Editor’s Note: The following is part of a four-part series by Madeline McKeon, in which she compiles a list of books reflective of each of the four houses in the “Harry Potter” series.
“What’s your Hogwarts House?” was one of the first questions that an admissions counselor asked during my first college interview. I thought it was an odd question at the time—do they immediately throw out Slytherins? What happens if you’ve never read Harry Potter? It is, in retrospect, a pretty insightful question though. Your Hogwarts House—self-chosen or determined by the Internet Gods—is supposed to correlate with your most significant traits. Gryffindors are bold and courageous, Hufflepuffs are loyal and kind, Ravenclaws are wise and thoughtful, and Slytherins are ambitious and cunning. People’s (sometimes terrifyingly aggressive) pride in their house has finally bled into people’s reading habits outside of the Harry Potter series. The Sorting Hat Challenge is simple. What books have you read that echo the essence of each house?
Slytherin: If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough
Slytherins get a bad rap and I am sick of it. As someone who probably would have had to sit with the Sorting Hat for like ten minutes debating Slytherin or Ravenclaw, I resent the negative press that my honorary house gets. Yes, they produced the evilest wizard of all time and was essentially the main source of the Pureblood movement but that does not mean that every Slytherin gave into the blind search for power. Slytherins are driven, ambitious, pragmatic and clever. Not evil. Necessarily.
1. The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal
PSA: Do not eat while reading this book. A mysterious illness is sweeping through the kingdom, driving its victims to slow, excruciating insanity. When it affects the royal family, chaos ensues. This is a book all about power. Power between men and women, master and slave, abuser and abused. This is a dark, mean world filled with death, violence, and casual cruelty but also about having the ability to survive a system that is against you.
2. The Magicians by Len Grossman
You may not like anyone in The Magicians but it sure is a compelling read. This is like Harry Potter if everyone at Hogwarts was a terrible person. Quentin is brilliant but unhappy. He copes with his isolation by delving into his favorite childhood fantasy series. When he discovers that magic is real he hopes that he would be able to cure himself of his continued dissatisfaction. Hint: it isn’t that simple.
3. Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale
This is a rollicking adventure that straddles the line between children’s and young adult fiction. I adore this series for its wit and wonderful cast of characters. A thief is caught and imprisoned. Through his own cleverness, he manages to reinvent himself upon release, creating an identity that allows him to become the most successful in London.
4. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
I mean, come on, this one is obvious. The story of fictional Westeros, The Song of Ice and Fire series traces the political machinations of innumerable characters as they compete—willingly and unwillingly—to sit on the Iron Throne. It’s like Slytherin candy.
5. Time and Chance by Sharon Kay Penman
This is a sweeping historical epic that traces the middle part of Henry II of England’s reign. He tries hard to pass legal reforms but he is betrayed by his friend and closest adviser, Thomas Becket, which leads to a string of events that will irrevocably change history forever. I am a huge Penman fan and would read anything she wrote even if it was on a ketchup-stained napkin. However, this is my personal favorite of her books.