What Comes After Harry?

Beverly’s Book Notes
July 2007
What Comes After Harry

As I write this, it is only about 32 hours until Harry Potter fans will finally know his fate. But then what? What do you read when there’s no more Harry Potter?

While there is truly only one Harry, fans of the young wizard need not despair. There are a number of magical fantasy books to keep you reading after all is known about Harry. This month, we discuss just a few.

The Charlie Bone Series by Jenny Nimmo

Parents who are disturbed by the dark nature and sorcery found in the Potter books may be more comfortable with this series. I fondly refer to the Charlie Bone series as Harry Potter Lite. Charlie is one of the endowed children, descendents of the Red King. Each of these children has a magical gift. Charlie can hear the people in photographs and paintings speak. Sometimes, he is even able to travel into the pictures. Some of his friends can control the weather or speak to animals. The first four books also include a mystery about Charlie’s father. Just like Harry Potter, these books have a good verses evil theme. However, thus far in the books there has been no sorcery or spell casting. This series is suitable for juvenile as well as teens and adults who enjoy lite fantasy.

Current titles in storyline order:
Midnight for Charlie Bone
Charlie Bone and the Time Twister
Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
Charlie Bone and the Beast

The Septimus Heap Series by Angie Sage

Readers looking for a darker story with more wizard lore will enjoy Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap series. Septimus is the seventh son of a seventh son. Much like Harry, Septimus finds himself at odds with a dark sorcerer who has returned. And like Harry, Septimus is frequently surrounded by ghosts. In addition to Septimus’ story, the books also include his foster sister, Jenna, a young princess orphaned years ago when the dark sorcerer had her mother assassinated. Set in a different age and world than the Potter books, the Septimus Heap serious has a medieval feel. The magical characters do not try to hide their abilities from the non-magical. Magical abilities are nothing new in this land. It is easy to physically identify the wizards, as the eyes of those who practice magic turn a brilliant green. This series is suitable for teens and adults.

Current titles in storyline order:
Magyk
Flyte
Physik
The Enchanted Inc series by Hannah Swendson

Chick lit fans who also enjoy a little magic will be delighted by this series by Hannah Swendson. Someone said Enchanted, Inc. is Harry Potter meets Sex in the City. Not having watched Sex in the City, I can’t be certain, but I think Enchanted Inc. is somewhat more innocent. At first Katie Chandler thinks all the weird things she notices as she makes her way around the big city, it just typical New Yorker behavior. She soon discovers that what she is really witnessing is magic at work. Unlike the muggles found in Harry Potter, Katie’s inability to do magic or be influenced by it makes her invaluable to Magic, Spells, and Illusion, Inc., for whom she goes to work after quitting her thankless job as the assistant to “Evil Mimi.” Soon after joining MSI, Katie meets “the” Merlin, becomes involved in good magic vs. evil magic conflict, and develops a huge crush on her boss, a talented young wizard. Swendsons’ light and airy writing style make this series a quick read with just enough magic and romance to make things interesting. Readers will want to keep reading, if only to find out if Katie finally gets her hunky young wizard. This series is suitable for teens and adults.

Current titles in storyline order:
Enchanted Inc.
Once Upon Stilettos
Damsel Under Stress


July’s Audio Recommendations:

His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman and recorded by Full Cast Audio

This is a very dark series about a parallel world in which a person’s soul lives outside his/her body in the form of a dæmon. The story centers around Lyra and her dæmon, Pantolimon, who are swept up in a dangerous plot involving disappearing children and the controversy over a mysterious entity known as “dust.” The story is full of wonderful creatures like armor clad polar bears, witches, and “gyptians.” It is sometimes hard to tell the good guys from the bad in this struggle to control the universe. Some readers may find the religious views expressed in the later books disturbing. However, it is a beautifully written fantasy that has appeal for both juveniles and adults. Bruce Coville’s Full Cast Audio, brings Pullman’s words to life with an astounding intensity. Be careful if you listen to this book while driving. It is too easy to get caught up in Lyra’s world.
Titles in storyline order:
The Golden Compass
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass

That’s all for this month. Be sure to visit your local library. It’s your gateway to many different worlds. Whatever you do, be sure to make time for a good book.

PS. Editor’s Note:

Even though I knew there were 3 copies of the latest Harry Potter book waiting for me in my mailbox, I could not help taking out some of our vacation time to attend Border’s Midnight Release party and pick up another copy for the long drive home. Not having attended one before, it was worth it just to experience all the hoopla. And, yes, I finished the last book way before we reached home. I won’t give anything away. I will just say J. K. Rowling is a master story teller.