Rating: 
Summary: 20 year old who actually enjoys this book
Review: OK, you wouldn't think your typical college student would be reading a kids book. I read an exerpt Harry Potter in a magazine one day and decided to buy the first book. The night I started reading it I was halfway through the book before I looked up and realized it was 2 in the morning! (I had an 8 the next day). My friends thought I was crazy for reading a children's book, but then I told them about it and now they're hooked. This just goes to show you that even deep down us grown-up kids enjoy a good adventure every now and then.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book I have ever read!
Review: ok,I will start off by saying this is the best book I have ever read! It has so many twists and turns and that makes the book even more interesting to read! I have to say, I was not pleased when my mother told me, "Gary, I have heard of books like Harry Potter, they are very popular! I want you to start reading them!" So, of course I bought it and I read it! It was the best book! Of course i read the age level, ages 9-12 or 8-13 meaning around 10 years old to read it. But this book is definately not for a 10 yr old. It is sure not an easy book where a 10 yr old would get lost at all the twists and turns, yet the plot is easy enough! This book is surely a 11-13 yr old kind of book, where I have a friend who has a cousin and he is 9 and he tried to read the first 13 pages and he got lost! This book is definately not recomended to the younger kids. But as i go back to the point, I think that not only was this book good, but i can guarantee that the next 3 books will be good! I am up to the 2nd! I hope it is good, which is a big chance!
Rating:
Summary: What great fun for all ages!
Review: OK. I admit to being a little behind the times. Although I had purchased all the Harry Potter books for my 10-year-old grandson, I hadn't had the chance to read them. Since my 80-year-old Mom wanted to read the books too, we decided to listen to the unabridged version during a recent trip to the Dakotas. We were both mesmerized! Jim Dale is a terrific narrator for the tapes, doing the different characters' voices so well you could hardly believe it was the same person doing all of them! From the Scottish accent of Mrs. McGonnigle to the Irish accent of the Centaurs to the Cockney accent of one major characters, all are so vivid! What a magical story! Mom and I both remarked several times on what an amazing imagination J.K. Rowling possesses to dream up such a tale. We also remarked on how we understood why Harry Potter has captured the attention and imagination of so many youngsters of every age. I can't recommend this one highly enough!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Ok. I read this book with a purpose - wanted to make sure that this would be suitable for my children. They are still small (now only 5 and 2 respectively) but we all know HP is going to be a big hit in the coming years and it is never too early to start some "research" and "screening". But in the end... I was the one who cannot stop reading and went to the nearest book store almost immediately to grab books 2 to 4.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter is great!
Review: OK. I was initially embarrassed that I-- as a 27-yr-old-- received this book as a gift from my mother, who heard through friends at work about the Harry Potter series. Now I CANNOT put it down! I have only been through the first book and can't wait to read the next two. Rowling captures all the things I imagined as a young child. I have not been engrossed in such a magical novel since The Hobbit, which I've read about 15 times over the years. All I can say now, is: Rowling, PLEASE keep them coming! :-)
Rating: 
Summary: A cliche too childish to bear....
