Harry Potter has taken the shape of so many things over the years: the first big series you finish when you start your reading journey, a classic from your childhood you can’t forget, a movie series people love just as much as the books, and more. If you’re looking to read something else that might give you the same feelings as an HP book, whether it’s dealing with boarding school/ coven magic, the discovery of powers, or just having some crazy cool wizard and witch-like presence that must defeat the BIG BAD, these books are for you. This rec list caters mostly to tweens and teens, but I’ve read plenty of them as an adult and loved them just the same.
Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton—if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real.
Harley Merlin has always been different. If being an orphan wasn’t already isolating, she has unexplainable magical powers and has no idea what to do with them. That is until she is introduced to a hidden world of beasts, magicals, and covens riddled with secrets—as well as clues about her murky past. With the help of Wade and her new friends, she must figure out who the traitor is and why they’re targeting her, before the human and magical worlds dangerously collide.
Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret–at least, that’s what she thinks… But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.
After Nita and Kit take the Wizard’s Oath, they soon learn the world of Wizardry is a bit more dangerous than they expected. In order to complete their transformation and win over their magic, they must defeat the inventor of Death, the Lone Power. Their only hope is to find the Book of Night and find the secret to saving their lives and the world.
After her mother’s death, Bree Matthews seeks solace at a program for gifted students, only to encounter a magical attack on her first night. Witnessing this event unlocks her own latent powers and prompts her to delve into her mother’s mysterious past. With the help of a reluctant ally, she navigates a secret society, uncovering her connection to a magical legacy and facing a choice: seek the truth behind her mother’s death or join a coming magical war
Cursed and slated for a tragic end, Morrigan Crow’s fate takes a surprising turn when she’s whisked away to the magical city of Nevermoor by the enigmatic Jupiter North. There, she’s offered a chance to join the prestigious Wundrous Society, but to secure her place, she must triumph over daunting trials. With her destiny hanging in the balance, Morrigan must discover her own extraordinary talent or face a grim future.
Excited for her sister’s initiation into the powerful Gom clan of Korean healing witches, Riley Oh longs to share in their magical world. But as a saram without magic, she feels like an outsider. When her sister proposes a spell to share her magic, Riley eagerly agrees, but their plan goes awry, putting Hattie’s life at risk. To save her sister, Riley must embark on a quest to find the last fallen star, leading her to discover truths that challenge her beliefs about magic, family, and belonging.
Sophie and Agatha, best friends, dream of attending the School for Good & Evil. But when they’re unexpectedly placed in opposite schools, they must navigate new challenges and question their true identities.