Let’s face it: nothing makes a book more tempting than telling people they shouldn’t read it. If literature were food, banned books would be that rich, dark chocolate hidden at the back of the cupboard, off-limits, dangerously indulgent, and all the more irresistible because of it.
And yet, banning books is not just a quaint relic of dystopian fiction. Even today, in the age of e-readers and fanfiction, stories still find themselves blacklisted in schools, libraries, and entire countries. Why? Because they dare to talk about magic. Or rebellion. Or, heaven forbid, queerness. Sometimes, all it takes is a dragon or a mildly snarky wizard to ruffle the moral feathers of a local school board.
This list dives into ten fantasy and YA series that have caused enough cultural friction to be challenged, restricted, or outright banned. Some have been accused of promoting witchcraft, others of being too violent, or too politically charged, or too unwilling to present neat little lessons with proper parental approval. But they all have one thing in common: they ask questions, provoke thought, and refuse to play nice with outdated norms.
1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien’s magnum opus may be the fantasy epic that launched a thousand imitators, but it hasn’t always been embraced with open arms.
Some religious groups, in particular, have accused The Lord of the Rings of promoting witchcraft, paganism, or even satanic themes, a curious interpretation, considering Tolkien’s devout Catholicism and the book’s deeply moral compass. But nuance rarely survives the bonfire, and in the 2000s, actual copies of The Lord of the Rings were burned in New Mexico by a group who believed it was “satanic”.
What’s truly dangerous about Tolkien’s work isn’t its magic, but its exploration of power, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity. It dares to suggest that evil can’t be destroyed by force alone, and that the smallest person can change the course of the future. That kind of message, quietly radical, deeply human, is exactly why some fear it.
Why we recommend it: Because every fantasy you’ve loved since owes its soul to Middle-earth. Tolkien didn’t just write a story; he carved a mythos so rich it feels like scripture. If you’re a worldbuilding purist, a linguistics nerd, or someone who believes fantasy should ache with truth, this is your cathedral.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
At first glance, The Chronicles of Narnia seem like the safest of bets: talking animals, epic quests, and a clear distinction between good and evil.
But Lewis’s overt Christian allegories haven’t gone unnoticed or unchallenged. Some parents have objected to the series’ religious overtones, while others take issue with the gender roles and depiction of non-Christian belief systems as irredeemably evil.
Ironically, Lewis’s very attempt to moralize through allegory has made his books both beloved and controversial. The Aslan-as-Christ figure, the eternal winter that breaks with a savior’s return, it’s all very on-the-nose. But that doesn’t make the books any less magical, nor does it justify pulling them from shelves. If anything, their place in the censorship conversation proves that even “safe” stories can ruffle feathers.
Why we recommend it: It’s for the dreamers who believe that wardrobes can hide entire universes and that goodness can roar like a lion. If you love your fantasy dipped in metaphor, or if you want a story that’s gentle enough for younger readers but layered enough for adult introspection, this series still holds.
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3. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
If Narnia is a love letter to Christianity, His Dark Materials is the breakup text. Pullman’s trilogy has been one of the most frequently challenged in recent decades, largely due to its portrayal of organized religion as corrupt and oppressive. In fact, some school districts in the U.S. removed the books from libraries, citing concerns over their “anti-God” themes.
But Pullman isn’t simply being provocative for the sake of it. At its heart, His Dark Materials is about intellectual freedom, the right to question authority, and the sacred nature of curiosity. Yes, there are armored bears and mystical dust, but there’s also a fierce commitment to showing young readers that questioning power, especially spiritual power, is not only allowed but essential.
Why we recommend it: Because it asks the dangerous questions most books are too afraid to pose, and then dares to answer them. This one’s for the readers who grew up on Narnia and came back wanting something with more teeth, more fire, and more rebellion. Especially beloved by those who mistrust easy answers.
4. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
No list of banned fantasy books would be complete without The Boy Who Lived. Harry Potter has faced waves of censorship ever since it burst onto the scene in the late ‘90s.
From school boards in the U.S. to entire governments, the books have been banned or challenged for “promoting witchcraft and the occult”. Children learning to stand up for what’s right using spells and potions is just too much for some folks.
What’s often overlooked in the moral panic is the series’ emphasis on love, loyalty, and resisting fascism. The villains may be magical, but their tactics, fearmongering, xenophobia, and control are chillingly real. And perhaps that’s the real reason the books spark outrage: they empower the marginalized, the curious, and the brave.
Why we recommend it: It’s a cultural rite of passage. Whether you’re reading it for the nostalgia, the chosen-one lore, or just to understand why everyone’s still sorting themselves into Hogwarts houses, it remains an essential text. Especially magnetic for readers who crave friendship, loyalty, and magic that matures with them.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter5. Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Twilight might be more romance than rebellion, but that hasn’t stopped it from earning a place on banned lists. Critics have cited concerns over violence, sexual content, and the glorification of problematic relationships. Some argue the series promotes dangerous messages about consent and emotional dependence.
And yet, Twilight also created space for a new kind of fantasy readership: overwhelmingly female, emotionally driven, and unapologetically passionate. Its popularity with teen girls made it a target for derision, which is often the first step toward censorship. It’s not perfect, but its very imperfection, and the fervor it inspired, make it worth defending.
