By: Manuela Soares
Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling
This series is one that I grew up with, Sorcerer’s Stone was published in the U.S. when I was in fifth grade, and I was captivated by the world when my teacher at the time read it to the class. Ever since, it was a part of my life, from being stoked when my mom would bring home the newest release to midnight release parties at Walden’s Bookstore in high school (even midnight showings when the movies came out), Harry Potter was there. This is the main seven books, the two smaller schoolbooks Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard mind you, this selection does not in any way include that poorly written excuse of fan fiction that paraded around stages worldwide and attempted to wiggle its way into cannon; you know exactly what I’m talking about.
This series is one that inspired a generation, brought people together, created a movement, and let us join Harry and the gang growing up as we were growing up.
The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance) – Christopher Paolini
How I got into this series: the cover (Eragon) has a dragon on it. That’s really all that needs to be said.
This was another series that I somewhat grew up with (Eragon came out when I was in early high school, I believe), though it’s been a long time since I’ve read any of them. The world Paolini built is incredible and so easy to get lost in. It’s full of adventure, intrigue, mystery, and dragons (I love dragons!). I love the relationship between Eragon and Saphira and how it grows and evolves as the books go on. This is a great series and one I would recommend to readers of all ages.
The Precious Stone Trilogy (original: Edelstein-Trilogie) (Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, Emerald Green (O: Rubinrot, Saphirblau, Smaragdgrün)) – Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell (Translator)
This series is originally in German but has since been translated into multiple languages and even had movies made in Germany (with English dubs – the dubs are a little weird but the subs work just fine). I don’t remember when I found this series, might have been through the library, but I remember being intrigued by the cover of Ruby Red and its summary. It’s a good series that deals with time travel, a prophecy, secrets, and so much more.
His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) – Philip Pullman
I read The Golden Compass when I was a kid and loved it. At the time I had no idea that it was part of a trilogy (though, looking back, I’m not even sure when the second and third books were published, and if they were when I finished book one). When I was 13, I got the box set of the trilogy for Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed reading through the lot (I remember when I got it because the box smelled like chocolate, which to this day – nearly 20 years later – it still does).
I enjoyed Lyra and her dæmon, Pantalaimon or “Pan” as Lyra calls him, as they and their companions went on their thrilling, mysterious, shocking, and heart-wrenching adventure over the course of the three books. There are a lot of incredible scenes and the story is told in such a way that lends itself to the readers, and everyone comes away from it with something different, yet the same.
The Unicorn Chronicles (Into the Land of Unicorns, Song of the Wanderer, Dark Whispers, The Last Hunt) – Bruce Coville
I originally read the first book in this series when I was in elementary school and only within the last year or so got the last two books in it (there was about a 10-year publishing gap between books two and three so I forgot about this series for a long while, and book four has continued to be a pain to find – seriously, this fourth book, there’s not even a kindle or eBook version of it! If anyone knows where to find a copy of this book (at a decent and affordable price) please let me know, you will have my eternal gratitude! I really want to know how this series ends). I remember reading Into the Land of Unicorns and being sucked in from the start thanks to how the opening is done. The story that unfolded kept me intrigued and wanting more, which, let’s be serious, isn’t too surprising for a kid reading a fantasy book that involves unicorns, adventure, and mystery. I just loved it and still do.
The Nihryst (The Lost Legends, The Lost Prince, …) – Cait Marie
I admit I’m a bit biased with this one, but I honestly love this series so far (only books one and two are out), and I’m stoked for book three to see how it all ends. Cait created a world full of magic and intrigue that sucks readers in and makes them want more. This also applies to her characters and the arcs that they go through and how it shapes and changes them. With the last book (hopefully) coming out later this year, finding out how she has ended the trilogy and story is something highly anticipated.
What are some of your favorite series? Have you read any of the ones I listed? If so, what did you think? Comment down below and let’s start a conversation. Happy Reading!
Functionally Fictional 
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