Scan barcode
k_shimer's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Confinement
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.”
A fun book that not only provides us with a mystery, but also gives a proper introduction to the magic world and we're learning a lot about it alongside Harry Potter. The mystery itself is not very surprising, especially when you've seen the movie. But even if you hadn't, there were many hints in the story that pointed in the right direction. I was not shocked to find out that Quirrell was the villain. But let's not forget that this book was written for children and looking from that angle, I have to say that it's very well written. It didn't feel childish at all.
We first meet the Dursleys and they are so horrible! Unfortunately Harry had to live with them as his parents both died. They provide him with the bare minimum and seeing how they treat Harry just made my blood boil. It's great that he has the chance to go to Hogwarts where he becomes friends with Ron, Hermione and Hagrid. Ron and Hermione are both very pleasant characters. I laughed out loud at some of the things Ron said. Hagrid is very sweet and has a big heart but he can't really keep secrets.
In general, it was a fun book to read, but there are still some things that I found peculiar. Here it goes:
A fun book that not only provides us with a mystery, but also gives a proper introduction to the magic world and we're learning a lot about it alongside Harry Potter. The mystery itself is not very surprising, especially when you've seen the movie. But even if you hadn't, there were many hints in the story that pointed in the right direction. I was not shocked to find out that
We first meet the Dursleys and they are so horrible! Unfortunately Harry had to live with them as his parents both died. They provide him with the bare minimum and seeing how they treat Harry just made my blood boil. It's great that he has the chance to go to Hogwarts where he becomes friends with Ron, Hermione and Hagrid. Ron and Hermione are both very pleasant characters. I laughed out loud at some of the things Ron said. Hagrid is very sweet and has a big heart but he can't really keep secrets.
In general, it was a fun book to read, but there are still some things that I found peculiar. Here it goes:
- If Muggles don't know anything about the magic world, how would a Muggle child find Diagon Alley to buy everything he/she needs for school?
- Harry Potter is so famous and everyone knows that he's the only one Voldemort couldn't harm. So who in their right mind would decide on detention in the Forbidden Forest so that they can find whatever is hunting and hurting unicorns? Even the centaur they meet says this forest is a bad place to be, especially for Harry Potter.
- The teachers and the headmaster are supposed to keep the children safe, but the only one who actively looks out for Harry is
Professor Snape . You'd expect Dumbledore to do a better job since he is the headmaster but he’s only there to save Harry at the end of the book. He kept a better eye on the Stone than he did on his students. So I'm not sure if I like Dumbledore. He can prove himself to me in the next few books.
Special house edition (Slytherin):
Loved the sprayed edges and the extra information about Slytherin! Though, I think it is more valuable for Harry Potter fans and less so for people like me who are reading it for the first time. The extras in this book give more insight into the series as a whole as opposed to only the first book and I still have a long way to go so not everything made sense to me. For example,they mention Draco becoming a Death Eater (what the heck is that…?) in his sixth year at Hogwarts iirc . I guess this will be important later on, but I have no idea what this is about. It could even be a spoiler.
Loved the sprayed edges and the extra information about Slytherin! Though, I think it is more valuable for Harry Potter fans and less so for people like me who are reading it for the first time. The extras in this book give more insight into the series as a whole as opposed to only the first book and I still have a long way to go so not everything made sense to me. For example,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Classism, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
vanessamariebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5 out of 5 stars. How can you not give Harry Potter a 5 stars? I haven't read the series since high school and I decided to reread them all this year starting with the first one and it is just as amazing as the first time, though I sometimes wish I could have amnesia so I could experience the series like it was the first time again. The big reveals aren't as jaw dropping as the first time but it's still amazing. All I'll say is if you've never read this book/series, what have you been doing? Go read it! It's amazing! Need more convincing? Stop what you're doing and go get the book and start reading.
2024 Reread: This story has stood the test of time and is a classic. Being back in this world is just as magical as the first time exploring it with Harry, Ron, & Hermione. I've seen the movies dozens of times already, but this is only my 3rd round of re-reading the series (the last time was a decade ago) and I'd forgotten how much of a bigger role some of the side characters, like Neville, play in the books vs the movies. While I do recognize some of the changes that were made from book to movie, I do think the movies are a pretty good & faithful adaptation. I'm glad they kept as much as they did, though I would've liked to seen Peeves incorporated into the movies. Hopefully, they'll include him in the show adaptation/remake. Overall, this book & series will always be one of my all-time favorites.
2024 Reread: This story has stood the test of time and is a classic. Being back in this world is just as magical as the first time exploring it with Harry, Ron, & Hermione. I've seen the movies dozens of times already, but this is only my 3rd round of re-reading the series (the last time was a decade ago) and I'd forgotten how much of a bigger role some of the side characters, like Neville, play in the books vs the movies. While I do recognize some of the changes that were made from book to movie, I do think the movies are a pretty good & faithful adaptation. I'm glad they kept as much as they did, though I would've liked to seen Peeves incorporated into the movies. Hopefully, they'll include him in the show adaptation/remake. Overall, this book & series will always be one of my all-time favorites.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
cadybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol, Body horror, Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Cursing, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Medical content
iammmartina_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Bullying, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Murder
insanebookperson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Bullying, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Classism, Animal death, Confinement, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
itsjoenna's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Fatphobia
cassiereadsbooks_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
briochebun's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4 out of 5 ☆’s.
”Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚
I wanted to get into the fall spirit so I decided to pick this series up and I have no regrets! :)
I wanted to get into the fall spirit so I decided to pick this series up and I have no regrets! :)
I watched these movies when I was a child - so getting to revisit this series and read about the happenings that I had forgotten about (or the things that didn’t make it onto the screen) has been interesting!
I’m excited to continue!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Car accident
britwalsh16's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I can’t even remember how many times I have read this book, & it just gets better & better EVERY TIME! I notice something new everytime & it’s amazing! I love these books so much cause their is always something new to learn! I will always recommend this series!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Murder, Emotional abuse, Death, Bullying, and Child abuse