Rating: 
Summary: Much to My Surprise............
Review: With 7 & 10 year old boys -- Harry Potter was a definite request at our house for Christmas. The boys ended up with all 3 books. Recently while home sick I decided to start at book 1 and see what exactly the 'fuss' was about. Well in a day book number 1 was done (after 'sharing' it with my 7 yo, he was reading it too!) and on to number 2. I'm now 'sharing' number 3 with my 10 yo. These books are great for children and adults. I LOVE THEM and am now just as eager as my boys for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series
Review: With all of the hype surrounding Harry Potter, I would bet that many people will pass over these books as nothing more than a fad. That would be unfortunate. I was one of the people who bought them on a whim. I was taking a friend of mine to the Atlanta airport, when I noticed "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" on the shelf at a bookstore. Knowing that they would fly off the shelves if I didn't grab a copy (I had heard about the book on the news that evening), I bought a copy. Not only that, but I bought a copy of each of them (I'm one of those people who, in the heat of the moment, believes that if I don't get one now, I'll never be able to!) I decided I would give them to my 8 year old niece for Christmas. Now, I heard the stories about how "evil" the books were supposed to be, so I decided to read the first one - just to see. I was HOOKED. I read all the books the week I bought them. I gave my niece a card and $20.00 for Christmas. Sure, these books may be the epitome of mass market publication. And you might get sick of seeing Harry Potter everywhere. But when it comes down to it, the books are good. Ignore the trinkets, the bookends, posters, glasses, stuffed animals and all the hype. Buy the books. take it from this 30+ year old kid - they are every bit as enjoyable as they are made out to be.
Rating:
Summary: Adults will enjoy!
Review: With all of the hype surrounding Harry Potter, I would bet that many people will pass over these books as nothing more than a fad. That would be unfortunate. I was one of the people who bought them on a whim. I was taking a friend of mine to the Atlanta airport, when I noticed "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" on the shelf at a bookstore. Knowing that they would fly off the shelves if I didn't grab a copy (I had heard about the book on the news that evening), I bought a copy. Not only that, but I bought a copy of each of them (I'm one of those people who, in the heat of the moment, believes that if I don't get one now, I'll never be able to!) I decided I would give them to my 8 year old niece for Christmas. Now, I heard the stories about how "evil" the books were supposed to be, so I decided to read the first one - just to see. I was HOOKED. I read all the books the week I bought them. I gave my niece a card and $20.00 for Christmas. Sure, these books may be the epitome of mass market publication. And you might get sick of seeing Harry Potter everywhere. But when it comes down to it, the books are good. Ignore the trinkets, the bookends, posters, glasses, stuffed animals and all the hype. Buy the books. take it from this 30+ year old kid - they are every bit as enjoyable as they are made out to be.
Rating:
Summary: A book for all ages!
Review: With all the hype about Harry Potter, I thought I'd give it a whirl. The more I read, the more I admired Rowling's fantastic imagination. I was upset to hear the book was geared towards the 12-13 yr. old group. I'm a grandparent and am thoroughly enjoying reading about Harry.
Rating:
Summary: BEST BOOK IN AGES!
Review: With an fantastic plot, undescribly amazing characters, and suspense at the max, I could not put this book down!!! Even if you do not especially enjoy fantasy, this IS the book for you! This author has an extravagent imagination and a true gift of literature. This book will blow you away, it is nothing like any other book! Plus, the sequel is just as good!!
Rating:
Summary: This book was spectacular!
Review: With most books, you feel as though you were just a spectator, just watching what was happening. But with these books, you are in the book. You are there in Potions class with Harry, there while the Durseley's torment him. This book was amazing!
Rating:
Summary: Must read for Everyone
Review: With my tail between my legs, I must admit that I was a Harry Potter snob and wasn't going to read one book let alone four. I'm not one for mystical, magical books - Boy was I wrong. This is possibly one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read - I'm 38, but feel 12 when reading it. I have just finished this book and immediately picked up #2. I am so impressed with Ms. Rowlings imagination and writing ability. I can't stop talking about this book and recommend it to everyone I know. I hope I can last until 2002 for #5 to makes its' appearance.
Rating:
Summary: Libris Magnificus!
