My now eleven year old has been obsessed with Wings of Fire for two years. She goes to sleep at night listening to The Dangerous Gift (book 14). She reads the series over and over. Her friends love it. I myself know more about these dragons, kingdoms and dramas than I want to know. And also I understand the feeling of loving a book so much that it is hard to find the next good book. The following are books that have managed to tear my girl away from rereading WoF. Some of them have even become new favorites.
If Wings of Fire is five stars here are the ratings she awarded below starting with the lowest (ha!)
Two Stars ⭐️⭐️
• Warriors — Erin Hunter (2003)
We added the two star category especially for the Warrior Cats book series. I always think the series is called Warrior Cats, but actually it’s just Warriors. My girl read a few into the series both the novel and graphic novel versions, but just wasn’t into it. However she says it should definitely stay on the list because it is so well loved by all her of Wings of Fire loving friends.
• Guardians of Ga’Hoole — Kathryn Lasky (2003)
Since Warriors made it here, we decided that Guardians of Ga’Hoole, the owl version of the epic animal fantasy series, should also make the cut. She prefers this less popular set to Warriors. The first two books particularly, she enjoyed.
Three Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Dragon Pearl — Yoon Ha Lee, Thousand Worlds series (2019)
This one is sci-fi! We loved the strong girl protagonist, Min, who actively engages gender stereotypes in her world. It features sibling support, other worldly creatures and plenty of adventure. This is the first book in the series. In book 2, Tiger Honor, a new character, Sebin, shares a different perspective. I love that Sebin’s non binary identity is natural and celebrated element of this book. In book three, Fox Snare, the perspective shifts between Min and Sebin.
• His Dark Materials — Philip Pullman (1995)
This is the series that begins with The Golden Compass. It’s epic with an interesting magical world to unravel, which includes spirit animals as a main feature. This book landed at three stars in standing, because the series seemed to drag on for my kid. She finished the three book initial series, but it was not as exciting to her after book 1.
Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Castle Glower series — Jessica Day George (2011)
Now this is a book series that may move up to five star standing anytime now. This is her current read. She just started book 4 this morning and is reading away as I keep interrupting her with questions about other books for this list. Book one is Tuesdays at the Castle. She loves it so far because it has a lot of books in the series, the castle is actually a main character and there is plenty of intrigue. The castle is always moving and changing and the main character, Celie, has relationship with it. In fact it is her understanding of the castle, her mapmaking skills and her intellect that make her a hero in these books. It’s a nice break from and disruption of the subversive but many times now done warrior princess hero. In terms of gender norm disruptions, I also like Prince Lulath. He has the best hair, clothes and dotes on his sweet little puppies. AND he’s smart, loyal and a great archer. He’s not a joke.
• Ella Enchanted — Gail Carson Levine (1997)
This is another read form this month. She read through this Cinderella retelling with ogres, giants, fairies in one day. It was funny, light and had enough of that deviousness Wings of Fire fans love to keep the reader slightly infuriated but happy. Ha!
• Land of Stories series Chris Colfer (2012-17)
As I grimaced through my preview of the first book, A Wishing Spell, I knew my WoF fan would adore them. It is basically a traditional storybook world, where Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood, etc, come to life. The books aren’t problematic. They are cheeky. I do love some unexpected turns taken. They are just about as good as WoF, so take that as you will. Listen, not every book that you like or even love needs to be an Octavia Bulter or Atinuke special. I sure know if from my romantasy jag and my previous witchy romcom jag. I do love a good fairy tale retelling though, so that is pretty cool in these books. There is also a prequel series, A Tale of Magic, which my kiddo also devoured.
• The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel — Michael Scott (2007)
My older kid read these books, too, and I had a feeling the epic span, mystery and intrigue would reel in the youngest child, as well. These books feature siblings who get thrown into a world saving adventure with both historical and mythological characters over many books. They are more middle grade reads, though my girl, who does not shy away from violence and monsters, in books, did fine with them at age 10.
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon — Grace Lin, trilogy (2009)
This one is quite special. I had no idea that it lives so brightly in my child’s memory, until I mentioned it for this post. She lit up with, “Oh I loved that one!” It’s just that kind of book, that gently sticks with you. We haven’t finished the series yet, but are excited to now that it’s back on the front burner. I love the traditional Chinese lore worked into this story. Oh! This book does include dragons! (Aside: This author has a new book, not part of this series, out in 2025 that we will read this season, too: The Gate, The Girl and the Dragon!)
• Greenwild — Pari Thomson (2023)
We finished this trilogy recently and it is a child favorite in the Magic School subgenre and is also a Portal Magic book. The books take you through multiple magical worlds that each have their own feeling and history. There are some wonderful gender non conforming and queer representations in these books, that are unassuming and might even be missed unless you are the lookout similar to me, with a please, please, please show me the representation vibe!
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Hunger Games — Suzanne Collins (2008)
Well the five star books are pretty well known ones. The Hunger Games will certainly give you/r Wings of Fire lovers that violence and drama you are looking for. While Hunger Games may be more suitable for older readers, my eleven year old, can’t get enough.
• A Series of Unfortunate Events — Lemony Snicket (1999)
I was surprised by how much my kiddo loved this series. For a while it even rivaled Wings of Fire in literary importance in this household. She loves the snarky attitude and over the top nature of the whole thing. And really, who doesn’t love orphans.
• Harry Potter — (1997-2007)
Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it. It’s here on the list, of course.
• Jurassic Park — Michael Crichton (1990)
Well this one surprised me. She loved it especially last summer when she was ten. If you haven’t read the book, it is a great read. Not only containing all the scary bits and even more relationship with the characters than the movie, but also so much science. I can’t think of anything else she’s read that is like this. A strange turn, but well with violent if romantic dragons in the heart, Jurassic Park for the mind, I guess. This is actually an adult novel, but other than the scary dinosaurs and the a few blips that went past her radar from the computer geek character, it didn’t feel too adult.
What have you and your read in the midst of Wings of Fire obsession?