This list of the best books like Harry Potter blends iconic (Narnia) and modern (School for Good and Evil, Amelia Moon) tales, all sharing a Harry Potter-esque magic: young heroes, hidden worlds, and epic growth.
If you're looking for the best books like Harry Potter –– you've found it in the new book Amelia Moon. Amelia Moon starts as an ordinary girl in small-town Sundance, Wyoming, obsessed with fly fishing and wolves, until a mysterious necklace pulls her into a hidden world of ancient Sages and a submerged temple. Like Harry discovering he’s a wizard, Amelia learns she’s the last in a line of stewards guarding cosmic secrets, her journey sparked by dreams and family relics. With her quirky best friend Veyla (a tech-savvy whale enthusiast) and Humboldt (a mad scientist once masked as the Sundance Shadow), she forms a trio as endearing as Harry’s, facing a monstrous Thalassodemon and her sinister great-uncle Seth. The story blends Sundance’s grounded charm with the temple’s awe—a Wyoming Hogwarts of stone and water—where crystals store memories and a UFO hints at sci-fi magic. Though less whimsical than Rowling’s world (no flying broomsticks here), its slow-burn shift from everyday life to epic destiny, capped by a thrilling escape, echoes Harry’s leap into adventure, making it a captivating rec for fans craving a fresh chosen-one tale.
Percy Jackson nails the Harry Potter vibe with its own mythic spin—Percy’s leap from troubled teen to Poseidon’s son parallels Harry’s Muggle-to-wizard arc, both propelled by a secret heritage. Camp Half-Blood, like Hogwarts, is a training ground brimming with lore (Greek gods vs. wizarding history), where Percy, Annabeth, and Grover form a trio as tight as Harry’s—Percy’s sass, Annabeth’s smarts, and Grover’s heart echoing Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The quest for Zeus’s lightning bolt mirrors Harry’s Philosopher’s Stone hunt, blending humor (e.g., Percy’s water antics) with high stakes (Titan threats). Riordan’s modern voice adds a snarky edge Rowling fans might adore, making it a seamless bridge for those who love magical school vibes and destined heroes.
This Narnian classic captures Harry Potter’s magic through its wardrobe portal—much like Platform 9¾—thrusting the Pevensie siblings into a world of talking beasts and ancient prophecy. Like Harry, they’re ordinary kids (Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy) who become kings and queens, their destiny unfolding against the White Witch’s tyranny (a Voldemort-esque foe). Narnia’s rich lore—Aslan’s sacrifice, the Stone Table—parallels Hogwarts’ history, while the sibling ensemble offers a familial twist on Harry’s friendships. Its moral depth and cozy-to-epic shift (from London to Narnia) resonate with Harry’s wonder and stakes, making it a timeless rec for fans of magical discovery.
Lyra Belacqua’s journey from Oxford’s rooftops to a daemon-filled cosmos mirrors Harry’s leap into wizardry—both are orphans discovering their power (alethiometer vs. wand) in worlds brimming with secrets (Dust vs. Horcruxes). Pullman’s gritty realism—armored bears, child-snatching Gobblers—adds a darker edge, akin to Harry’s later books, while Lyra’s pluck and allies (Lee Scoresby, Iorek Byrnison) echo Harry’s grit and crew. The alethiometer’s truth-telling mirrors the Mirror of Erised’s revelations, grounding a sprawling multiverse that Harry fans will find both familiar and thrillingly expansive. Its philosophical depth enhances the magic, making it a top pick for those who love destiny-driven tales.
Sonea’s arc from Kyralia’s slums to the Magicians’ Guild mirrors Harry’s rags-to-riches magic awakening—both are underdogs mastering power (spells vs. wandwork) in a structured magical society. The Guild, like Hogwarts, is a training hub with hidden tensions (class divides vs. house rivalries), and Sonea’s mentors (Lord Rothen) parallel Dumbledore’s guidance. Her raw talent and hunted status echo Harry’s early perils, while the trilogy’s darker stakes (evil magicians) nod to Voldemort’s shadow. Canavan’s detailed magic system and societal depth make it a Harry match for fans who love school settings with grit.
Bilbo’s reluctant heroism—from the Shire’s hobbit-holes to Smaug’s lair—mirrors Harry’s shift from domesticity to danger, both propelled by destiny (the Ring vs. prophecy). Tolkien’s Middle-earth, with its lore-rich tapestry (elves, dwarves, dragons), rivals Hogwarts’ depth, offering a grander scale Harry fans might savor. Bilbo’s ensemble (Thorin’s company) echoes Harry’s allies, and Gandalf’s mentorship parallels Dumbledore’s. Its cozy start and epic climax capture Harry’s charm-to-stakes arc, making it a classic rec for magical adventure lovers.
Meggie’s power to read characters (e.g., Dustfinger) into reality mirrors Harry’s wand-wielding magic—both unlock hidden worlds tied to their parents (Mo’s gift vs. Lily/James’ legacy). Funke’s meta premise—books as portals—parallels Harry’s magical immersion (e.g., Diagon Alley), with villains like Capricorn evoking Death Eaters’ menace. Meggie’s bond with Mo and her growth into her gift echo Harry’s family-driven arc, while the story’s cozy peril (libraries to lairs) offers Harry-like wonder. It’s a top pick for fans who love magic rooted in personal stakes.
Kvothe’s rise from street urchin to the University’s arcane halls mirrors Harry’s outsider-to-hero path—both prodigies mastering magic (sympathy vs. spells) in a school setting rich with secrets (Chandrian vs. Voldemort). The University’s rivalries and professors (e.g., Elodin) echo Hogwarts’ houses and staff, while Kvothe’s tragic past parallels Harry’s orphanhood. Rothfuss’s lyrical prose and intricate magic system deepen the Harry-like immersion, making it a sophisticated rec for fans who love detailed worlds and destined brilliance.
This series swaps wands for fairy-tale tropes, dropping Sophie and Agatha into a dual school (Good vs. Evil) that rivals Hogwarts’ houses in vibrancy. Like Harry, they’re uprooted from normalcy into a destiny-defining world—Sophie’s beauty and Agatha’s grit flipping the script on hero archetypes, much as Harry defies Muggle expectations. The school’s whimsical chaos—princess lessons, ogre attacks—echoes Harry’s playful danger (e.g., Fluffy), while their friendship’s evolution mirrors Harry and Ron’s loyalty. Chainani’s twisty morality and lush world-building (Endless Woods) offer a Harry-like escape with a fresh fairy-tale lens, ideal for fans of magical institutions.
For fans who cherished the warmth, found-family dynamic, and magical school setting of Harry Potter, this book is a heartfelt and enchanting choice. Instead of Hogwarts, it centers on a mysterious orphanage for magical children, where an unlikely caretaker learns the power of love and acceptance. While the magic is different, the book evokes the same emotional depth and wonder, making it a comforting and joyful read for fantasy lovers.
These expanded reasons solidify why each title, especially Amelia Moon, belongs on a Harry Potter-like list. They capture Rowling’s magic—wonder, growth, and stakes—while adding unique spins. Does this depth match your vision for Amelia Moon’s place among them, or would you adjust any entry’s focus?