I'll be completely honest here: nothing quite compares to reading Harry Potter for the first time and discovering its magical world. The excitement is out-of-this-world, and that keeps us turning pages of the books till the wee hours of early mornings.

But ever since the Harry Potter books--till the last pages of the Deathly Hallows, have you been chasing that charm and wonder that keeps us hooked to the story? You're not alone. As a die-hard Harry Potter fan myself, I've been searching for that spark too, and get this, the TikTok recommendations helped.

If you've ever stumbled on the cozy corner of the internet, that is, BookTok, you'll know what I'm talking about. BookTok is more than just a tag or a hashtag on TikTok or Pinterest, it's a place where the reader community shares their latest obsessions, current reads, and how good the books actually are. It's basically like having your own online book club!

So, with that, here are some BookTok-approved finds, perfect for a Potterhead's next book haul.

1. The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber

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If you enjoyed the fourth book in the Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, you'll love this book series. Similar to the Triwizard Tournament, this book centres around a game called Caraval, which bears the power to change the destiny of two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella.

While the Harry Potter books revolve around themes of friendship, there's a similar kinship depicted in these books, a strong, beautiful bond between half-sisters. Moreover, the series gets layered and mature with each book, just like the saga. If you're the kind of person who enjoys a twisty, riddle-filled journey, consider this one to be your go-to. For me, definitely a 2 AM in-bed read.

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2. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

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This is a dark fantasy novel, the first in its trilogy, set in a magical school called the Scholomance. The author, Naomi Novik, in fact, described the school in her book as being similar to a variant on Hogwarts that attempts to take the obvious flaws in school safety at Hogwarts a little too seriously. Similar to the idea of Muggles, J.K. Rowling gave in her book, in this fictional universe, the non-magical folk are termed as "mundanes".

It follows the journey of El Higgins, a half-Indian and half-Welsh sorceress, surviving academic pressure while controlling her dangerous abilities. What I liked about this book is that the protagonist isn't the stereotypical, perfect, untouchable heroine. She's a flawed, complex character, which I enjoyed.

3. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

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This is the perfect pick for those who have a Pinterest board on "Dark Academia Aesthetic" because this totally fits the mold. This is one of the most viral BookTok sensations, and if you love magical fantasies like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Twilight, you should consider reading it.

However, I thought it was more of a one-time read. The plot includes six seriously talented people chosen to be part of a secret magical society that conserves old wisdom. Think of it like a more grown-up magical world.

One thing I absolutely loved about this book was that it had PoV chapters. If, like me, you are obsessed with the morally grey, not-good-not-bad characters like Professor Snape, Draco Malfoy, you'll be engrossed.

4. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

Another brilliant trilogy, amazing and BookTok approved, this series comes from the author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The plot is set in the modern era, with characters from Egyptian mythology secretly influencing events and pulling strings. It is humorous and easy to read, and I love the main characters' chaotic sibling bond.

Think of it like this: Instead of waving wands, the characters in this series cast magic through hieroglyphs and host deities like Horus and Isis. Overall, for me, this was an amazing read.

5. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

The main character of this young-adult fantasy is Hermione-coded. She has a similar kind of fiery spirit that Hermione has. A sixteen-year-old Deka discovers she's impure and is sent to train as a warrior in a magical society.

I so deeply admire how the fictional world and the protagonist are built, how Deka is outcasted and ostracized but goes on to become a powerful warrior, questioning all the lies taught to her. If you love the themes of social issues, feminism, and the "smart girl aesthetic", this'll be your new obsession.

Conclusion

Harry Potter was, and still is, ever-iconic, but if its magic, morals, friendship, and adventure left a lasting impression on our hearts, these BookTok recommendations might do the same again! Happy reading, my fellow Potterheads! I hope the recommendations reignite the same interest, enthusiasm, and spark that the Harry Potter books did for me.