Of course, the Harry Potter series can be enjoyed by adults as well. It's not a good idea to make arbitrary distinctions between "kid lit" and "adult lit" when it comes to books. People who grew up reading JK Rowling's now-founding series have grown up as well. It's a good place to start if you're looking for books with similar magic and mystery, but with storylines that are more in line with your current stage of life.

Because of her anti-trans comments, we are no longer promoting J.K. Rowling's work. However, we encourage you to check out the work of these other fantasy authors.

Low Fantasy Books Like Harry Potter for Adults

When magic intrudes on our own "real" world, these books bring together muggles and wizards.

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

Look, Hogwarts isn't the only magical school with a high death rate. PI Ivy Gamble is assigned to investigate the murder of a faculty member at Osthorne Academy of Young Mages in this standalone mystery. How do you explain the awkward complication here? In addition to teaching at Osthorne, Tabitha, her twin sister, also works there.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Alex Stern is an outlier among Yale's incoming freshmen, what with his unusual Ivy League background. It's Alex's special talent, on the other hand, that has drawn the interest of a generous donor. As a condition of receiving a full scholarship, she is assigned to monitor the university's secret societies and their occult activities. She's got a lot on her plate in this complex web of well-off students and future power brokers.

Borderline by Mishell Baker

In the Arcadia Project trilogy, magic and mortals collide in a messy way that you're sure to enjoy. Millie, who was recently disabled and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, initially thinks the project is a joke when she is hired. That all changes, however, when she discovers that Los Angeles is a gateway between our world and the land of faerie.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Do you miss the days when you could pick up a huge book and not put it down until you finished it? What Morgenstern offers To reach the shores of the Starless Sea, one need only open one of the many doors that exist on Earth. For Zachary Ezra Rawlins, the door to this realm of long-told stories, mysterious secret societies, and highly inquisitive felines has been found.

 

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

This Chosen One novella is the first in a new series, and it features a black heroine, which is a refreshing change. If you're a Harry Potter fan, don't be fooled by the space setting. Binti is the first Himba to be accepted into Oomza University, an esteemed intergalactic institution. Her journey naturally places her in the middle of a much larger conflict between alien races.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere's Richard Mayhew, the main character, is unquestionably a Hufflepuff. As a result, it's even more amusing to see this shy, good-hearted, and nervous young man blossom into a hero after meeting the mysterious Door. Richard is on the run from assassins when he decides to follow Door to "London Below," where the adventure really begins.

Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

Zacharias Wythe resembles Harry Potter in that he is an outsider in the magical world. Zacharias's dark skin, rather than a scar, distinguishes him from the other members of the wealthy white men's club of English magic. In his new role as Sorcerer Royal, he will travel to Fairyland in order to replenish the nation's dwindling magical supply.

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Baker

When you first entered the Great Hall, were you overcome with awe and awestruckness? When did you discover that Hogwarts was a dangerous place? Grad student Nora stumbles into an alternate world that on the surface appears grand and glamorous in this story about a portal. Things aren't always as they seem, of course.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

As a 12-year-old boy is the protagonist of this horrifying odyssey into the world of fairy tales, this is not a book for children. The death of his mother and the subsequent changes in his family have left David in mourning. In the land of stories and fables, he finds himself trapped in a tiny crack in the garden wall.

High Fantasy Books Like Harry Potter for Adults

You're transported to an alternate reality in these tales. However, because of the characters, plots, and charms (wink), they're suitable as Harry Potter-style books for older readers.

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

Mages' families wield enormous power in this alternate world, which is still recovering from World War II. (Does this ring a bell? For the sake of escaping his magical destiny, Miles Singer enlisted in the military and faked his death. Miles' hard-won anonymity is threatened by a patient's mysterious death and the appearance of a handsome stranger.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Is London missing from your life? Schwab has four more to offer you. London is divided into four distinct colors: red, white, and gray, with varying degrees of magic. (The city of Black London has long since vanished into obscurity.) One of a dying breed of magicians, Kell can travel between these mirrored cities, which is a blessing—until it isn't

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

This epic high-fantasy novel sets the stage for a trilogy of colossal dimensions. A young woman who was once an outsider to her family's world suddenly finds herself the center of attention in this book. When Yeine Darr's mother dies, she is named heir to the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms throne, which brings with it a slew of power struggles.

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda

If you're looking for a Harry Potter-esque read for adults, this graphic novel series may not be the best fit. In addition to Maika Halfwolf, the orphaned protagonist, Maika must also contend with the near-uncontrollable power she has inside of her. It sounds like a good fit to me, what with the intricate world-building and the darkly imaginative plot.

Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft

Books of Babel is a fantastic fantasy series that's fun to read. Like the Harry Potter series, it incorporates both light and dark elements, as well as world-building and adventure. As the story begins, tense headmaster Thomas Senlin and his wife Marya are separated on their honeymoon at the foot of the Tower of Babel.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

Most of Maia's childhood was spent in exile, away from the intrigues and intrigues of the Imperial Court. Maia is thrust into the role of heir to a dangerous throne when the emperor and his three elder sons are assassinated. A more detailed version of how Harry went from being a child in a cupboard under the stairs to becoming the Chosen One follows.

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