14 Captivating Books Like The Magicians You Must Read

Dark academia, fantasy and a whole hidden world of magic. Keep reading for captivating books like The Magicians.

This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

When I think about books like The Magicians,  hidden worlds, magic and urban fantasy instantly spring to mind.

The problem is, while many books feature magic, capturing the same blend of urban fantasy and magic is difficult. 

Why?

Many urban fantasy books have modern city worldbuilding.

But in comparison, the magical school setting in The Magicians evokes dark academia vibes. 

Whether you’re looking for urban fantasy books with magicians, morally grey friendship groups or dark academia fantasy books, I’ve got you covered.

Keep reading to find out my top picks for books like The Magicians.

Read on for the best books like The Magicians

Best books like The Magicians

Here are my top books like The Magicians.

1. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

If you've been on BookTok, then you've probably heard of The Atlas Six.

At one point, I couldn't go on Booktok, without seeing a recommendation for The Atlas Six.   It has  amazing 11 million mentions on TikTok.

The Atlas Six is about a secret society of academics known as The Alexandrian Society. Their members  look after lost knowledge. And they secure a life of awe-inspiring wealth, power and prestige. 

Each decade, the world's six most uniquely talented magicians are selected for initiation. 

 The Atlas Six follows six characters competing for entry into the society - Libby Rhodes, Nicolás Ferrer de Varona, Reina Mori, Parisa Kamali, Tristan Caine and Callum Nova.

Dark academia fans will fall in love with this book. Set in a library, it has tons of academic references. From lectures to classes and academic theories. 

The Atlas Six and The Magicians have a lot in common. Let me elaborate, it features an academic setting, secret society and group of overly intelligent friends.

So what's my point? If you're after books like The Magicians, this is the first book I recommend picking up. 

If you're looking for books like The Atlas Six, I have  a lots of recommendations. You can check out my article on books like The Atlas Six here.

2. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files is an insanely popular Urban Fantasy book series. And when you research Urban Fantasy books this series is always one of the first to be recommended. 

The problem is, I was a bit unsure on whether to recommend this book for fans of the Magicians. It doesn't have the same dark academia worldbuilding. 

However, it features a magician and fantastical elements in an urban setting. Likewise, it features secret magical elements existing in an urban city.

It follows Harry Dresden,  an openly practicing professional wizard. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. 

 For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks.

So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs.

But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get interesting.

And the balance of  crime with fantasy gives a unique twist to the urban fantasy genre.

The book opens with several mysteries to be solved and keeps you hooked throughout.  The fast paced plot and short length, make it a fairly quick read. 

 An awesome option if you're after books like The Magicians.

If you're also a fan of the Dresden Files, I have tons of recommendations. You can check out my article on books like The Dresden Files here.

3. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman writes Urban Fantasy books exceptionally well. So you will find several Neil Gaiman books on this list. Fans of Lev Grossman will love Neil Gaiman's work. 

 Neverwhere is a fantasy book set in London (well specifically under the streets of London).

Under the Streets of London  is a city full of monsters, saints, murders, angels and knights. "Neverwhere" is the London of the people who have fallen between the cracks.

Neverwhere is a world that seems eerily familiar but is utterly bizarre.

We follow Richard Mayhew. An act of kindness catapults him into the Neverwhere. 

And Richard will learn more than he ever wanted to know about this other London.

But all Richard wants is to go home. 

Neil Gaiman has an ability to create the most magical concepts for books. 

 Every time I read a summary or the first few pages of his books I'm instantly hooked. And Neverwhere is no exception. It reads like a dark Alice in Wonderland.

If you enjoy a full cast audiobook then BBC Radio have a full cast production. It includes Christopher Lee. Likewise, it's a short listen at just over 3 hours. You can listen to it on Audible - check it out here

4. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

A Marvellous Light has so many features I love in a book. An mlm romance it has magic, a mystery to solve and a secret magical society.

And as if that's not enough,  it also has serious dark academia vibes.

It follows Robin Blyth. An administrative error names him  liaison to a secret magical society.

He must with magic's dangers and a deadly curse. All while he searches for his missing predecessor.

To do this, he'll need the help of Edwin Courcey. His prickly magical society counterpart. 

The problem is Edwin Courcey clearly wishes Robin were anyone else.

I love the secret society of magicians. Likewise, the Edwardian setting and mlm romance set it apart from other books with secret magical societies.

 If you like historical fiction or dark academia then you need to read this one. Reading books with gay men in an Edwardian setting is marvellous.

A great choice if you're looking for books like The Magicians. It features magic, smart characters and an academic setting. 

5. Babel by R.F. Kuang

Did you like A  Secret History,  The Atlas Six or Jonathon Strange and Dr Norrell.  Then you will  love Babel. 

A dark fantasy set in an academic setting. It discusses the power of language and the evils of authoritarianism. 

It follows Robin Swift. Orphaned by cholera, The mysterious Professor Lovell brings him to London.

There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek and Chinese. All to prepare for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation.  Known as Babel.

Babel is the world's centre for translation and magic.

 Silver working is the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation. And it uses enchanted silver bars.

So what's the point?

Well it has made the British unparalleled in power. Likewise, its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia. 

 Dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power.

The problem is, as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland.

If you're after dark academia books or books like The Magicians, then you NEED to read this.

6. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

I couldn't pass up an opportunity to recommend Legendborn. Let me walk you through why fans of The Magicians should read it. 

 Legendborn is a King Arthur retelling with a secret society in an academic setting. 

A fast paced ya fantasy book, it's packed full of action, mind-blowing plot twists and awesome characters. 

It follows Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories.

The result? She joins a residential program for gifted high school students.

But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night.  A flying demon feeding on human energy. 

A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.

