunately, some psycho necromancer senses hidden potential and sets Sam an ultimatum: become his apprentice or die. If you like zany humor and zombies, you will probably like this book.
Sequel(s): Necromancing the Stone
Literary Distinctions: William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist (2011), YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for YAs (2011)
For more information: Goodreads
Title: Elsewhere (Bordertown)
Additional Genre(s): Urban Fantasy
Summary: Teenaged Ron runs away from home to search for his older brother in Bordertown, a city where the human world of technology and faerie world of magic meet and often clash. Recommended for people interested in Bordertown (a world shared by several authors whose works were among the first urban fantasy novels) or those who like gritty fantasy.
Direct Sequel: Nevernever
Other "Borderland" Novels: Borderland, Bordertown, Life on the Border, The Essential Bordertown, Welcome to Bordertown, Finder: A Novel of the Borderlands
Literary Distinctions: Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Children's Lit (1992), YALSA Popular Paperbacks for YAs (1999, "Changing Dimensions"; 2005, "Own Your Freak")
For additional information: Goodreads
Title: Peeps (Peeps #1)
Additional Genre(s): Horror, Urban Fantasy
Summary: Luckily, Cal's one-night stand freshman year only left him a carrier for Toxoplasma; not so luckily, the girls he unknowingly infected weren't immune and turned into raving cannibals ("vampires"). Now Cal (19) is hunting down old flames for the Night Watch and learning to deal with being a carrier. Read Peeps if you want an innovative take on vampires on the opposite side of the spectrum from Twilight's sparkly beings.
Sequel(s): The Last Days
Literary Distinctions: Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee (2009), Georgia Peach Honor Book Award (2007), Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award Nominee (2006), YALSA Teens' Top Ten (2006), YALSA Top Ten Best Books for YAs (2006)
For more information: Goodreads
Title: The Replacement
Additional Genre(s): Horror
Summary: Mackie (16) is a changeling who just wants to be normal, but his decision to try to help find his crush's missing sister will force him to face the very heritage he wants to deny. This macabre novel explores what it means to be human.
Literary Distinctions: YALSA Best Fiction for YA(s)
For more information: Goodreads
Adult Modern Fantasy Novels with Male POV that may Appeal to Teens:
Illustrator: Syaf, Ardian
Title: Welcome to the Jungle (Dresden Files #0.5)
Additional Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Mystery, Urban Fantasy
Summary: As the only professional wizard in Chicago’s phone
book, Harry Dresden hasn’t always been offered the most legitimate cases, but
the supposed animal mauling Lt. Murphy asks him to investigate reeks of the
supernatural. This quick read has murder, magic, action, and Harry Dresden's characteristic wise-cracks.
Sequel(s): Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death Masks, Blood Rites, Dead Beat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small Favors, Turn Coat, Changes, Ghost Story, and several short stories. Storm Front and Fool Moon are available as both graphic novels and novels; the other sequels are only available as novels.
Literary Distinctions: Hugo Award Nominee for Best Graphic Story (2009), YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens (2010)
For more information: Goodreads
Author: Gaiman, Neil
Title: Neverwhere
Additional Genre(s): Horror, Urban Fantasy
Summary: Richard Mayhew is living an ordinary life as a business man in London until he stops to help an injured girl on the streets . . . and discovers an entirely new world underneath the pavement. Readers who appreciate interesting world-building and dark fantasy will likely enjoy this work.
Literary Distinctions: Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Adult Literature (1998), Prix Julia Verlanger (1999), YALSA Popular Paperbacks for YAs (1999, "Changing Dimensions"; 2008, "Magic in the Real World")
For more information: Goodreads
