The Lord of the Rings series: buy now
Author:Â J. R. R. Tolkien
With lore even more diverse and characters in countless numbers and factions, the Lord of the Rings series stands out as one of the best among avid readers.
The trilogy revolves around Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit (Dwarf like humans), who is gifted a ring from his uncle Bilbo. When Gandalf (a wizard that could rival Dumbledore) discovers the same, he warns Frodo of the terror the ring could bring to the world of Middle Earth (the setting). Frodo must embark on a long and perilous journey accompanied by his friends and a band of helpers, known as the Fellowship of the Ring.
This book is an easy read for Harry Potter fans considering the surprisingly striking similarities between the setting, plot and theme. Frodo and the Fellowship can be compared to Harry and Dumbledore’s Army, the creatures fit well in Fantastic Beasts, and the Ring itself has similar powers to the Deathly Hallows.
The Chronicles of Narnia series:buy now
Author: C. S Lewis
Unlike the chronological series of Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia septology was initially published in a nonlinear fashion; something the author admitted that he never expected.
The septology tells the tale of the Pevensie siblings; Peter, Susan. Edmund, and Lucy; while playing a game of hide and seek, they come across a dusty old wardrobe that transports them to the world of Narnia. Narnia is portrayed as a lush landscape inhabited by talking animals; the area has been plagued by a 100-year winter of which the evil White Queen is responsible. The four children are given the task of aiding Aslan, a lion and the ruler among the animals to dethrone the White Queen and bring back peace and prosperity to Narnia.
A great book to read to your children, the Narnia mythology plays close to comparison with Harry Potter as it deals with themes of loss and struggle for power. The adventures of the Pevensie kids are one to remember and can make for a great late night read.
Alice In Wonderland : buy now
Author: Lewis Carroll
One of the earliest fantasies, Alice in Wonderland should definitely be on your reading list. So many pop culture references today are inspired by this fantastic tale.
The book tells the tale of Alice, who follows a white rabbit down a rabbit hole and enters the world of Wonderland. Faced with numerous brain teasing challenges, Alice must overcome her disbelief of the twisted new world as she encounters many anthropomorphic animals and strangely formed humans.
If you loved the mysteries of the Forbidden Forest and always wanted to open the Room of Requirements, this book will take your for a ride and tickle your logical reasoning. A great read for people of all ages and one that could find its way into school textbooks, this book is a great winter read.
The Black Company series : buy now
Author: Glen Cook
What happens when you mix war drama with dark magic? You get an epic dark fantasy that is sure to make you grip the book harder.
Through 10 novels, the story is about a mercenary unit called the Black Company and their various employers, who fight a war against rebellious lost souls called the Taken. The series is published in a non-chronological order and explains that the origins of the rebellion are caused by a powerful wizard known as The Dominator, who, along with his wife, the Lady, creates a haven for evil to thrive. The Dominator is soon overthrown by rebellious forces and locked away for 400 years. On his awakening, he is betrayed by the Lady who seeks out to reclaim her world
Set inside a war-torn world, The Black Company deals with strong themes of morality, betrayal and a power struggle riddled with plot twists and shocking moments. A good read for Harry Potter fans who enjoyed the darker layers of the series.
The Dark Tower series:buy now
Author: Stephen King
When you hear it’s a Stephen King novel, the chills start running and with the Dark Tower series, the King has pulled off a never before seen mix of Fantasy, Horror, and Old Western. The series is of 7 books that you must read in chronological order.
The story follows the journey of gunslinger Roland Deschain, who is on the search for the eponymous Dark Tower, which in this world is the source of the Big Bang that created the universe. Magic, which plays as a central element of the plot, has nearly vanished from this post-apocalyptic world where even the Sun rises from odd angles. Roland must fight off zombies and other out worldly creatures and defend the last few hopes of human existence on his quest.
Deeply terrifying in typical Stephen King fashion, this book series gives us the chills that were barely present in the Harry Potter series, while still maintaining that powerful essence of magic.
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