This is the story of a bored small-town girl who stumbles into a world of islands, Abarat, full of zany, fun characters. She soon finds herself torn between two powerful forces, and she must find her own strength to survive. Abarat is a strange, colorful world; if you like all the details of life at Hogwarts, you will like getting lost in Abarat.

With twelve books in the Wheel of Time series (so far), this addictive epic is bound to keep you busy for a while! In the first book, three young men confront their destiny as horrific creatures, minions of the Dark One, attack their peaceful village. As the series continues, one man will become the Dragon Reborn, destined to defeat the Dark One or destroy the world. Serious stuff, and a great adventure.

If you can read 700+ pages of Harry Potter, you can handle this! Tolkien's classic epic begins as Frodo Baggins sets out to destroy the One Ring, joined by a motley crew: a dwarf, an elf, a man, and a few of his fellow hobbits. The historical details of Middle Earth are astounding - you'll be speaking Elvish before you finish the third book!

Cassandra Mortmain lives with her family in a crumbling English castle in the 1930s. Although there is no magic, there's plenty of humor, romance, and drama when an adventurous American family moves into the estate next door. This book is supposedly one of J.K. Rowling's favorites.

In 19th century England, magic is making a comeback with the help of Mr. Norrell and his student/rival Jonathan Strange. This detailed historical fantasy plots the two magicians against Napoleon's forces, British manners, and, finally, a force far more sinister. Although not as fast-paced as Harry Potter, this book will appeal to folks who like British sensibilities and though-provoking stories.

In this book, there is a hidden London much more sinister than Platform 9 3/4. A man helps a young woman named Door, only to find that he no longer exists in London Above. He ventures through the abandoned Underground stations and sewers of London Below to reclaim his life.

Like Harry Potter, this is the story of a young boy claiming his destiny. In this fantasy classic, the young boy is Arthur, and, with the help of the magician Merlin, he grows to become King of the Britons.

Here is the dark story of two fiercely competitive magicians in Victorian England, who try to outwit and out-magic each other, sabotage performances, and go to dangerous lengths to figure out each other's illusions. This book was recently made into a movie starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale.

In this classic tale of good versus evil, a mysterious dark carnival comes to a small Illinois town, and two boys must fight for the soul of the town. If you like Harry Potter's struggle with evil forces that seem much stronger than he is, this book is for you.

Another novel where the real world is more than what it seems: Henry Day was stolen and replaced with a changeling. The novel follows the two boys as they grow up and try to fit into their respective worlds: the real Henry in a land for stolen children and the changeling Henry, who possesses a magical gift for music.

This first novel in the Dresden Files series has little to do with Harry Potter - except that it features a wizard. Harry Dresden is a down-on-his-luck private investigator wizard in this darkly funny, hard-boiled series set in Chicago. He uses his unique powers to battle evil while struggling to pay his rent.

Shea Ohmsford is a simple guy, just your average half-man half-elf innkeeper growing up in a peaceful valley. But it turns out the evil Warlock Lord is not dead at all, but poised to return and destroy the world - unless Shea can fulfill his destiny. This is the first in an epic series which includes three books, a prequel, and several spinoff series.

The first novel of the Gormenghast trilogy begins with the birth of Titus, 77th Earl of Groan. This macabre epic follows the young earl, his doomed father, twittering aunts, dreamy sister, and a scheming kitchen boy living in the dark, unchanging ritual of Gormenghast Castle. Definitely for fans of the more gothic elements of the Harry Potter books.