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The craze for books on magical schools began in 1968 when Ursula Leguin published The Wizards of Earthsea. It really took off with the release of the first Harry Potter in 1997. She was working in a bookstore when literacy went stratospheric and was thrilled to see the series help kids and adults go from reluctant readers to full-fledged bookworms.
You are reading: Books about magic schools
since then, magic schoolbooks have become a very particular subgenre of fantasy. And if you loved Potter or Sealand, you’ll be glad to know there’s a new generation of books out there that will scratch that particular itch.
When I was sourcing books for this list, I combed my own reading list but also crowd-sourced ideas from my Facebook communities. I was completely flooded with suggestions. This article could easily recommend 50+ books about magical schools. But 50 new books for your TBR (to be read list) is a bit overwhelming, so I applied some criteria to come up with a list of 20 great reads.
Let’s start with quality and popularity. All of the books here average 4+ stars on Goodreads reviews. beyond that, I have deliberately curated a diverse mix of books. there is a mixture of books for adults and for you. I have included schools for both magicians and paranormal. there are independents and series. We’ve got some romance, dark academia, coming of age stories, high fantasy, lgbtq characters, books you won’t want to read on a dark and stormy night, and some books that are well drenched in sarcasm.
so, open your tbr list, grab your wand and let’s get started.
(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy, I will receive a small commission).
4+ Star Books About Wizarding Schools (Rated)
amari and the brothers of the night (supernatural investigations #1)
by bb alston (4.5 stars)
When amari’s brother goes missing, she’s bothered by the fact that no one else seems to be bothered. she then finds out that he left her a nomination for a summer audition at the secret bureau of supernatural affairs. she begins training as a junior agent, starting a series of twisted adventures steeped in myth and legend.
The book covers topics such as race and class, perseverance, self-confidence, and resilience. if you like the book, there is a second in the series and more on the way.
the house in the cerulean sea
by tj klune (4.47 stars)
This book is a big warm hug with all the sentiments and bonus points for an lgbtq plot and students who are very diverse in terms of species.
linus baker works for the highly bureaucratic (and deeply flawed) department in charge of magical youth (dichotomy), evaluating orphanages and schools that house magical children. she cares about her work, but her personal emotional life is pretty walled off. When he is called in to assess the students at the Marsyas Island orphanage, she is shocked at what he finds there and changes him profoundly.
the house on the cerulean sea is also ideal for reading in a book club. You may also be interested in this interview where klune talks about why writing queer characters is important to him.
in other lands
by sarah rees brennan (4.36 stars)
When his class goes on a field trip, elliot can see a wall that no one else can. it is the borderlands and she is soon given the chance to go to school there. he expected a lot of sirens, but what he got was a gender-reversed elven world with a lot of knife throwing.
This book is light on world building as it deconstructs typical portal fantasies. it’s full of sarcasm, flirtatious moves, and unexpected twists.
akarnae (the medoran chronicles #1)
by lynette noni (4.25 stars)
this book has been released when harry potter meets x-men with a bit of narnia.
yes please!
In this portal fantasy, alex walks through a door on her first day of school and finds herself stranded in medora. While she tries to figure out how to get home, she attends Akarnae Academy’s magic school. She befriends Jordan and Bear and seems fine, but something is wrong at school and she needs to find out what’s going on.
and… bonus… the school has a smart library! if you like the book, there are four more (plus some side volumes) in the series.
continue (simon snow #1)
rainbow rowell (4.19 stars)
I promised you a bit of sarcasm… and you keep delivering. Simon may be the one, but he can’t make his wand work, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a monster on the loose. And then there’s Baz, the vampire archenemy of Simon’s *slash* love interest.
Simon has to figure all this out while attending Watford School of Magic. the book has solid world building and tons of character development. the book is a fun read, but it doesn’t gloss over the fact that being the chosen one can be traumatizing.
The book is part of a trilogy.
the inheritor mage (inheritor chronicles #2)
by cinda williams chima (4.14 stars)
seph is an orphaned and untrained wizard who lacks control over his powers. After a series of disastrous accidents, he is sent to Havens, an isolated boys’ boarding school in Maine. the school is spooky and clearly something sinister is going on. the director is up to some really creepy stuff.
seph resists the darkness and does what he can to escape. chima uses the characters and the environment to make it clear that everyone can make a difference no matter how powerful you are.
