Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities for Fantasy Fans

Fiora lives in a world where sorcerers tyrannize humans–imposing curfews, forbidding community, and punishing those who oppose them. After a conflict with two dangerous sorcerers, Fiora is accepted on a trial basis to Inc Academy, a training school for the resistance group known as the Incorruptibles. She’ll do anything to join the resistance, but when suspicious incidents keep happening shortly after her arrival, Fiora is the prime suspect. Fans of dystopian fiction will be captivated by this future world with its blend of magic and advanced technology. This action-packed series opener, filled with a diverse cast of characters and an unstoppable heroine, stands out as one of the more unique middle grade books I’ve read in a long time. Ages 10+

Brix, Birdie, Tenner, Cabot, and Seven are five kids with supernatural powers, raised on an island by their parents, criminals who fled Estero City long before. After their parents vanish, Birdie finds mysterious instructions from her father, leading the friends to the modern world, where having magical powers is outlawed. There, they must uncover the meaning behind the mysterious note and keep their supernatural abilities secret. Just like Sophie forms deep bonds with her friends, the “forgotten five” rely on each other as they navigate a dangerous new world. Ages 9+

Owen is perpetually bored, preferring to imagine himself as a character inside his favorite books. But his life suddenly gets more exciting when he catches his classmate Bethany climbing out of a Roald Dahl novel in the library where his mother works! He discovers that Bethany is half-fictional and on a mission to find her father, who vanished into a book years ago. Together, Owen and Bethany jump in and out of books, determined to solve the mystery and rescue her father. Like KoTLc, this series delivers a fast-paced plot and clever humor that keeps kids eagerly turning pages. Ages 9+

Lina and Doon are 12 years old, the age when children of Ember become adults and are assigned jobs to help keep the city running. But when terrifying blackouts sweep the city, the kids know that Ember is in serious trouble. When they discover clues that could lead to a brighter future, Doon and Lina must race to solve the mystery before Ember goes dark for good. I bought this series as a holiday gift for my (then) 11-year-old son, and he read the complete box set in a week! Ages 9+

Linnet is an Alkonost, a bird-like human who lives on the island of Morovia– an island shaped like a broken heart. Morovia is split in half, with humans on one side and Alkonosts on the other, and Linnet wishes she could unite the two and see her best friends again. But when her father is captured, Linnet must try to bridge the divide once and for all. Similar to Keeper of the Lost Cities, this middle grade novel features a richly imagined fantasy world filled with magic, mystery, and two young protagonists who struggle to find peace within their fractured worlds. Ages 9+

It’s 1868, and a young Arthur Conan Doyle lives in Edinburgh with his five sisters, devoted mother, and depressed father. Arthur is brilliant and loves learning, but he’s considering dropping out of school to get a job and support his family. However, after a mysterious stranger witnesses Arthur using deductive reasoning and quick action to prevent an accident, he receives an invitation to attend a secret boarding school for gifted children. There, he makes friends with their own mysterious pasts and is drawn into a dark mystery involving a dangerous secret society. My son read this in 6th grade and was so intrigued that he swapped his original school book talk choice for this one instead! Ages 10+

Morrigan Crow is a cursed girl–born on Eventide, she’s blamed for all misfortunes in her town and destined to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. Instead, Morrigan is rescued from her doomed fate and is whisked away to the magical city of Nevermoor. This series opener offers a world as richly imagined as the Lost Cities, filled with vibrant characters, clever humor, and a suspenseful storyline. My son and I read the first three books and are thrilled that the fourth book is finally being released on June 25th! Ages 8+

Twelve-year-old Marya Lupu never does anything right, but when she accidentally causes a major disruption during her brother’s sorcerer trial, she’s sent away to Dragomir Academy, a school for troubled girls. Although the academy’s leaders are determined to tear the girls down, Marya and her friends begin to unravel secrets about their unjust society and realize that perhaps they are not “broken” after all. This is a powerful book about challenging the status quo, pushing back against a male-dominated world, and shaping your own destiny. Marya is a relatable, determined heroine, and we simply loved this inspiring novel. Ages 8+

