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Quick answer: If you love Keeper of the Lost Cities, read Percy Jackson, Fablehaven, The School for Good and Evil and Nevermoor. All send a young hero into a hidden magical world full of secrets and strange creatures.
Shannon Messenger's series follows Sophie Foster, a girl with telepathic powers who learns she is not entirely human and moves into a hidden world of elves. Teens love the mystery, the friendships and the long-running secrets. The books below offer similar hidden worlds, magical schools and found families, perfect for middle-grade and young adult readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | Ages 9-14 | quest adventure |
| Fablehaven | Brandon Mull | Ages 9-14 | magical creatures |
| The School for Good and Evil | Soman Chainani | Ages 10-15 | fairy-tale twists |
| Nevermoor | Jessica Townsend | Ages 9-14 | whimsical wonder |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | Ages 8-13 | dragon fantasy |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | All ages | the classic |
| Skulduggery Pleasant | Derek Landy | Ages 11-16 | funny and dark |
| The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell | Chris Colfer | Ages 8-13 | fairy-tale adventure |
| Artemis Fowl | Eoin Colfer | Ages 10-14 | fairy heists |
| The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | Ages 9-13 | puzzles and teamwork |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | Ages 12+ | dragon epics |
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | Ages 12+ | sci-fi fairy tales |
| The Girl Who Drank the Moon | Kelly Barnhill | Ages 10-14 | lyrical fantasy |
| Howl's Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones | Ages 10+ | witty magic |
| Magyk | Angie Sage | Ages 8-12 | fantasy series |
1. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is the son of a Greek god and is sent on a cross-country quest. Funny, fast and full of myth, it is a favourite first stop for fans.
Best for: quest adventure.
2. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Two siblings discover their grandparents' estate is a hidden preserve for fairies, witches and demons. Inventive world building and a strong sense of danger.
Best for: magical creatures.
3. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Two friends are taken to a school that trains heroes and villains, but each lands in the wrong place. Dark, clever and surprising.
Best for: fairy-tale twists.
4. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow escapes a curse and joins a hidden city with a magical society. Charming and full of imagination.
Best for: whimsical wonder.
5. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons raised in secret are meant to end a war. Action-packed, with a large, long-running series.
Best for: dragon fantasy.
6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
A boy learns he is a wizard and enters a magical school. A natural comparison for any hidden-world story.
Best for: the classic.
7. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
A teenage girl teams with a wisecracking skeleton detective. Sharp humour, great action and a growing sense of danger.
Best for: funny and dark.
8. The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Twins fall into a world where fairy tales are real. Light, funny and good for younger readers.
Best for: fairy-tale adventure.
9. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
A boy genius kidnaps a fairy to steal her gold. Clever and high-tech, with sharp humour.
Best for: fairy heists.
10. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four gifted children are recruited for a secret mission. Great for readers who enjoy puzzles and friendship.
Best for: puzzles and teamwork.
11. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and is thrown into a war. A long, classic fantasy for readers ready for more.
Best for: dragon epics.
12. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A cyborg mechanic in New Beijing is drawn into a royal plot. Fast, romantic and the start of a four-book series.
Best for: sci-fi fairy tales.
13. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A witch raises a child on moonlight in a village that fears her. Gentle, rich and beautifully written.
Best for: lyrical fantasy.
14. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
A young woman cursed to old age finds work with the temperamental wizard Howl. Funny, warm and original.
Best for: witty magic.
15. Magyk by Angie Sage
The seventh son of a seventh son and a missing princess drive this tale of wizards and a castle. A gentler, whimsical pick.
Best for: fantasy series.
How to Choose
For fast, funny quests pick Percy Jackson or Skulduggery Pleasant. For hidden worlds and creatures choose Fablehaven or Nevermoor. For sharper, darker fairy-tale twists try The School for Good and Evil. If you want something older, read Eragon or Cinder. Younger readers may prefer The Land of Stories or Magyk. These series are long, so a boxed set or library hold list helps.
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
How many Keeper of the Lost Cities books are there?
The series has been running for many years. Check current listings for the latest count.
Where should I start?
With the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.
What age is it for?
It is usually recommended for ages 8 to 14, though many teens and adults enjoy it.
Is it like Harry Potter?
It shares a hidden world and school-like elements, but with a stronger mystery and focus on powers.
Is it a long series?
Yes, with long novels, so it suits patient readers.
What if my child finishes the series?
Try Fablehaven, Nevermoor or Wings of Fire.
Do the books have romance?
Light friendship and crush plotlines appear, suitable for middle grade and teens.
Are these good gifts?
Yes, especially boxed sets for readers who like long series.