Incredible books that need to be adapted in TV shows

I love books, and I also love television shows. You can see where I’m going with this, right? Some of the best shows and movies that have come out in recent years have been adapted from incredible source material: books! Of course, not every adaptation does the original justice, but book-to-TV adaptations are currently the only things that tickle my fancy.

There have been some incredible book-to-TV adaptations that have gone on to become some of my favourite shows, such as Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Bridgerton, and Game of Thrones. However, some shows didn’t get a proper chance, like Shadow and Bone, the Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone series (I could write a whole article on how mad I am about the cancellation and complete blundering by Netflix, but I’ll save it for another time).

So, I’ve decided to compile my own list of books that deserve television shows.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

I’m starting with the obvious because it’s absolutely shocking that this series hasn’t been adapted yet, considering that, as of writing, the first book alone has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. There have been whispers of an adaptation since 2018, but still nothing concrete.

If you somehow haven’t heard of this series, let me fill you in. It’s a fantasy romance series that follows nineteen-year-old huntress, Feyre Archeron, after she is brought into the faerie lands of Prythian. From the poverty of her hovel in the human village to the luxurious mansion of the handsome faerie lord who keeps her captive, Feyre is just trying to survive. But she quickly learns that not everything is as it seems in Prythian, and there’s more to her captor, Tamlin, than meets the eye.

What follows is a thrilling adventure as Feyre tries to save Prythian from its twisted fate. I won’t spoil the books for those who haven’t read them, but trust me—the series takes quite a turn in the second book (for the better!).

If done well, this series could make an incredible adaption. The sets and costumes would be absolutely beautiful and decadent with the magical faerie world backdrop. This book also has some incredibly emotion scenes and complicated dynamics between the characters that only grow with each book.

Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham

As of now, I’ve read the first six Zodiac Academy books, and I can already tell it would make for an incredible television series. There’s a wealth of content in the Zodiac universe that an adaptation could draw from. The original series has nine books, plus four novellas and three spin-off series. One has five books, another has two, and yet another has just begun. Suffice it to say that the writers would have no shortage of material (I’m thinking ten seasons at least?).

It’s difficult to summarise the series succinctly because it becomes so expansive. The basic premise follows twins, Darcy and Tory Vega, who discover they are actually the long-lost fae queens thought to be dead, but were raised as orphans in the human world. They are brought to Zodiac Academy to hone their magic and train for the roles they were born to fill. In this universe, fae have their human form as well as their ‘Order’ form, which ranges from vampires to werewolves, pegasi to sirens, dragons, and even cyclops. Fae also wield elemental magic—earth, fire, water, and air—with more powerful fae possessing multiple elements.

When the twins arrive at the academy, they finally feel as though the missing piece in their lives is complete. They never fit in when they lived in the human world, and now they understand why: they’re fae. But there’s just one problem: they’ve now become a threat to the four celestial heirs, the popular, vindictive bullies who rule the academy and were set to rule the fae world until the twins were discovered. The heirs will do anything to prevent the twins from claiming their birthright—from childish pranks to downright sadistic schemes. Oh, and did I mention the heirs are ridiculously hot?

The world of Zodiac Academy is expansive and filled with fun mythical creatures. The drama is also next-level and would be highly entertaining on screen, with love triangles, friendship breakdowns, catfights, family disputes, battle scenes, and so much more. Sure, some of the content is ridiculous and over-the-top, but I think this would make such a fun show. I think of this series as a combination of Mean Girls, Harry Potter and Wednesday but with lots of swearing and sex.

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

Think Gossip Girl but set in London, and the characters are in their twenties. So far, there are five books in the Magnolia Parks universe (with more to come, apparently), and trust me—there’s already enough drama to span multiple seasons of television.

The books follow the titular character, Magnolia Parks, a beautiful, doe-eyed, and slightly neurotic London socialite, and her all-consuming love with her high school sweetheart, BJ Ballentine. Everyone seems to know that Magnolia and BJ are meant to be—their families, their affluent social circle, the tabloids, and the media—but these two can’t seem to figure it out enough to stay in a long-term, healthy relationship.

She dates other people to make him jealous, and he sleeps with an endless stream of girls to distract himself from her. But like magnets, they’re drawn to each other, and no matter how much they hurt each other, neither can seem to let go. Their on-again, off-again nature would provide endless fodder for TV, especially with some of the twists and turns they encounter. High-society London would also make a fabulous backdrop for this show, with gorgeous hotels, restaurants, and venues mentioned throughout the series. Magnolia’s incredible eye for fashion would be a dream for costume designers.

