Rick Riordan staked his claim on the adventure fantasy genre with his wildly humorous take on Greek mythology. Peter Lerangis followed a similar path by introducing a series on the ancient world wonders. Other authors, such as Eoin Colfer, Suzanne Collins, and John Flanagan, have put out fantasy series with staying power. After nearly a decade, they are still attracting new readers. Here are some of the best, most popular, adventure fantasy series. If you like these, check out the other series by these same authors.
The Trials of Apollo Rick Riordan (series)
Zeus has demoted Apollo to mortal status until he can prove himself worthy of returning to Mt. Olympus. While hiding out at Camp Half-Blood with the demigods, he learns that the Roman Emperor Nero is trying to steal all the oracles to take away the Greek gods’ powers. Camp Half-Blood is counting on Apollo to save the last oracle. Percy Jackson makes a cameo.
The Seven Wonders by Peter Lerangis (series)
When Jack wakes up at the Karai Institute, he learns that he and three other kids have a genetic disease that can only be cured with seven magic loculi. These loculi are hidden at the sites of the seven ancient wonders. Together they must find the loculi. The first one is at the Colossus of Rhodes in Greece. Full of action and adventure.
The Five Kingdoms by Brandon Mull (series)
Cole’s friends are kidnapped and forced into an alternate world through a portal in a haunted house on Halloween. Cole follows them in, and is quickly captured and sold to the Sky Raiders, a band of scavengers who sneak onto floating castles and find stuff to steal. It’s a dangerous job, and Cole proves himself worthy, but he needs to rescue his friends.
Lockwood and Co. by Jonathan Stroud (series)
There’s an epidemic of ghosts terrorizing London and Lockwood has set up an agency to quell them. He hires Lucy and together they visit haunted houses to rid them of ghosts. The agency is in dire straits however, when they mistakenly burn down a house on one of their jobs. Full of mystery and action.
The Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan (series)
Each year on Choosing Day, orphans are assigned a job. Will was hoping to be chosen for Battle School, but instead becomes an apprentice to the Ranger. Will is a quick learner and his skills are soon put to the test when they learn an evil lord is attempting to overthrow the king.
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (series)
Sage is an orphan who, along with two other orphans, has been kidnapped and sent to the home of a nobleman. The king and queen and dead. The country is on the brink of war. And the heir to the throne is missing, presumed dead. Nobleman Connor devises a plan to pass off one of the orphans as the missing prince. Nice twist ending.
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (series)
When Gregor falls through a grate in his laundry room, he ends up in a strange world beneath New York City, where there are talking animals and people with translucent skin. He hopes that he can find his father, but all is not well in the Underland. There is unrest with the animals, especially the rats. There is a prophecy and Gregor has a role. Author of the Hunger Games.
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry (series)
In this Peter Pan prequel Dave Barry describes how Peter Pan ended up on an island inhabited by savages. Peter, an orphan, boards a ship called the Never Land which has a mysterious cargo. Black Stache wants that cargo and is hot on their tail. Sarcasm galore.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (series)
Artemis is a 12-year-old criminal mastermind. Fairies inhabit the underworld, and they aren’t your cute, Disney fairies. When Artemis kidnaps Holly, the captain of the fairy police force, for ransom, he gets more than he bargained for. They unleash a troll, dwarf, and centaur to get her back. Holly isn’t going down without a fight.
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