Wizarding World Chat

A reader looking for friendship and adventure? The picks include "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo and "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan. See the full list for more!

🎯

Safe Bets

— Right up your alley
1
Six of Crows

by Leigh Bardugo

You love seeing friends face challenges together, and this book is that concept perfected. It follows a crew of six teenage outcasts, each with a unique skill, as they attempt an impossible heist. The found-family dynamic is the heart of the story; their loyalty and witty banter will remind you of the Golden Trio, but in a darker, more complex world.

FantasyYoung Adult
2
The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

This is the closest you can get to recapturing that 'kid discovers a secret magical world' feeling from Harry Potter. Percy Jackson forms a tight-knit trio with his friends Annabeth and Grover, and their adventures facing down mythological monsters are pure fun. If you want that same blend of magic, humor, and steadfast friendship, this is your next stop.

FantasyYoung Adult
3
Mistborn: The Final Empire

by Brandon Sanderson

This takes the 'group of friends facing challenges' theme to an epic scale. A young street urchin joins a charismatic thief's crew to overthrow a seemingly immortal god-king. Watching her learn to trust her new allies and find her place in the group is incredibly satisfying, and the adventure they undertake together is a masterclass in high-stakes fantasy.

FantasyHigh Fantasy
✨

Curve Balls

— Pleasant surprises, we promise
1
The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Let's go back to one of the books that inspired stories like Harry Potter. While it centers on Bilbo, the entire story is about his journey with a company of dwarves, facing trolls, goblins, and a dragon together. It's a classic adventure that shows how a group's shared journey can forge the strongest bonds, delivered with a timeless, fairytale charm.

FantasyClassic

by Becky Chambers

This is a science fiction take on your request. It's less about a single high-stakes quest and more about the day-to-day adventures of a diverse, multi-species crew on a long-haul spaceship. The book lives and breathes the 'group facing challenges together' theme, but the challenges are often personal and emotional. It's a warm, optimistic story that is pure found-family comfort.

Science FictionSpace Opera
3
The Gilded Wolves

by Roshani Chokshi

Imagine the treasure-hunting and puzzle-solving of Harry Potter, but set in a magical 1889 Paris. This book features a crew of smart, specialized friends who have to combine their knowledge of history, science, and magic to solve a series of ancient riddles. The group's dynamic is sharp and witty, and their adventure feels like a high-stakes escape room.

FantasyYoung Adult

The Conversation

I like harry potter
What did you enjoy about Harry Potter?
The sense of adventure, The characters and friendships
Which of these do you enjoy in a story?
A group of friends facing challenges together
Which of these do you enjoy in a story?
A group of friends facing challenges together

Want picks tailored to YOUR taste?

Shelf Sage asks a few questions and finds books you'll actually love.

Chat with Shelf Sage