Friendship, a grand quest, ancient prophecies and magic – almost thirty years since the publication of the first Harry Potter novel the series continues to tick all the boxes for millions of children, but beyond Hogwarts there is a world of fantastical fiction to fire young readers’ imaginations. Exploring these titles is a great way of keeping the love of reading alive and filling the void that’s left after finishing Harry Potter. Browsing our bookshelves, here are some recommendations to supplement your forays into the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with more suggestions on our website.
Secrets of a Sun King by Emma Carroll
For those hooked by the notion of breaking an ancient curse, Secrets of a Sun King follows such a journey, but with a basis in history rather than fantasy. Opening in London in 1922, when news of Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb reached the headlines, it sees young Lil become ever-more intrigued by Ancient Egypt, and the fact that her grandfather explored the country just adds to her interest. When he receives a parcel containing an artefact he and his travel companion brought back from their adventure, Lil and her friends are drawn into a thrilling journey to return it to Egypt before the curse it holds can spread. Age 7+
Orla and the Serpents Curse by CJ Haslam
An ancient curse also lies at the heart of CJ Haslam’s debut children’s book, which follows its heroine as she uncovers the connection between a strange dream, a necklace she found in the woods that holds immeasurable power, and the local witches. As sustaining the raft of charms and measures needed to protect the village – adder bones hidden in curtains, hag stones in the gardens, sparkle jars under the sinks – gets increasingly difficult, so breaking the curse becomes vital. Age 9+
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Rescuing a baby griffin draws Christopher Forrester into adventure with its owner, Mal, who persuades him to go with her to an archipelago where animals from myths live hidden from humans. Ideal for those intrigued by Fantastic Beasts, the book opens with an illustrated bestiary that introduces the creatures – centaurs, dragons and mermaids but also manticores, borometz and kludde – and follows the new friends as they work together to find out what, or who, is behind the mysterious drop in the animals’ numbers. Age 9+
Skandar by AF Steadman
A remote boarding school, years of training, epic struggles against ancient magic – it’s easy to see why readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter books have turned to the Skandar novels. The series opens with thirteen-year-old Skandar thinking his dreams of becoming a unicorn rider are dashed when his entry exam for the Eyrie, an elite school where unicorns and their riders are trained, goes badly. Fate has another plan though, propelling him into a world governed by elemental magic; sky battles against a ruthless enemy; the alienation of his sister, who has formed a bond with a wild unicorn; and a curse that poses a threat to the Island’s unicorns. Age 9+
The Power of Five by Anthony Horowitz
This fantasy series begins with teenager Matthew Freeman fighting off a cult who want to use his blood in a sacrificial ritual that will unleash ancient demons from their centuries-long imprisonment. In a narrative centred on destiny and dark magic, Matthew’s struggle against those who would open the world to evil beings takes him from uncovering the secrets of Peru’s Nazca lines to the bloodied streets of Hong Kong in a quest to find the other Gatekeepers and combine their powers to overcome the King of the Old Ones. Age 12+
The Belgariad by David Eddings
An ancient prophesy lies at the heart of these high-fantasy novels, with farm boy Garion learning of his connection to a quarrel between the gods that occurred soon after the world began. Tasked with recovering a stone orb that has a living soul and immense power, Garion travels across kingdoms, honing his fighting skills against numerous enemies and encountering strange creatures but also gathering his own supporters and developing his sorcery before confronting the evil god Torak in a grand battle. Age 12+
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Free-spirited Lyra, guided by her dæmon Pantalaimon and special ability to read the truth-telling alethiometer, joins forces with Will, owner of a knife that cuts through the boundaries between worlds, in an epic confrontation with the Authority and its determination to remove Dust – the evidence of original sin that comes with developing knowledge. Their venture across parallel worlds, encountering armoured bears, witches and those who would remove children’s souls, is widely acknowledged as a masterpiece of storytelling that underpins its fantasy elements with more complex philosophical themes. Young adult
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Taking a step back in time, it’s possible to find the roots of many fantasy fiction tropes in folk tales that have been passed on orally over the centuries. Bringing traditional European stories into print for a broader audience were the Brothers Grimm, who rewrote the often disturbing stories to make them more suited to children in the late 19th century. Peppered with heroic orphans, wicked guardians, powerful antagonists, wise mentors and magical elements, they reflect the timeless need to see love triumph over evil.