Review: With the first movie having been through my player at least every other month since I bought it, I wondered how the book was, and it was an engaging read. It is an enchanting part-fantasy, part-mystery, part-adventure, with lots of light relief. The ideas J.K. Rowling came up with blew me away--Platform 9 3/4, staircases that move, Bertie Bott's Many-Flavoured Beans, where did she come up with this? There's nothing wrong with Rowling's writing at all. In fact, she's quite a magician herself in order to create the Hogwarts world. Which House does she belong to, I wonder? The story of Voldemort and wizards going to the dark side is reminiscent of the Dark Jedi in Star Wars. Unicorns and Fluffy, a variation on Cerberus, and the invisible cape are taken from fairytales and mythology. And many of the spells are Latin-derived. Rowling's use of comparatives and colours is also ingenious. Here's how Uncle Vernon reacts when he sees the first letter Harry gets from Hogwarts: "His face went from red to green faster than a set of traffic lights. And it didn't stop there. Within seconds it was the grayish white of old porridge." There are some aspects of the real world in Hogwarts as well, such as nasty teachers and nasty students. However, things have a way of working out. For example, yes, Harry, Hermione, and Neville get detention for going on the grounds in the evening, but they get to help Hagrid for detention so that's not too bad. What also makes Harry appealing is that he's thin, bespectacled, but intelligent and gifted. Not only that but after eleven years of living miserably under his uncle's roof, he is amazed to find that everybody in the wizard world knows who he is because he is "the boy who lived" through Voldemort's reign of terror. This gives hope to many downtrodden youngsters who read the book, because Harry can be someone to relate to. If Harry were a muscular blonde-haired jock who got the pretty girls and drove the fast brooms, he wouldn't be appealing at all. Somehow I don't think the average kid could relate to someone like that. Hermione's character gives a shot in the arm to the virtues of dedicated reading and studying, something impossible in this world with all these video game systems. True, she does sit on the side of the caution and finds security in obeying the laws but when the chips are down, she's ready to stick by Harry no matter what. Draco Malfoy, who becomes Harry's main antagonist, proves that yes, there are jerks in any setting--it's how to handle them that counts. If best, don't get into fights, but sometimes, it's necessary to fight them. The kindly and reliable headmaster Dumbledore and the whale-sized gameskeeper Hagrid are two other favourable characters who look out after Harry and friends and check to see if they're doing all right. And despite being a stern disciplinarian, Professor MacGonagall is fair and can be generous. Mary Grandpre's illustrations above each chapter heading add extra spice. Check out the ones for Fluffy and Norbert. She does the cover illustration too, BTW. There's one additional comment here. This book is rightly categorized as fantasy. There's something in here besides wizards, witches, spells, magic, Quidditch, and pictures that move that make this book a fantasy. That something is people who are generous, stick with you in times of trouble, and take a stand on the side of right, sometimes when unconventionality is called for. That's something that seems to have gone on the way side in the real world.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for kids
Review: With the thousands of reviews that this book has gotten, there really isn't much that I can add. There is a reason these books have done so well. They are simply marvelous! The target audience may be teenagers, but "kids" of all ages will enjoy the escape these books provide. I won't go into any descriptions about the plot since many of the other posts have covered that. However, I do want to help convince those of you who may be wondering if you should read this book. When it was finally delivered to me, I could not wait to crack it's covers and see for myself if all the rage about it was deserved. It was! So much so, that I ordered the complete set after reading about 20 minutes worth of it. My only regret is that I thought it would take me about a week to finish it, so I didn't select the Next Day shipping option when I orderd the remaining books from Amazon.com. Well, I couldn't put it down and finished it in about 3 evenings. Now, sadly, I must wait on the others; though I am very tempted to spend a few evenings in some of the local bookstores while I wait for my own copies. :) Honestly people, if you don't read this book, it's your lost. And oh what a lost it will be indeed. ...back to waiting I go...
Rating:
Summary: A modern-day fairytale sure to be a classic.
Review: With this book, J.K. Rowlings has definitively proved that children's books may be a greater misnomer than we realize. When this book first came out and everyone started going crazy over Harry Potter, I was a little skeptical, to say the least. But when I picked up the book and began reading, my doubts disappeared. This and the other two books currently in this series are a delightful find for anyone who loves children's literature, fantasy fiction or, indeed, reading itself. Rowling has woven a delightful story of the highest caliber, and it is only a greater credit to her achievements that so many children have discovered the joys of reading through her work. Although her writing is refreshing and simple, easily accessible to readers of any age, the story that she tells is anything but. From page one I found myself unable to resist cheering Harry on as he fought his mean relatives, the bullies at school, and the evil You-Know-Who. Harry's character is one which the reader can easily identify with, and the discovery of his magical talent is just the sort of rags-to-riches story anyone can relate to. The book is extremely well-written, with an unpredictable plot that continually keeps the reader on their toes. I read to find out what would happen to Harry and his friends, but I also read for the sheer enjoyment that Rowlings delivered with each and every word. Less cynical than the style of Roald Dahl and not as heavy-handed as C.S. Lewis, Rowling's writing is not only for children, but to anyone with imagination and the desire to believe, if only for a few hours, that we all have magic hidden inside that is only waiting for a letter from Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling has definitely created a place for herself in history with this series, if only for the unprecedented response of public opinion and the distinction of having coined the term "muggles". If you have not read this book or you doubt my opinion along with the other 2000-something here, I urge you to buy one of the Harry Potter books and decide for yourself.
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