Preserving the Relationship Between Mythical Creatures and Humanity
11 Must-Read Fantasy Adventure Books - DMW Style!
Reading takes on a different adventure with every turn of the page, but in the DMW’s opinion, there's nothing better than a page-turning fantasy adventure novel (we admit we’re a little biased). From escaping screaming mummies to fighting fire-breathing dragons, there's something for everyone in our list of favorite fantasy adventure books.
Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention our all-time favorite – spoiler alert– the Sam London Adventure series, but more about that later. Right now, on with the list!
Top 11 Fantasy Adventure Books
Pennyroyal Academy
Author: M. A. Larson
In Pennyroyal Academy, a girl finds herself at the center of a world where battles rage on all sides. She is given the name Evie and enlists at Pennyroyal Academy, where everyone – princesses, as well as knights – learns to fight the dragons and witches menacing their lands. Along her journey, Evie will learn surprising things about herself and the people around her, while also discovering the capacity for human compassion...and cruelty.
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
Author: Michael Scott
The Alchemyst tells the story of Nicholas Flamel, who Harry Potter fans will recognize as being the creator of the Sorceror's Stone. As a great Alchemyst, he has been making the elixir of life to keep himself alive for centuries. But now he must work to stop the villainous Dr. John Dee from stealing his secrets and destroy the world! Only Sophie and Josh Newman have the power to stop him...they just need to learn how to use it!
The Dreamstone
Author: Mikey Brooks
The Dreamstone is the second volume in the Dream Keepers Chronicles, which also include The Dreamkeeper and The Dreammakers. In this exciting story by author Mikey Brooks, Parker's mother gets "dreamnapped" by the villain (yeah, that’s a thing!). Now Parker must team up with Kaelyn and return to the world of Dreams to not just save Parker's mother life but others, as well.
The Curse of Greg
Author: Chris Rylander
The Curse of Greg is the second book in the Epic Series of Failures books. It follows the tale of Greg Belmont, who learned in the first book that he's no ordinary student. Instead, he's a Dwarf stuck in a battle between Dwarves and Elves and it all starts with Greg telling the story of how his pants spontaneously caught fire as part of a "Thursday curse." And we thought Mondays were bad!
Ghost of a Chance
Author: Susan Maupin Schmid
In this series by Susan Maupin Schmid, Darling Dimple has a closet with one hundred magical dresses. Darling is the only person who can wear these dresses, and they allow her to become disguised as someone else (cool!). In Ghost of a Chance (book 2 in the 100 dresses series) a thief is on the loose, stealing clothes and even jewels. It's up to Darling and her friend Roger to get to the bottom of the mystery, determining if there's a spirit on the loose or a flesh-and-blood thief.
Quest Chasers: The Screaming Mummy
Author: Thomas Lockhaven
The Quest Chasers is an exciting series of books that are brought to us by the Lockhaven writing pair. The second book in the series, The Screaming Mummy, is an action-packed and enthralling adventure, where Tommy and Eevie must battle against the evil Ranger. There's danger, magic, and even riddles that must be solved. It’s a roller-coaster of a ride!
Princess Academy: Palace of Stone
Author: Shannon Hale
The novel Princess Academy: Palace of Stone is the sequel to the Newbery Honor Winning book, Princess Academy. Miri and her friends have the opportunity to attend school at the Queen's Castle and help the future princess, Britta, get ready for her wedding. Sounds innocuous enough, but then Miri befriends other students and learns that they are planning to start a revolution! Now she must decide between her new friends and the princess.
Aru Shah and the End of Time
Author: Roshani Chokshi
In Aru Shah and the End of Time, Aru is a 12-year-old who calls the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture her home, has a habit of telling stories to fit in with her peers. But when her classmates try to catch her in a lie, Aru winds up lighting the Lamp of Bharata, which leads to a series of problems, like unleashing a demon (yikes!). The story is an exciting tale from best-selling author Roshani Chokshi.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
Author: Catherynne M. Valente
In the first in the Fairyland series, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, twelve-year-old September gets invited on an adventure to Fairyland, where she must retrieve a talisman from the enchanted woods. It is the first in the Fairyland series, which tells the story of the inhabitants of Fairyland and features gorgeous illustrations.
We don’t like to pat ourselves on the back here at the DMW, but that’s a solid list of fantasy adventure books…Kids the world over have fallen in love with these tales of friendship and adventure, as well as mythical creatures, screaming mummies, and evil sorcerers. But what about that series School Library Journal says "is sure to keep lovers of Rick Riordan running to the shelves?" We’re so glad you asked.
No list of ours would be complete without a shameless plug, so if you haven’t already had the chance to investigate the two new adventures from the files of the Department of Mythical Wildlife, take a look below.
Guardians of the Gryphon's Claw
Author:Todd Calgi Gallicano
Haunted by a dream of a mythical gryphon, Sam London uncovers an ancient secret that will change the way he sees the world forever. Recruited by Dr. Vance Vantana, an eccentric zoologist and park ranger sent by the government, Sam is whisked away on an adventure that takes him to the farthest reaches of the globe. Along this journey, Sam learns an incredible truth: mythical creatures are real and living among us in our national parks.
A special department in the U.S. government ensures that their existence remains hidden. But Sam's dream is an omen that the secret may now be in danger. Someone seeks the power to expose these creatures and overthrow humankind--and that power can only be found in a magical talisman known as the gryphon's claw. Check out the trailer!
The Selkie of San Francisco
Author: Todd Calgi Gallicano
In this thrilling sequel to Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw, Sam London dives headlong into his second case involving a selkie, a mysterious girl, and an ominous new threat to the mythical and human worlds. Check out the trailer!
If you want to experience the world of Sam London, be sure to sign up to become a Secret Ranger and get FREE access to the DMW archives and their classified files. And don't forget to pick up one, two, or all of the books in our list above! Your next great adventure awaits!
Disclosure policy: The links to "Guardians of the Gryphon's Claw" and "The Selkie of San Francisco" are referral links. The owner of this site may be compensated when visitors click on these links and make a purchase.