Nonetheless hung up on Harry Potter? On this article, author Alex Ok. Masse explores the phenomenon of outgrowing the world of Harry Potter as readers age and acquire new values. This listing sheds mild on some iconic literary titans and recent new books, highlighting tales with profound, progressive views on our world — and the magical worlds past.
It’s 2024, and J.Ok. Rowling is trending – but once more – for making transphobic feedback on the Web. Whether or not it’s her naming in a cyberbullying lawsuit in opposition to Olympian Imane Khelif, or her newest tirade in opposition to Paralympian Valentina Petrillo, and even one among her earlier controversies, it might probably sting for a chunk of media that’s introduced a lot consolation and solace to have misplaced its magic.
A typical piece of recommendation for recovering Potterheads is to learn one other e-book – however as a lot as individuals say that, it’s uncommon for them to really supply any respectable suggestions. As knowledgeable reader of books that aren’t by J.Ok. Rowling and an newbie scholar of what makes fandoms tick, these days are over. Listed below are 9 e-book suggestions, some outdated however most new, with queer and BIPOC artists on the forefront.
The Wayward Kids Sequence by Seanan McGuire
For the Portal Fantasy Fanatic
Perhaps for you, probably the most thrilling a part of Harry Potter was the concept of a magical world present proper alongside ours, and also you yearned for the day you bought your letter from Hogwarts. In that case, take a look at Wayward Kids, a sequence that asks: what occurs to the children that fell into magical worlds, solely to be thrust again into normalcy in opposition to their will? In the event that they’re fortunate, they might find yourself at Eleanor West’s House for Wayward Kids, a boarding faculty for homesick teen heroes, united by a craving to rediscover the magical Door that’ll take them again to the place they honestly belong, whether or not that’s a glimmering marble underworld or a chaotic sweet kingdom.
An ongoing sequence, every title explores a brand new aspect of the world – or a brand new world completely, full with its personal guidelines, magic, and quirks – with a vibrant, lovable forged of characters, beautiful, outright poetic prose, an enchanting underlying plot concerning the mechanics of Doorways themselves, and a recent, subversive tackle the portal fantasy story you received’t be capable to get sufficient of. The books are additionally quick and fast to learn, making them simply bingeable – and a good way to fall again in love with studying if it’s been some time.
The Final Binding Sequence by Freya Marske
For the Anglophile
Did studying Harry Potter make you yearn for the streets of London, and the magic you hoped was hidden inside them? Is a visit to England in your bucket listing? Are you totally enamored with the British accent? If that’s the case, The Final Binding sequence could also be for you!
By means of an administrative error, Robin Blyth has been employed as a authorities liaison for the key magical society of Edwardian England. To make issues worse, his precursor disappeared underneath mysterious circumstances, leaving Robin to take care of curses, conspiracies, and a office crush, all whereas navigating the unusual world of the magical households of Britain, the place even the estates themselves are alive with energy.
Regardless of its historic setting, The Final Binding feels undeniably recent – its magic creates an city fantasy world not like some other, glowing however nonetheless grounded in its thrilling and thorough magic system, and the characters’ relationships to that magic, and one another, are deeply pleasing to observe unfold.
With a singular magic system, an intriguing thriller, and several other charming queer romances, The Final Binding is the total package deal.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
For the Britain-Obsessed (in a way more important manner)
Did studying Harry Potter make you yearn for the halls of Oxford and Cambridge, the place you may dwell out your darkish academia fantasies? Did you subsequently have to come back to grips with the British Empire’s violent colonial historical past and the methods its violence continues to be perpetuated immediately, together with in educational areas? If that’s the case, Babel could also be proper up your alley.
On the floor, Robin Swift’s story is one among triumph: rescued from his birthplace in Canton after his mother and father succumb to cholera, years of language coaching equip him to enroll in Oxford College, the place he can examine silver working–a type of magic powered by translation and its inherent imperfection. Nevertheless, the extra time Robin spends at Oxford, the extra it feels issues aren’t so easy–he faces racism from friends and professors alike, and witnesses the brutal imperialism the British Empire enacts in opposition to his homeland. Because the racist slights add up and Britain’s colonial conflicts escalate, Robin should select between the life he was granted and the life that was taken from him.
