This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclaimer here.
Since its publication in 1997, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has become a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. The magical world of Hogwarts, the characters, and the storylines have left a lasting impression on people of all ages.
While there’s no way to truly recapture the magic, there are plenty of books and stories set in worlds just as wonderful as the wizarding world of Harry Potter. In this post we’ve collated a few of our favourite magic worlds that we think have a similar feel — with marvels and delights galore that are sure to capture your heart and imagination.
10 Books Like Harry Potter
1. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
The Magicians by Lev Grossman is a popular contemporary fantasy series that follows a group of young adults attending Brakebills, a secret school of magic. The story is often compared to Harry Potter because of the magical school setting, the coming-of-age themes, and the dark, complex plotlines.
Though a more mature and edgier story than Harry Potter, The Magicians is a good choice for people looking to get a magic school fix.
2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan is a popular young adult fantasy series that’s often compared to Harry Potter — it features a hidden magical world layered over our contemporary one. The difference is that instead of a wizarding world, the Greek gods of Olympus are real, and living above New York.
The series follows Percy Jackson, who discovers he’s a demigod, the son of Poseidon. Thrust into a dangerous world of gods and monsters, he must embark on a quest to save the world. The series is action-packed, full of humour, and features a lovable cast of characters.
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games sets up a strong good vs evil dichotomy and presents a young hero who must overcome adversity to reshape the world for the better. However, the two series also have striking differences — Harry Potter takes place in a magical wizarding world, while The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian future.
Katniss Everdeen is chosen to compete in a televised battle to the death — a tool of terror designed to control the population. She becomes the figurehead for a revolution and must overcome the dark forces working against her. The book deals with themes of survival, love, and rebellion, making it an excellent choice for Harry Potter fans looking for a darker, grittier story.
4. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is a fantastical trilogy that follows Lyra Belacqua, a young girl who embarks on a quest to save her world and others from a mysterious substance called Dust.
The series features expansive and imaginative world-building, complex characters, and a deep exploration of philosophy, religion, and morality.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis is a classic fantasy series that’s often compared to Harry Potter because of its magical world and epic adventures.
The series follows the Pevensie siblings as they journey to the magical land of Narnia and encounter mythical creatures, witches, and talking animals. The series is timeless, enchanting, and full of wonder.
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Known as the father of fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic The Hobbit is an adventure of epic proportions with a hero of diminutive stature. Though better known for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is a more fun-sized novel depicting the incredible journey of Bilbo Baggins as he travels with Gandalf and his troop of dwarves to the Misty Mountains.
With trolls and goblins, dragons and wizards, shapeshifters and giant spiders, this story has inspired countless works of fiction, including Harry Potter.
7. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Though not obviously like Harry Potter on the surface, Eragon definitely captures a similar magical excitement. It follows Eragon, a farm boy who discovers a dragon egg in a world of magic, elves, dwarves, and dragons ruled by a tyrant of insurmountable power.
When Eragon discovers the egg, he becomes a target of the evil king and must go on a quest to become strong enough to one day face evil head-on as the last free dragon rider. With epic battles and rich world-building, it’s an excellent choice for Harry Potter fans who enjoy action-packed fantasy.
8. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is a young adult fantasy novel about a girl named Meggie who discovers that her father has the ability to bring characters from books to life.
The book is filled with adventure, magic, and danger, and has been compared to Harry Potter for its engaging plot which layers fantastical feats of magic on a world that’s otherwise entirely relatable.
9. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper follows a boy named Will Stanton, who discovers that he’s the last of the Old Ones. Will must find the six Signs that will aid him in his quest against the Dark. Along the way he encounters a variety of magical events and characters, and must overcome not only the adversaries pitted against him, but his own doubts and fears.
Set in a rural, historical England — compared to Harry Potter’s modern, urban England — and generally darker in tone, the book is filled with magic, adventure, and mythology.
10. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Stardust by Neil Gaiman is a fantasy novel about a young man named Tristan who lives in the village of Wall, located next to a magical land called Faerie. In order to win the heart of his true love, Victoria, Tristan promises to bring her a fallen star from Faerie.
He sets off on a journey and discovers that the star is actually a beautiful woman named Yvaine. Along the way, Tristan and Yvaine encounter various magical creatures and dangerous adversaries who are also after the star. As they make their way back to Wall, they fall in love and must navigate a series of obstacles to stay together. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of magic, all set against the backdrop of a rich and imaginative fantasy world.
Books Like Harry Potter: Final Words
The Harry Potter series has become a fantasy cornerstone, offering a marvellous escape into the twisting, exciting, and original world of wizards. It deals with complex themes but is at its heart a classic tale of good vs evil.
While there is no way to truly recapture the magic of Harry Potter, these 10 books certainly give it a good go. Offering adventure, magic, monsters, and dragons, these emotional and formative books will capture your imagination and swing you off into a whole new world — at least for a little bit.
So whether you’re looking for a magical school setting, a dystopian adventure, or a journey through a fantastical world, these books like Harry Potter are sure to satisfy your cravings. Additionally, once you’re done with the books, most of the stories listed above have TV or film adaptations which are worth watching — aside from the Eragon movie, which I’d give a skip if I were you.
You Might Also Like
Love books? You'll love Litloop.
Track your reading, send personal recs, and have real conversations about the books you love.
Create free accountFree forever · Beta now live · iOS & Android apps coming soon
