 Welcome to our Reviews page! We have taken the time to search the internet for reviews of the Harry Potter books! Here are some of the best results we've come up with... Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Take note Roald Dahl and Madeleine -- there's a hip, new, and decidedly deserving voice in fiction for middle readers named J.K. Rowning. In her debut effort, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Rowling crafts a tale of magical mayhem truly worthy of the often over-used phrase, "a contemporary classic." Harry, like many orphans of literature, must fend for himself among dim-witted relatives who neither understand nor appreciate him. The Dursleys are indeed dudleys when it comes to their treatment of Harry, but all of that changes with the arrival of his 11th birthday and his only gift of the day -- the knowledge that he is not merely a Muggle (i.e., human), but also a wizard. This translates into instant freedom for Harry in the form of a scholarship to The Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns far more than just charms, spells, and potions. Harry perceives that things are often more than they appear to be, that friends will often show themselves when least expected, and that smarts and courage are, indeed, components of a young boy's destiny. Rowling clearly possesses both an ear and an eye for the unexpected, working her own brand of magic with turns of phrase and flashes of humor that are subtle and sly. In terms of its prose, this book reads like spreading soft butter. Harry is as dear a boy as anyone could hope for, and the characters who support, confound, and downright threaten his life at Hogwarts are engaging and utterly believable. It is not a feat of intricate plot twists and turns that Rowling uses to such great effect here, but rather the wildly creative and imaginative trappings she weaves in along the way. Brooms bear model names like the Nimbus Two Thousand and magic hats spew out the truth of a person's character as though gathered from the brain around which they sat. Published to praise and awards, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is as inventive and engaging a title as one could hope to find. Designated for ages eight to 12, but written for anyone who loves a good tale well told, this is a book to engage the mind and grab the heart . . . and J.K Rowling is a writer to watch and remember. -Book Page Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley. A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) -Karin Snelson Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Let's face it. When it comes to fantasy for young readers, British authors have the edge. Think of P.L. Travers's Mary Poppins (1934); J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (1937); C.S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (1950); Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964); even Brian Jacques's Redwall series, or Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series qualify. J.K. Rowling surely joined the ranks with the publication of her Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 1998. Winner of too many top awards to list, this first novel is full of magic, humor, and action. Readers, both young and old, raved. And, wonder of wonders, Rowling has done it again in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This story is laced with even more characters than her first title. Readers will already know the Dursleys, Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, and Harry's friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ron and Hermione. Making a first appearance (or near-appearance in some cases) are Nearly Headless Nick, the ghost who didn't quite achieve a complete decapitation, and Moaning Myrtle, who haunts a stall in the girls' bathroom. Anyone in the book trade will recognize Gilderoy Lockhart, a new Hogwarts faculty member and an author more intent on fame than creativity. Rowling has a sure-to-please sense of names for people and places. But the droll word play is merely icing on a delicious plot. From the first chapter, when Harry is locked in his room during summer vacation by his priggish guardians, to his numerous adventures at Hogwarts, clues drop incidentally in the fast-paced story. Why does the house-elf Dobby warn Harry not to return to Hogwarts? Who killed Mrs. Norris, the caretaker's cat? Why would someone want to flush away the diary of a student from 50 years ago? Most important, how was the Chamber of Secrets opened, and what or who exists there? Brave, wise, and innocent, Harry Potter is determined to find out. He faces evil and dangers reminiscent of those in Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the end, he learns that he was right to ask not to be a Slytherin even though he has the rare gift of Parseltongue. As Professor Dumbledore tells him, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Be sure to look for the third Harry Potter installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, this fall. I don't know how long or how fast Rowling can create more Harry Potter stories (she is planning on seven in all), but she will undoubtedly find a large audience waiting whenever they come. -Book Page Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban By now, an eerie hush will have gripped the nation as readers of all ages retreat to a favoured spot in order to catch up with Harry Potter's latest adventures. JK Rowling's third novel about the world's favourite 13-year-old wizard has hit the ground running. But not for fear of disappointing. The weft and warp of this plot is even denser than its predecessors, intricately interwoven with plots, sub-plots, red herrings, diversions, splendid new devices and characters, that distinctive dry humour and an un-pin-downable magic that renders the book un-put-downable. At the heart of the book is, of course, Harry. Despite his extraordinary powers and circumstances, he is much like any other adolescent. Indeed, his shortened fuse is evident early on as he jeopardises his future as a wizard with a retaliatory burst of forbidden magic, which threatens to explode one of his appalling aunts. But the real danger to Harry is Sirius Black, a wizard now escaped from prison with murder in mind, intent on avenging his master's destruction. It is this that fuels the plot, but always in the company of a myriad of other storylines, some of them spine-chillingly dark. The resolution is as complex as the plot and immensely rewarding, demonstrating the responsibilities inherent in loyalty, power, bravery and honesty. Harry Potter aficionados will revel in the now-familiar narrative and linguistic landscapes. If anything, the writing is more fluent and relaxed, giving the clear impression that this is an author who loves her job. She takes obvious delight in invention, and has a confidence that lightens a book in which there are no throwaway lines. Veterans will mentally log each stray utterance in the knowledge and hope that somewhere, if not in this book, they may prove crucial. Presumably this creates more of a challenge for the author, but one which the undoubted reaction to this novel will surely help her meet. It's probably naive to suggest it, but amidst the brouhaha surrounding this book's launch, I can't be the only one who wishes JK Rowling left well alone, with our congratulations and good wishes, to enjoy working