Books Similar to Harry Potter
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Book Recommendations for Harry Potter Fans
Have you finished reading J. K. Rowling's famous heptalogy and are sad that the series ended? (I know I was!) Does your kid want to read more books like Harry Potter? Whatever the case, I hope this list of similar fantasy novels and series will come in handy. I have listed of what I believe are the best books that resemble Harry Potter at least a little bit in some way. You will find stories of adventure, friendship, magic, battles, growing up, and love among these pages.
Browse the collection below and find some good books to read after finishing Harry Potter. You are also welcome to post a comment with any other titles you've enjoyed reading.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series
Special powers, mythical enemies, and new friends
When talking about fantasy series similar to Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians comes to mind first. Percy is just a normal boy who struggles in school due to his dyslexia - until one day he discovers that he is a son of Poseidon, god of the seas. He is brought to Camp Half-Blood by his best friend, Grover (who is actually a satyr in disguise) to train along the other demi-gods. There he meets the daughter of Athena named Annabeth, and together the three friends embark on a quest to prevent an apocalyptic war between the Greek gods.
Inheritance Series
Epic tale of adventure, magic, battle and love
Eragon is a farm boy living in the small village of Carvahall. One night when he was out hunting in the mountains, Eragon stumbled upon a mysterious blue stone. A blue dragon hatches from the "stone", and the tyrant king Galbatorix sends his servants after Eragon. The boy and the dragon are forced to flee and leave their old life behind. Eragon is destined to become a dragon Rider, learn to use his new magic powers and finally confront the evil king.
I've found this series to be darker and larger in scope than Harry Potter. The similarity is in the story of an ordinary boy discovering magic powers, becoming a hero and facing a powerful evil enemy.
Young Wizards Series
Frequently recommended as a "Harry Potter alternative"
Fans looking for more books like Harry Potter will surely appreciate the magic of the Young Wizards series. The first book tells the story of a thirteen-year-old girl Juanita Callahan, who discovers a book titled So You Want to Be a Wizard while hiding from bullies in a library. The book claims that she can become a wizard if she takes the Oath. Nita is quite skeptic, but decides to try it anyway - and the next day when, she tries to cast her first spell she meets Kit Rodriguez, another newbie magician. The kids soon become friends and end up going on an epic adventure together.
Bartimaeus Trilogy
The Amulet of Samarkand, Golem's Eye and Ptolemy's Gate
When talking about books similar to Harry Potter I have to mention one of my favorites, the Bartimaeus trilogy. It tells the story of a young magician's apprentice named Nathaniel. The boy is an exceptionally gifted magician, able to summon and command even high level spirits at his young age. However, he is also impatient and eager to exact revenge on people who have wronged him. The series follows his life from the time he was placed into apprenticeship at the age of 5, to adulthood. Part of them are told from the perspective of a djinni Bartimaeus that Nathaniel frequently commands.
Keys to the Kingdom Series
Great fantasy series for for children and young adults
I think Garth Nix did a really splendid work with this series. Unlike his Abhorsen trilogy (which is quite excellent too, by the way), Keys to the Kingdom is aimed at younger readers. It tells the story of an asthmatic 12-year-old boy, Arthur Penhaligon, who suddenly finds himself the Rightful Heir to the House - a place at the center of the Universe, on which all creation depends. Treacherous Morrow Days have broken the Will of the Architect and taken control of the House. It's up to Arthur to claim the Keys to the Kingdom, defeat the Morrow Days, and fulfill the Will.
The Earthsea Cycle
Young wizard's magic journey of epic proportions
This is an epic fantasy series following the adventures of a powerful wizard named Sparrowhawk (or Ged, which his true name). He lived in a small village as a boy, first discovering his magic powers by accident. Word of him reached an old mage, who took Ged as his apprentice. The young wizard grew impatient with his master's slow way of teaching and traveled to a famous wizarding academy, eager to learn more. Ged's arrogance took the better of him and he allowed a great evil enter the world through a void he had accidentally created when working on an extremely hard spell. In his epic journeys Ged has to battle dragons, help kings, and constantly keep searching for a way to vanquish the evil he set loose on the world. This is really one of the best fantasy books I've ever read!
