Book Review: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Author: JK Rowling

Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #7)

Genre: Classic, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 607

Publisher: Bloomsbury UK

Year Published: 2007

Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

First Line: "The two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane."

"Harry Potter faces a seemingly impossible task. He will not return to Hogwarts for his seventh year; instead, he will finish the quest started by Albus Dumbledor. He must hunt down and story Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes. Only then will he be able to rid the world of the Dark Lord's shadow once and for all.

This final battle is Harry's destiny, and destiny demands that he rise to meet his true fate without fear.

My Rating: 4.5/5

I do not agree with JK Rowling's views or support her views! We all know she is the devil in disguise. I will say that Harry Potter and the HP world is very important to me. It's gotten me through multiple dark times in my life. And completing a long reread, I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this final book even though it took about 2 months to complete. I think that the series wraps so well after the final battle and while it's heartbreaking it also inspiring in some ways. To see how the characters have grown, how they've changed and adapted to the war around them is such an amazing story. I know that I will always love Harry Potter, and I have no plans on giving away by book set, but I will not be buying anything that will profit She Who Must Not Be Named. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review:Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix
Author: J.K Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter (Book #5)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction
Pages: 766
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2003
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)
First Line: "The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive."

"Harry is furious that he has been abandoned at the Dursleys' house for the summer, for he suspects that Voldemort is gathering an army, that he himself could be attacked and that his so-called friends are keeping him in the dark. Finally rescued by wizard bodyguards, he discovers that Dumbledore is regrouping the Order of the Phoenix- a secret society first formed years ago to fight Voldemort. But the Ministry of Magic is against the Order, lies are being spread by the wizards' tabloid, the Daily Prophet, and Harry fears that he may have to take on this epic battle against evil alone."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is my first time rereading this 5th book in the series and if you've read my other thoughts on the rest of the series this might be surprising. I had attempted to read through the Harry Potter series many times when I was younger and found that after the 4th book I would get stuck and intimidated by the length of the 5th book. That being said, I did complete the whole series once in high school. So it's been a minute. And I have a lot of thoughts. Now when I first read this in high school I would have given it a four. You can tell that this is a point in the series where JK Rowling had deeper plans for the plotline and things start getting intense. Therefore there are some points of information being thrown at us that last for large chapters/ or paragraphs throughout. Now that I am older (and a have a bit more patience) I am able to better grasp the introductions made in this novel. The only reason it is not 5/5 is that at some points I did feel as though the story dragged. Overall excited to finish my reread of the series and see where it takes me.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standlone: Harry Potter Series (Book #4)
Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Magic
Pages: 636
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2000
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The villagers of Little Hangleton still called it 'the Riddle House,' even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there."

"When Harry Potter wakes one morning with a searing pain in the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, he is not sure what it means. All he knows is the last time it happened Lord Voldemort was close by. Three days later, the Quidditch World Cup ends in carnage at the hands of the Dark Lord's followers- and Harry steels himself for more trouble ahead.

Back at Hogwarts for his fourth year, Harry is astonished to be chosen by the Goblet of Fire to represent the school in the Triwizard Tournament. The competition is dangerous, the tasks terrifying, and true courage is no guarantee of survival= especially when the Darkest forces are on the rise..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I'm really enjoying the reread of this series, but I have to say that I'm not the biggest fan of Harry as a character. And that's why I knocked down half of a star. I did really enjoy the setting and the expansion of the world that goes on in this book. I think that this book has a really great natural rhythm to it. I will say that I was annoyed with some of the other plot points a little bit, but I'm excited to continue rereading the series but I will be taking a month off from the reread, as my friend needs to finish this book this month (and she doesn't think she's gonna make it).

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkban by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #3)
Genre: Classic, Fantasy
Pages: 317
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1999
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways."

"On the morning of his thirteenth birthday, Harry Potter learns that mass-murderer Sirius Black has escaped the iron grasp of Azkaban fortress. harry has barely survived his first two years at Hogwarts; now it looks as though Sirius Black is determined to make sure Harry doesn't finish his third.

With Ron and Hermione at his side, Harry is forced to confront his new enemy- while the sinister Dementors of Azkaban Patrol the school ground threatening to suck the very soul from those who they encounter with a deadly kiss..."

My Rating: 5/5

This is by far my favourite Harry Potter book (As far as I remember) I love the growth in the world and getting to see how criminals are dealt with. i also appreciate seeing other magical creatures that we hadn't been introduced to before. Overall this book introduces my favourite characters and some of the best elements of the series (in my opinion). I'm so excited to rewatch the movies after we finish the series.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Classic
Pages: 251
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1998
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)
First Line: "Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive."

