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Quick answer: If you are an adult who loves Keeper of the Lost Cities, try Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Invisible Library, Uprooted, The Atlas Six, A Deadly Education and Mistborn. Each has hidden worlds, gifted heroes and secrets.
Shannon Messenger's series follows Sophie Foster, a girl with telepathic powers who learns she is an elf and enters a hidden world. Many adults read it with kids and want something similar, with the same sense of wonder and mystery but older characters. These 15 books are written for adult readers or crossover audiences and capture the mix of hidden worlds, magical training and found family.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | All ages | the classic comparison |
| The Invisible Library | Genevieve Cogman | Adult | readers who love books and magic |
| Uprooted | Naomi Novik | Adult | readers who like fairy-tale fantasy |
| The Atlas Six | Olivie Blake | Adult | readers who like dark academia |
| A Deadly Education | Naomi Novik | Adult | magic school fans |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | readers who want a detailed magic system |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | readers who like a talented young hero |
| Ninth House | Leigh Bardugo | Adult | adult readers ready for mature content |
| Babel | R.F. Kuang | Adult | readers who like academia and history |
| Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell | Susanna Clarke | Adult | patient readers |
| The Magicians | Lev Grossman | Adult | readers who want mature magic |
| Skyward | Brandon Sanderson | Teen/Adult | readers who like space adventure |
| The Eye of the World | Robert Jordan | Adult | readers who want a very big series |
| Daughter of Smoke & Bone | Laini Taylor | Teen/Adult | readers who like lush fantasy |
| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Scott Lynch | Adult | readers who like crime fantasy |
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry learns he is a wizard and begins at Hogwarts. The model for the hidden-world, magic-school story.
Best for: the classic comparison.
2. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Irene, a spy for a library that exists between worlds, steals books from different realities. Fast and full of adventure.
Best for: readers who love books and magic.
3. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Agnieszka is chosen by the Dragon, a wizard in a tower, and learns the Wood is a danger. A fairy tale with a darker edge.
Best for: readers who like fairy-tale fantasy.
4. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Six young magicians are recruited by a secret society to study forbidden knowledge. Complex and morally gray.
Best for: readers who like dark academia.
5. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
El Lazarus Lake is a student at the Scholomance, a school where monsters hunt students. Sharp, funny and tense.
Best for: magic school fans.
6. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Vin, a thief, learns she has the power of Allomancy and joins a crew planning to overthrow the Lord Ruler. Clever magic and heists.
Best for: readers who want a detailed magic system.
7. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells the story of his life, from orphan to student at the University. Long, rich and lyrical.
Best for: readers who like a talented young hero.
8. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Alex Stern, a survivor, attends Yale to watch over its secret societies, which practice real magic. Dark and violent.
Best for: adult readers ready for mature content.
9. Babel by R.F. Kuang
Robin Swain studies translation at Oxford, where words power magic and the British Empire. Smart and angry.
Best for: readers who like academia and history.
10. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Two magicians revive English magic during the Napoleonic wars. Long, dry-witted and rich.
Best for: patient readers.
11. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Quentin attends Brakebills, a college of magic, and learns magic comes at a cost. A grown-up magical school.
Best for: readers who want mature magic.
12. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Spensa trains as a pilot to defend her planet. Fun, fast and full of humor.
Best for: readers who like space adventure.
13. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Rand al'Thor leaves his village with friends when the Dark One's forces arrive. The first of a very long series.
Best for: readers who want a very big series.
14. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Karou lives between worlds as the apprentice to a monster who collects teeth. Beautiful prose and a sweeping romance.
Best for: readers who like lush fantasy.
15. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Locke Lamora is a master thief in a fantasy city, and his gang's plans fall apart. Funny, dark and clever.
Best for: readers who like crime fantasy.
How to Choose
For hidden worlds that feel like Sophie's, begin with The Invisible Library, Harry Potter or Uprooted. For magic school, choose A Deadly Education, The Magicians or The Atlas Six. For telepathy-like power systems, try Mistborn. Ninth House, The Atlas Six and The Lies of Locke Lamora include violence and adult themes.
Related: 15 Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities Kids Will Love: Magical Worlds and Secret Powers · What Age Is Keeper of the Lost Cities Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keeper of the Lost Cities for adults?
It is middle grade, written for ages 8 to 12, but many adults enjoy it.
Is there a similar adult series?
The Invisible Library and Mistborn are adult series with hidden worlds and rich magic.
What should I read with my child?
Try Harry Potter, Fablehaven or Skyward, which both generations can enjoy.