The Plot Thickens... Harry Potter Investigated by Fans for Fans

Rating:
Summary: Not Just For the New Clues or CoS Forum Members
Review: As a New Clues forum member myself,(on the Mugglenet fan site) I was excited to hear this book was going to be published last year, as it definitely fills a niche not explored before in the HP accessory books. Having read most of the author's posts and exchanged ideas with some, seeing full-length essays from several of the best was particularly of interest to me, however, I think you can completely enjoy this book without being a forum member. In fact, it doesn't necessarily appear that the other reviewers here are, but have all obviously loved it. The essays are nicely grouped in chapters according subject matter (i.e. "Wacky Weasleys", "Mischief Created", and "The Potions Master") and also by how in depth or advanced in HP knowledge (using the O.W.L. system: needing only a handful, like Fred and George, 12, or N.E.W.T. level). All of the NEWT level discussions are fantastic and quite extensively researched, but by far the best in the whole book is one in the Snape chapter titled: "Voldemort's Pawns." This is the only essay included that offers an opposing view on Snape as a misunderstood hero/good guy with excellent research and meticulous canon proof that might sway you to reconsider our Potions Master's position in the Order even if you love him! The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is there are some editing problems, a couple of which are rather glaring. Most are just some typos or grammatical errors, but several concern quotes citing the wrong book, chapters, etc. (page numbers in different versions like UK versus US will vary, but not the other two). Nonetheless, I still recommend this book as a great way to kill time until July 16th, 2005 when we will get our hands on Book 6!

Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: I just got this book for Christmas, and I've fallen in love with it. The authors are members of the Mugglenet forums, who have used their wealth of HP knowledge to compose essays especially for this book. The essays run the gamut from "Who is the Half-blood Prince?" to "Is Percy just a stupid git?" and the writers range in age from 8 to 40+. Even the illustrations are done by fans, and beautifully.

Someone not as obsessed as myself might be a little overwhelmed (some essays contain VERY detailed analysis) but you should still enjoy it. And if you're a part-time fan looking to go full-time, this is the book for you!

Rating:
Summary: Good for new Potter sleuths
Review: I think this book is excellent for Potter sleuths who are just starting out. It compiles articles from some readers who have spent a lot of researching, and they have come up with some interesting theories. It also gives varied guesses about the identity of the Half Blood Prince, but comes to no conclusion. For those of us who spend a lot of time on Potter related web sites, we may find we have already encountered most of these theories, but it was a good book overall.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Just received this book and have read a lot of it-- it's a GREAT read for those awaiting the sixth Harry Potter book. It brings up many new ideas, and shows a reader how to come up with theories and hypotheses of their own. It's a great learning tool and provokes thought, it gives insight and entertainment. I highly suggest this book. If you are a fan of MuggleNet and it's forums-- you will love this book! It's written by fans for fans, which makes it even easier to relate.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for a HP fan.
Review: Only Harry Potter could create such an achievement as this. A book filled of essays, each one exploring a different topic in the world of magic. If you like the mysteries of Harry Potter, you'll love this. Each short essay comes up with a specific idea, then backs up the idea with quotes, often coming up with new questions that get the reader thinking. Because many people wrote many different essays, the writing styles vary. Some are easy to understand, some are not so. However, this is a great book for someone who wants to see how people come up with theories and ideas, and enjoy some good old Harry Potter fun. An absolute must-read for those who like reading the essays on the many Harry Potter fansites.

Rating:
Summary: Not Just for 9-12 Year-Olds
Review: The author of previous HP clue books has chosen to be the editor of this new book of essays by HP fans of all ages and descriptions. The essays are as varied as their authors and will be an interesting read for adult HP fans as well as the 9-12 age group. It is a book to be read slowly and savoured. It is a fun and thought-provoking read. Sometimes you will say to yourself "Hmmm, I never thought about that. He/She could be right." You will enjoy having this book to read while waiting for HP Book 6. Thanks Wizarding World Press.

Rating:
Summary: A most enjoyable repertoire of shared experience and emotion
Review: The Plot Thickens... Harry Potter Investigated by Fans for Fans is an anthology of literary criticism essays dissecting the nuances of the first five novels of the wildly popular Harry Potter children's fantasy series. Here are questions poses and issues explored by fans, for fans, probing everything from the secret of Severus Snape's popularity among readers to common debate topics among readers, to the query "Who is the Half-Blood Prince" in reference to the title of the currently forthcoming sixth Harry Potter book. The Plot Thickens is not authorized by "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling; its ideas and conjecture will stand or fall to the test of time. A most enjoyable repertoire of shared experience and emotion from literate fellow readers, and the next best thing to read if one just can't wait for the next series installment.


Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK RULES!
Review: This book is the best Harry Potter Fan book I have ever read! It is great for people of all ages! Visit http://www.mugglenet.com/plotthickens.shtml or http://www.plotthickens.com
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