Why we recommend it: Love it, hate it, or read it ironically, Twilight is undeniable. It’s for the romantics who like their love tortured, their vampires sparkly, and their pacing intoxicatingly addictive. A time capsule of 2000s teen yearning, best enjoyed with popcorn and a little bit of distance.
6. Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Who knew Greek gods could be so controversial in 21st-century America? Riordan’s beloved series has been challenged for its depictions of mythological deities, “un-Christian” themes, and subtle critiques of authority figures. Some schools deemed it “too confusing” or “disrespectful” to religious teachings.
But let’s be clear: Percy Jackson isn’t teaching theology, it’s teaching kids that identity is complex, that ADHD can be a superpower, and that heroism comes in many forms. Its humor, heart, and inclusivity make it one of the most empowering series for young readers today, and, unsurprisingly, a frequent target for those who’d prefer simpler, blander stories.
Why we recommend it: Because it’s the gateway drug to mythology, heartfelt, and refreshingly funny. Perfect for kids and teens who want to feel seen, and adults who wish they’d had something like this growing up. Bonus points if you like ADHD and dyslexia rep that’s empowering, not pitiful.
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7. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Paolini’s dragon-filled saga has flown under the radar of some censors, but not all. With its themes of rebellion, magic, and non-human allies, The Inheritance Cycle has been challenged for promoting occultism and violence. Its sprawling narrative, inspired by Tolkien and Star Wars alike, is rich with moments of moral tension and difficult choices.
What makes this series powerful is not just the magic, but the maturity of its questions. What does it mean to lead? Can violence ever be justified? Can love survive war? These aren’t answers Paolini hands out on a platter, and maybe that’s what unsettles gatekeepers the most.
Why we recommend it: There’s something irresistible about a teenager who writes an epic and accidentally creates a fandom. Paolini’s series is for readers who don’t mind familiar tropes if they’re delivered with heart and dragons. Especially satisfying if you love earnest, high-stakes quests and the quiet thrill of watching a writer grow.
8. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Few YA series have stirred as much political discomfort as The Hunger Games. With its brutal depiction of a dystopian society where children are forced to fight to the death for public entertainment, the books were banned in several schools for being “too violent” and “anti-authority”.
Which, of course, they absolutely are. And that’s the point. Collins’s trilogy doesn’t flinch from its commentary on media, power, and economic inequality. Katniss Everdeen isn’t just a heroine; she’s a symbol of resistance, one that many institutions would prefer young people not to emulate.
Why we recommend it: Because it’s not just a dystopia, it’s a mirror. Collins wrote rebellion in blood and fire, and made it terrifyingly accessible. If you like your heroines flawed, your governments corrupt, and your love emotional love triangles, this one will burn beautifully.
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9. The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
Magic, identity, and unapologetically queer characters? A surefire way to get your books banned in certain school districts. Clare’s Bane Chronicles, a spin-off from The Mortal Instruments, centers on Magnus Bane, a bisexual warlock with style, sass, and zero patience for bigotry.
The books have been challenged for their LGBTQ+ content and dark themes, but their real power lies in representation. They offer readers a chance to see themselves in stories that don’t sanitize complexity. And if that threatens some sensibilities, so be it, because visibility, in literature as in life, is worth fighting for.
Why we recommend it: Magnus Bane is what happens when immortality meets eyeliner and unapologetic queer joy. This collection is pure indulgence, equal parts sass, sorrow, and swoon. For fans of found family, chaos magic, and characters who never ask for permission to exist loudly.
10. A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
Maas’s adult-leaning fantasy series blends high-stakes battles, romance, and trauma with a generous helping of spice. Naturally, it’s been challenged for graphic sexual content, violence, and its refusal to keep female desire tucked away behind metaphor and innuendo.
But what ACOTAR really offers is emotional catharsis. It’s messy, raw, and deeply feminine in ways that make some readers uncomfortable, which is exactly why it resonates so powerfully. In a genre that often sidelines women or flattens them into tropes, Maas’s heroines bleed, rage, and love in full color.
Why we recommend it: Because it’s dark, sexy, and messy in a way that feels both primal and oddly healing. Best for readers who want their fantasy drenched in romance, trauma, and redemption arcs that hit like thunder.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: banning books rarely has anything to do with protecting young minds, and everything to do with controlling narratives. Whether it’s religious discomfort over talking animals (Narnia), political anxiety over teenagers starting revolutions (The Hunger Games), or sheer panic at the sight of a magical LGBTQ+ character (The Bane Chronicles), censorship tends to reveal more about adult insecurities than about actual harm.
And let’s not pretend these book bans work. In fact, many of the titles on this list have only gained popularity after being targeted. Nothing says “Read Me” quite like a scandal, especially one brewed in the name of moral purity.
To censor a book is to admit that words matter, that stories shape people, and that fiction has teeth. Which, honestly, is kind of beautiful. Because it means that fantasy isn’t just escapism, it’s resistance. Subtle, imaginative, subversive resistance.
So go ahead. Read the books they warned you about. Read them loudly. Read them in public. Read them to your kids. Because if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that books don’t corrupt minds, small-mindedness does.