See Also: List Of Brad Meltzer Books In Order – Mystery Sequels
This book is part of a 5-book series, but can be read on its own. the other books don’t necessarily feature magical schools, but they are full urban fantasy nonetheless.
red sister (ancestor #1)
by mark lawrence (4.13 stars)
In a rare twist on the genre of books set in wizarding schools, this grand fantasy is set in a convent school. In the ironically named Sweet Mercy Convent, these young women are raised to be assassins. some of the students have rare mystical talents. The Abbess’s crystal sees a wild streak in the main character, Nona. the abbess thinks, with training. she could turn into something magical.
“This novel rewards commitment, and when the magic of the world goes from a whisper to a scream, what was slow has become exciting. like the way it’s always silent just before thunder crashes, the plot of the descent into hell is peppered with bright and bold strokes.”
red sister is part of a trilogy.
the rookie (summoner series #1)
by taran matharu (4.12 stars)
Fletcher was an apprentice blacksmith when a chance encounter leads him to discover that he has the ability to summon demons from another world. fletcher’s demon becomes his loyal companion. but both are forced to flee the town, persecuted by accusations of a crime that he did not commit. he manages to enroll in the vocans academy, which trains summoners.
There are a lot of interesting class-based power dynamics and species-based racism. and history is full of shady facts, political shenanigans and conspiracies.
There are three main books, plus some secondary readings in the series.
vampire academy (vampire academy #1)
by richelle mead (4.11 stars)
These vampires aren’t all undead. The main character Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess and a deadly vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the magic of the land. and her friend ella rose has a powerful mixture of human and vampire blood. together they are forced to attend the st. Vladimir’s Academy, which is full of danger for Lissa.
The book’s themes feature strong girl power and a forbidden romance between student and teacher. good not only for twilight fans but also for people who don’t link like vampires.
This is the first in a series of six books.
the black witch (black witch chronicles #1)
from laurie forest (4.1 stars)
elloren may have had a powerful grandmother, but she herself is completely devoid of power, in a society that values magical ability above all else. But there are some family secrets that Loren’s uncle keeps from her. she wants to become an apothecary and eventually joins her brothers at verpax university.
Much like the “pure blood”, “mud blood” theme in Harry Potter’s Wizarding School, there is no shortage of racism between the various wizarding races in Black Witch. a good vs bad paradigm doesn’t really work in this book where everyone is tough, weird, jealous, vindictive and moody (including the main character).
“this is a story about how you realize how you can be a product of your environment and upbringing. this is the story of a woman who realizes the dangers of the way she has been conditioned to think her entire life and overcomes those notions. this is a story about redemption and friendship and the beauty that comes from realizing that there is strength in diversity and multiculturalism. “
There are four published books in the series and another one in the queue.
the library on mount char
by scott hawkins (4.09 stars)
many magic schoolbooks are right for you, even if they have dark themes, fights and tribulations. but mount char is surely not for you, because this book is darker than the darkest night. definitely a great crossover read for horror fans.
After Carolyn’s parents died, she was taken in by a man (or is he?) called Father to instruct her in their ancient ways. Each of Father’s students has a particular elemental gift, and through Father’s tutelage and library books, they are taught to hone their skills in a series of cruel, competitive, and bloody lessons. When the father goes missing, Carolyn sets out (with a vengeance) to find out what happened.
our life
by marina & Sergey Dyachenko, Julia Meitov Hersey (Translator) (4.09 stars)
While on vacation with her mother, Sasha meets a mysterious and somewhat sinister man who forces her to perform a series of outrageous tasks. each completed task rewards her with gold coins, which she eventually uses to enter the institute of special technologies. the coursework is impenetrable but the consequences of failure are catastrophic. Sasha feels trapped at times, but eventually she seizes her destiny.
This book lacks the terse, plot-driven tropes that many magical schoolbooks employ. rather, it’s a dark, philosophical mind-trip with a long, slow burn.
There are three books in this series, but so far, only one has been translated from the author’s native Russian.
storms and massacres (numair chronicles #1)
by tamora pierce (4.09 stars)
pierce’s tortall universe includes 20 books in the series. The Numerical Chronicles follows the early years and magical upbringing of Aaram Draper. because this is a prequel, it is not a requirement that you have read other books in the series.
aaram attends carthak imperial university with his friends varice and ozorne. Although he is only 10 years old, Aaram is a gifted wizard whose power rivals even that of students almost twice his age. his gift puts him on a specialized track and much of the book focuses on his magical education. And like Harry Potter, the three friends and their evolving relationships are at the heart of the story.
queen’s arrows (heralds of valdemar #1)
by mercedes lackey
See Also: 6 Best Books to Learn German: Reading for Ravenous Language Learners | FluentU German
Talia, once a fugitive, has been chosen by the mythical horsemate Roland to train as a herald for the queen’s elite guard. Talia attends college, where she struggles, despite her burgeoning talent. The book follows her journey from sweet girl to fierce protector of the queen.
