10 Books Like The Land of Stories
Have you ever gotten so lost in a story that you felt like you could step right into the world between the pages?
If Chris Colfer’s “The Land of Stories” series had you yearning for more adventures where fairy tales come alive, then buckle up, bookworm!
This blog is your portal to a collection of fantastical stories that will transport you beyond the ordinary and leave you wondering if your bookshelf might just be a secret gateway after all.
So, grab your favorite blanket, brew a comforting cup of tea, and get ready to dive into a world where reimagined classics, thrilling quests, and unforgettable characters await!
Books Like The Land of Stories
1. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
“Fablehaven” is a captivating series that dives into the world of magical preserves, guardians of the boundary between the human and magical realms.
The story follows siblings Kendra and Seth Sorenson, who discover their grandparents are the caretakers of Fablehaven, a secret sanctuary for mythical and magical creatures. As they delve deeper into this enchanted world, they face challenges that test their bravery, wisdom, and strength.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Land of Stories,” “Fablehaven” combines the modern world with magical elements, focusing on siblings embarking on an extraordinary adventure.
Both series explore themes of good vs. evil, the importance of family, and the journey of self-discovery. The rich, imaginative settings and the blend of folklore and fantasy creatures appeal to readers who enjoy being transported to worlds where magic is real and every decision has significant consequences.
2. The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
In “The Unwanteds,” every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their doom. Alex finds himself among the Unwanteds and is taken to a magical place called Artime, where they are trained to use their creative abilities as magic.
The story explores themes of creativity, the value of art, and the power of imagination, as Alex and his friends prepare to defend their magical haven.
Major Similarities:
“The Unwanteds” shares the theme of discovering a hidden magical world with “The Land of Stories.” Both series feature young protagonists who uncover secrets about their true heritage and the larger magical community they belong to.
The emphasis on creativity and imagination as a form of magic in “The Unwanteds” resonates with the way “The Land of Stories” intertwines classic fairy tales and modern adventures, celebrating the power of storytelling.
3. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
This series starts with two friends, Sophie and Agatha, who are taken to the School for Good and Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to become the heroes and villains of fairy tales. Sophie dreams of being a princess, while Agatha seems a perfect fit for a villain.
However, their destinies are not as clear-cut as they seem, and the girls discover that good and evil are not always black and white. The series challenges the traditional notions of fairy tales while exploring friendship, identity, and the nature of true love.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “The Land of Stories,” “The School for Good and Evil” delves into the world of fairy tales, but with a unique twist on the conventions and roles within those stories.
Both series play with the idea of what it means to be a hero or a villain and the blurred lines between good and evil.
The dynamic setting of a magical school, along with the focus on friendship and the journey of self-discovery, makes it a great match for fans of “The Land of Stories.”
4. Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan
“Percy Jackson & the Olympians” follows Percy Jackson, a boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon and a demigod. The series blends Greek mythology with modern life as Percy and his friends embark on quests to prevent the gods’ wars from spilling over into the human world.
Along the way, they face numerous mythical creatures, uncover ancient secrets, and learn valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and identity.
Major Similarities:
The series shares with “The Land of Stories” a seamless integration of mythological elements into the modern world, offering a fresh take on classic myths and legends.
Both series feature young protagonists on a quest that involves unraveling mysteries and confronting evil forces. The themes of self-discovery, the importance of teamwork, and the adventure of navigating a world where the lines between myth and reality blur are central to both narratives.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
“The Chronicles of Narnia” is a classic series that takes readers on a journey to a magical land accessible through a wardrobe, where animals talk, and good battles evil.
The series follows the Pevensie siblings and other characters who play crucial roles in the history of Narnia, facing challenges that test their faith, courage, and loyalty. It’s a tale of adventure, war, and exploration of themes such as redemption, betrayal, and the fight between light and darkness.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Land of Stories” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” revolve around siblings who discover a magical world very different from their own, where they embark on epic quests and play pivotal roles in the battle between good and evil.
The series are steeped in moral and philosophical questions, and both blend the fantastical with the real, providing a narrative that encourages readers to believe in the power of magic and the importance of courage and kindness.
6. Half Upon a Time by James Riley
“Half Upon a Time” is the first book in a series that follows Jack, the son of the infamous Jack who stole the magic beans, as he embarks on an unexpected adventure when a princess falls out of the sky and into his life, literally.
With a quest that involves rescuing a princess, thwarting a wicked queen, and uncovering family secrets, this story blends humor with fantasy, weaving together fairy tales and new adventures.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Land of Stories,” “Half Upon a Time” mixes traditional fairy tales with original storytelling, creating a humorous, adventurous narrative that challenges and expands upon the original tales.
Both series feature young protagonists who must navigate a world where fairy tales and reality intersect, dealing with both the whimsical and dangerous aspects of these intersections. The blend of humor, adventure, and the reimagining of classic characters offers a similar appeal.
7. The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley
In “The Sisters Grimm” series, two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne, discover they are descendants of the famous Brothers Grimm, tasked with the job of keeping the peace between the fairy tale characters (Everafters) and the human world.
As they solve mysteries involving fairy tale characters gone awry, the sisters uncover deeper family secrets and the truth about their parents’ disappearance.
Major Similarities:
This series shares with “The Land of Stories” the concept of children discovering their familial ties to a larger, magical world. Both series explore the aftermath of fairy tales, where characters from stories live on and interact with the modern world.
The mystery-solving aspect of “The Sisters Grimm,” coupled with the blend of fantasy and reality, makes it a compelling companion for fans of fairy tale adventures and modern-day heroics.
8. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
“The Kane Chronicles” series introduces readers to siblings Carter and Sadie Kane, who embark on a thrilling journey to understand their family’s connection to the ancient gods of Egypt.
The series blends modern-day adventures with ancient mythology, as the Kane siblings discover their powers and battle forces that threaten to destabilize the world.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Land of Stories,” “The Kane Chronicles” focuses on siblings navigating a newly discovered magical world tied closely to ancient mythology.
Both series involve a deep dive into mythological lore, reimagined in a contemporary setting, where the protagonists must learn to harness their newfound abilities to save their world from impending doom.
The emphasis on family, adventure, and the blend of the ancient with the modern offers a reading experience similar to the adventures found in “The Land of Stories.”
9. The Map to Everywhere by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis
“The Map to Everywhere” is a series that opens up a universe of magical worlds connected by a pirate ship that can navigate between them, all linked by the mysterious Map to Everywhere.
The protagonists, Fin, a boy who is forgotten almost immediately after being seen, and Marrill, a girl from our world, embark on a quest to find the map pieces and save the worlds from a dire threat.
Major Similarities:
This series, like “The Land of Stories,” combines elements of magic, adventure, and the quest for identity within a vast, interconnected universe of worlds. The idea of navigating through different magical realms using a mystical map mirrors the journey through the fairy tale lands in “The Land of Stories.”
Both series offer expansive world-building, a mix of humor and heart, and the theme of unlikely heroes embarking on life-changing adventures.
10. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
This book introduces readers to September, a girl whisked away to Fairyland, a place of wonders, dangers, and magical creatures.
As she journeys to retrieve a talisman for a witch, September encounters various beings, undergoes transformations, and discovers her inner strength and the complexity of good and evil.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “The Land of Stories,” this book explores a child’s adventure in a magical land filled with both whimsical and dark elements.
The narrative’s rich, lyrical language and imaginative world-building, along with its exploration of themes such as bravery, friendship, and the moral ambiguities of fairy tales, resonate with the essence of “The Land of Stories.” Both stories celebrate the courage of young individuals in the face of daunting quests and the power of stories to shape our understanding of the world.