This bestselling series is perfect for middle-grade readers who love fractured fairy tales. On their 12th birthday, twins Alex and Conner receive an old book from their grandmother. The book literally sucks them into its pages, transporting the twins into an intricate, fairy-tale world. As the series progresses, Alex and Conner encounter all the characters they grew up reading about, and realize that people (even fairy tale people) are not always what they seem. This series was a huge hit with both of my children, for many of the same reasons they loved the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. The books are long, giving readers the chance to really immerse themselves in the incredible world-building. Ages 8+

In this unique story, Kyana Turner finds out that she’s a witch and begins taking lessons at Park Row Magick Academy, a school located in the back of a local beauty shop. Despite having to keep her true identity a secret, learning to become a witch is a blast! However, when a loss of funding means her school may be forced to shut down, Kyana devises a plan to win a local baking competition and use the prize money to save her school. Even though she’s a witch, middle grade readers will relate to Kyana as she navigates changing friendships, faces intense pressure, and confronts prejudice and inequity in her community. Ages 8+

Twelve-year-old Seven Salazar is eagerly anticipating the Black Moon Ceremony, where she and her best friend Poppy just know they’ll be placed in a prestigious coven together. But Seven is shocked when she finds out she’s a “Spare,” part of a small coven of witches who are less powerful and looked down upon by the rest of Ravenskill. When she fails to seal her magic with the other witchlings, she’s at risk of being turned into a toad forever. Seven must work together with her former enemies to complete a dangerous task and show the town that Spares are just as valuable. Along the way, Seven realizes that she may be more powerful than she ever imagined. My 10-year-old daughter just finished this book a few months ago, and when I asked her, she said that both Seven and Sophia start out as outsiders who have to learn to live in a new world and prove themselves to doubters. Ages 9+

Christopher has always noticed how animals are unusually drawn to him—birds nest in his hair, and squirrels follow him through the streets. But it’s not until he visits his grandfather that Christopher learns the truth: he’s a descendant of a family entrusted with guarding a gateway to the Archipelago, a hidden world where legendary beings, such as dragons, exist. When Christopher meets Mal, a young girl with a pet griffin, the two set out on an important mission to uncover why the Archipelago’s creatures are dying. We loved this book and can’t wait for the sequel, The Poisoned King, set to be released in September. Ages 9+

Since his parents’ divorce and moving far from his friends, seventh-grader Ben has felt lonely and isolated. He spends most of his time creating storylines and building fantasy worlds for tabletop games, similar to Dungeons and Dragons. But when he meets a mysterious girl at a gaming convention, he’s whisked away to another land and mistaken for the prophesied “Chosen One” destined to save the realm. Flipping the classic “chosen one” trope keeps the story fresh. This book is a great pick for readers who love fantasy worlds and role-playing games. Ages 9+

Phoebe is a 12-year-old who has bounced around the New York City foster care system for most of her life. But when a statue of Athena comes to life, Phoebe discovers that she is the daughter of Zeus and was sent away as a baby to stop a terrible prophecy. When Ares kidnaps her social worker, Phoebe must travel back to ancient Greece with her friends to rescue him and collect talismans from dangerous Greek monsters. Phoebe is a strong and relatable protagonist, and her unique quest is engaging, filled with plenty of tension, humor, and heart. Ages 8+

Eleven-year-old Ella is a Conjurer, part of a magical group with abilities mistrusted by the rest of her magical world. So when she is chosen as the first Conjurer to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, she’s met with prejudice from much of the school community. Just as she settles in, a dangerous criminal escapes from prison, and Ella is the prime suspect. With the help of a few brave friends, she unravels secrets that challenge everything the magical world believes. This inclusive middle grade story tackles themes of belonging, cultural pride, courage, and the power of friendship, themes with which middle grade readers will easily identify. My son loved the first two books in this series and is eager to read the third! Ages 9+