Read every series in the right order
What to Read After Harry Potter – 15 Spell-Binding First-in-Series YA & MG Fantasies
Table of Contents
Wondering what to read after Harry Potter? Whether you’re missing Hogwarts, craving new magical besties, or searching for another series to binge from book one, this curated list is for you.
We’ve handpicked 15 “first-in-series” fantasy and adventure books ideal for fans of Harry Potter—especially those who love magic schools, questing squads, ancient prophecies, and mythical beasts. Some are middle-grade (perfect for younger readers), while others skew YA or crossover. All of them offer rich worlds you’ll want to live in—and more books to follow when you’re hooked.
If you’re building a life-long TBR beyond Hogwarts, here’s our curated list of books everyone should read for every reader’s shelf.
Let the sorting begin!
What to Read After Harry Potter – Books Comparison Table
| # | Title / Series | Genre & Vibe | Humor ★ | Age Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lightning Thief / Percy Jackson | Mythology Quest | ★★★★☆ | 8–14 |
| 2 | The Hunger Games | Dystopian Survival | ★☆☆☆☆ | 12+ |
| 3 | Eragon | High Fantasy / Dragon Rider | ★★☆☆☆ | 12+ |
| 4 | The Fellowship of the Ring / LOTR | Epic Fantasy | ★★☆☆☆ | 13+ |
| 5 | Artemis Fowl | Techy Fairy Heists | ★★★★☆ | 9–13 |
| 6 | The Hobbit | Adventure Fantasy | ★★★☆☆ | 8+ |
| 7 | City of Bones | Urban Fantasy | ★★★☆☆ | 13+ |
| 8 | Inkheart | Bookish Magic | ★★☆☆☆ | 10+ |
| 9 | The Lost Hero | Heroic Quest (Sequel World) | ★★★★☆ | 10+ |
| 10 | Magyk / Septimus Heap | Wizard Apprentice | ★★★★☆ | 9+ |
| 11 | A Wrinkle in Time | Sci-Fi Fantasy Blend | ★★★☆☆ | 10+ |
| 12 | The Amulet of Samarkand / Bartimaeus | Snarky Magic | ★★★★★ | 11+ |
| 13 | Fablehaven | Creature Preserve Fantasy | ★★★★☆ | 9–12 |
| 14 | The Red Pyramid | Egyptian Myth | ★★★☆☆ | 10+ |
| 15 | Howl’s Moving Castle | Whimsical Romance Fantasy | ★★★★☆ | 10+ |
Spotlight Reviews: 15 Magical Series Starters
1. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson #1) by Rick Riordan
If you loved the magical school dynamic in HP, get ready to fall for Camp Half-Blood. Percy Jackson thinks he’s just a regular kid—until he discovers he’s the son of Poseidon and monsters want him dead. This middle-grade classic mixes humor, mythology, and friendship with a fast-paced quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt.
📘 Great for: mythology lovers, reluctant readers, ensemble casts
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated by Jesse Bernstein (≈10 hours)
2. The Hunger Games (Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins
When Katniss volunteers in her sister’s place for the deadly Hunger Games, she becomes a symbol of rebellion in a dystopian world. While darker than HP, the themes of sacrifice, courage, and found family resonate deeply.
📘 Great for: teens who grew up with HP, dystopia fans
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated by Carolyn McCormick (≈11 hours)
3. Eragon (Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini
A boy, a dragon egg, and an ancient order of Riders—Eragon discovers his destiny in a sweeping high fantasy filled with magical languages, secret prophecies, and battle-hardened allies.
📘 Great for: dragon lovers, fans of classic fantasy quests
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated by Gerard Doyle (≈16 hours)
4. The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien’s classic begins with Frodo inheriting a mysterious ring and setting out on a perilous journey. A touch denser than HP, but deeply rewarding for older readers seeking immersive world-building.
📘 Great for: epic fantasy fans, Tolkien-curious teens
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated by Rob Inglis (≈19 hours)
📚 Explore more: The Lord of the Rings in Order
5. Artemis Fowl (Book 1) by Eoin Colfer
Meet Artemis, a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who kidnaps a fairy for ransom. Smart, hilarious, and full of techno-magic action, this is a great pick for readers who prefer clever anti-heroes.
📘 Great for: mischievous minds, humor, light fantasy
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated by Nathaniel Parker (≈6 hours)
📚 Full series list: Fowl Adventures Books in Order
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo’s journey to steal treasure from a dragon is whimsical, adventurous, and surprisingly cozy. A perfect read-aloud for families or solo fantasy fans ready to dip into Middle-earth.
📘 Great for: all ages, family reading, dragons
🎧 Audiobook: Rob Inglis (≈11 hours)
7. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray discovers she’s descended from a secret group of demon-fighting warriors called Shadowhunters. When her mother is kidnapped, Clary is thrust into a gritty underworld of werewolves, warlocks, and forbidden love. Urban fantasy with major emotional angst.
📘 Great for: older teens, romance fans, angel/demon mythology
🎧 Audiobook: Ari Graynor or Mae Whitman (≈13 hours)
8. Inkheart (Inkworld #1) by Cornelia Funke
What if reading aloud brought characters to life—and pulled real people into fiction? Meggie’s father accidentally “reads out” villains from books in this magical meta-fantasy that celebrates the power of storytelling.
📘 Great for: book lovers, introverts, father-daughter readers
🎧 Audiobook: Lynn Redgrave (≈15 hours)
9. The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus #1) by Rick Riordan
New demigods. New camp. New threats. This sequel series to Percy Jackson introduces Jason, Leo, and Piper as they confront Roman gods and fresh prophecy. Fast, funny, and full of Riordan’s signature heart.