Review: Okay, everyone has to agree that the entire Harry Potter series is a horrible cliche that is targeted towards children, and it just so happens that adults enjoy it as well. In the books, they talk about Magic and the use of it. What is failed to be described is exactly what Magic actually is. The author portrays it as something that floats in the air that for no reason at all, comes to your beckon call to do anything you want, as long as you chant a ... phrase. Now, I am not a looney that believes there definitely is Magic in the real world that we could possibly harness, no. What I am demanding from novels that muck around with Magic is that they explain what it is, how it is harnessed, and what regulations there are to it. If you want a good Magic explanation, try Mercedes Lackey, if you don't, stick with Harry.Another major flaw is lack of character growth. How does Harry change throughout the book? He becomes more courageous, maybe? He gets some friends...becomes a hero...has another student that hates him, but obviously envies him...and? What book doesn't have that? How does he become stronger with himself? How does he grow to accept new possibilities? What are his deep feelings about what is going on? None of that is ever answered, and the series is already over half way through. Come on.... Another point that bothers me is that the point of view never, ever shifts. It is all about Harry...Harry walked down the hall...Harry saw the troll...Harry this, and Harry that. What about that Draco kid? Why doesn't the author ever put anything in his perspective? Why can't the readers opt to know how he is feeling? Why does everything need to be about Harry? And if the author is going to center the whole entire series on one person, at least they would add what he is actually thinking to the literature! It's called italics. Please.... Another large cliche that is found in the reading is how the plot is formatted. The storyline goes as follows: Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It never changes. This is telling the life of someone, and I do not think that in someone's life there will be the direct sequence of events that was listed above, and seven times at that! I understand that in fantasy it is hard to be realistic, but most of the good authors make it seem as if the characters are actually three-dimensional, not paper-thin wizards and witches. I feel that if you are a strong reader, then normally this would not be one of your choice selections. The only time I ever read this was a) when I was in second grade, and b) when I need a good, strong punch in the face and realize how bad literature can be, and really be grateful that I read other things in my spare time. The reason why I let the whole series slip by with one star is because this is good literature for children. They are nice books to start on, and give a younger kid a good chance of reading more in their lives, and yes, dropping Harry Potter finally. The main reason why adults may read this is simply inexperience in different genre of writing, but when you are older, you cannot lounge all day and read nearly as much as when you were a child. I recommend Mercedes Lackey, Tad Williams, Kate Elliott, Larry Niven, Tanith Lee, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Jean M. Auel, Orson Scott Card, and if you are looking for a good book for young adults that is well written for that age group, then Garth Nix.
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Summary: What's the best? Books. What's the best book? Harry Potter!
Review: Okay, have you read The Lion, the Witch, the Wardrobe? It's good, isn't it? Well... there is a better fantasy... Harry Potter! When the first time I saw that book, I thought it was just some stupid fantasies! A friend of mine told me that it was REALLY good, but I didn't beleive it. I still read that book. As I read, it seemed to have a magnetic thing that makes you can't put it down. Anyway, if you think that book is not good, like me in the first place... You're wrong! It's the BEST book I have ever read! By the way, I am a 11 year old. It's not only for children. It's for any ages!
Rating: 
Summary: Not just for the little ones
Review: Okay, I admit it, I orginally bought this for my son, but within the first chapter, both of us were hooked. Destined to become a classic, this is one of those marvelous tales that are a delight for children of all ages (including those of us over 21). Harry Potter is an orphan, living with his horrible Aunt and Uncle, and his equally horrible cousin. On his 11th birthday, his life is changed forver by a series of mysterious messages, which gradually reveal his true identity. Harry, it seems, is a wizard, and a very powerful one at that. Of course, in order to learn how to use this power, he has to go to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft And Wizardry. Once there he is quickly embroiled in the search for the Sorcerer's Stone, and in defeating the evil Voldemort. The scary stuff is done with a light touch for the little ones, and with some rather sophisticated humor for the adults (some of the punnish nomenclature left me in tears of laughter). This is the first in a series of three so far, and I recommend them all. This was the first book that my 8 year old wanted to read all by himself, just for fun.
Rating:
Summary: Very fun, very entertaining!
Review: Okay, I'll admit it. I didn't want to read the Harry Potter series at first. I, being 16, thought that the books would be more suited for a child in secondary school. Boy, was I wrong. Two of my friends had recentlly finished the 4th book, and recommended them to me. I decided to try out the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for myself. The book was a little slow moving in the beginning, but it picked up pretty soon and took me along with it! The characters are great and very, very unique, and the story line is fantastic. I'm currentlly on the third book, and just can't put it down. I even got my dad interested in reading the first book. I hope that J.K. Rowling puts out the other books really soon!
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter isn't just for kids
Review: Okay, I'm a 40 year old Muggle and loved this book. Harry and his gang are delightful and amusing. I usually prefer hardcore science fiction or murder mysteries, but Ms. Rowling's tale has made it in to my list of favorite reads. What a wonderful way to start a career in writing.
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