It's time to pack your trunks and bid farewell to Hogwarts! If rereading the seven books isn't on your immediate agenda, fear not! A wealth of captivating reads awaits, ready to satisfy your craving for fantastical storytelling. From magical school murder mysteries to spellbinding academies nestled in the clouds, and even low-stakes fantasy adventures featuring boarding schools for magically-rejected children, this list has something for everyone. Grab your wand, find a cozy spot, and prepare to discover new favorite books to rival the Harry Potter series in 2025.
Want more Hogwarts? Enrich your wizarding world experience with one of the best Harry Potter board games, or explore our list of the best movies like Harry Potter for a cinematic adventure reminiscent of the films.
The Marvellers
If you long for the feeling of being a new student at a magical academy, The Marvellers is the perfect choice. Dhonielle Clayton transports you back to childhood wonder as she unveils the enchanting world of the Arcanum, a global magic school soaring high above 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 yearn to join, yet doesn't shy away from the harsh realities that even magical spaces face. Ella is a dynamic protagonist, and you'll finish The Marvellers desperate for more, eager to rejoin her in her magical world.
### The Marvellers
7 Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now; paperback pre-orders begin August 29, 2023. See it at Amazon
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Rick Riordan's epic fantasy series serves as a fantastic counterpart to the Boy Who Lived. Introducing a world where the children of gods live among us, the first book follows Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, on a perilous quest to find the thief who stole Zeus' lightning bolts and clear his name. These inclusive, thoughtful stories expertly blend the fantastical with the everyday, featuring a hero with ADHD and dyslexia, and navigating the challenges of growing up. Originally written for his son, Riordan's immersive world has captivated readers globally—and it's easy to see why.
Explore our complete guide to the Percy Jackson books in order, or delve into the new Percy Jackson series on Disney+ for more adventures.
### Percy Jackson & the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set
4 All five books in the blockbuster Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, 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 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 stumbles upon a dragon egg and is thrust into a world of magic, danger, and dragons. Across four books, the protagonist and his dragon grow together, confronting a seemingly invincible enemy bent on destruction. This excellent young adult fantasy bridges the gap between Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
### The Inheritance Cycle
1 See it at Amazon
Legends & Lattes
If Hogwarts' lavish feasts and Hogsmeade visits were your favorite parts, Legends & Lattes is your next read. Travis Baldree's delightful cozy fantasy has taken the internet by storm, and for good reason. This charming tale of an orc abandoning her warrior life to open a coffee shop is one of the most magical and enchanting stories in recent years. Filled with delicious baked goods, steaming hot drinks, and endearing customers, this found-family story satisfies your fantasy cravings without the anxiety-inducing high stakes and violence often found in the genre. Instead, it offers witty banter, budding romance, and delightful baking.
### Legends & Lattes
4 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, but accidentally summons the wrong ghost, made a huge splash. Yadriel, secure in his identity, attempts to prove himself to his family with a spell, but instead of his cousin, summons the ghost of his school's notorious bad boy, Julian. Forced to help Julian find peace, Yadriel must navigate this unexpected situation before returning to his life. Sweet, spooky, and romantic, this unique fantasy will keep you reading until the very end.
### Cemetery Boys
1 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 interconnected short stories about the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary, shattered by a murder. Eighteen chapters, penned by eighteen authors—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 eighteen students' perspectives, providing a bold, 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
4 Hardcover and Kindle versions are available now. See it at Amazon
Magic For Liars
Murder abounds at magical schools, as proven in Magic For Liars, where a gruesome killing draws private investigator Ivy Gamble back into the supernatural world that rejected her. While her sister Tabitha thrived and teaches at The Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, Ivy struggles to make ends meet until hired to solve a murder at her sister's school. This contemporary twist on the classic magic school tale is witty, mature, and set in a realistically recognizable world with a subtle magical touch. The mystery will keep you guessing, but the intricate characters and relationships will truly captivate you.
### Magic For Liars
2 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 the perfect summer or autumn read. McGuire's best-selling novellas, beginning with Every Heart a Doorway, have enchanted readers since their release and are now collected for the first time. Set in a school for children banished from portal worlds (think Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia), the series begins with a murder mystery and continues to surprise. Filled with intriguing characters, unbelievable worlds, and McGuire's captivating storytelling, these are some of the best fantasy stories of the last decade. Prepare to fall in love and have your heart broken as you explore what lies beyond the door.
### Be Sure
1 Hardcover version also available. See it at Amazon
