Best Books If You Loved Harry Potter
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the best next series for Harry Potter fans — Riordan takes the magic school format, replaces Hogwarts with Camp Half-Blood, and builds an equally rich mythological world built on Greek rather than British mythology. It's best for readers who loved the school setting and ensemble friendships of Harry Potter. The tradeoff: The Name of the Wind is the best adult fantasy for Harry Potter fans ready to step up to more complex, literary fantasy.
Disclosure: BestPickZone earns a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you. We research every pick independently.
Quick Comparison
| # | Book | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan | Most Similar to Harry Potter | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis | Most Classic Parallel | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Eragon by Christopher Paolini | Best for Dragon Fans | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss | Best Adult Harry Potter Equivalent | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | The Magicians by Lev Grossman | Best Deconstruction / For Older Fans | Buy on Amazon |
| 6 | Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson | Best for Fantasy System Lovers | Buy on Amazon |
Full Reviews
1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
by Rick Riordan
A boy at a summer camp for demigods. The same ensemble friends + mentor + rising threat structure that made Harry Potter work.
Skip this if: Skip this for adults who want adult-level complexity — this is middle-grade fantasy.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis
Children who step through a wardrobe into a magical world. Lewis's world-building has a different texture from Rowling's but the same quality of complete invented reality.
Skip this if: Skip this if you're not open to Christian allegory — the Narnia series has explicit religious content.
3. Eragon
by Christopher Paolini
A teenage boy bond with a dragon. Epic fantasy with the same coming-of-age journey structure as Harry Potter.
Skip this if: Skip this if you want Rowling's wit — Paolini is earnest where Rowling is playful.
4. The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
A legendary wizard tells his own story. The magic academy sections (the University) are directly comparable to Hogwarts in quality.
Skip this if: Skip this if you want a finished series — book three remains unwritten.
5. The Magicians
by Lev Grossman
A teen discovers a secret magical university that is directly inspired by Narnia and Harry Potter. Grossman examines what wish-fulfillment fantasy does to real people.
Skip this if: Skip this for young readers — The Magicians is adult dark fiction.
6. Mistborn
by Brandon Sanderson
The most rigorously designed magic system in fantasy fiction, in a complete finished trilogy.
Skip this if: Skip this if you want warm emotional tone — Sanderson is less warm than Rowling.
What to Consider Before You Buy
Age progression
After HP: Percy Jackson (all ages). Then Eragon (teens). Then The Name of the Wind (adults). Then The Magicians (mature adults).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I read after Harry Potter?
Percy Jackson for middle-grade energy. The Name of the Wind for adult literary fantasy.
Our Verdict
Percy Jackson for immediate Harry Potter withdrawal. The Name of the Wind when you're ready for adult fantasy.