If you, like me, binged Wednesday in one night and then lay awake craving more murder, mystery and macabre charm, then this list is for you! There’s something so satisfying about a story that blends boarding school secrets, snarky heroines, and gothic weirdness without taking itself too seriously, after all.
Whether you’re in it for the dark vibes, the deadpan snark, or the murdery mayhem, these eight titles will help you fill that Wednesday-shaped hole in your heart. Just don’t blame me if you start wishing for your own Nevermore Academy …
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Picture a school that wants you dead. The Scholomance isn’t about house points or friendly ghosts, it’s a brutal survival test where magic is earned through grit and where monsters are part of the curriculum. El isn’t here to make friends — she’s angry, awkward, and armed with enough magical firepower to level the place, though she’d rather not use it. Her voice is razor-sharp, her humor even sharper, and watching her try to survive both the school and herself is wickedly satisfying.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
This one practically screams Wednesday-core. After a family tragedy, Jacob stumbles upon a crumbling orphanage on a remote island and discovers a group of peculiar children, each with unsettling abilities and frozen in time. There’s an eerie, old-photograph aesthetic that’s both creepy and beautiful. Not to mention, the plot slowly unfurls like a ghost story told in flickering candlelight.
The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
A mysterious elite boarding school. Dead girls. A cast of prickly, brilliant misfits. Sound familiar? When one of their classmates dies under suspicious circumstances, four girls band together to investigate — and discover that their lives mirror twisted versions of fairy tales. It’s queer, sharp-edged and full of secrets. The perfect fix if you loved the unraveling mystery of Nevermore Academy.
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
A witchy teen accidentally raises her dead best friend, along with two other recently murdered girls, from the grave … And together they hunt down their killer. Yes, you read that right. Mila’s dry humor, outsider status and fierce loyalty make her feel like Wednesday’s long-lost cousin. There’s murder, mayhem and just enough magic to keep it weird in the best way.
Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
This one’s for the goth girls who want their magic bloody, their romance dangerous and their heroines morally gray. In a frozen, warring world, Nadya is a cleric who hears the voices of gods and she’s thrust into an uneasy alliance with a prince and a heretic. The tone is bleak and beautiful, like frost on a cathedral window, while the plot is full of betrayal, secrets and unholy power. Delicious!
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Blue Sargent lives in a house full of psychics, but she’s always been the odd one out, until she meets four private school boys on a quest to find a dead Welsh king. This book is magic in slow motion. The friendships are magnetic, the mystery unfolds like a puzzle box and the vibe is steeped in folklore, ghosts and dream logic. Atmospheric and strange, it’s an essential read if you liked Wednesday’s quiet supernatural undercurrents.
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Think Criminal Minds meets teen drama, but with a killer on the loose and a secret FBI program for gifted teens. Cassie has an uncanny knack for profiling people, which lands her in the middle of a high-stakes investigation. Twisty, addictive and full of smart teens with dangerous skills, this series is a binge-read waiting to happen!
How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather
Samantha Mather moves to Salem and quickly becomes the town pariah because of her family’s witch trial history. When ghosts, curses and a blood-soaked mystery rear their heads, she has to figure out who — or what — is targeting her. This book reads like a supernatural Mean Girls meets The Crucible, with a strong female lead who doesn’t back down.
