If you’re a fan of Harry Potter and want to explore similar series, you’re in luck. From Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” to C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia,” there are plenty of books that are similar to the Harry Potter series. These books will transport you to new worlds, introduce you to unforgettable characters, and offer endless hours of reading pleasure.
The Harry Potter book series has captured the hearts and minds of readers of all ages for over two decades. With its intricate magical world, well-developed characters, and compelling storylines, it has become a cultural phenomenon. However, as much as we love Harry Potter, we crave new stories that offer similar elements of fantasy, adventure, and magic. Fortunately, there are many books like the famous ones written by J.K. Rowling that offer a comparable reading experience. Read on for an expose to such books.
How Many Books Are In The Harry Potter Series?
The Harry Potter series is a collection of seven books written by J.K. Rowling. It follows the life of Harry Potter, a young orphan who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. He is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he makes friends and enemies, learns magic, and uncovers the truth about his family and his connection to the evil Lord Voldemort.
Throughout the series, Harry and his friends – Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley face many challenges, including battles with dark wizards and creatures, solving complex puzzles, and navigating the complex world of magic and politics.
The Harry Potter series explores themes such as friendship, love, loss, and the perpetual battle between good and evil. It has captivated audiences of all ages and has become a cultural phenomenon, selling over 500 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 80 languages. It has also been adapted into a successful film series consisting of eight movies, with the first one released in 2001 and the last one in 2011.
List of Harry Potter Books
In the order in which they were published, here is a list of the seven books in the Harry Potter series:
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (published in the US as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In addition to the seven main novels, J.K. Rowling has also written several companion books to the series, including “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, “Quidditch Through the Ages”, and “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”. These companion books are set in the same wizarding world as the Harry Potter series and provide additional background and context for the story.
Other Books To Read If You Like Harry Potter
1. The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels written by C.S. Lewis. The series is set in the fictional world of Narnia, a magical land populated by talking animals, mythical creatures, and powerful rulers. The books were published between 1950 and 1956 and have become classics of children’s literature.
The series begins with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which four siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – discover a magical wardrobe that leads them to Narnia. They soon find themselves embroiled in a struggle against the evil White Witch, who has plunged Narnia into a state of perpetual winter. With the help of Aslan, the great lion, and ruler of Narnia, the children work to overthrow the Witch and restore Narnia to its former glory.
In the subsequent books, the children continue to visit Narnia and become involved in various adventures, including battles against evil giants, sea serpents, and other nefarious creatures. Along the way, they learn important lessons about bravery, loyalty, and the power of faith.
2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a five-book fantasy series written by Rick Riordan. The series follows the adventures of Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers that he is a demigod, the offspring of a mortal and a Greek god. Along with his friends Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood, Percy embarks on a series of quests to save the world of Greek mythology from various monsters and villains.
Throughout the series, Percy encounters a host of characters from Greek mythology, including Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Medusa, among others. The books are full of action, humor, and suspense, as Percy and his friends use their powers and wit to battle their enemies and overcome obstacles.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a popular series that has sold millions of copies and has been adapted into a successful film franchise. Its themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery have resonated with readers of all ages, making it a beloved classic of young adult literature.
3. The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series – Michael Scott
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series by Michael Scott is a bestselling fantasy series consisting of six books that follow the adventures of twins Sophie and Josh Newman, who discover that they are part of a world of ancient magic, mythological beings, and an epic battle between good and evil.
The series begins with “The Alchemyst,” where Sophie and Josh are introduced to the immortal alchemist Nicholas Flamel and his quest to protect the powerful Book of Abraham the Mage. As they journey through different locations, encountering mythological creatures and historical figures, they uncover their own hidden powers and the prophecy that foretells their role in the upcoming battle.
As the series progresses, Sophie and Josh become entangled in the conflict between the Dark Elders, who seek to control the world, and the human and immortals who fight against them. They must learn to harness their powers, make allies, and face formidable foes to prevent the release of an ancient evil that could bring about the end of the world.
With a richly imagined world blending fantasy, mythology, and history, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series is filled with action, adventure, magic, and intricate plot twists that keep readers captivated throughout the series.
4. The Mortal Instruments – Cassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments is a bestselling young adult fantasy series by Cassandra Clare, consisting of six books that follow the adventures of Clary Fray, a teenage girl who discovers that she is a Shadowhunter, a human-angel hybrid whose mission is to protect the world from demons and other supernatural threats.
In the first book, “City of Bones,” Clary discovers her powers and is thrown into a world of danger and intrigue, where she meets other Shadowhunters, including the mysterious and attractive Jace Wayland. As Clary delves deeper into her past, she uncovers shocking secrets about her family and her true identity, all while battling demons and other supernatural creatures.
