Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – J. K. Rowling

Read in 2013

 

Format – Hardback Book

 

Synopsis – 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 being 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 Thoughts – I have been re-reading my favourite book series on and off for months. These books are solely responsible for my love of reading and are pretty much the only books that i have read over and over and over.

 

In this book Harry is trying to persuade the wizarding world that Voldemort is back but nobody will believe him. Also he has disturbing links with Voldemort, has an evil teacher at Hogwarts, gets suspended from Quiddich and meets Hagrids half brother who just so happens to be a giant.

 

This is my second favourite book in the series and for me its the turning point between Harry being a child and not understanding why Voldemort is trying to kill him and Harry becoming an adult and can understand what he has to do to defeat evil.

 

This is also the first book where death really starts coming to Harry and its kind of a reflection onhow dark the series is going to get.

 

I love love love these books and cant say enough good things about it. Its a must read for anyone, young or old.

 

Rating – 5/5

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J.K. Rowling

Synopsis – The summer holidays are dragging on and Harry Potter can’t wait for the start of the school year. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and there are spells to be learnt and (unluckily) Potions and Divination lessons to be attended. But Harry can’t know that the atmosphere is darkening around him, and his worst enemy is preparing a fate that it seems will be inescapable …With characteristic wit, fast-paced humour and marvellous emotional depth, J.K. Rowling has proved herself yet again to be a master story-teller.

 

My Thoughts – As many people know The Harry Potter series are my favourite books of all time and every now and again i do re-read the series. This is the fourth book in the series and although its not one of my favourites its still good.

 

In this book Harry goes back to Hogwarts to start his fourth year at the school. During this year the Twiwizard tornament is held at the school which adds an added depth and excitement to the book. During the year Harry and his friends go through the normal things, lessons, fallings out, adventures and excitement.

 

This is the first of the ‘big’ books in the series and i think this is where we start to see the series turn a little bit darker. What with ‘Mad-eye’ Moody and the plot surrounding him and also the rise of You Know Who towards the end of the book it does start to pave the way for the more adult story lines of the series.

 

This is the book where death is also started to be explored which more me is a vital part of the book. However, its not all doom and gloom there are things like the Yule Ball which adds a bit more fun to the books and reminds the reader that Harry and his friends are still children.

 

While this book is massive in comparison to the books previously, i always find it easy reading and the pages just flow once i pick the book up. Although this book isnt my favourite i do enjoy the story to it.

 

Rating – 5/5

Magical Quotes and Words of Wisdom From Harry Potter – Samuel Penny

Started – 1/7/12

Finished – 8/7/12

Format – Kindle e-book

 

My Thoughts – I downloaded this book from the kindle store earlier in the year, but having gone back to link to the synopsis, its no longer a book on Amazon. I’m not sure if its been taken off, or whether its my links not working properly.

 

This book is basically a collection of different moments from the Harry Potter books. There is one quote per kindle page and at times they are funny, sometimes sad, sometimes ones to make you think. Also thrown in are several quotes from the author, J. K. Rowling. I found these parts quite fascinating as she doesnt all that often speak about her books and little hidden information about the plot and characters.

 

To be honest, this book was ok, but as it was just a load of moments from the Harry Potter series out of context, it did get a little boring towards the end. I am a massive massive Harry Potter fan, these books are the reason that i have got so much into reading, but for me the book needed some more explainations, maybe putting the quotes into context or explaining a bit about them.

 

I did like this book, but i think its one to dip in and out of. I’m a little bit torn as to who to recommend them too as Harry Potter fans might not like the whole out of context thing, and those that have never read Harry Potter might not understand the quotes and why some of them are so powerful. Still, this book was free and im quite glad i didnt pay money for it, as i already have the quotes in context in the series.

 

Rating – 3/5

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone – J. K. Rowling

Synopsis – Harry Potter is an ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon’s house, which he thinks is normal for someone like him who’s parents have been killed in a ‘car crash’. He is bullied by them and his fat, spoilt cousin Dudley, and lives a very unremarkable life with only the odd hiccup (like his hair growing back overnight!) to cause him much to think about. That is until an owl turns up with a letter addressed to Harry and all hell breaks loose! He is literally rescued by a world where nothing is as it seems and magic lessons are the order of the day. Read and find out how Harry discovers his true heritage at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, the reason behind his parents mysterious death, who is out to kill him, and how he uncovers the most amazing secret of all time, the fabled Philosopher’s Stone! All this and muggles too. Now, what are they?

My Thoughts – I decided that it was time to give my favourite books of all time a re-read! I love these books so much and i can safely say these are my favourite books. This is one of my favourite books of the series i just love reading how Harry discovers the magical world. This book you can really tell that it is a childrens book, very simple language, not a very big book, in comparision to the others. i dont have much to say on this book, apart from i love them!

Rating 5/5

Tales of Beedle the Bard – J.K Rowling

Synopsis – You’ve never heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard?’ said Ron incredulously. ‘You’re kidding, right?’ (From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) Published by the charity Lumos in association with Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is the first new book from J. K. Rowling since the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The Tales of Beedle the Bard played a crucial role in assisting Harry, with his friends Ron and Hermione, to finally defeat Lord Voldemort. Fans will be thrilled to have this opportunity to read the tales in full. An exciting addition to the canon of Harry Potter, the tales reveal the wonderful versatility of the author, as she tackles with relish the structure and varying tones of a classic fairy tale. There are five tales: ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’, recounted in Deathly Hallows, plus ‘The Fountain of Fair Fortune’, ‘The Warlock’s Hairy Heart’, ‘The Wizard and the Hopping Pot’, and ‘Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump’. Each has its own magical character and will bring delight, laughter and the thrill of mortal peril. Translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, the tales are introduced and illustrated by J. K. Rowling. Also included are notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by kind permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters’ Archive

My thoughts – this is a lovely little book, a must read for all Harry Potter fans. Im not too sure how well this book would read if you were unaware of the harry potter books. They are lovely fairy stories and i could quite imagine reading them to children as a bedtime story. The notes by Albus Dumbledore added a more adult side to the book. I would recommend this book to any Harry Potter fan, it was a lovely little read. It only contained five short stories so i read it very quickly. I would say that this book would be better suited to children, however adults will enjoy it too.

J. K. Rowling

J. K. Rowling is possibly my favourite author ever. She is certainly the person that got me hooked into reading when i was younger.

1) Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (1997)

2) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(1998)

3)Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azcaban(1999)

4)Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2000)

5)Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2003)

6)Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince(2005)

7)Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows(2007)

it goes without saying that i have read these books a numerous ammount of times. She has also written other books too, related to the harry potter series

8) The tales of the Beedle and the Bard (2007) – this i am currently reading

9) Quiddich Through the Ages

10)Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

11) Harry Potter Prequal