What's next?

[rose]

So, anyone who is a die hard fan of this series might share the same predicament I find myself in. I grew up with this book series; without trying to sound dramatic, I'm pretty much lost now that it's completely over. There's nothing left to look forward to... there's not the next release date written on my calender.

So I'm just wondering... what do I do now?

Are there any amazing books I can distract myself with? I keep trying to find something new to draw my interest, but gosh... there are really some terrible writers out in this world--I'm continually asking myself how they are published. I'm not judging too harshly, everyone has their flaws...

But is there like... any suggestions of books that are just completely amazing? Where you can say it was a fantastic read without the, "I hated the third book. The ending was terrible. After the sixth book they all turned to crap. The main character was so annoying." tacked onto the end?

[Jeni]

My book recommendations may depend on your age. :D

[rose]

That just poses the question, does my age reflect my maturity? (view spoiler)[I'm going on 16. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeni]

It's not so much a maturity question, I think. :) I would hesitate to recommend some amazing series to even a mature 12-year old. It's more of a "content is more adult" kind of thing.

In your case, I think it may be safe to recommend the following:

Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel (Sorry to say, the last book was horrific, but the preceding were amazing. In fact, if you stopped after the first four, you'd probably not miss much.)

Any trilogy series by Nora Roberts, but specifically The Circle Trilogy or the Sign of Seven Trilogy. Then any Nora Roberts book ever written. (hehe)

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Every single book is amazing.

That gives you about 18 books to get on with. Hope you find them as enjoyable as I did! (I read Outlander at your age and it's very adult, but I loved it because I was also mature.)

OOO..just thought of another favorite author who has some really fun historical romances: Julie Garwood. I liked "The Lion's Lady" series and "For the Roses." Individual books are varied but all wonderful and easy to read and very sweet.

[Jan]

I liked the Birthmarked trilogy by Caragh M. O'Brien, the Matched trilogy by Ally Condie, The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, Starters by Lissa Price, Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Legend by Marie Lu - just to name a few!

[Steve]

The Belgariad Boxed Set
or
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy
or
The Earthsea Trilogy
or
Ender's Game

[Sophie]

MORTAL INSTRUMENTS BY CASSANDRA CLARE! Amazing YA series, and the prequel The Infernal Devices is even better. Definitely recommend it!

[Laura]

I completely understand your problem, I've been in the same boat for YEARS! Try Percy Jackson if you haven't already- it's not as amazingly wonderful as Harry Potter (as if anything ever could be) but I still really really enjoyed them!

[Sparrowlicious]

Sophie wrote: "MORTAL INSTRUMENTS BY CASSANDRA CLARE! Amazing YA series, and the prequel The Infernal Devices is even better. Definitely recommend it!"

No. Just no. OP, if you really are a great Harry Potter fan: No. Not The Mortal Instruments series. Please avoid those books. Apart from the fact that they are mostly Romance:
Cassandra Clare started her series out as the "Draco" fanficitons (some huge fanfictions in which Draco gets paired up with either Hermione or Harry), then she pretty much copied from all kinds of places (especially Buffy). It's not original. It's kind of like reading the first Eragon (which is a mash-up of other books and ideas the author failed to adapt). She eventually changed some names and places around and warped this thing into a book series. You can look up the similarities online on (I guess) various blogs.

Did you check your book recommendations on Goodreads yet? There might be some books that catch your eye. Without knowing if you like simple adventure stories with generic good and evil characters or not it's pretty hard to really give an advice.

I'd say try something new in the Fantasy genre - then again, I don't know if you want that. (Btw, great female fantasy authors: Ursula K. Le Guin and Diana Wynne Jones caught my eye. Their writing is great. Unfortunately Jones died some years ago - I think in 2008.)

[rose]

I got through The Mortal Instrumets, but by the fourth book that was torture.

[Jessica]

Try The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta. They are fabulous.

[Micaela]

I would recommend The Legend of Drizzt by R.A.Salvator they are amazing books and there are I think 16 books in the series I haven't read all of them yet but I've read up to book 14. I think that they are aboslutly wonderful.

[Bb2nz1]

If you like fantasy books on magic (which you doubtless do if you're a die hard potterhead :)), maybe you'll like some of the series I've pointed out here:

Michael Scott's The Alchemyst series involves twins and a prophecy declaring one to destroy and one to save the world. I actually just finished reading the final book today and I've given 4 stars to the whole series.

I really liked the Howl's Moving Castle trilogy by Diana Wynne Jones, and I've been planning on reading the Chrestomanci series for forever. Really enjoyed a short story I read recently about him in Unnatural Creatures and my interest in Chrestomanci was once again piqued.

I've also enjoyed the Redwall series by Brian Jacques over the years and I always fantasize about the food he describes being laid at the banquets in his books which always remind me of Hogwart's feasts (lol I know that sounds weird but I've always wanted to try butterbeer and blackberry cordial - they just sound heavenly! I'm still waiting to visit Harry Potter World in Florida so haven't tried butterbeer yet) xD

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle was good as well, I've read two or three out of the four.

Uglies by Scott Westerfield and Abarat by Clive Barker are two series worth checking out by older teens so if you like the first book in each, you can see where each series is heading and decide if you wanna stick with them. (I will say the third book in the Abarat series is a bit disjointed from the rest of the series but was still pretty decent - the fourth book is due next year)

Vampire Academy and Bloodlines by Richelle Mead are some books you might wanna check out if you're into vampires and humans who wield magic. (also for older teens due to the romance in VA especially)

Lastly, I found many similarities to Harry Potter in the Midnight for Charlie Bone series - boarding school of kids with special talents - but Charlie Bone was different in its own way and I thoroughly enjoyed the books! One of the best series to pick up after reading Harry Potter if you have withdrawals. :) It is set for younger teens, but I've also grown up with many different series and some books can be enjoyed by many ages.

These are just some of the fantasy books I've read before and after reading Harry Potter and contracting HPWS - Harry Potter Withdrawal Syndrome. Give them a try if you like, and I hope to hear back if anyone agrees or disagrees with what I've said. :)