"Harry can't wait for his holidays with the dire Dursleys to end. But a small, self-punishing house-elf warns Harry of mortal danger awaiting him at Hogwarts School. Returning to the castle nevertheless, Harry hears a rumour about a chamber of secrets, holding unknown horrors to wizards of Muggle parentage. Now someone is casting spells that turn people to stone, and a terrible warning is found painting on the wall. The chief suspect- always in the wrong place- is Harry. But something much darker has yet to be unleashed."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this second book, even more than I remember enjoying it the other times I have read and reread the series. I think that the characters are just so loveable in this book and now that we do understand some aspects of the grounds it was easier to explore the adventure. I also liked that this story focused on relationships with peers a bit more than the first one where we are just getting to know everyone.
I'm so excited about continuing this reread and getting to remember all that JK Rowling's world has to offer.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #1)
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 223
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1997
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

"Strange things always seem to happen when Harry Potter is around. Things that unsettle his guardians, the Dursleys. They strongly disapprove of strangeness. It's only when a letter arrives, delivered by a shaggy giant of a man called Hagrid, that Harry learns the truth that will transform his entire future: his parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldemort, and he, Harry, is a wizard.

Whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry discovers a world of enchantments, ghosts, Quidditch, and friends who will stand, throughout everything, by his side. But when Harry hears of a stone with great powers, he finds that his school has its own dark past- and an adventure that will become the stuff of legend begins...."

My Rating: 5/5

This is not my first time reading Harry Potter. For months I was planning to reread this series with my boyfriend and my best friends, so we finally made a plan to start our rereads. I really enjoyed this first book. I think its a great first installment in the series, and as a reread there are things that you definitely pick up on. I also think that I forgot so many things in the years between reading this. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

Title: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child 
Authors: JK Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne
Series/Novel: Script in the Harry Potter Series
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Play
Pages: 368
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Year Published: 2016

"Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts....
It was always difficult being Harry Potter, and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and a father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
Based on an original new story by J.K Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne. It is the eighth Harry Potter story and the first to be officially presented on stage. This special rehearsal edition of the script brings the continued journey of Harry Potter and his friends and family to readers everywhere immediately following the play's world premier in London's West End on July 30, 2016."

My Rating: 4/5

I started this book last night and was really enjoying it. To the point where I finished it last night around midnight. This is the 8th story in the Harry Potter series and it takes place nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts. The story follows Harry and his family along with many other characters that we know and love. I found this book extremely enjoyable. It made me want to reread the Harry Potter series once more and review them on here. I really enjoy the series as a whole. I know that this book has had many mixed reviews and that may be because of the way it is written. It is the script from the play taking place in London. I found that it was a quick read because of the format but it did seem to change some of the characters behaviour that I knew and loved. I think that if I had reread the Harry Potter series before reading this I would have been far more disappointed in the story, but I did find that this book gave me a chance to see so many favourite characters that I hadn't for a long time and catch up in their lives. I didn't like how some of the characters behaviour was extraordinarily different from what I recall from the book as well I found some parts to be a bit corny while reading. Therefore I docked 1 star. But overall an enjoyable read. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

So this is the eighth story in the Harry Potter stories collection including almost everyone's favorite books about a boy wizard. This will spoil some of the story for those who haven't read the original 7 books in the series. Be warned.
So this story takes place 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts and follows some of our favorite characters. Another different thing about this book is that it's the script of the play that took place in London July 30th. I think that it made it an extremely quick read for me and reminded me about what I loved in the original 7 books. I think that the characters changing time was an interesting idea as it gives readers a chance to imagine the what ifs in the series. It also helps us to catch up with series that we know and love. I really found this book enjoyable and hope to be rereading the original 7 soon.

Characters:
Harry: So he's changed alot and has become a true Ministry man. I think I found him frustrating because he was very selfish about his path with Albus and that's not how I imagined Harry at all.  I was glad to see him in the positions he was in. 

Albus: It's hard being the sore thumb the person no one expects you to be. I can understand how that would be heart breaking to him. But Slytherin isn't a horrible house. Does it have a dark past? Of course but it has morals as well. Ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness to name a few. 

Rose: What a little witch. Ooops accidental pun. I just found her to be annoying. But she does take after Hermoine in her snotty ways.

Scorpius: He broke my heart a little bit. I mean to have such a horrible rumour circulating. No one no one wanted anything to do with him. Which is horrible but true. He really came into his own.

Draco: He's changed and put up with so many things in his life. Losing a wife and then having rumours circulate around your only child would be so heart breaking. I was proud of how he turned out though.

Hermione: She's really found her own. And she's a strong mother but not the best Minister in my opinion. Simply for hiding the time turner in a library. Boo. But I liked this version of her far more than any other we saw. 

Ron: Not impressed by his character in all honesty.

Snape: This broke my heart in a million pieces. I may have cried all over again.

Delphi: This was crazy and I kind of expected it but I do wonder more about her life as a child. I would read something about her childhood and where she ends up for sure. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny