Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire

While it's a bit reductive, it's hard not to describe this book as “Harry Potter in the woods”. There are a lot of similarities, but only in plot/character archetypes. I think arguing about which is better does a disservice to both books, but the fact that an argument could be made at all says something about the quality of Arlo Finch's first adventure.

I wish Arlo's friends had been rounded out a little more, but Arlo and his family are very well-drawn and complex characters. The writing is really really good. Minor descriptions of things from Arlo just walking down the street are evocative and fun to read, and when the action scenes kick in, they are truly intense.

I'd easily recommend this to anyone, Harry Potter fan or not.