Ready to leave Hogwarts behind? If rereading the seven books isn't on your agenda, fear not! Numerous captivating reads await, offering fantastical storytelling to satisfy your craving for magic. From magical school murder mysteries to cloud-based spell-teaching academies, and even low-stakes fantasy tales about 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 enjoy in 2025.
Looking for more Hogwarts magic? Explore the wizarding world with friends through one of the best Harry Potter board games, or delve into our list of the best movies like Harry Potter for a cinematic experience reminiscent of the films.
The Marvellers
Longing for the experience of starting at a magical academy? This is the perfect book. The Marvellers evokes childhood wonder as Dhonielle Clayton transports us to the enchanting Arcanum, a global magic school nestled high in the clouds. Ella, the school's first conjurer, is thrilled, but the Arcanum holds secrets and mistrust behind its gilded facade. Clayton crafts a world you'll yearn to join, yet doesn't shy away from the harsh realities that even magical realms face. Ella is a dynamic protagonist, leaving readers eager for more adventures in her magical world.
### The Marvellers
7Hardcover and Kindle editions are available; paperback pre-orders begin August 29, 2023. Available on 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, as he embarks 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 tackling the challenges of growing up. Riordan initially wrote these stories for his son, but the immersive world he created has captivated readers globally—and for good reason.
Explore our complete guide to the Percy Jackson books or the new Percy Jackson series on Disney+ for more adventures.
### Percy Jackson & the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set
4All five books in the acclaimed Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, in paperback, presented in a boxed set, complete with a bonus poster! (Hardcover and audio CD also available). Available on 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 discovers a dragon egg and is thrust into a world of magic, peril, and dragons. Across four books, the protagonist and his dragon mature as they confront 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
1Available on Amazon.
Legends & Lattes
If Hogwarts' feasts and Hogsmeade trips were your favorite parts, Legends & Lattes is your next read. Travis Baldree's enchanting cozy fantasy has taken the internet by storm. This heartwarming tale of an orc abandoning her warrior life to open a coffee shop is one of the most magical and fantastical stories in recent years. Filled with delicious treats, steaming drinks, and charming customers, this found family story satisfies fantasy cravings without the anxiety of high stakes or violence. Instead, it offers witty banter, budding romance, and baking.
### Legends & Lattes
4Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available on Amazon.
Cemetery Boys
Aiden Thomas' stunning debut about a trans boy who dreams of becoming a Brujo but accidentally summons the wrong ghost, is a captivating read. Yadriel, confident in his identity, attempts to prove his family wrong with a spell, but instead of summoning his cousin, he summons the ghost of his school's notorious bad boy, Julian. Yadriel must help Julian find peace before returning to his life. Sweet, spooky, and romantic, this unique fantasy will keep you engaged until the very end.
### Cemetery Boys
1Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. $0 with Kindle Unlimited. Available on Amazon.
Grimoire of the Grave Fates
This innovative magical school anthology features interconnected short stories about the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary, rocked by a murder. 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 in a bold, subversive, and radical take on the magic school trope.
### Grimoire of the Grave Fates
4Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available on Amazon.
Magic For Liars
Murder abounds in magical schools, as demonstrated in Magic For Liars, where a gruesome killing brings private investigator Ivy Gamble back to the supernatural world that rejected her. While her sister Tabitha thrived and teaches at The Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, Ivy struggles until 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 realistic world with subtle magic. The mystery, along with intricate character development and relationships, will keep you hooked.
### Magic For Liars
2Hardcover and Kindle editions are available. Available on Amazon.
Be Sure
This collection of the first three stories in Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series is a perfect summer or autumn read. McGuire's best-selling novellas, beginning with Every Heart a Doorway, are collected for the first time. Set in a school for children banished from portal worlds (think Alice in Wonderland or Narnia), the series begins with a murder mystery and continues to surprise. Filled with complex characters, incredible worlds, and engaging storytelling, these are among the best fantasy stories of the last decade.
### Be Sure
1Hardcover edition also available. Available on Amazon.