With a magic system constructed round translation that interrogates colonialism at its core, Babel is a must-read for any disillusioned darkish educational, expertly subverting the picture of the ivory tower from inside, equal elements poetic and unflinching.
The Lifeless Djinn Tales by P. Djeli Clark
For a Enjoyable and Recent Fantasy Setting
Perhaps, truly, you don’t need something to do with Britain anymore, critically or in any other case – or, for that matter, city fantasies the place magic is someway stored secret. How about coming to 1910s Cairo, with a narrative that’s equal elements enjoyable and fantastical, and a snazzy steampunk aesthetic?
In A Grasp of Djinn, the veil fell many years in the past, and each method of magical being from djinn to an Egyptian deity is ready to make an look. Clark’s worldbuilding seamlessly integrates all types of magic and fantasy into this Cairo, one which’s lovely and thrilling in equal measure.
Moreover, the protagonist, Fatma el-Sha’arawi, is a breath of recent air – she’s skilled in dealing with the supernatural, has a sarcastic streak, and might be one of many best-dressed protagonists within the steampunk style (although which may be my bias to girls in fits talking). She additionally has pleasant relationships with each her fellow detective Hadia and her love curiosity Siti, and total, the e-book simply typically feels good to learn – certain, the inciting occasion is a homicide and even on this magical alternate historical past, colonialism and misogyny nonetheless exist, however the forged is endearing and there’s a constant word of humor and hope that ties every part collectively, alongside some actually enjoyable and interesting worldbuilding.
Lobizona by Romina Garber
For a Recent New Tackle Magic Faculties
If you wish to go away Britain behind completely however persist with colleges of magic, Lobizona is price trying out. Manuela Azul is a nerdy teenager with mysterious golden eyes who loves astronomy and a superb e-book – and she or he occurs to be an undocumented immigrant from Argentina. Due to her standing, she lives out her days in a Miami residence, hiding along with her mom for worry of being deported or pursued by the prison household of her lacking father. When her mom is detained by ICE, Manu discovers the reality: her father belonged to a hidden world of witches and werewolves, and she or he carries that magic in her blood. She quickly enrolls in a faculty of magic, however, as a half-human hybrid, her very existence is marked as unlawful, not not like her residency in America.
El Laberinto, the e-book’s magic faculty, units itself aside with its vivid, beautiful aesthetic, a shifting labyrinth hidden within the Florida Everglades alive with magical herbs and a dwelling library. It additionally has flaws as an establishment, with Manu discovering herself endangered in each the magical and mundane settings. The world of Lobizona creates its personal guidelines on who’s and isn’t allowed to exist, after which permits for its protagonist to tear these guidelines aside.
The Locked Tomb Sequence by Tamsyn Muir
For the Followers of Mind-Melting Meta
For those who’re somebody whose fondest Harry Potter recollections have extra to do with studying fanfiction or essay-length meta posts, you simply may get pleasure from The Locked Tomb sequence by Tamsyn Muir.
Gideon Nav is eighteen, good with a sword, and sick of dwelling on the Ninth Home – a chilly, lonely planet on the fringe of the Empire, which has stored her as an indentured servant since her mysterious arrival as a toddler. Surrounded by skeletal nuns–and loads of literal skeletons – the one individual Gideon’s age is Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of The Ninth Home and an extremely expert necromancer. When the Emperor requires necromancers from every home to compete in a mysterious trial, Gideon lastly will get her likelihood to flee–however should play the a part of Harrowhark’s cavalier.
Usually pitched as “lesbian necromancers in house,” I believe this description does the books a disservice–underneath all of the grandiose worldbuilding and a flashy magic system are extremely complicated, fleshed-out characters and a story that’s much more so. Fan-favorite tropes get recent subversions, every part from A Secret Historical past to Evanescence to Harry Potter itself is referenced, and at occasions, the unreliable narrators will really feel like they’re actively gaslighting you. This isn’t a bug, this can be a function. Plus, there’s a vibrant on-line group devoted to thorough evaluation of just about each facet of the story, with how a lot there’s to unravel and theorize about. So, enter The Locked Tomb understanding you may by no means come out.
