SOLVED. Similar to Harry Potter. 2 boys one looking for parents enter a building in London get on train to fantasy world. [s]

[Lobus]

Similar to Harry Potter 2 boys one looking for parents enter a building in London get on train to fantasy world, the orphan finds out his parents are wanted criminals in magical world.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Lobus, I've moved your thread down to Unsolved since that's where it belongs.

Now for a few questions:

1) when did you read this?
2) was it chapter or YA?
3) how did the boys get on the train?
4) how "fantasy" is the world--medieval or "traditional" fantasy or more of an urban or steampunk fantasy?

[Rainbowheart]

The Marbury Lens?

Probably too mature to be compared to Harry Potter, though.

[SBC]

Eva Ibbotson's The Secret of Platform 13?

[Lobus]

Sorry about that, not used to posting here...
It's YA, I read half of it a couple of years ago and I know there is a whole series (about 5 books).
It's a mix of traditional and modern.
They get on the train having followed someone into the building.
The boys go to a 'world' where one finds out his parents are 'on the run' and because of his name he gets taken to a ministry of magic type thing to be questioned etc.
One of the things i do remember is that there are 'modern' things as well, they go to a starbucks.
They are put up in a hotel after being questioned but run off to begin to find his parents with help from what i think was an elf type character.
That's what comes to mind, I do remember that having looked it up it was a popular series but having googled etc i just can't find it :(

[Lobus]

Found it: Royal Institute of Magic series by Victor Kloss

[Rainbowheart]

Elizabeth's Legacy for the link.