It's time to pack your trunk and leave Hogwarts behind! If rereading the seven books isn't on your immediate agenda, fear not! A wealth of fantastic books awaits, ready to satisfy your craving for magical storytelling. From magical school murder mysteries to cloud-dwelling academies and low-stakes fantasy adventures, even a boarding school for kids rejected from mythical portals – this list has something for everyone. Grab your wand, find a cozy spot, and prepare to discover new favorite reads to rival the Harry Potter series in 2025.
Want more Hogwarts? Join your friends in the wizarding world with one of the best Harry Potter board games, or explore our list of movies like Harry Potter for a cinematic experience similar to the films.
The Marvellers
If you yearn for the feeling of being a new student at a magical academy, The Marvellers is your perfect match. Dhonielle Clayton transports you to the enchanting Arcanum, a global magic school nestled high in the clouds. Ella, the school's first conjurer, is overjoyed, but the Arcanum holds secrets and mistrust behind its gilded doors. Clayton crafts a world you'll long to join, while honestly portraying the harsh realities that even magical spaces face. Ella is a captivating lead, leaving you eager for more of her magical journey.
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Hardcover and Kindle editions are available now; paperback pre-orders begin August 29, 2023. See it at Amazon
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Rick Riordan's epic fantasy series offers a wonderful counterpart to the Boy Who Lived. Introducing a world where children of gods live among us, the first book follows Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, as he embarks on a perilous quest to find a thief who stole Zeus' lightning bolts and clear his name. These inclusive, thoughtful stories beautifully balance the fantastical with the everyday, featuring a hero with ADHD and dyslexia, and navigating the challenges of growing up. Riordan initially wrote these stories for his son, but the immersive world he created has captivated readers globally – and it's easy to see why.
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This boxed set includes all five Percy Jackson and the Olympians books in paperback, plus a bonus poster! (Hardcover and audio CD also available). See it at Amazon
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle)
While lacking a school setting, Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle is a superb follow-up for Harry Potter fans. The story centers on young Eragon, who discovers a dragon egg and is thrust into a world of magic, danger, and dragons. Across four books, Eragon and his dragon grow, confronting a powerful enemy bent on destruction. It's a fantastic young adult fantasy bridging the gap between Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
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Legends & Lattes
If Hogwarts' feasts and Hogsmeade trips were your favorites, Legends & Lattes is your next read. Travis Baldree's charming cozy fantasy has taken the internet by storm, and rightfully so. This delightful tale of an orc abandoning her warrior life to open a coffee shop is one of the most magical stories in recent years. Filled with delicious treats, warm drinks, and charming customers, it's a heartwarming story focusing on found family, low stakes, and the absence of high-fantasy violence. Instead, it offers fun banter, budding romance, and baking.
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Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at Amazon
Cemetery Boys
Aiden Thomas' stunning debut about a trans boy who dreams of becoming a Brujo is a captivating read. Yadriel, confident in his identity, attempts to prove his family wrong with a spell, but instead summons the ghost of his school's notorious bad boy, Julian. Forced to help Julian find peace, Yadriel must balance this with his own life. Sweet, spooky, and romantic, this unique fantasy will keep you enthralled.
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Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. Free with Kindle Unlimited. See it at Amazon
Grimoire of the Grave Fates
This innovative take on the magical school genre presents a collection of interconnected short stories about the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary, disrupted by a murder. Eighteen authors offer eighteen students' perspectives in this bold, subversive, and radical reimagining of the magic school trope.
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Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at Amazon
Magic For Liars
Murder plagues magical schools, as evidenced in Magic For Liars, where a gruesome killing draws private investigator Ivy Gamble back to the supernatural world that rejected her. While her sister thrived at The Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, Ivy struggles until hired to solve a murder at the very academy where her twin teaches. This contemporary twist is witty, adult, and set in a realistic world with subtle magic. The mystery, alongside intricate characters and relationships, will keep you hooked.
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Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at 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 intriguing characters, incredible worlds, and McGuire's engaging storytelling, these are some of the best fantasy stories of the last decade.
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Hardcover version also available. See it at Amazon
