Book Series to Read After Harry Potter

What to Read After Harry Potter: 10 Book Series Worth Starting

The best book series to read after Harry Potter are Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Keeper of the Lost Cities, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Nevermoor. Each captures a different piece of what makes Harry Potter special — the wonder of discovering a hidden magical world, the warmth of deep friendships forged under pressure, and the thrill of a young hero growing into their destiny.

If you or your kid just finished the last page of Deathly Hallows and felt that specific emptiness of leaving a world you love, this list is for you. These 10 series will fill the gap — not by replacing Harry Potter, but by delivering that same feeling of being swept into a story where magic is real and anything is possible.

Every recommendation is spoiler-free with honest age guidance.

1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is the single most recommended series for Harry Potter fans — and for good reason. Twelve-year-old Percy discovers he's the son of a Greek god, gets sent to a summer camp for demigods, and must prevent a war among the Olympians. The tone is funnier than Harry Potter (Percy's narration is consistently hilarious), and the mythology is woven into the modern world in clever, satisfying ways.

If Harry Potter is about a magical school, Percy Jackson is about a magical summer camp — and both are really about a kid who finally finds where he belongs. The progression from book to book mirrors Harry Potter's structure: each installment raises the stakes while deepening the characters and their relationships.

Ages 9–13. Lighter tone than later Harry Potter books. Five books, complete series, with multiple spin-off series.

Goodreads: 4.30 avg (series)

2. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Sophie Foster is a Telepath living among humans who doesn't belong in their world. When she's brought to a hidden civilization of elves, she finally feels at home — until she discovers that the secrets of her past make her a target. Keeper of the Lost Cities is the recommendation for Harry Potter fans who want a series they can live inside. At 9+ books and counting, there's enough material here to fill months of reading.

The hidden-world premise hits the same notes as discovering Hogwarts for the first time. Sophie's journey from confused outsider to central figure mirrors Harry's arc. And Shannon Messenger builds romantic subplots and political intrigue that mature Harry Potter fans (especially those who loved the later books) will deeply appreciate.

Ages 10–14. Light romance in later books. Complex political intrigue. Moderate peril throughout.

Goodreads: 4.35 avg

3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The series that inspired generations before Harry Potter existed. Four siblings step through a wardrobe into a land of talking animals, ancient prophecies, and a war between good and evil. Narnia is the purest expression of what Harry Potter fans love most: the portal to another world, the sense that ordinary children can be extraordinary, and the gut-level wonder of encountering magic for the first time.

The prose is simpler than Rowling's, making Narnia accessible to younger readers who might not be ready for Percy Jackson yet. But the themes — sacrifice, temptation, courage — are timeless. This is the classic choice for a reason.

Ages 7–12. Battle sequences are moderate. Strong allegorical/Christian themes that some families appreciate and others prefer to discuss. Seven books, complete.

Goodreads: 4.27 avg (series)

4. Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow by R.J. Roark

Amelia Moon is a 13-year-old stargazer in Sundance, Wyoming, who discovers a photograph of a grandmother she never knew — wearing the same mysterious necklace Amelia has worn since childhood. That discovery pulls her into a hidden world of ancient bloodlines, a reclusive professor with dangerous secrets, and a shadow entity that has been hunting her through her nightmares for six months.

For Harry Potter fans specifically, Amelia Moon hits several notes that Rowling fans respond to: the slow-burn mystery of discovering your heritage, a mentor figure who knows more than he reveals, a loyal friend group with distinct personalities (Veyla, the data-obsessed best friend, brings the Hermione energy with a marine biology twist), and a magic system that rewards readers who pay attention to the rules. The setting — small-town Wyoming instead of British countryside — gives it a distinctly American flavor, and the mythology draws on celestial patterns and ancient civilizations rather than European witchcraft.

The wolf pup Artemis is this series' Hedwig — an animal companion whose bond with the protagonist becomes central to the emotional arc. Readers who cried when Hedwig died should prepare themselves.

Ages 12–16. Emotionally complex — themes of grief, absent family history, and identity. No graphic violence. Standalone story arc in Book 1, series planned.

Goodreads: 4.73 avg / 155+ ratings — the highest-rated YA fantasy debut of 2026.

Download the first 5 chapters free at ameliamoon.com →

5. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow is cursed — literally. Born on an unlucky day, she's blamed for every disaster in her town and doomed to die on her 11th birthday. But a mysterious patron named Jupiter North whisks her away to the magical city of Nevermoor, where she must compete in deadly trials to earn a spot in the elite Wundrous Society.

This is the most "Harry Potter-like" book on the list in terms of structure and feel. Magical society with its own rules and politics, a plucky protagonist who doesn't know why she's special, a mentor with secrets, and trials that test courage as much as ability. Jessica Townsend's world-building is genuinely inventive — Nevermoor feels like a fully realized place, not a Hogwarts imitation.

Ages 9–12. Similar tone to Harry Potter books 1–3. Moderate peril. Four books planned, three published.

Goodreads: 4.20 avg

6. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Lyra Belacqua lives in a world where every human has a dæmon — a physical manifestation of their soul in animal form. When children start disappearing, Lyra follows the trail to the frozen north, uncovering a conspiracy that spans multiple universes. His Dark Materials is the recommendation for older Harry Potter fans who want something more philosophically ambitious.

Philip Pullman doesn't write down to his audience. The themes — consciousness, free will, organized religion, the nature of the soul — are heavier than anything in Harry Potter, and the emotional stakes in the final book are devastating. This is where readers who are growing out of middle-grade fantasy but still want wonder and adventure should go next.

