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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 1997 | Children, Young Adult (YA)
6
9.2 (174 Ratings)
Book Rating
The tone of the first book in this series maked it a fun read while having a dark origin story. (0 more)
Some might object to the useage of witchcraft and making it positive for kids. (0 more)
Fun novel for all ages
What we have here is a well told origin story which does a good job of getting readers wanting more. We have the story of Harry Potter who live with his aunt and uncle. He is treated badly. One day he discovers he has magical powers and is invited to study at Hogwarts school of magic. There he learns about his parents and his past with an evil wizard. This is a great start to an adventure.
  
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
2010 | Action, Drama, Family
A good film, well made and with good actors. I've not read the books to be honest but have seen all the films. This one does really feel like half a film....all slow pace, moody and brooding for what is too come in the finale. It is dark and menacing and a lot more grown up than the other films, some will prefer this others won't. For me this was just average, I prefer the action, Hogwarts, the humour and creatures of the other films. This is largely the 3 main characters on the run and hiding with very little action. Let's hope the final film doesn't lose the Potter magic!
  
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (271 Ratings)
Book Rating
Suitable for any age group, any gender, everyone (0 more)
I have obviously miss pronounced some words but, who cares (0 more)
A must read
I am currently reading this book for the 8th time but, this time I am reading aloud to my son. We absolutely can not wait to see "what happens next" and, even though I know the book, on each reading it's like reading for the first time. My son is now waiting his acceptance letter from Hogwarts (he has not seen all the movies yet as he won't sit for long periods of time) I will not be telling him what happens. The book is a modern day classic and can be read at any level (although some words may be hard to pronounce).
  
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
2010 | Action, Drama, Family
A beginning to an end
The second to last Harry Potter book. We find Harry right after the Death of Dumbledore all distraught along with Hermione and Ron. They take it upon themselves to search for Horocruxtes which a the way Voldemort has made sure his life will live on and destroy them. They leave Hogwarts to begin their journey to only find out it will be much harder than originally believed now that Snape is in charge of the school and has everyone on the look out for enemy number 1.

The first half of this two parter shows us the acts they need to find all of the Horocuthcxtes and leading up to the finale of the battle between good and evil.
  
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (271 Ratings)
Book Rating
***Contains minor spoiler***
Harry Potter is young orphan living with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and Cousin Dudley. The Dursley’s are not a nice family and Harry is near non-existent to them. Strange things start happening, things that Harry cannot explain but he can’t tell the Dursley’s as they already look at him like he is something they have trodden in. One day Harry gets a letter, Harry never gets letters, he doesn’t know anyone. Only Mrs Figg down the road but she wouldn’t send a letter and surely she doesn’t know he sleeps in the cupboard under the stairs. Unfortunately the letter is snapped away before Harry can open it, whoever wants to get hold of Harry is persistent, the next day 2 letters arrive the day after that 3 and so on and till Uncle Vernon is at breaking point and takes the family to a deserted shack on a little island. Vernon thinks he has outsmarted the sender until a huge monstrous man charges through the shack and introduces himself as Hagrid from Hogwarts, the school of magic and wizardry. Harry is shocked to find that this Hagrid knows his name and is now telling him that he is a wizard and a famous one at that. Harry finds himself being whisked off into a magical world where people play a sport called Quidditch and have potion lessons. He makes friends with Ron and Hermione but also he makes enemies of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle from the Slytherin House. With him trying to pass his first year at Hogwarts and bypassing Filch in the corridors, it seems that Harry is to be at the centre of attention and adventures as Voldermort tries to kill Harry for the second time.

I loved this book, I liked all the characters. My daughter asked me who my favourite character was and I couldn’t answer it, they were all equally good and when I asked my partner who has been listening to it on Audio he couldn’t pick a favourite either. (Harry Potter on audio narrated by Stephen Fry is supposed to be amazing) All the characters were equally fleshed out they were complex and three-dimensional, there are a lot of characters to this book but it’s not overwhelming. The world building was brilliant even without the pictures from this book you would have a clear understanding of what Hogwarts was like. The different characters names, spells, potions and various animals/mythical creatures were just phenomenal, Rowling has one pretty amazing imagination and she grips you from the start and holds on to the finish. The ending to this book was great, it gave me a fuzzy feeling inside and also happy goosebumps. The writing style was easy to read as it’s aimed at children as our main character is only eleven in this book, however this shouldn’t put you off reading it. It doesn’t matter how old you are, this book is for everyone who just wants a bit of magic and adventure in their life. I have to say that JK Rowling has changed a lot for children, reading has become joyous and somewhat an inspiration and pivotal role in the educational system, my daughter is at primary school and is set into houses just like Hogwarts and gain points and urges them to do better.
  
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (271 Ratings)
Book Rating
Introduces you to the wonderfulness that is Harry Potter (0 more)
You'll find reasons to empty your bank account to gather all things Harry Potter (0 more)
The Gateway Book to a Lifelong Addiction
I started reading the Harry Potter series while lifeguarding during a particularly rainy summer season. (I promise there were no people in the pool while I indulged) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a book that introduces you to Hogwarts and the magics of the wizarding world. It's not the best of the series, but that's okay. It gets better as you get more invested in the series. That being said, it is awesome to go back and re-read the first book to see all of the references that are made that relate to later events and people.
  
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J.K. Rowling | 1998 | Children
10
9.0 (208 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another great book in the series. As Harry, Ron and Hermione embark on their second year at Hogwarts there are more adventures to be had and mysteries to uncover. The character development continues, particularly for Ron who shows that he is definitely brave enough to be in Gryffindor by facing his biggest fear to help his friends. We are introduced to new characters, like Ginny the youngest Weasley, whilst still getting to know the other background characters who help make the story so special. JK Rowling artfully continues to tackle prejudice as witches and wizards with muggle parents are targeted by the mysterious Chamber of Secrets whilst also enduring name calling and bullying. Despite this the book is still lighthearted and utterly hilarious in places. 100% recommend it!!