If you're looking for a mysterious, dark haired and morally grey main character then this is a great choice.

 It also has a diverse cast, an amazing female lead and dark academia vibes. Similarly, the commentary on slavery and racism is excellent.

Everyone needs to read Legendborn. But if you're after books like The Magicians, then I highly recommend picking it up.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic.  

I'm recommending it as it has one of the most famous hidden worlds.  Fillory reminds me a lot of Narnia. One of the most magical  and whimsical secret fantasy worlds. 

The Chronicles of Narnia follows four children evacuated to a country house. They find a magical kingdom called Narnia at the back of a wardrobe.

But Narnia has been enchanted by a White Witch. And it is frozen in an eternal winter.

The Lion, The Witch and The wardrobe has one of the most magical concepts behind it. A concept is familiar to everyone and makes it easy to follow.

While the Chronicles of Narnia  features multiple books, you can easily read The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe  as a standalone. 

The wintery world building is seriously enchanting. And the characters are charming. The perfect nostalgic read full of cosy imagery.

8. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Looking for books with hidden worlds? Or maybe, books with a movie adaptation?

 Then I highly recommend Stardust.  A criminally underrated fantasy with an enchanting hidden world. 

It follows Young Tristarn Thorn. He lives in a rural English village known as wall in the 1800s. A large stone wall separates it from the Faerie land beyond.

He will do anything to win the heart of beautiful Victoria.  

Even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the Faerie lands on the other side of the ancient wall.

Stardust is beautiful and whimsical with an excellent storyline. 

I'm a huge fan  of fantasy movies and Stardust is such an underrated adaptation.  If you like Stardust then you might want to check out my post on movies based on fantasy movies.

9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there when yesterday it was not. But it’s only open at night.

And behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway between two rival magicians -Celia and Marco. 

They have trained since childhood purely for this purpose. But unknown to them, only one will be left standing. The circus is set for an incredible battle of imagination.

The problem is, despite themselves Celia and Marco fall in love. A deep, magical love that makes  the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

But, true love or not, the game must play out.

10. Jonathon Strange & Mr Norell by Susanna Clarke

Jonathon Strange & Mr Norell is a fantasy book with dark academia vibes. It features magic, dark academia worldbuilding and a city setting. 

It's set in England in 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation's past. Except one remains. The reclusive Mr Norell. 

And Nr Norell's displays of magic thrill the country. 

He goes to London where he raises a beautiful woman from the dead. And he sends an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. 

But the cautious Norell is challenged by another magician. The brilliant novel Jonathon Strange.

Strange the the very opposite of Norrel. And a dangerous battle starts between them.

But their secret dabbling with the dark arts will cause more trouble than they can possibly imagine.

When I think about books like The Magicians, magic and dark academia spring to mind.  If you're after a dark academia fantasy then you should  read this book.

11. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

American Gods is an urban fantasy classic. If you enjoy fantasy books specifically with an adaptation then you might want to pick this up. It also has fantastical elements in a city setting. 

This Urban Fantasy book feature urban worldbuilding, mythology and a unique concept. 

It follows Shadow. Days before his release, his wife dies in a mysterious car crash. He is released early and makes his way back home. 

On the plane he encounters the strange yet enigmatic Mr Wednesday. A man who seems to know more about Shadow's life than Shadow does.  

They embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break.

I wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook version over the physical book. 

American Gods is one of the best audiobooks. A full cast production and a different voice actor for each main character. It makes the audiobook such an immersive experience.  You can get the Audiobook on audible via Amazon- check it out here.

12. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo can do no wrong. If you liked the dark academia elements of The Magicans then I highly recommend picking up Ninth House. 

Ninth House is paranormal fantasy set in an urban, academia setting. And it's also Bardugo's first adult fantasy book. 

It follows Galaxy 'Alex' Sterm. She is the most unlikely member of Yale's freshman class. Raised by a hippie mom, she dropped out of school early and into  a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends and dead end jobs.

By age 20, she is the only survivor of a horrific unsolved multiple murder. At her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance. Attend one of the world's most elite universities on a full ride.

But what's the catch?

Alex is tasked with monitoring the activities of Yale's secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful. From high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players.

 But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

13. Ruinsong by Julia Ember

This is yet another seriously underrated  book. I don't see this recommended nearly enough online.

 Ruinsong is an ya lesbian book set in a dystopian world. It has lush world-building, a twisty plot and feisty main characters.

In this world, singers have magic powers when they sing certain songs. And they can heal, cause pain and heat people.

Cadence is an incredibly strong mage. She was born in poverty in an orphanage and rises to success.

Problem is she works for the evil Queen Elene. And Elene forces Cadence to use her power to torture others.

  But when she is reunited with her childhood friend she must make a choice. Does she take a stand or follow the queen?

This dark fantasy is like a queer, dystopian phantom of the opera.

The world building is so unique. Full of strong willed women taking down their enemies while wearing beautiful pink ballgowns. 

It also has one of the most unique magic systems with singing as a vehicle for magic. The magic system and characters were well developed. And they will hook you into this story.

If you're looking for underrated books like The Magicians, then you pick this one up. The perfect choice if you'd rather read a standalone.

14. If we were villains by M.I. Rio

If you're looking for a dark academia read, a secret society of a smart group of friends then you should check out If We Were Villains. 

It follows Oliver Marks. He's just served ten years in jail . For a murder he may or may not have committed. 

On the day he’s released, he’s greeted by the man who put him in prison. 

 Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.

As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off. But the casting changes and the secondary characters usurp the stars. 

The play spills dangerously over into life and one of them is found dead.

If you enjoyed the characters in The Magicians, then this is the book for you. It features a secret society with pretentious members who end up doing morally questionable things.

This post was all about books like The Magicians