Trudi Canavan’s The Magician’s Guild, the first book in The Black Magician Trilogy, shares many qualities that make Harry Potter such a beloved fantasy series. Both books introduce readers to a young protagonist discovering their hidden magical abilities, a structured magical society, and a world filled with powerful, mysterious figures. Like Harry Potter, The Magician’s Guild explores themes of self-discovery, class struggles, and the battle between light and darkness, making it an excellent choice for fans looking for a richly built magical world with a compelling protagonist.
At the heart of both stories is a young protagonist who doesn’t initially know they have magical abilities. In Harry Potter, Harry learns he is a wizard on his eleventh birthday and is whisked away to Hogwarts. In The Magician’s Guild, Sonea is a girl from the slums of Imardin who discovers her natural magical ability by accident when she throws a stone that breaks through a powerful magical barrier.
Both Harry and Sonea are outsiders in a world they never knew existed, and their magic places them at the center of attention—both wanted and unwanted. Like Harry, Sonea struggles with self-doubt and fear of her own abilities, but as she begins to train in magic, she realizes she may be far more powerful than anyone expected. This journey of self-discovery and learning to control immense power is a key reason why The Magician’s Guild appeals to fans of Harry Potter.
OOne of the most appealing aspects of Harry Potter is the detailed and immersive wizarding world, with its laws, traditions, and divisions between different types of magic users. The Magician’s Guild presents a similarly structured magical world, where magic is controlled and governed by an elite group of magicians who live separately from the rest of society.
While Hogwarts serves as a place for young witches and wizards to develop their skills, the Magician’s Guild of Kyralia is where trained magicians practice and expand their abilities. However, unlike Hogwarts, the Guild is an exclusive institution that does not accept outsiders, and Sonea’s entrance into this world is met with hostility because of her lower-class background. This struggle to be accepted echoes Harry’s challenges at Hogwarts, where he faces both admiration and resentment from the wizarding community.
One of the most compelling aspects of The Magician’s Guild is its exploration of social divisions within the magical world. In Harry Potter, there is a clear divide between pure-blood wizards, half-bloods, and Muggle-borns, with discrimination playing a major role in Harry’s struggles against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Similarly, The Magician’s Guild explores the prejudice between the wealthy upper-class magicians and the poor lower-class citizens of Imardin.
Sonea, as a girl from the slums, is seen as unworthy of magic and faces discrimination from many within the Guild. Much like how Hermione is dismissed by some pure-blood wizards for being Muggle-born, Sonea must prove herself in a society that does not want her to succeed. This dynamic adds depth to the world-building and creates tension within the story, making it more than just a tale of magic—it’s also a story of challenging societal norms and fighting for a place in a world that sees you as an outsider.
Both Harry Potter and The Magician’s Guild feature a mysterious, looming danger that threatens the magical world. In Harry Potter, Voldemort’s presence casts a shadow over everything, and even as he remains hidden, his influence spreads through those loyal to him. In The Magician’s Guild, there is a dark secret hiding within the ranks of the Magician’s Guild, one that Sonea begins to uncover as she learns more about the powerful figures within it.
This sense of an impending conflict, where the protagonist is drawn into a battle that is much bigger than themselves, adds intrigue and suspense to both stories. Readers who loved the gradual unveiling of Voldemort’s return and his hidden followers in Harry Potter will find similar intrigue in The Magician’s Guild.
One of the most beloved aspects of Harry Potter is the friendships and rivalries that shape Harry’s journey. His bond with Ron and Hermione, the mentorship of Dumbledore, and the constant opposition from Draco Malfoy and Snape create layers of tension and emotional depth.
In The Magician’s Guild, Sonea also finds herself caught between friendships, mentors, and enemies. She develops a complicated relationship with her mentor, who is determined to help her but also represents the elite magical society that rejects her. Meanwhile, she must navigate the dangerous rivalries within the Guild, where some magicians would rather see her fail than allow a lower-class girl to succeed. This dynamic of mentorship, struggle, and the need to prove oneself resonates strongly with the themes in Harry Potter.
Both books treat magic as a powerful but dangerous force that must be controlled. In Harry Potter, wizards are trained from a young age to develop their abilities, but dark magic lurks beneath the surface, tempting some toward forbidden power. In The Magician’s Guild, magic is also a highly structured and disciplined force, with those in power controlling its teachings. However, as Sonea’s abilities grow, it becomes clear that there are secrets and dangers within magic itself that few understand.
This theme of magic as something that must be learned, controlled, and protected from abuse is central to both books. The fear of what happens when magic falls into the wrong hands drives much of the conflict, keeping readers engaged in the unfolding mystery.
Like Harry Potter, The Magician’s Guild is more than just a fantasy novel—it is a coming-of-age story about a young person navigating an unfamiliar world, facing adversity, and discovering their inner strength. Sonea’s journey mirrors Harry’s in that she starts as an outsider, struggles to be accepted, and gradually begins to embrace her potential.
Both books balance personal growth with large-scale magical conflicts, ensuring that the protagonist’s emotional journey is just as compelling as the adventure itself. This combination of magic, self-discovery, and high stakes makes The Magician’s Guild a fantastic read for fans of Harry Potter.
For readers who love Harry Potter and are looking for another immersive magical world, The Magician’s Guild offers a story filled with mystery, adventure, and the struggles of an outsider proving their worth. With its rich world-building, structured magical society, deep class struggles, and a protagonist with hidden power, it delivers the same sense of wonder and excitement that made Harry Potter such a phenomenon. Fans of magical learning, dark secrets, and a hero’s journey through an unjust system will find The Magician’s Guild a thrilling and rewarding next read.