education but make it ✨️magical✨️
books featuring or set in magic schools / universities / academies, aka, one of the best subgenres in existence !
this list has books for all ages (am actively looking for more adult options), most of the books are dark academia, and ALL of them are fantastical 🪄 recs welcome <3
(alternatively, books to fall in love with & share with others to help avoid supporting or promoting JKR. i will never shut up ab how the Nevermoor series deserves the popularity that Harry Potter enjoys !)
created by vampiresgf
last updated August, 2026
Comments
Yay! Hmm the Nevernight series may be good here! I’ve only read the first one so far and I loved it. Features a school for assassins!
I haven’t heard of the Nevermoor series, adding to the list for my middle schooler! The Magicians series probably fits here if you’re looking for more adult-leaning adds.
Anyone who realises Nevermoor is the series that deserves all the attention and acclaim is good people! I adore it from start to finish!
Glad to find this list through the quest nominations list! 😉 Great work!!!
Threads That Bind and Whispers in the Dark, i believe both fit! OH and Juniper Nettle i think
Ooo, thank you so much for the recs, mossy ! 😍 do you know who wrote Whispers in the Dark, i looked it up, but there's A LOT of books with that title!
Love the Nevermoor series! For adult series based at magic schools, I can recommend Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo? It's a university but I'd still count it
And Her Spell that Binds Me!
I would recommend Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Books 2 &3 start to diverge from the school-setting, but the first book is based in a school 🙂
