Deciding to review a whole series can be difficult. I will break it up
book by book, but first, some background info:
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! There are many spoilers if you have not read the
books! (and no, they are NOT the same as the movies :) ) There is a lot I
do not speak about, as the books do contain a lot of subplots (DADA teachers,
S.P.E.W, relationships with Harry and those around him, W and W products etc)
so I just give surface summaries.
~~~
Before we get into the books, here is the cliff notes version of what
happened pre-book 1: Wizards walk among us. Us non-magic folks are called
"muggles". Little do us muggles know that many moons ago, Harry
Potter (HP) who, when just a tyke, was sought out by Lord Voldemort. The most
evil, yet powerful, wizard of all time. We find out the who/what/why later
on.... but the gist is that Harry would be his downfall and Voldy wanted to
avoid that. Certainly a powerful wizard could override a 1-year old? When
Voldemort arrives at Harry's house, some kind of force stops him from killing
Harry. The spell backfires, in a way, and Voldemort flees. Now orphaned, Harry
is saved by Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore is also a powerful wizard, but on the
side of good. Dumbledore is the Headmaster at Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry (located in Britain) and he realizes that a boy who just stopped
the most evil wizard of all time would not have a normal upbringing. He then
decides to have Harry's Aunt and Uncle raise him, until it is time to introduce
him to his rightful place in the wizarding world.
We learn all this over the course of the books, but it helps to know
this before getting into each book as the rest of the time I will be writing as
if you understand the wizard lingo.
Book 1: HP and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone:
"Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet
Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very
much..." - J. K Rowling
Harry Potter has been living with his mother's sister, Petunia, her
husband, Vernon, and their son, Dudley, his whole life. He is treated as a
slave of sorts, and is forced to sleep under the stairs. They care nothing for
Harry, but respect Dumbledore's orders to raise him, albeit with bare minimum
necessities. When he is about to turn 11, he begins to receive mysterious
letters. Vernon will not let Harry have these letters, so the family goes to a
remote location where the mail cannot be delivered. On Harry's 11th birthday,
we meet Hagrid. Hagrid works at Hogwarts, and has been sent to collect Harry
and bring him to school, much to his aunt and uncle's displeasure.
As they go through the school year, With his friends, Ron and Hermoine,
by his side Harry learns about the wizarding world, while taking classes and
meeting all the other students and staff.
You'll find each book has some sort of conflict, as you can see from the
titles. For this book, there is a stone hidden in the castle that is coveted by
many. The Philosopher's Stone is used to create the Elixar of Life - meaning
one can never die. Voldemort is still out there, not dead yet not fully alive,
and is trying to use different methods of getting the stone to
"resurrect" himself. The trio immerse themselves in helping with
protecting Voldy from finding the stone, only to be faced with obstacles and
trials that they themselves may not be ready for.
This is a wonderful beginning to a wonderful story. Written for a
younger audience (although not that that should detour your from picking it
up!) it sets up a captivating world of magic and intrigue. Harry's perspective
on things is witty, and young at heart. You can tell it is the beginning of a beautiful
coming of age story. This reader gets on the Hogwarts train as often as she
possibly can.
Book 2: HP and the Chamber of Secrets
This books opens with Harry waiting for the end of summer vacation so he
can finally go back to Hogwarts school. He is disappointed with his summer, as
he thought his best friends would have messaged him like they promised - but he
has heard from no one since he left school.
One night, his uncle has invited a special guest over for dinner. Since
Harry is now aware of his magical abilities, his family has been nicer to him
and Harry now has a bedroom. This is where Harry is forced to stay while Vernon
and Petunia entertain. However, Harry finds a guest in his room. Dobby
the House Elf has come to warn Harry Potter that he should not be returning to
Hogwarts this year, as Dobby is aware of terrible things that will be happening
at the school (due to House Elf law, he is unable to tell Harry what these
things are). Dobby causes some problems with Vernon's guest, and of
course, Harry is blamed. He puts bars on Harry's window in order to keep him at
home. Ron and his brothers come and "kidnap" him (with magical means
of course) and Harry stays at Ron's home, the Burrow, for the rest of the
holiday.
When they get to the school, Harry realizes that Dobby was right.
Strange things begin happening and most of them directed at Harry. In this book
we learn more about Harry and the similarities he shares with Voldy, such as
being a Parseltongue, meaning one can speak to snakes.
In this book, the conflict is that the Chamber of Secrets has been
opened. This has been a school legend for many years but no such
"chamber" has ever been found. Eventually, a student is taken into
said chamber as it does really exist. Once again, the trio races in to try and
help save the day.. but this time, a student's life hangs in the balance.
This is my least favourite book... mainly because there are a lot of
spiders, but I find it is also a bit boring. It is still as wonderfully written
as the first, and it cannot be skipped because there is information pertaining
to the rest of the series and the overall story.... but I find that if you read
it once, and you can remember the main plot points, it doesn't need to be read
again. (even though I have read it at least twice...) Dobby plays a big
role in this book, so I read it just for him. He ends up working in the
Hogwarts kitchen after everything is said and done.