Aside from Magnolia and BJ, there is a whole cast of characters that would bring this show to life. These characters share a history that dates back to childhood, with plenty of secrets and drama amongst them. Some of their wealth comes from family businesses, while others come from crime families. There are twists, turns, love, and hate. This series would make an incredible six or so seasons of television, and nothing could convince me otherwise.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Another series that I am seriously shocked hasn’t already gotten its own adaptation yet.

Over the years, I’ve heard whispers of it being adapted, but nothing has come to fruition, so I’m beginning to lose hope. This series would be perfect as an epic fantasy television show. There are eight books in total, along with a prequel collection of novellas, all set in a vast, intricate world. The plot twists, character arcs, and vast world-building make it an ideal candidate for television.

Whenever a friend considers reading this and asks me what it’s like, I say the same thing: “It’s like Game of Thrones but for the girls.” This is not entirely accurate, of course, but it’s the closest I can get to succinctly summarising this mammoth high-fantasy series that takes readers on a complete journey from start to finish.

The first book, Throne of Glass, follows the notorious assassin turned slave, Celaena Sardothien, who is dragged from the Salt Mines of Endovier to compete for the position of the King’s Champion against the continent’s worst thieves, fighters, and warriors. As Celaena navigates her way through a series of deadly trials, she tries to resist the charms of Dorian Havilliard, Crown Prince of Adarlan, and Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Guard. But the longer she stays at the castle, the more she notices something isn’t quite right. Someone or something is killing her fellow competitors in gruesome ways, and she could be next if she doesn’t figure out what’s going on.

Where the story starts in book one is miles away from where the final book ends. I can’t even begin to put into words how deeply connected I feel to the characters and the journeys they go on—both mentally and physically. The series has an incredible found family, with the final book in the series juggling a whopping eleven different points of view.

The world of Throne of Glass is rich with lore, featuring fae, witches, wyverns, shapeshifters, and grotesque monsters that hunt our beloved characters. The universe feels alive with history, with folklore woven seamlessly into the narrative. I understand that adapting this series would be a colossal challenge given the complex magic, intricate plots, and powerful beings, but if done well, it has the potential to be just as successful as Game of Thrones. A girl can dream, right?

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R Ward

The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is a paranormal urban romance centred around a group of vampire warriors who protect vampire society from soulless creatures called "lessers." The first book, Dark Lover, was released back in 2005 (and you can tell with the pop-culture references and the sometimes-questionable fashion choices), but the series is still ongoing to this day with a staggering 24 books and counting, not including the various spin-offs.

The first book follows half-vampire, half-human Beth, who learns of her vampire heritage when the King of the vampires and leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood warriors, Wrath, is sent to protect her and teach her about their ways. Beth finds herself entranced by the vampire world she’s been plunged into and by the brooding, enigmatic King who rules it. But there’s more than romance at stake—Beth learns of the Lessening Society, a group of undead humans who have traded their souls to eradicate the vampire race and are effectively immortal. The Black Dagger Brotherhood, an elite band of vampire warriors, are the only ones standing between the vampires and the Lessers.

Each book follows a different warrior as they face their own personal demons and fall in love, all while fighting to protect their society from a constant, deadly threat. These books would translate well to TV because they combine dark, gritty themes with plenty of romantic tension and complex world-building. There’s also a wealth of lore and mythology to draw on, making it ripe for a long-running series. With the right production team, this could easily fill the supernatural void left by series like True Blood and The Vampire Diaries.

The Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy

The Off-Campus series is a college hockey romance saga, with each book following a different couple. There are four main books in the series, as well as three novellas and two spin-offs. With a total of 14 books, there’s plenty of material for a juicy romance drama.

Set at the fictional Briar University in Massachusetts, the series kicks off with The Deal, which follows music major Hannah Wells and hockey captain Garrett Graham. Hannah is crushing on a football player and agrees to tutor Garrett in exchange for his help to make her crush jealous. But when sparks begin to fly between Hannah and Garrett, they both realise they might want more than just a pretend relationship.

Each book centres around a different hockey player and his love story, making the team itself the heart of the series. I think Off-Campus would work well on TV because the characters are distinct and fully fleshed out, with each having their own struggles and personal growth. The cosy college vibes, witty banter, and close-knit friendships would make for an addictive series. It could easily follow a Bridgerton-style format, with each couple getting their own season, or run concurrently with a large ensemble cast. Either way, this series is made for the screen.

To summarise: most TV shows these days suck unless they are adapted from books, and that’s why my favourite series need to be made into TV shows immediately. I should also be hired as the showrunner or producer to ensure they are done right. With unlimited budgets and a perfect cast, of course.

If you haven’t read some of these series, I highly recommend giving them a go. They may not all be my all-time favourite books, but they are consistently entertaining, with compelling characters and richly immersive worlds. Plus, if you’re reading this, Netflix, Disney+, or Stan, feel free to drop me an email!