For readers who love Harry Potter, The Books of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West is a fantastic companion series that delivers a magical hidden world, a young protagonist uncovering dark secrets, and an eerie yet whimsical atmosphere. While it doesnāt take place in a wizarding school, it shares many of the qualities that make Harry Potter so beloved, including a powerful mystery, magical artifacts, an ancient battle between good and evil, and a relatable protagonist who must grow into her courage.
Like Harry Potter, The Books of Elsewhere follows a child who stumbles into a world of magic she never knew existed. The protagonist, Olive Dunwoody, is an ordinary girl who moves into an old house with a strange and magical past. Much like how Harry discovers he is a wizard and is drawn into a battle he never expected, Olive learns that the paintings in her house are portals to another worldāone filled with trapped souls, sinister forces, and a history that ties back to her own fate.
Both Harry and Olive start out as lonely, somewhat isolated children who find themselves at the center of a grand magical struggle. Just as Harry must uncover the mysteries of his past and Voldemortās history, Olive must unravel the dark secrets of the McMartin house and the magic hidden within its walls.
One of the joys of Harry Potter is its rich and immersive magical world, filled with enchanted objects, powerful artifacts, and a sense of deep magical history. The Books of Elsewhere shares this sense of magical wonder, but instead of wands and spells, magic is found in ancient paintings, enchanted spectacles, and the eerie sentience of the house itself.
Oliveās ability to step into paintings using a pair of magical spectacles mirrors the way Harry learns to wield spells and magical objects. Much like how Hogwarts hides secrets behind its moving staircases and talking portraits, Oliveās house holds layers of magic that must be uncoveredāand not all of them are friendly.
Both Harry Potter and The Books of Elsewhere thrive on mystery and an ever-deepening sense of danger. In Harry Potter, each book presents a puzzle-like mystery that ties into the larger story of Voldemortās return and Harryās fate. Similarly, Oliveās story revolves around uncovering the hidden history of her house, its former owners, and the magic that has been left behind.
The house itself serves as a character, much like Hogwarts, with its own secrets, history, and hidden dangers lurking in its walls. Olive must piece together clues left behind by the houseās previous occupants while evading the dark forces trying to keep her from discovering the truth. This blend of suspense, supernatural danger, and slowly revealed backstory makes it a perfect read for Harry Potter fans who love unraveling magical mysteries.
One of the greatest strengths of Harry Potter is its colorful cast of characters who each bring humor, heart, and depth to the story. While The Books of Elsewhere has a smaller cast, it still features quirky, memorable characters who play a key role in Oliveās journey.
Instead of human companions like Ron and Hermione, Oliveās allies include three talking catsāHoratio, Leopold, and Harveyāwho are as wise, sarcastic, and enigmatic as any Hogwarts professor. These magical cats guide Olive through her discoveries, much like Dumbledore provides cryptic wisdom to Harry. The relationships between Olive and her magical companions bring humor and warmth to the story, balancing out the darker, more suspenseful moments.
Much like how Harry Potter is about more than just Harryās personal journeyāitās about an ancient war between light and dark forces, The Books of Elsewhere features a larger battle between good and evil that has been playing out long before Olive arrived.
The magic of the paintings, the sinister past of the McMartin house, and the mysterious forces that have long controlled this magical realm all suggest that Olive is part of a story much bigger than herself. Just as Harry learns that his parentsā past and Voldemortās rise are tied to his own fate, Olive discovers that the magic of the house and the struggles of those who came before her will shape her own destiny.
For readers who love Harry Potter and are looking for a new adventure filled with hidden magic, mysterious artifacts, and a young protagonist discovering her place in a magical world, The Books of Elsewhere is an excellent choice. It captures the same sense of wonder, danger, and self-discovery that made Harry Potter such an unforgettable journey, while offering a unique and eerie twist on magical fantasy.
With its compelling mystery, richly built world, and blend of magic and suspense, The Books of Elsewhere is one of the best series for young readers craving more magical adventures.