The Lightlark saga by Alex Aster is one of the most successful romantasy series for YA readers, pulling from our favourite tropes and perfect for fans of The Hunger Games.
The series is set in a world where six rulers must compete to break their deadly curses once every 100 years on a mysterious island that magically appears. According to the competition's rules, one ruler must die while another gains incredible power. You do have to read these books in order, as each book starts where the previous one ended, but you can expect big plot twists, steamy love triangles and betrayals.
This is a great series if you are a fan of The Powerless Trilogy and Red Queen. For more in this space, check out our blog post about the Best Romantasy Series for 13 and 14 year olds.
All The Lightlark Saga books in order:
Book 1: Lightlark (2022)
Book 2: Nightbane (2023)
Book 3: Skyshade (2024)
Book 4: Crowntide (2025)
Lightlark companion book: Grim and Oro: Duelling Crowns (September 2025)