Published May 15, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT Fans feeling betrayed by author J.K. Rowling have novels to turn to for more inclusive, but still magical stories 5 fantasy books that can replace Harry Potter in your life Image: Hachette and Macmillan While many still hold a candle for the Harry Potter franchise, author J.K. Rowling's aggressively negative stance on transgender and queer people has complicated the relationship with the series for even the most diehard fans. When you take into consideration that the prevailing theme of Harry Potter is good triumphing over evil through the power of love, it should come as no shock that many who spent their youth waiting for an owl to deliver a letter feel betrayed by Rowling and the fans that are still clinging to their nostalgia for the series. Rowling's views have also inspired numerous authors to create their own magical schools in which characters who identify as queer and trans are not one welcome, but often central to the plot.…