The Magicians

Like The Magicians, this novel explores the dark, gritty reality of a secret magical society embedded within an Ivy League university. It features a cynical protagonist navigating a world where magic is dangerous, elitist, and often morally bankrupt.

While not fantasy, this is the definitive 'dark academia' novel that heavily influenced Grossman's work. It captures the same atmosphere of intellectual pretension, isolation, and the devastating consequences of a group of students becoming obsessed with their own exclusivity.

This classic provides the foundational 'magic school' framework that Grossman deconstructs. It shares a philosophical approach to magic and focuses on the heavy psychological burden and personal growth required to master supernatural power.

This book shares the 'intellectual magic' vibe of The Magicians, treating magic as a complex, academic, and often frustrating field of study. It features a similarly dry, witty narrative voice and a deep sense of historical melancholy.

This novel focuses on a group of highly talented but deeply flawed young adults competing for a spot in a prestigious secret society. It mirrors Grossman's focus on the intersection of high-level magic, academic competition, and complex interpersonal dynamics.

This story explores the 'after' of portal fantasies, much like Quentin's obsession with Fillory. It deals with the trauma and depression experienced by children who return from magical worlds to a mundane reality that no longer fits them.

For readers who loved the meta-textual elements and the love letter to stories found in The Magicians, this book offers a lush, atmospheric exploration of a hidden world built on books and myths. It shares a sense of yearning and nostalgic wonder.

This book captures the same cynical, dark tone regarding extraordinary abilities. It follows two brilliant, ambitious college roommates whose academic pursuit of 'extra-ordinary' powers leads to a lifelong, destructive rivalry.

Often described as 'The Magicians on steroids,' this Russian translation features a magic school where the curriculum is psychologically grueling and incomprehensible. It matches Grossman's themes of the transformative and often painful nature of higher learning.

This is a darker, more surreal take on the 'hidden world of magic' trope. It features a group of people raised by a god-like figure, dealing with the trauma of their upbringing and the terrifying, violent reality of the power they wield.