What's after Harry Potter for an adult?

[FoxintheSnow]

I saw there was a thread a while back that asked this question for a 7 year old...I finally just finished reading The Deathly Hallows. What's next for me? Any recommendations on a series I would enjoy? Especially one that centers around a character as lovable as Harry and has pieces of the plot constantly unfolding throughout the story.

Thanks!

[WeasleyMum]

I don't have any answers, but am in the same boat. I would rather re-read Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings than bother with most of the copy-cat material out there right now.

The best things about HP are the wonderful characterizations, relationships, humor, and plots that are as carefully laid out as a murder mystery. All of the wizards/dragons/castles/magic is just pretty window-dressing on a story that could stand alone without it, which is why books that are marketed as "if you like Harry Potter, you've love ___" generally dissapoint, because the only thing they have in common is the wizards/boarding school/ magic part, not the really-good-story part.

For what it's worth, I love most Christopher Moore books, although they're completely different...

[PenelopeJune]

No idea. When you find it, let me know.

I've reread the entire series no less than two times this year. I need something good to read!

Have you read any of Marion Zimmer Bradley's books? The best one is Mists of Avalon. I love it. It's the King Arthur legend told from his half sister Morgaine's (Morgan Le Fay) view point.

Another good series is Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books.

Neither of these is very much like Harry Potter, but they both have elements of magic and are very well written stories.

[Thalia the Muse]

Not exactly Harry Potter, but equally delightful and playful in various ways:

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susannah Clarke
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay, Michael Chabon
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman
Sorcery and Cecelia - Or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, Patricia Wrede and someone else whose name escapes me at the moment
The Anubis Gates or Declare, Tim Powers

[JessicaTX]

Jim Butcher has a series about a wizard named Harry Dresden that I've really enjoyed. It's like true crime meets fantasy. It's an adult series, there was a sci-fi channel series based on the books, but I've never seen it so I don't know if that's a good or bad thing =)

[kangamitroo]

i loved Susan Cooper's "the Dark is Rising" series, which i did not find until my 30s. she was the fave author of my dear friend in 7th grade..but at the time i said fantasy was not for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dar...ising_Sequence

first book is "over sea under stone." while the books do not follow one main character throughout, there is lots of magic and the characters and incidents do link up. if you have the slightest interest in history of the UK, King Arthur, this is fun stuff.

[zinemama]

If you liked the idea of a school for wizards, do read Ursula le Guin's Earthsea sequence. (It started as a trilogy, but more books have been added recently)

I wouldn't consider Ged "loveable," in the way that HP is, but he is complex and compelling, as are the themes of the books - and the writing is gorgeous. I prefer the world of Earthsea. Le Guin made it herself, rather than simply "magicizing" the traditional British boarding school story. The first three are:

A Wizard of Earthsea
The Tombs of Atuan
The Farthest Shore

[Oriole]

Originally Posted by zinemama

If you liked the idea of a school for wizards, do read Ursula le Guin's Earthsea sequence. (It started as a trilogy, but more books have been added recently)

I wouldn't consider Ged "loveable," in the way that HP is, but he is complex and compelling, as are the themes of the books - and the writing is gorgeous. I prefer the world of Earthsea. Le Guin made it herself, rather than simply "magicizing" the traditional British boarding school story. The first three are:

A Wizard of Earthsea
The Tombs of Atuan
The Farthest Shore

OUTSTANDING series! I forgot all about them, but what a wonderful recommendation... The only downside, you'll be done with these books too quickly and will be back here asking for advice again.

[kittywitty]

I've been enjoying reading Cornelia Funke's books with my kids and I LOVED the His Dark Materials trilogy. Other than that, I'm on round 8+ of the HP series right now.

[roostery]

I really loved A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer. There is a sequel out now, A Scholar of Magics which is also good.

I wish I could offer a long series but these a good read.

Also, how about Robin McKinley? Her books are mostly stand-alone, but very well written.

[SAHDS]

Wait a second! There's life after Harry Potter? I missed the memo.

I'm the same as PenelopeJune, I'd rather re-read them than try a new series. To date, I've read them more than 140 times :

[PenelopeJune]

SAHDS, thanks for posting your confession.

I know I read them at least 3-4 times a year. I'm trying not to read them for 6 months so they are like "new" when I go back to them. Haha! So instead I'm reading my other favorite series: Little House on the Prairie. I read that 3-4 times a year...since I was 7. Holy cow, I just did the math and that means I've read the series 72 times! Eeek!

Yes, I have a thing for children's books.

[Bad Horse]

I agree with the His Dark Materials trilogy.

I also really enjoyed David Eddings' series' The Belgariad & The Mallorean.

My dh really likes Diane Duane's Young Wizards series (predates Harry Potter) but I've never been able to get into them at all.

[Pinoikoi]

I really liked the Sorceress song books.. um singing sorceress? Always forget it... I will check back to the scifi thread and see if I can't find the titles.. very different. Loved the main character.

[Pinoikoi]

it's Spell Song Cycle by Modesitt.. Loved it!

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=12173113...llsong%20cycle

[Pinoikoi]

I am just finished Ender's Game, i read it a long time ago, but had forgotten much of it.. I am reading Speaker for the Dead now, it is a little harder to get into.. I also have the Foundation series to go..

I still liked the Dragons of Pern as one of my all time fav series..

[mama_daba]

great thread i need to add a lot of these to my to read list!

i have really liked the earthsea series and also i love his dark materials

[Bad Horse]

Originally Posted by alaskanteach

I am just finished Ender's Game, i read it a long time ago, but had forgotten much of it.. I am reading Speaker for the Dead now, it is a little harder to get into..

I have never been able to make it through either Speaker for the Dead or Xenocide, but I LOVED Ender's Game. It's one of the best books ever written, imo. I did really love Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, etc. I didn't get into Ender's storyline, but loved Bean's.

[Beeblebrox]

I really enjoy the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It has some great characters and mystery that unfolds as you go along. On top of that each story connects together and you do ultimately want to know what will happen in Odd's life. JMHO

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by cthulhugrrl

I have never been able to make it through either Speaker for the Dead or Xenocide, but I LOVED Ender's Game. It's one of the best books ever written, imo. I did really love Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, etc. I didn't get into Ender's storyline, but loved Bean's.

It's funny because Ender's Game and Shadow are on my curriculum list, but what did I have sitting on my shelf? Xenocide.. I had to buy Ender's, and borrow Speaker, so I will probably read Xenocide just because it is next in the series and I already have it here.. Are Ender's Shadow and Shadow of the Hegemon after that one? (I didn't even know!)