Book 3: HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Once again, we open to Harry eagerly awaiting the end of summer vacation
in order to get back to school - what a great role model for kids!
After a mishap of blowing up Vernon's sister at dinner one night, Harry
runs away. Where? Well, he doesn't know exactly. Sitting on a curb, a big black
dog is about to attack... when all of the sudden, the knight bus comes along.
The knight bus is for stranded witches or wizards. Harry boards and it takes
him to the pub connecting the muggle world to the wizarding one. During
this time, Harry learns that the mass murderer that has been on the lose, much
to Harry's surprise, is after him.
Sirius Black has been in Azkaban prison for 12 years for the murder of
his friend, Peter Pettigrew. Sirius was also friends with Harry's parents -
James and Lily, and the new teacher at Hogwarts, Lupin. Word on the street is
that Sirius was a minion of Voldy's and he is out to finish what Voldy
couldn't.
This book is one of the best in the series. We really get more into the
different creatures that roam the magical world, more spells, more about
Harry's parents and the relationship of the marauders, and more of the town of
Hogsmead that is nearby the school. There are surprises at every turn and it
keeps you at the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Book 4: Goblet of Fire
This book opens with Harry going to stay at the Burrow, in order to join
the Weasley family at the Quidditch World Cup. After the match, the park is
attacked by Death Eaters (Voldy's followers) and a House Elf named Winky is
blamed for casting the dark mark in the sky, even though Harry tries to explain
that he saw a man do it.
When everyone gets to Hogwarts, Dumbledore announces that this year the
school will play host to two other magical schools in order to host the
Triwizard Tournament. This is a famous, yet highly dangerous tournament in
which three schools will have one representative to compete in three different
tasks. The winner will receive the Triwizard Cup. The champions are
chosen by putting their names in the Goblet of Fire. This Goblet has magical
abilities to judge the name dropped in, and will choose who it deems fit.
At the choosing ceremony, the three champions are chosen.... and then,
the Goblet spits out one more name: Harry Potter.
Harry is legally obligated to participate as per the rules of the
Goblet. The school thinks he tricked the Goblet somehow, and even his friends
are suspicious of him.
The tasks that the champions must go through are life or death. With
dragons, baths, mermaids (that do not look like Ariel), mazes, and threats from
strangers Harry is on his own this time with his most dangerous year at school
yet.
A fantastic book that really sets the tone for the rest of the series.
The climax of the story is the catalyst that sets off a whirlwind of events
that Harry and his friends must somehow endure and come out fighting. This is
*not* like the movie, we see a lot more of the school (ie. the kitchen where
Dobby and now Winky are working), of characters that do not appear in the
movies etc. Some fans do not like this movie, but the book has SO much more in
it. Fantastically written, the reader is glued to the pages. My advice? Keep
the Kleenex close and the lights on.
Book 5: HP and the Order of the Phoenix
After the puddle of feels we were left in at the end of GOF, OOTP does
not start off much happier... Harry's 5th year at Hogwarts is about to begin.
This summer vacation has been a difficult one though. His dreams are filled
with thoughts of Cedric, of Voldermort, of everything that has happened and the
possibilities of what is to come....
Dudley does not help, as he is constantly teasing Harry for screaming
out in the night. One day, while the two of them are walking home, everything
goes cold. Dark. Like you'll "never be cheerful again". Two
Dementors, guards who protect Azkaban Prison, attack Harry and Dudley. Harry
manages to fight them off with his Patronus Charm and he brings Dudley
home.
The Ministry of Magic has a trace on all underage wizards and witches
though. They see that Harry has done magic in the presence of a muggle, and
have him expelled from Hogwarts.
Make sure you go to the gym for a few months and lift some weights
before getting into this book. It is the heaviest one in the series, and we all
know the awkward positions we get into while reading... your arms are going to
hurt! We get A LOT of information in this book. Harry goes through a lot
of milestones, realizations, and the whole wizard community is at the cusp of
war. With Harry in the middle of it. With so much going on, the Ministry
of Magic feels it necessary to intervene in Hogwarts. They send over a
representative, Dolores Umbridge... I don't think anyone has ever hated a
character so much... except maybe Joffery, from Game of Thrones, but I
digress...
Umbridge has the authority from the Minister of Magic to do as she sees
fit to keep Hogwarts in shape. She then takes it upon herself to set up many
new rules, including the banning of all recreational sports, and conducts a
review of all current staff. She even fires one of the teachers, but Dumbledore
will not let her banish the teacher from the grounds.