📘 Great for: Percy Jackson graduates, ensemble adventures
🎧 Audiobook: Joshua Swanson (≈15 hours)
10. Magyk (Septimus Heap #1) by Angie Sage
In a world of seventh sons and magical mishaps, a baby boy marked for greatness is hidden away to protect him from a dark sorcerer. This quirky, charming series balances light-hearted humor with classic fantasy worldbuilding.
📘 Great for: Harry Potter fans who liked early Hogwarts books
🎧 Audiobook: Allan Corduner (≈12 hours)
11. A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1) by Madeleine L’Engle
Meg travels through space and time to rescue her missing father, encountering celestial beings, shadow worlds, and scientific mysteries. A cerebral but emotional ride through cosmic dimensions.
📘 Great for: readers who enjoy science mixed with fantasy
🎧 Audiobook: Hope Davis or author edition (≈6 hours)
12. The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus #1) by Jonathan Stroud
Set in a modern London run by magicians, this book follows Nathaniel, a cocky young apprentice, and Bartimaeus, the sarcastic djinni he enslaves. Their banter alone makes this a must-read.
📘 Great for: humor, alternate history, morally gray characters
🎧 Audiobook: Simon Jones (≈13 hours)
13. Fablehaven (Fablehaven #1) by Brandon Mull
When siblings Kendra and Seth visit their grandparents, they discover the family estate is a magical preserve for mystical creatures. Mischief and mayhem follow as ancient creatures awaken.
📘 Great for: fans of Hagrid’s magical beasts and protective older sisters
🎧 Audiobook: E.B. Stevens (≈9 hours)
14. The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1) by Rick Riordan
Siblings Carter and Sadie are plunged into a battle with ancient Egyptian gods after their father unleashes chaos at the British Museum. Great action, balanced humor, and dual narration.
📘 Great for: sibling dynamics, Egyptian lore lovers
🎧 Audiobook: Dual cast (≈12 hours)
15. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie is cursed by a witch and runs away to the strange, mobile castle of the notorious wizard Howl. This romantic, whimsical tale has charm, mystery, and slow-burn magic.
📘 Great for: Studio Ghibli fans, cozy fantasy lovers
🎧 Audiobook: Jenny Sterlin (≈7 hours)
Magic-Match Matrix
| House | Series Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Gryffindor | The Hunger Games, Fablehaven, Percy Jackson |
| Hufflepuff | The Hobbit, Howl’s Moving Castle, Magyk |
| Ravenclaw | A Wrinkle in Time, Inkheart, Eragon |
| Slytherin | Artemis Fowl, City of Bones, Bartimaeus |
What to Read After Harry Potter? How to Choose Your Next Series
Age Level:
– 8–11: Fablehaven, Magyk, Artemis Fowl
– 12+: City of Bones, Eragon, The Hunger Games
Tone & Style:
– Light & funny: Bartimaeus, Percy Jackson
– Dark & dystopian: The Hunger Games, City of Bones
– Cozy or whimsical: The Hobbit, Howl’s Moving Castle
Series Length:
– Quick wins: The Hobbit, Wrinkle in Time
– Long-term binge: Heroes of Olympus, Inkworld, Percy Jackson Universe
Semester Reading Roadmap (4-Month Plan)
Month 1: Percy Jackson + Fablehaven
Month 2: Inkheart + City of Bones
Month 3: Eragon + Artemis Fowl
Month 4: The Red Pyramid + Howl’s Moving Castle
FAQs About What to Read After Harry Potter
Is The Hunger Games too intense for younger readers?
Yes. It’s best for readers 12+, due to violence and dark themes.
Which of these are standalones?
The Hobbit and Howl’s Moving Castle can both be read as complete stories.
Do I need to read Percy Jackson before The Lost Hero?
Yes, ideally. You’ll better understand characters and world rules.
Is Bartimaeus appropriate for 10-year-olds?
It depends on reading level. The humor is sophisticated, but appropriate.
Which of these have been adapted into movies?
Percy Jackson, Hunger Games, Eragon, Artemis Fowl, LOTR, The Hobbit, A Wrinkle in Time, Howl’s Moving Castle
Conclusion
From mythic quests to magical preserves, this list offers a fresh entry point into new fantasy worlds—all starting with just the first book. Whether you’re 9 or 90, there’s magic beyond Hogwarts waiting for you.
🧙♂️ Which one will you read first? Tell us in the comments!
📬 Want more curated fantasy lists? Contact Us.
📚 Need help reading in order? Browse our Books in Chronological Order Index.
✨Happy spell-casting and page-turning!
Editor’s Choice – Books In Chronological Order Recommends: Start with Bartimaeus
If you’re looking for a post-Potter read with magic, politics, rebellion, and comedic genius, look no further than The Amulet of Samarkand, the first book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Set in an alternate London ruled by magicians who gain their power by enslaving spirits, this book flips the genre on its head by telling half the story through the eyes of Bartimaeus—a centuries-old djinni who’s as sarcastic as he is powerful. Think: if Dobby had the snark of Loki and the magical know-how of Merlin.
Why it’s perfect for Potterheads:
- Like HP, it has a magical government—but here, it’s run by corrupt sorcerers, not kindly professors.
- The main character Nathaniel starts out like an ambitious young wizard… but is he a hero, or something darker?
- The footnotes (yes, footnotes!) are laugh-out-loud funny and add secret context about magical history and Bartimaeus’s grudges.
It’s smart, satirical, and brilliantly structured. And best of all—unlike many trilogies, this one sticks the landing.