In Different Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
For the Slowburn Sweethearts
For those who’re in search of one other story the place you get to observe the protagonist develop up over a number of years, In Different Lands might scratch that itch. It’s a standalone, nevertheless it manages to pack years of story into one title, with out ever feeling rushed or pressured.
Like many different magic faculty tales, it begins with protagonist Elliot Schafer discovering the magical realm of the Borderlands, and promptly enrolling in its army faculty. Nevertheless, not like these different tales, Elliot has no real interest in wielding a sword or marching into battle – quite, he questions (and snarks about) every part, and shortly finds his expertise rests in treaties and negotiations for peace, stopping wars quite than perpetrating them. Alongside the way in which, he makes some buddies, and a few more-than-friends, too.
Observe this ragtag bunch of youngsters by the Borderlands as they develop and giggle and alter throughout a number of years of magical training, with a hero that snarks his manner by all of his issues and a pleasant, queer slowburn romance. Genuinely, Elliot is such a breath of recent air as a protagonist – he’s a pacifist, however form of a jerk, however with a coronary heart of gold … and he’s bisexual! Actually, what extra do you want?
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Ok. Le Guin
For a Good, Previous-Common Wizard College Story
For those who’re in search of one thing that concurrently feels acquainted and recent, only a wizard faculty story performed straight however with unimaginable grace, A Wizard of Earthsea is for you. Whether or not you already know Le Guin from her unimaginable societal commentary within the Hainish Cycle sequence, the incomparable quick story The Ones Who Stroll Away from Omelas, or have merely heard her touted as one of many greats of style fiction, Earthsea is a must-read.
Because the title implies, the sequence takes place on an archipelago, and strikes a masterful stability as equal elements fantasy epic and coming-of-age story. Our wizard protagonist, Ged, inherits a knack for magic from his aunt, and shortly turns into keen to make use of it. In reality, possibly a bit too keen–he rapidly proves too impatient for his aged mentor, enrolls in a prestigious magic faculty, and his ensuing hubris unleashes a shadow into his world, which seeks to kill him.
Regardless of its age and the seemingly easy plot, A Wizard of Earthsea is deeply insightful and it’s straightforward to get misplaced on this planet it creates, one with true names and dragons and shadow selves.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
If You’re a Sucker for Satire and Subversion
Lastly, I wish to shut this listing off with one other older title: the Discworld books, by the late, nice Sir Terry Pratchett. Don’t be intimidated by the forty completely different titles: it’s extra like a group of sub-series and standalones, all happening in the identical universe – a world the place the Earth is flat and relaxation on the again of a turtle. It’s additionally a world that runs on the ingredient of narrativium, which ensures tales “grasp collectively,” however not with out its personal humorous twists. The misplaced inheritor to a fallen kingdom? He’d quite simply be a working-class member of The Metropolis Watch. The grim reaper? He generally will get slowed down by his job, and takes holidays–a lot to the chagrin of his granddaughter, who needs nothing to do with the household enterprise.
Discworld thrives on enjoying with the expectations of typical fantasy tropes, notably when they are often employed for satire. The archetypal wizard faculty isn’t any exception – Equal Rites, for instance, interrogates the frequent, essentialist magical binary of the male wizard and feminine witch, with its younger protagonist, Esk, being a feminine wizard. When her magic doesn’t gel with that of her mentor, the witch Granny Weatherwax, the 2 of them set off for the distinguished, all-male wizard faculty, Unseen College, the place shenanigans ensue. And that’s only the start – later titles go on to interrogate every part from gun management, journalism, and jingoism to the well-trodden narratives of fairy tales, Shakespeare, and operas. Genuinely, each Discworld e-book I learn blows me away with its evergreen themes and noteworthy wit.
General, there are many titles on the market that may fill that Hogwarts-shaped gap in your coronary heart. Hopefully, one thing on this listing turns into your new favourite!