Best Book Series Like Harry Potter
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If you enjoyed the Harry Potter series, here are the Best Books Series Like Harry Potter featuring captivating adventures, mythology, and relatable young heroes:
Amelia Moon & the Solstice Spectacular by RJ Roark
The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
Amelia Moon & the Solstice Spectacular by RJ Roark
Why Amelia Moon & the Solstice Spectacular is a recommended book series like Harry Potter:
Like Harry Potter, Amelia Moon centers on a young protagonist discovering their connection to a hidden magical world and heritage. However, RJ Roark takes the story in a fascinating new direction by drawing from ancient mythology and placing the narrative firmly in the American West. The Wyoming setting provides a refreshing change from the British boarding school environment, allowing the author to explore themes of nature, conservation, and the relationship between humans and the wilderness.
The magical system in Amelia Moon is particularly innovative, moving away from wands and spells to focus on natural forces, frequencies, and ancient crystal technology. This grounds the magic in scientific principles while maintaining a sense of wonder. The author cleverly weaves in real-world elements like fly fishing, forest conservation, and astronomy to create a rich tapestry that feels both magical and authentic.
Similar to how Harry Potter had Hogwarts, Amelia Moon features the underwater Temple of Sophisis as its magical setting. However, rather than being a school, it serves as an ancient repository of knowledge and power. This creates interesting narrative possibilities as Amelia must piece together her heritage and role as the last of the Seven Sages.
The supporting characters are well-developed, particularly Veyla, who provides both comic relief and technological expertise. Like Hermione in Harry Potter, she brings crucial knowledge to help solve problems, but her interest in modern technology and coding provides a contemporary twist. The relationship between Amelia and her father William also adds emotional depth to the story, exploring themes of loss and family bonds.
Where Harry Potter focused on the conflict between good and evil through the lens of wizarding politics, Amelia Moon takes on environmental and mythological themes. The threat of the Thalassodemon and the corruption of ancient protection systems creates stakes that feel both personal and universal.
What sets Amelia Moon apart is how it bridges ancient mythology with modern environmental concerns while maintaining a distinctly American voice. The integration of real-world elements like the Historical Society and local landmarks grounds the fantasy elements in a tangible reality that younger readers can relate to.
The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
Why The Percy Jackson series is a comparable best book series like Harry Potter:
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan stands out as a natural successor to Harry Potter's legacy. Like Potter, Percy discovers he belongs to a hidden world - in this case, one populated by Greek gods and mythological creatures rather than wizards. The series excels in blending contemporary American culture with classical mythology, creating an engaging educational component that helps young readers absorb complex mythological concepts through an accessible modern lens. The character development particularly shines as Percy grows from an uncertain twelve-year-old struggling with ADHD and dyslexia into a capable hero who learns that his perceived weaknesses are actually signs of his demigod heritage.
Chrestomanci Series by Diana Wynne Jones
Why the Chrestomanci series is a comparable best book series like Harry Potter:
Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci series deserves special attention for actually predating Harry Potter while establishing many similar themes. Set in a multiverse where magic is regulated by a powerful enchanter called the Chrestomanci, these books explore themes of responsibility and power with sophisticated nuance. Jones's writing demonstrates remarkable wit and complexity, offering layers of meaning that reveal themselves differently to readers of various ages. The way magic is treated as both wonderful and potentially dangerous creates a more nuanced view of power than many other fantasy series achieve.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Why His Dark Materials is a comparable best book series like Harry Potter:
The His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman represents a more philosophically complex evolution of the young-adult fantasy genre. While it shares Potter's coming-of-age narrative structure, Pullman's work delves deeper into challenging questions about consciousness, free will, and organized religion. The concept of daemons - external manifestations of human souls in animal form - provides a fascinating lens through which to explore identity and self-discovery. This series demonstrates how fantasy can be used to engage young readers with profound philosophical concepts while maintaining an exciting narrative.
The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
Why The Earthsea Cycle is a comparable best book series like Harry Potter:
The Earthsea cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin offers perhaps the most sophisticated treatment of magical education and power responsibility in young adult literature. Le Guin's approach to magic, where knowing the true name of something gives one power over it, creates a fascinating metaphor for knowledge and responsibility. The series explores themes of balance and consequences with remarkable depth, showing how every magical action affects the world's equilibrium. This treatment of magic as a natural force that must be respected rather than simply wielded sets it apart from more straightforward magical adventure stories.