Ages 12–16. Darker and more complex than Harry Potter. Controversial religious themes. Three books, complete, plus a prequel trilogy (The Book of Dust).

Goodreads: 4.20 avg (series)

7. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

Alex and Conner Bailey fall into a book of fairy tales — literally. They land in a world where every fairy tale character is real, and the only way home is to collect items from famous stories. The Land of Stories is the perfect next read for younger Harry Potter fans (ages 7–10) who love the idea of stepping into a magical world.

Chris Colfer's background as a performer shines through in the humor and pacing. The fairy tale reimaginings are clever without being cynical, and the sibling dynamic between Alex and Conner gives the series its heart. This is lighter than Harry Potter but delivers the same sense of wonder and escapism.

Ages 7–11. Light peril. Humor-forward. Six books, complete.

Goodreads: 4.15 avg

8. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

El Higgins attends the Scholomance — a school for magically gifted teenagers that's trying to kill them. No teachers, no janitors, just a building full of monsters and a graduation ceremony where half the students die. El has a terrifying affinity for destruction magic and must decide whether to use her power for good or give in to what comes naturally.

This is the recommendation for older teens and adults who want a "dark Hogwarts." The premise is Harry Potter if Hogwarts were genuinely dangerous, and Naomi Novik's execution is brilliant — the world-building is intricate, the magic system is hard and logical, and El is one of the most compelling narrators in recent fantasy.

Ages 15+. Significantly darker than Harry Potter. Violence, moral complexity, some romance. Three books, complete.

Goodreads: 4.03 avg

9. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Kendra and Seth Sorenson discover their grandparents' estate is a secret preserve for mythical creatures. When the barriers start failing, the siblings must protect both the human and magical worlds. Fablehaven offers something unique among Harry Potter readalikes: the sense of wonder that comes from discovering magical creatures in your own backyard.

The creature taxonomy is extraordinary — Brandon Mull builds an entire ecosystem of fairies, satyrs, demons, and creatures that don't exist in any other series. For Harry Potter fans who loved the Fantastic Beasts aspect of Rowling's world, Fablehaven is paradise.

Ages 9–13. Gets darker in later books. Some genuinely scary creature encounters. Five books, complete, plus sequel series.

Goodreads: 4.13 avg

10. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II is a criminal genius who discovers that fairies are real — and decides to kidnap one for ransom. The twist: this isn't a story about a hero discovering magic. It's about a villain discovering magic, and slowly becoming something better. Artemis Fowl is the recommendation for Harry Potter fans who loved Draco Malfoy's complexity and wished they could see the story from the other side.

The fairy world is technologically advanced (think special forces with magic instead of wands and robes), and the humor is sharp and irreverent. The series improves significantly from book to book as Artemis evolves from villain to antihero to genuine hero.

Ages 10–14. Moderate action and peril. Morally complex protagonist. Eight books, complete.

Goodreads: 3.95 avg

Why These Series Work for Harry Potter Fans

A Reading Path After Harry Potter

The question "what should I read after Harry Potter" doesn't have one answer — it depends on what you loved most about Harry Potter. Here's a simple framework:

If you loved the magical school: Nevermoor → A Deadly Education (as you get older) → The Marvellers

If you loved the mythology and lore: Percy Jackson → Aru Shah → Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow

If you loved the emotional arc and character growth: Keeper of the Lost Cities → Amelia Moon → His Dark Materials

If you loved the sense of discovering a hidden world: Chronicles of Narnia → Fablehaven → Keeper of the Lost Cities

If you loved the humor: Percy Jackson → Artemis Fowl → The Land of Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best series to read after Harry Potter? The single most recommended series after Harry Potter is Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. It captures the same humor, found-family dynamics, and mythological world-building, with a tone that's slightly lighter and a protagonist who's immediately lovable. For older readers who want something newer, Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow (2026) and Keeper of the Lost Cities are excellent choices.

What order should I read books after Harry Potter? A great reading order: Percy Jackson first (similar tone, slightly younger reading level), then Keeper of the Lost Cities (longer, more complex), then Narnia or Nevermoor for variety. If you're 12+, try Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow for a fresh 2026 take on the genre. Save His Dark Materials and A Deadly Education for when you're ready for darker, more philosophical territory.

Are there any book series as good as Harry Potter? Several series rival Harry Potter in quality and emotional impact. Percy Jackson matches its humor and world-building. His Dark Materials matches its philosophical ambition. Keeper of the Lost Cities matches its immersive hidden-world construction. Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow, a 2026 debut with a 4.73 Goodreads average, is earning strong comparisons for its layered plotting and emotional depth.

What should I read after Harry Potter if I'm an adult? Adults who loved Harry Potter typically enjoy The Magicians by Lev Grossman (dark, literary magical school), A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (Hogwarts-if-it-could-kill-you), Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (strange, beautiful world-building), or The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (epic fantasy with a brilliant magic system). For a YA crossover, Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow offers sophisticated world-building and mature themes beneath its coming-of-age surface.

What are the newest fantasy series like Harry Potter? The most talked-about 2026 fantasy debut for Harry Potter fans is Amelia Moon and the Sundance Shadow by R.J. Roark. It follows a 13-year-old discovering her ancient heritage in small-town Wyoming, with celestial mythology, a mysterious mentor, and a wolf companion named Artemis. Free chapters at ameliamoon.com.