on Harry Potter's remaining school career. -The Guardian J. K. Rowling's third masterpiece, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is just as exciting and action-packed as the first two. I personally think that this is the best so far. The book is guaranteed to make you read nonstop from beginning to end (but you may want to slow down and say the "S" names out loud: Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Scabbers, and Slytherin). It's another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and that means another year of trouble. Hagrid the Gamekeeper has a terrific surprise for Harry and his friends. But a lot of surprises at Hogwarts aren't so pleasant, like the escape of Sirius Black, the most dangerous prisoner of the most dreadful prison in all of the wizarding world. Everyone thinks Black is following Harry to Hogwarts. Using his cloak of invisibility and a new magic map, Harry solves another mystery with the help of his old friends and a new teacher. Ron Weasley and Scabbers the rat have problems of their own. Brainy Hermione hardly has time to help; she's taking so many subjects in school that she has to figure out how to be two places at once -- SERIOUSLY! Fortunately, major magic comes from Professor R.J. Lupin, the new teacher of Defense against the Dark Arts. This book has so many strange creatures and people, astonishing secrets, twists and turns, that you can never predict what's going to happen. I'm glad Rowling is planning to write seven Harry Potter books. The jacket art is great, and I like having them on my bookshelf. -Book Page Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Dear Ms. Rowling, Last summer when you gave us Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I tore through it and almost called you at home to badger you about releasing Book Four. I have not known such anticipation since my little-known addiction to Days of Our Lives (I was a college student and very, very young; have since recovered, thank you very much). Harry having to return to the Dursleys after reuniting with Sirius Black is nothing compared to the painful wait I have endured for the fourth installment. Suffice to say, it's been the longest summer vacation in history. Just when I thought I couldn't take it any longer, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire arrived. I was thrilled to read that Harry found reprieve by spending the final two weeks of summer with the Weasleys. And Arthur Weasley scoring tickets to the Quidditch World Cup was quite a feat. But the best was yet to come-I was so happy to return to Hogwarts! I'd been kept away too long. I even found myself missing Professor Snape, if that tells you anything, but it didn't take me long to see that he was still smarmy, still snippy, and still slimy. The main storyline around which everything is centered is the Triwizard Tournament. Young wizards enter themselves, and the Goblet of Fire chooses the names, one wizard champion for each participating school. Cedric Diggory, Harry's Quidditch rival from the Hufflepuff House, is selected as the Hogwarts champion. As the selections are wrapping up, everyone is shocked when the Goblet releases Harry's name. Since Harry did not meet the age requirement, who put his name in the Goblet? Someone who felt he deserved a chance? Or someone who wanted him dead? Mixed feelings and misunderstandings plague Harry throughout the Tournament; many of his fellow students have a difficult time offering their support. At times, Harry is so mistreated, returning to Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley seems almost inviting. Almost. It wouldn't be a new school year without a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, however. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has managed to snag Auror great Mad-Eye Moody, who has agreed teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for one year. It's a shame the other wizard schools, namely Durmstrang and Beauxbaton, actually teach the Dark Arts instead of defense against them. But I think that speaks volumes about the ethics and character of Dumbledore and Hogwarts as a whole. Mad-Eye is a living legend, despite the paranoia that has accompanied the onset of age. And judging from some of the folks from Durmstrang and Beauxbaton who visited during the Triwizard Tournament, Mad-Eye's wisdom proves to be helpful beyond the classroom. Why do I get the feeling that we haven't heard the last from these two schools, or Mad-Eye? Readers finally meet the rest of the Weasley family; Bill Weasley is living proof that all Head Boys do not end up as tightly wound as Percy (and if he doesn't loosen up, he's bound to explode). Yet adolescence has caught up with our favorite wizards-including Fred and George, who are permanently stationed there-and you handle this in both literal and metaphorical terms. Despite the whirling of good and evil that surrounds Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, he and his friends are not exempt from peer pressure, unrequited love, and just plain hormonal edginess. The veelas' effect on Harry and Ron is hilarious-but I sense that the day is coming that it won't be as funny. And both boys are slack about finding dates to the Yule Ball, but they do pay a price for their aloofness. Harry's ability to combat the Unforgivable Curses gives new life to the 'just say no' mantra, but really, Ms. Rowling-can Hermione please have a good day in your next book? Her rantings are tiresome, and if she continues in this manner, important matters like house elves' rights will, I fear, fall on deaf ears. Maybe she should spend a year abroad, or take anger management courses; this is more than just teenage angst. Of course, all of this intricate plotting adds up to one major catastrophe: Lord Voldemort returns. And it's not the weak, helpless Voldemort that we've reckoned with before; the Dark Lord is back, he's strong, and he's not alone. We've long suspected several Dark Wizards were in our midst, but one or two will surprise your readers. And there are many more who are not caught. The killing sprees have begun, and you have already promised us there will be more. It's sad to have to say good-bye to friends in this way, but even wizards are not immune to loss and grief. All of the magic remains, and whether or not it's intentional, there's quite a bit left dangling. Hagrid's magical creatures-namely screwts and nifflers-serve very little purpose outside of comic relief. Cho Chang did not take on a large role, either. Will world-famous Quidditch seeker Viktor Krum transfer to Hogwarts, causing trouble for Harry's sport and Ron's heart? And when will Ron and Hermione stop this crazy Tracy and Hepburn banter? The biggest matter left unresolved, however, is that Lord Voldemort remains at large. He is no longer hiding, and while good has temporarily triumphed over evil, it's an uneasy victory. Despite the Extra-Long Length Charm you put on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Ms. Rowling, your 734 pages were not strong enough to pacify me. I've inhaled them and like Harry, I have conquered. At the risk of hearing an audible groan from your direction, I have to ask: WHEN CAN WE EXPECT BOOK FIVE?!?! Yours sincerely, Miriam Drennan -Book Page (Ms. Drennan's question has, of course, been answered. The book was released on June 21, 2003!) |
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