Ready to leave Hogwarts behind? Fear not, fellow fantasy fans! This list offers captivating alternatives to the Harry Potter series, promising enchanting tales and magical adventures. From murder mysteries in magical schools to cloud-based academies and low-stakes fantasy, there's something for everyone. Grab your wand, find a cozy spot, and prepare for a literary journey into new favorite worlds!
Need more Hogwarts? Explore the wizarding world with friends through a Harry Potter board game, or enjoy a cinematic experience with our list of films similar to the Harry Potter movies.
The Marvellers
Seeking the thrill of entering a magical academy? The Marvellers delivers! Dhonielle Clayton's tale transports you to the Arcanum, a global magic school nestled high in the clouds. Follow Ella, the school's first conjurer, as she navigates secrets and mistrust behind the academy's glamorous façade. Clayton masterfully blends captivating world-building with relatable challenges, creating a truly immersive experience. Ella's dynamic personality ensures a compelling read, leaving you eager for more.
### The Marvellers
7Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Paperback pre-orders begin August 29, 2023. Available on Amazon.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Rick Riordan's epic series offers a fantastic counterpart to the Boy Who Lived. This series introduces a world where the children of gods live among us. Follow Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, as he embarks on a perilous quest to uncover a thief who stole Zeus' lightning bolts and clear his name. These inclusive stories balance fantasy with everyday life, featuring a hero with ADHD and dyslexia, and addressing the realities of growing up. Riordan's immersive world has captivated readers globally, and it's easy to see why.
You can find our complete guide to the Percy Jackson books or explore the new Disney+ series for more adventures.
### Percy Jackson & the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set
4A boxed set containing all five books in the series, plus a bonus poster! (Hardcover and audio CD also available). Available on Amazon.
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle)
While lacking a school setting, Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle is a perfect follow-up for Harry Potter fans. Eragon, a young teen, discovers a dragon egg, thrusting him into a world of magic, danger, and dragons. Across four books, witness Eragon and his dragon's growth as they confront a powerful enemy. This young adult fantasy bridges the gap between Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
### The Inheritance Cycle
1Available on Amazon.
Legends & Lattes
If Hogwarts' feasts and Hogsmede trips were your favorites, Legends & Lattes is your next read. Travis Baldree's cozy fantasy has charmed readers with its heartwarming tale of an orc transitioning from warrior to coffee shop owner. This magical story is filled with delicious treats, charming customers, and a found family dynamic. The low stakes and absence of high-fantasy violence create a relaxing, enjoyable read focused on banter, romance, and baking.
### Legends & Lattes
4Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available on Amazon.
Cemetery Boys
Aiden Thomas' debut novel features a trans boy who accidentally summons the wrong ghost. Yadriel, determined to prove his family wrong about his gender, attempts a spell but summons Julian, his school's notorious bad boy. Yadriel must help Julian before returning to his life. This sweet, scary, and romantic fantasy is unlike any other.
### Cemetery Boys
1Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available with Kindle Unlimited. Available on Amazon.
Grimoire of the Grave Fates
This innovative collection of short stories follows the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary, disrupted by a murder. Eighteen authors offer eighteen perspectives, providing a unique and subversive take on the magical school trope.
### Grimoire of the Grave Fates
4Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available on Amazon.
Magic For Liars
Murder strikes again at a magical school in Magic For Liars. Private investigator Ivy Gamble returns to the supernatural world that rejected her to solve a murder at the academy where her estranged twin sister teaches. This contemporary twist offers wit, adult themes, and a realistic world with subtle magic.
### Magic For Liars
2Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available on Amazon.
Be Sure
This collection of the first three stories in Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series is a perfect summer/fall read. Set in a school for children banished from portal worlds, the series begins with a murder mystery and continues to surprise. Filled with complex characters and engaging storytelling, these are some of the best fantasy stories of recent years.
### Be Sure
1Hardcover edition also available. Available on Amazon.