The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles
Promising debut from a new fantasy author
Meet Persephane Pendrake: a young witch, and, quoting the author, a "general offender of the norm". Together with her wizard friend Thaddeus, and their dragon & dragonfly familiars, the gang sets out to stop the evil witch Melanthios from obtaining nine artifacts of great power and taking over the planet. To make things worse, there are other villains going after the objects of power as well. If you like Harry Potter, you should enjoy this one.
This is the first book out of 9 planned (three trilogies), so be warned, it might take quite a while for you to finish this series!
More Books Like Harry Potter
There are many great books similar to Harry Potter, and everyone who commented on this page has helped me build the following list. Find good Harry Potter alternatives to read, or submit your own recommendation in the comments!
#1. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
This award-winning trilogy follows the coming-of-age of two children, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they wander through a number alternate universes against a backdrop of epic events.
#2. Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
A set of seven classic fantasy novels for children, the Chronicles of Narnia tells of the adventures of children from our world who are magically transported to Narnia: a land where animals talk, magic is common, and good battles evil.
#3. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
12-year-old Artemis Fowl is a son of an Irish crime lord, and an aspiring criminal mastermind himself. He believes in the existence of fairies, and even decides to kidnap one. Artemis gets more than what he bargained for when an elite squad of LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police reconnaissance) lays siege to his manor.
#4. Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
A 12-year-old girl Meggie Folchart has the power of Silvertongue - she can bring objects and characters from the books she reads aloud into reality. She has to deal with dangerous characters her father (who possesses the same ability) accidentally read out of a book called Inkheart, and try to save her mother who in turn got trapped inside it.
#5. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Two lonely children create a magical kingdom in the forest, where they rule as King and Queen of Terabithia.
#6. Magyk (Septimus Heap Series) by Angie Sage
This series follows the adventures of Septimus Heap, who as a seventh son of a seventh son has great magical power . After he becomes apprenticed to the ExtraOrdinary wizard Marcia Overstrand, he must study for seven years and a day before he is qualified to take over from her. This is a great Harry Potter alternative for children aged nine to twelve.
#7. The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
Thomas Ward is a young boy training to be a Spook: an exorcist whose job it is to contain witches, exorcise ghosts and seal off evil spirits. This series is known as "The Last Apprentice" in the US, and "The Wardstone Chronicles" elsewhere.
#8. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Fablehaven is the last refuge for creatures of legend and magic like satyrs, witches, fairies, and trolls. When 13-year-old Kendra and 11-year-old Seth come to visit their grandfather, they have no idea that he is the current caretaker of this magical place. However, magic is not only fascinating, but dangerous as well, and the duo have to find the courage to face the forces of evil.
#9. The Serpent In The Glass by D.M. Andrews
On his eleventh birthday Thomas Farrell is informed that the deceased father he never knew has provided for his education at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. Thomas, however, feels he's just an ordinary boy, but Darkledun Manor proves to be anything but an ordinary school.
#10. Pyromancer by Don Callander
The 'mancer series (Pyromancer, Aquamancer, Geomancer, Aeromancer) follow the adventures of Douglas Brightglade, a young apprentice of the wizard Flarman Firemaster who learns of his natural flare for fire magic and battles the Ice King.
#11. Mister Monday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1) by Garth Nix
Fantasy adventure series by Garth Nix. Arthur Penhaligon, an asthmatic 12-year-old boy finds himself declared the Rightful Heir of the House - the center of the Universe itself. It's up to Arthur to battle the Morrow Days and fulfill the Will of the Architect, creator of the House.
#12. Ellena and the Magic Lamp by R. B. W. Culpepper
Set in present time. Ellena and The Magic Lamp tells the story of Ellena Wilson, whose life changes overnight when she receives a special lamp from her father stationed in Iraq. She quickly discovers the lamp she possesses has an actual genie and by keeping it, she is plunged into the eternal battle of good versus evil that stretches across the cosmos and into different dimensions. Join Ellena and her friends as they try to save all of creation from an ancient evil.