I recently read the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
I recommend them to anyone who likes Harry Potter. They have a twist and interesting characters and plot, especially book two.

Two kids, Seth and Kendra, are invited to their grandparent's estate. They are kind of recluses, and they want to know why. So when Grandpa Sorenson gives them keys, they find clues that lead up to a final and shocking realization: their grandparents run basically a sanctuary for magical creatures good and bad.

From there they have to save Fablehaven from the dark inside and the evil Society of the Evil Star rising outside.

This is a series that you can't put down and will have you begging for more!!! biggrin

My rating is 9.3/10