YA fantasy series from late 80s with a group of young people on a quest

I remember one of the boys was starting to like a girl but then he realized he was going to have to die to further the cause. Seems like one of the covers had him pictured with longish black hair. This was one of the first group of books that got me interested in fantasy. I'd love to read it again.

Okay, the first thing I thought of from your description, despite the relative lack of detail, was the Fionavar Tapestry series by Guy Gavriel Kay. The Summer Tree, The Wandering Fire, and The Darkest Road.

Wow, that was quick. I'm not sure if those are the books or not. Some of the descriptions sound familiar while others don't. I'll have to try to get a copy of the first book and start reading to see if it's the one I'm thinking of. I wish I had more detail to add. It was at least 20 years ago. I'm lucky if I remember something 20 minutes ago. Either way, this looks like a great series to read. Thanks kmaziarz.

I also am not sure because of the lack of details, but the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper might also fit.

Thanks weener, but I'm sure it's not the Dark is Rising series. I know that I haven't read them yet. I've started reading the Summer Tree. I'm enjoying it a lot but I'm afraid I'm still not sure if this is the series I'm thinking of. Seems like the characters were from the world the story took place in and maybe they were younger than college age. The main character seemed to have some growing up to do and might have been competing with another for a girl. He comes to realize that he has to sacrifice himself to save the world. None of the covers I saw of the books in the Fionavar Tapestry series looked familiar. I wish I could remember more of the books. Thanks for trying to help me.

I definitely think it's The Fionovar Tapestry as that type of sacrificial death is an element in the series.

I'm almost finished with the Fionavar Tapestry. It's a great series but it's not the one I'm trying to find. I'm pretty sure the story I'm thinking of is told from one point of view. Definitely not as many as are in the Fionavar Tapestry. Plus the book doesn't touch on the King Arthur story. Does anyone know if there's a site where you can find lists of books that were published in the late 80's for YA readers? Maybe I could find it by trial and error.

Unfortunately sacrificial death was a big thing in fantasy novels for awhile there. You sure you don't remember other details?

My first thought was actually Riddle of Stars, which was partly packaged as YA in the 80s, but I think the characters were a bit older than you're thinking of.

There's something else niggling at me that it might be; I'll have to think about it. do you remember if he actually died, or if it came out all right in the end?

you could try the ya-1980s-fantasy tagmash if you think skimming a list of titles might help. (And here's ya-fantasy-quest-death)

Hrm. Another fantasy with a character deciding he had to undertake a sacrificial death I remember reading back in the 80s was Red Moon and Black Mountain by Joy Chant. It doesn't fit all your criteria...there are 2 or 3 children from "our" world who cross a fence and end up in a fantasy world...the oldest boy ends up with a tribe of horse people and slowly forgets his real identity, becoming one of them. Meanwhile, the other boy and the sister end up with another group of people and watch a battle between eagles on Black Mountain before getting captured, going to the capitol city, fighting the bad guys, etc etc.

But, as with the Fionavar Tapestry, even if it's not the book you're thinking of, it's worth a read!

The one I'm thinking of is one of Garth Nix Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen series - there's a brother or young prince or something who realizes he has to become a sort of sacrificial lamb.

Sorry but I don't remember which of the books it was in.

Editing for touchstones and to say that of the three, Lirael seems the closest match to the sacrificial theme.

I'm not really sure that this is the series you're looking for, but you might like it, and it may be the one after all.

Finally found these books. Seven Citadels series by Geraldine Harris. I've reread the first three books and I am enjoying them again after so many years. I thought I would never figure this out so I'm thrilled.

My first thought was John Christopher's Tripod trilogy.

Touchstone fairy!

Prince of the Godborn
The Children of the Wind
The Dead Kingdom
The Seventh Gate