YA books that mix fantasy and science fiction

'The Girl Who Drank the Moon' by Kelly Barnhill is another great option. It has a magical setting with a witch and a dragon, which are typical fantasy elements. But it also has a scientific undertone in how the magic works and the way the world is structured. It's a beautifully written book that can introduce young readers to the blend of these two genres.

Well, a big reason is that these genres allow for exploration of complex themes and ideas in unique settings, which appeals to the YA audience. Also, they provide an escape from the ordinary and let young minds envision different futures and magical realms.

Well, 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry is a really good YA science fiction. It presents a seemingly perfect but actually very controlled society. Then there's 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline. It's full of 80s pop - culture references and takes place in a virtual world. Also, 'Uglies' by Scott Westerfeld is interesting. It explores ideas of beauty and conformity in a future world.

You should check out 'The Mortal Instruments' series. It weaves together a modern world with demons, magic, and advanced technology to create a unique blend of fantasy and science fiction.

One great book is 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. It's set in a post - apocalyptic world where teenagers are forced to fight to the death in an arena. Another is 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth. It has a unique society divided into factions based on different virtues. 'The Maze Runner' by James Dashner is also excellent. In it, a group of boys are trapped in a maze and have to figure out how to escape.

Online book communities like Goodreads can be a great resource. You can search for YA science fiction and look at the reviews and ratings. Also, see what books are often recommended by other readers in that genre. You might also check out best - seller lists for young adult books in the science fiction category.

Definitely 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It's a classic YA science fiction that explores a seemingly utopian but actually very complex and disturbing society. Another one is 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card. It has amazing world - building and a really engaging story about a young boy in a military - like space training program.

I'm not sure which are the absolute most popular this year specifically, but 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' by Suzanne Collins has been getting a lot of attention. It's a prequel to 'The Hunger Games' series. Also, new releases in ongoing series like Leigh Bardugo's 'King of Scars' duology might be popular among fans.

One popular work is 'Star Wars'. It has elements of science fiction like spaceships, advanced technology, and different planets. At the same time, it also has fantasy aspects such as the Force, which is a mysterious and almost magical power that some characters can harness. Another is 'Dune'. It features science - fiction concepts like interstellar travel and complex ecological systems on other planets. However, it also has a touch of fantasy with the idea of the Bene Gesserit's special powers and prophecies.

Well, 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is a classic in YA science fiction. It follows a young boy, Ender, who is trained to fight in a future war against an alien race. 'The Maze Runner' by James Dashner is also highly regarded. In it, a group of boys are trapped in a maze and have to find a way out while dealing with various challenges.