The book covers themes of strong female power, coming of age, and founded families.
the war of the poppies (the war of the poppies #1)
by r.f. kuang
Despite all odds (and societal norms) Rin passes the keju test, securing a place in the elite academies. she is poor, a girl, and has darker skin than the other students. she also possesses a rare shamanic power, which she explores with the help of psychotropic drugs and a very eccentric teacher.
A good deal of the action takes place inside the magic academy, but much of it spills out into the empire as a brewing war begins to break out. Despite that, I’ve included this book because it presents a completely unique world relative to everything else on this list.
many/most of the books on wizarding schools have a very Anglo or Eurocentric culture. But the Poppy War is set in a world inspired by 20th century China. there is a lot of asian mythology and military lore woven into the book, which gives it a very fresh perspective.
and if you like it, there are two more in the series.
zodiac academy: awakening (supernatural beasts and thugs #1)
by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
tory and darcy are twins who have no idea they have elemental powers (or even that it was a thing), until professor orion shows up. He informs them that they are part of the fairies and that their parents were the king and queen of Solaria. he invites them to attend the zodiac academy in solaria.
but hey, no pressure.
The times are darker than they think, and they have to navigate the school without the benefit of knowing anything about their powers or Solaria’s history. there are a lot of power dynamics at play between the students, and the teachers are less than caring. The book is a mix of hogwarts action with a heavy dose of bully romance.
ninth house (alex stern #1)
by leigh bardugo
Alex is a highly unlikely freshman at Yale. she is a 20-year-old dropout with a shady past who is barely recovering from an attempted murder. When she is mysteriously offered a position at Yale, she takes the bait, but she wonders what the catch is to her.
the problem is that you are asked to supervise the activities of 8 yale secret societies. think fraternities and sororities, except fewer beers and a lot more dark magic, occult rituals, ghosts, and no small amount of female rage.
This book won a fiction award already from goodreads, but its dark and twisted themes are definitely adult dark fantasy.
a deadly education (scholomance #1)
by naomi novik
I’m going to let a goodreads reviewer tell you what it’s all about, because he nailed it.
“if hogwarts were a prickly, sentient, teacherless, demon-infested school, and the protagonist were a dark, angry queen of sarcasm and a prophesied harbinger of the death, trying to study and survive… or die, you would have this book.”
So, in that world, you find him tackling issues related to his mixed ethnicity, academic politicking, and some very hungry monsters. the book reads like a dark comedy with a sarcastic queen of a main character at the center of the action.
The book is part of a trilogy and Novik also has several other magical series including fairy tale and dragon narratives.
shadowspell academy (selective trials #1)
by k.f. breene and shannon mayer
yes. shadowspell academy is also deadly. if they invite you and you don’t go, they will kill your family. but even if you go, there’s no guarantee you’ll make it out alive.
In a move reminiscent of Katniss’ attempt to save her sister’s life, Wild pretends to be a boy and takes her brother Billy’s place. when he arrives at the academy, he is surprised to discover that he has a lot of magic within him. and he will need it if he is to survive the trials.
zero view (zero view #1)
by justin shier
deiter street smart is shocked to discover that he is a latent mage with the power to bend mana flows. He has grown up in a dodgy area of Las Vegas with a shitty father and a gang problem. When he is invited to attend Elliot University, which is the premier magic academy in North America, he jumps at the chance for a fresh start. On the way to school, he meets his fellow student who rei de him. he spent his childhood with shadowy vampiric creatures and knows little about the modern world.
the book is great for fans of urban fantasy, jim butcher and kevinhearne.
additional suggestions for books with schools of magic
good. I can’t help it here are five additional books set in wizarding schools. they did not make the cut for 4+ star ratings, or do not focus primarily on the school environment. however, they are interesting and diverse reads that are well worth watching.
- hex hall, by rachel hawkins
- roses and rot, by kat howard
- the magi, lev grossman
- the name of the wind, patrick rothfuss
- marked, by p.c. cast and kristin cast
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