The subsequent books in the series explore Clary’s growing powers, her complicated relationship with Jace, and the ongoing battle between the Shadowhunters and their enemies. Along the way, Clary and her friends face betrayal, loss, and heartache but also find love, friendship, and hope.
With a richly evocative world, complex characters, and a gripping plot, The Mortal Instruments series has captured the hearts of readers worldwide, spawning a successful movie adaptation and several spin-off series set in the same world.
5. The Magisterium – Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
The Magisterium series is a five-book young adult fantasy series co-written by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. The story follows Callum Hunt, a twelve-year-old boy who has been raised by his father to fear and hate magic, which he believes killed his mother. When Callum is summoned to attend the Magisterium, a school for young mages, he discovers that his father has been lying to him all his life and that he has a natural talent for magic.
Throughout the series, Callum, along with his friends Tamara and Aaron, learns the ways of magic and becomes embroiled in a battle against the evil chaos mage Constantine Madden, who seeks to destroy the Magisterium and take over the magical world. Along the way, Callum faces challenges to his beliefs and his loyalties, and he discovers secrets about his past and his true destiny.
With a fast-paced plot, intriguing characters, and a richly imagined magical world, The Magisterium series has been praised for its compelling storytelling, originality, and thought-provoking themes.
6. The Inheritance Cycle – Christopher Paolini
The Inheritance Cycle is a series of four epic fantasy novels by American author Christopher Paolini. The story takes place in the fictional land of Alagaësia, where a young farm boy named Eragon discovers a dragon egg that hatches into a blue dragon named Saphira. Together, they embark on a quest to defeat the evil king Galbatorix, who has been ruling the land with an iron fist for decades.
Along the way, Eragon learns the ways of magic, battles fierce enemies, and uncovers secrets about his family and the world around him. The Inheritance Cycle has been praised for its intricate world-building, captivating characters, and epic scale.
7. The Pennyroyal Academy Series – M.A. Larson
The Pennyroyal Academy Series is a trilogy of young adult fantasy novels by M.A. Larson. The books follow the adventures of a young girl named Evie, who enrolls in Pennyroyal Academy, a school for princesses and knights, to fulfill her dream of becoming a hero.
In the first book, “Pennyroyal Academy,” Evie learns the ways of chivalry and combat, making friends and enemies along the way. She also discovers that the world is under threat from the witches, who seek to enslave humanity and rule over all.
In the second book, “The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy,” Evie is chosen to lead a group of misfits known as the Shadow Cadets, who are tasked with infiltrating the witches’ strongholds and gathering intelligence.
In the final book, “The Warrior Princess of Pennyroyal Academy,” Evie must confront the witch who destroyed her home and family and stop her from unleashing terrible magic that will destroy the world.
The series is a thrilling adventure with themes of courage, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself. It has been a success both commercially and critically, garnering a dedicated fan base and establishing M.A. Larson as a notable author in the young adult fantasy genre.
8. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel written by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in the nation of Panem, which consists of the wealthy Capitol and twelve impoverished districts. Each year, one boy and one girl from each district are selected by lottery to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised event in which the participants fight to the death until only one survivor remains.
The protagonist of the story is Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl from District 12 who volunteers to take the place of her younger sister in the Hunger Games. Along with her fellow tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark, Katniss must navigate the deadly arena and form alliances in order to survive. As the Games progress, Katniss becomes a symbol of hope for the oppressed people of Panem, sparking a rebellion against the Capitol.
The Hunger Games, which is a series of three books, is a gripping tale of survival and rebellion, with themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power. It has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a popular film adaptation and spawning a trilogy of sequels.
9. The Keys To The Kingdom – Garth Nix
The Keys To The Kingdom is a seven-book fantasy series by Australian author Garth Nix. The story follows a young boy named Arthur Penhaligon, who is chosen as the rightful Heir of the House, a mysterious and otherworldly realm parallel to Earth.
Arthur must navigate a series of surreal and dangerous adventures in each of the Seven Days, each of which is associated with a different “Key” and a different part of the House, in order to save both the House and the world from an evil force known as the Morrow Days. Along the way, Arthur encounters various allies and enemies, faces challenges and tests, and learns about his destiny as the Heir.
10. The Dark is Rising Sequence – Susan Cooper
The Dark Is Rising Sequence is a series of five fantasy novels by British author Susan Cooper. The story follows a young boy named Will Stanton, who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is an Old One, a guardian of the Light who is destined to fight against the forces of the Dark. With the help of other Old Ones and magical powers, Will must collect six ancient signs and use them to defeat the rising Dark.
Set in rural England and Wales, the series is known for its atmospheric and vivid descriptions of the natural world, as well as its exploration of the struggle between good and evil. The Dark is Rising sequence has been praised for its mesmerizing characters, rich mythology, and masterful storytelling.
11. Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series – Ransom Riggs
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series is a dark and whimsical tale written by Ransom Riggs. The story follows Jacob Portman, who, after the death of his grandfather, discovers a secret world of children with peculiar abilities. He is taken back in time to the 1940s to Miss Peregrine’s home, where she protects and cares for these children. As he learns more about the children, he discovers that they are being hunted by evil creatures known as Hollows.
The series is filled with adventure, friendship, and self-discovery as Jacob and his new friends fight to protect themselves and their world from the dangers that threaten them. The books also feature a unique blend of text and vintage photography, adding an eerie and haunting atmosphere to the story.
12. His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
His Dark Materials is a trilogy of young adult fantasy novels by British author Philip Pullman. The series includes “Northern Lights” (published as “The Golden Compass” in North America), “The Subtle Knife,” and “The Amber Spyglass.” Pullman explores themes of science, religion, and the nature of consciousness in the series, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.
His Dark Materials is set in a parallel universe where humans have animal companions called daemons and centers on the young protagonist, Lyra Belacqua, and her adventures as she discovers secrets about her world and fights against a sinister organization known as the Magisterium.
13. The Dragon Keepers Series – Kate Klimo
The Dragon Keepers series is a children’s book series written by Kate Klimo. The series is full of adventure, friendship, and magical creatures, making it a similar book to the Harry Potter series and a great read for children who love fantasy and dragons. The books are also filled with illustrations, making it an engaging read for young readers.
The series follows the adventures of two friends, Jesse and Daisy, who discover a dragon egg and become the keepers of a new dragon. As they try to keep their dragon, Emmy, hidden and safe from harm, they discover a whole world of dragons, including an evil dragon slayer named Gorlan.
14. The Kingston Series – Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi
The Kingston Series is a two-book urban fantasy series co-authored by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi. The story is set in present-day New York City and follows the adventures of Kingston “King” Barnes, a street-smart hustler who discovers that he is the last living descendant of an ancient African king with supernatural powers.
In the first book, “The Ninth House,” King is recruited by a secret society known as the Order of the Round Table to help them find a missing artifact that has the power to destroy the world. Along with his best friend, a computer hacker named Elias, and a member of the Order named Ngozi, King must use his powers and street smarts to navigate the dangerous world of magic and sorcery.
In the second book, “The Dark Nation,” King and his allies must once again team up to stop a powerful demon from unleashing chaos on the world. The series is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure with themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of self-discovery.
15. The Uncommoners – Jennifer Bell
The Uncommoners is a children’s book series by Jennifer Bell. The series, which is filled with mystery, adventure, and magic, follows the adventures of Ivy and her brother Seb, who discover a secret underground city called Lundinor that is filled with strange and magical objects.
Ivy and Seb come from a family of Uncommoners, people who can see and use these magical objects, and they soon find themselves caught up in a dangerous adventure to protect Lundinor from an evil group known as the Dirge. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters and uncover family secrets.
Books Like Harry Potter for Adults
If you read the Harry Potter books when they were first released, you are most definitely now an adult. However, the fondness for magical books need not fade away with childhood. Most people who enjoyed Harry Potter have a deep appreciation for books that are rich in magic and have intricate storylines that interweave multiple elements and characters. Here are a few books like Harry Potter that are suitable for adults.
1. The Magicians (Lev Grossman): A young man named Quentin Coldwater discovers a secret college of magic in upstate New York, leading him to a world where magic is real.
2. The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss): This is the story of Kvothe, a legendary wizard, warrior, and musician who recounts his life story to a chronicler in a tavern.
3. The Dresden Files (Jim Butcher): Harry Dresden is a wizard and a private investigator in modern-day Chicago. He takes on supernatural cases and often finds himself fighting dangerous creatures like vampires and demons.
4. A Discovery of Witches (Deborah Harkness): When a young scholar named Diana Bishop discovers a lost manuscript that holds the secrets of magic, she must navigate a dangerous world of witches, vampires, and demons to protect it.
5. The Kingkiller Chronicle (Patrick Rothfuss): This series follows the story of Kvothe, a legendary magician and musician who tells the story of his life to a chronicler over the course of three days.
6. Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson): Set in a world where the sky is red, and ash falls constantly, Mistborn follows a group of rebels as they try to overthrow the Lord Ruler, a tyrant who has ruled for a thousand years.
7. The Inheritance Trilogy (N.K. Jemisin): This series follows the story of a young woman named Yeine as she is thrust into the politics of the ruling class of the world of the gods.
8. A Darker Shade of Magic (V.E. Schwab): In this series, there are four parallel versions of London, each with its own level of magic. The story follows Kell, a powerful magician who can travel between the worlds, and Lila, a thief who becomes his unlikely ally.
9. The Witcher (Andrzej Sapkowski): This series follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a witcher who hunts monsters for a living.
10. The Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan): This series follows a group of young people as they are drawn into a world-spanning conflict between good and evil.
