The Best Books to Read Next If You Loved the Harry Potter Series

It's time to pack your trunk and bid farewell to Hogwarts. If you're not planning to dive back into all seven books anytime soon, don't worry—there are plenty of other enchanting books waiting to captivate you with their fantastical tales. From thrilling magical school murder mysteries to spellbinding academies in the clouds, from low-stakes fantasy adventures to a boarding school for kids who've been turned away from the mythical realms they once explored, our list has something for everyone. So, grab your wand, find a cozy spot, and prepare to discover new favorites to rival the Harry Potter series in 2025.

Craving more magic from the wizarding world? Gather your friends and immerse yourselves in the magic with one of the best Harry Potter board games. Or, for a cinematic experience akin to the Harry Potter films, check out our list of the best movies like Harry Potter.

The Marvellers

If you're eager to experience the thrill of being a new student at a magical academy, The Marvellers is the book for you. Dhonielle Clayton's enchanting narrative transports readers to the Arcanum, a global magic school perched high in the clouds. Ella, the school's first conjurer, is brimming with excitement, but she soon discovers that the Arcanum harbors secrets and mistrust behind its gilded doors. Clayton masterfully crafts a world that beckons you to join, while never shying away from the grim realities that can affect even the most magical of places. Ella's dynamic character will leave you yearning for more and eager to dive back into her magical world.

The Marvellers

Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now, while the paperback is up for pre-order on August 29, 2023. See it at Amazon

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Rick Riordan's epic fantasy series offers a compelling counterpart to the Boy Who Lived. It introduces readers to a world where the children of gods walk among us. The first book follows Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, on a perilous quest to retrieve Zeus' stolen lightning bolts and clear his name. These inclusive, thoughtful stories masterfully balance the fantastical with the everyday, featuring a hero with ADHD and dyslexia navigating the challenges of growing up. Originally written for Riordan's son, the immersive world he created has become beloved by readers worldwide, and it's easy to see why.

For a complete guide, check out our full list of the Percy Jackson books in order, or dive into the new Percy Jackson series on Disney+ for more adventures.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set

All five books in the blockbuster Percy Jackson and the Olympians series are available in paperback, collected in a boxed set fit for demigods, complete with a bonus poster! (Hardcover and audio CD also available). See it at Amazon

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle)

While it doesn't feature a magical school, Christopher Paolini's The Inheritance Cycle is an excellent follow-up for fans of Harry Potter. The story follows Eragon, a young teen who discovers a dragon egg and is thrust into a world of magic, danger, and dragons. With four books in the series, readers witness the growth of both Eragon and his dragon as they confront a seemingly invincible malevolent force bent on destroying everything they hold dear. This young adult fantasy strikes a balance between the worlds of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.

The Inheritance Cycle

See it at Amazon

Legends & Lattes

If you loved the sumptuous feasts and trips to Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter series, Legends & Lattes is your next must-read. Travis Baldree's cozy fantasy has captured the hearts of readers online, and for good reason. It tells the story of an Orc who trades her warrior life for the tranquility of running a coffee shop. Filled with delectable baked goods, steaming hot drinks, and charming customers, this novel offers a magical and fantastical tale with low stakes and no high-fantasy violence. Instead, it's brimming with fun banter, budding romance, and the joy of baking.

Legends & Lattes

Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at Amazon

Cemetery Boys

Aiden Thomas's stunning debut, Cemetery Boys, introduces readers to Yadriel, a trans boy aspiring to become a Brujo. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally summons the ghost of his school's notorious bad boy, Julian, instead of his cousin. Yadriel must help Julian come to terms with his fate before returning to his own life. This novel is sweet, spooky, and romantic—a unique fantasy that will keep you turning pages until the very end.

Cemetery Boys

Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. $0 with Kindle Unlimited. See it at Amazon

Grimoire of the Grave Fates

This innovative addition to the magical school genre is a collection of short stories that weave together to tell the tale of the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary, disrupted by a murder. Over 18 chapters, 18 authors—including Cam Montgomery, Darcie Little Badger, Hafsah Faizal, Jessica Lewis, Julian Winters, Karuna Riazi, Kat Cho, Kayla Whaley, Kwame Mbalia, L. L. McKinney, Marieke Nijkamp, Mason Deaver, Natasha Díaz, Preeti Chhibber, Randy Ribay, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Victoria Lee, and Yamile Saied Méndez—offer 18 students' perspectives, creating a bracing, subversive, and ultimately radical take on the magic school trope. Grimoire of the Grave Fates is the kind of thoughtful fantasy we need more of.

Grimoire of the Grave Fates

Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at Amazon

Magic For Liars

In Magic For Liars, murders haunt magical schools once again. A gruesome killing draws private detective Ivy Gamble back into the supernatural world she was rejected from. While her sister Tabitha thrives as a teacher at The Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, Ivy barely scrapes by as a PI until she's hired to solve a murder at her sister's school. This contemporary twist on the classic magic school tale is witty and adult, set in a recognizably realistic world with a subtle magical twist. The mystery keeps you guessing, but it's the intricate character work and relationships that truly captivate.

Magic For Liars

Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at Amazon

Be Sure

This beautiful collection of the first three stories in Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series is perfect for a summer to fall read. McGuire's bestselling novellas have enchanted readers since the release of Every Heart a Doorway, and now they're collected for the first time. Set against the backdrop of a school for kids who've been expelled from portal worlds—like those in Alice in Wonderland or the Narnia books—the series kicks off with a murder mystery and continues to surprise. Filled with intriguing, complex characters, unbelievable worlds, and McGuire's engaging storytelling, these are some of the best fantasy stories of the last decade. Get your copy and prepare to fall in love and have your heart broken as you explore what lies beyond the door.

Be Sure

Hardcover version available. See it at Amazon