Dumbledore has been busy in this book. He is the leader of the
"Order of the Phoenix". A secret group whose mission is to fight
against Voldemort and his followers. Dumbledore has also discussed with Harry
the connection between him and Voldy. With Voldemort back in power, Harry must
learn to close the connection that the two of them share with the practice of
Occlumency - but Snape is to be the one to teach him this, and Harry and Snape
have never got along. Harry wishes it was Dumbledore teaching him, but
Dumbledore seems to be keeping his distance from him and Harry can't figure out
why.
This book is full of twists and turns and surprises.... and tears. (I'm
telling you, keep that kleenex around for the rest of the series!) Harry begins
to really grow up and deal with real world events. After Diggory, the concept
that this is *war* and war means people die really hits home. I cannot tell you
this has a happy ending, but I can tell you that everything happens for a
reason. The writing, the history, the emotion that you get in this book is
real, raw, powerful and it really envelops you. The movie captures maybe 40% of
this book, so I strongly suggest curling up with some coffee - to keep you
awake, maybe an extra box of kleenex, and get your read on!
Book 6: HP and the Half-Blood Prince
For this one, get a few more boxes of kleenex. Many people I know threw
the book across the room near the end... so be warned! This is my
favourite one though!
Harry Potter receives a letter from Dumbledore, saying he will be
calling on him at his aunt and uncles house and to please be ready to leave for
the rest of the summer. Harry does not fully believe this letter, but lo and
behold, Dumbledore shows up. He sits down with Vernon and Petunia and explains
that wizards come of age at 17 so for one more summer Harry will need to return
to Privet Drive. By returning each summer, the protection spell that Lily
Potter cast on Harry when he was a baby will remain in tact as long as Harry
calls his aunt's house "Home".
Harry and Dumbledore then set off to find a new teacher for the upcoming
year. Horace Slughorn, a retired Potions teacher has been in hiding, but
Dumbledore has a way of finding people. When they find him, Harry is able to
convince Slughorn to come back. Since Harry has been coined "The Boy who
Lived" and Slughorn likes to make friends with famous people in order to
have a cornucopia of connections, Dumbledore had a feeling Slughorn would want
to have Harry as one of his "trophies".
The rest of the summer is uneventful while at Ron's house. When the kids
get back to Hogwarts, their schedules have changed slightly. they are now on
course for future jobs and Ron wants to join the Quidditch team this year.
Harry and Ron end up taking Potions, in the hopes of one day becoming an Auror
(dark wizard catcher). Because this was a last minute decision, the boys
did not buy the right textbook for the class. There are extras in the cupboard:
a beat up one, and a decent one. Harry ends up with the beat up on, who's
previous owner was called "the Half-Blood Prince".
Dumbledore also realizes that keeping his distance last year did not
help Harry in any way. This year, he has decided to have special lessons with
Harry and begins showing Harry memories pertaining to Voldemort's childhood and
how he became what he became. After seeing how Voldemort was as a child,
then known as Tom Riddle, and as a student in Hogwarts, Harry and Dumbledore
are able to hypothesize on what is to come. There is a memory that has been
tampered with, and it belongs to Slughorn. It is up to Harry to get the proper
memory in order for him and Dumbledore to have all the pieces of their puzzle.
Once they have all these pieces, they can focus on how to destroy
Voldemort.
This book focuses on the fact that the characters are teenagers. The
teenage angst, romance, awkwardness... plus all the usual issues with being in
school is written so wonderfully that you cannot help but fall in love with
them all over again. As we are almost at the end, you can see a build up
of suspense. There are many questions the reader is left with at the end of the
book, but after you are done crying, you just want to pick it up and start from
the beginning again.
Book 7: HP and the Deathly Hallows
The end is here. Oh, the feels....
Harry knows what must be done. With Ron and Hermoine at his side, he is
as ready as he is going to be...
One of the most anticipated books of my generation and it was read in
just a few hours... (Gosh, I remember going on the bus to get this one. Hard cover
at first, but it didn't match the rest of my series, so I exchanged it
eventually for a paperback...)
Everything is answered in this one. The trio is thrown into their
adventure after the Death Eaters overthrow the ministry, and attempt to hunt
down Harry at the Burrow. They jump from place to place hunting down Horocruxes
as best as they can and figuring out how to destroy them. Destroy them, and one
destroys Voldemort. They have help in the most unexpected places... and
after travelling all over England, they end up back at Hogwarts. Finally, the
battle between good and evil can commence.
A masterpiece. The long awaited ending to a 10-year series, fans
everywhere fight along side Harry until the very end.
~~~
The Harry Potter fandom is one that will never die. This is a story that
will stay with you forever, and you will always remember how you got into the
series, you will be proud of your house (you can be sorted on pottermore.com),
and you will throw in references on a daily basis. always. You will defend your
ships, and OTPs and will have your minutes of silence on May 2 every year. You
will watch the movie marathons on repeat, you will let your children read them,
if you're in a reading slump - pick up a HP book... you will gladly discuss
them if asked - even if not asked. It is just one of those stories. It is a
classic. It is wonderful. It is magical.
** I do not own the pictures.
