8 Books Like Harry Potter for Muggles Who Miss the Magic

There’s no magic like reading and, many will agree, there’s no series quite as magic-filled as Harry Potter.

While it’s always entertaining to pick up HP for a re-read, there are so many perfect picks out there for the Harry Potter generation.

It should come as no surprise that there are plenty of fantastical picks for kids and teens, luckily there are also a few books like Harry Potter out there for readers that are all grown up and looking for something new that is, perhaps, reminiscent of the story of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

If you’re a Potterhead, you’ll enjoy reading these selections late into the night, whether you have an owl by your side or not. After all, most of these Harry Potter read-alikes are the beginning of series and we all know that series are a fantasy reader’s best friend.

Browse these titles now for FREE with your library card. Don’t have one? Sign up for free online, opens a new window.

1. Children of Blood and Bone, opens a new window by Tomi Adeyemi

You’ve probably already heard of this much-buzzed-about title (thank you Jimmy Fallon, opens a new window!), but be sure to read it before the movie comes out. Dubbed the black Harry Potter, this extraordinary title is a West African-inspired fantasy.

When King Saran eradicated magic from Orïsha 11 years ago, he slaughtered anyone with magic abilities, known as the maji. Now, Zélie has gone on the offensive to restore magic to her kingdom. This is a complex and expansive fantasy, opens a new window, sure to hold your full attention.

Children of Blood and Bone is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.

2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, opens a new window by Jessica Townsend

This is a children’s novel, but has all the adventure and personal struggle that every Potterhead is familiar with. Morrigan is a cursed child and waiting for her destiny, which is to die at midnight on her 11th birthday.

Her rescuer, Jupiter North, sponsors her in the remarkable Wundrous Society trials and introduces her to all the magic contained in the land of Nevermoor.

Jessica Townsend creates a believable magical world with fantastical elements that tickle the imagination. It’s a page-turner for all ages, opens a new window.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.

3. The Hazel Wood, opens a new window by Melissa Albert

Alice Proserpine has lived her life attempting to outrun the bad luck that plagues her and her mother.

But, it turns out that it isn’t bad luck that the Proserpine women have to avoid but something much more sinister and just as uncontrollable. How do you elude storybook characters that are determined to return you to your own personal fairytale?

This is a dark, smart read, opens a new window that celebrates the bonds between women and the importance of discovering your own path.

The Hazel Wood is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.

4. The Magicians, opens a new window by Lev Grossman

Imagine that magic was real and that, at the tender age of 18, you pass the magical SATs and are on your way to the equivalent of Hocus Pocus Harvard.

Yet somehow, you still have to go through the serious business of passing classes, growing up and becoming part of the adult world.

Go ahead and file this series, opens a new window under “books like Harry Potter for adults.” In it, Lev Grossman has woven university life and the disenchantment of youth seamlessly with his wizarding universe—think Hogwarts as a (much, much darker) post-secondary institution. Magic doesn't solve all problems and growing up holds a bundle.

The Magicians is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window. The two other books in the trilogy, The Magician King, opens a new window and The Magician’s Land, opens a new window, are available on various formats. Bonus: there’s now a TV adaptation of the books, opens a new window airing on SyFy.

5. Sorcerer to the Crown, opens a new window by Zen Cho

Zacharias Wythe has taken on the role of Sorcerer Royal, much to the displeasure of England’s magical elite.

As he investigates the crisis of dwindling magic resources, he crosses paths with Prunella Gentlemen, who fights for women’s right to perform magic.

Witty and lively, this story, opens a new window weaves issues of gender and race together with magic and intrigue.

Sorcerer to the Crown is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.

6. Dreams and Shadows, opens a new window by Robert Cargill

This tale shares the stories of Ewan and Colby, who live in the natural world but feel the pull of something otherworldly as well.

The ties both boys have to the faery realm are strong and, as the veil between the two worlds fades, they’re dragged back to the Limestone Kingdom where they navigate a supernatural landscape.

This magic-infused book, opens a new window is an immersive, fast-paced read.

Dreams and Shadows is available as a book, opens a new windoweBook, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window.

7. The Name of the Wind, opens a new window by Patrick Rothfuss

From a childhood spent in a troupe of traveling players to studying at a school of magic to suspicious associations with royalty, Kvothe has lived an extraordinary life, but now hides his previous existence under the guise of an innkeeper.

When a stranger recognizes his true identity, Koveth is persuaded to tell the truth of all of his heroic tales.

Praised by the fantasy elite—including George R.R. Martin, Terry Brooks and Ursula K. Le Guin—this epic fantasy, opens a new window builds a layered and detailed world while chronicling Kvothe’s storied life.

The Name of the Wind is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window and audiobook CD, opens a new window. More books in the series are available on various formats, opens a new window.

8. Shadowshaper, opens a new window by Daniel Jose Older

Sierra is an artist determined to beautify her Brooklyn neighbourhood and preserve her Puerto Rican heritage through her art.

When a zombie-like creature disrupts a summer party, she learns that she not only an artist but also a Shadowshaper that can animate her art by infusing it with ancestral spirits.

This modern, urban fantasy, opens a new window tackles issues of cultural appropriation, gentrification and gender roles with personality and spirit.

Shadowshaper is available as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and streaming audiobook, opens a new window. Other books in the series are available on various formats, opens a new window.

Looking for something that’s not on the list? We’ve got plenty of enchanting reads, from children’s and YA picks to adult fantasy.

Browse Fantasy, opens a new window

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