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isabel_is_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
I’ll start this review with saying I believe Harry Potter has some merit. JK Rowling did create a world that fans can easily fall in love with and the characters are simplistic enough for a child audience to enjoy. But, once one grows up and re-reads the stories or start thinking more deeply on the series we fall into some problems… and this problems become more insulting once you examine how loved and successful this series is.
Characters
One prominent concern revolves around the lack of substantial character development. Despite the characters aging, their growth seems confined to merely acting their age without undergoing transformative arcs. Now, let’s talk about character arcs. Off the top of my head, the only two characters with real arcs are Hermione and Neville, and only Neville’s is done right. He starts as a shy kid and becomes incredibly brave, which feels totally believable because the groundwork for his transformation is laid from the beginning. This makes him interesting and a teaches a good lesson to the series’ young audience. Neville also becomes more active, with his bravery killing one of the Horcruxes, thus weakening Voldemort. But Harry? He doesn’t change at all. He remains impulsive, hot-headed, and he doesn’t show more mastery of magic or any ability to plan. I think something that could have not only developed Harry’s character and Hermione’s (don’t worry I’ll talk about her) would be if he (using his knowledge and unique experiences) could have made a plan that Hermione disagreed with, but it succeeded. Instead his reckless behavior is constantly rewarded and encouraged.
Hermione’s arc, on the other hand, is not only poorly executed but also quite troubling. She goes from being an overbearing teacher’s pet to someone who can listen to others, but this transformation is tied to her efforts to free house-elves, which is treated as a joke. By the final book, she accepts that the house-elves want to be slaves, which is problematic, to say the least. This could have been handled so much better by replacing this whole slave business to something else.
Plot
The rushed inclusion of crucial details, such as the nature of the horcruxes and Voldemort's past, contributes to a sense of narrative whiplash. A more organic integration of these elements throughout the earlier books could have enhanced the overall cohesiveness of the story. JK Rowling also info-dumps…A LOT. Info-dumping isn’t always bad, but it shows an immaturity in the writing and can become annoying for the reader to sit through. JK Rowling also lacks an ability to create a cohesive and well written fantasy world. The illogical elements within the fantasy world, such as the loosely defined magic system and inconsistencies in the plot, can be distracting for those who appreciate a well-constructed fictional universe. I also Hated how she named the fantasy schools by just lazily translating ‘magic place’ or ‘witch castle’ to whatever place she wants the school to be in.
Romance
JK Rowling also has problems developing the romantic relationships of certain characters, especially Harry’s love interests. The abrupt shift from Cho Chang to an awkward love triangle involving Ginny Weasley seems contrived, contributing to the perception that character relationships were manipulated to serve the plot rather than evolving naturally. It just seemed like Rowling shoved the relationship to develop her ‘love wins all’ message without actually writing an authentic, strong and loving relationship.
There’s also Rowlings attempt at conveying an anti-racist message…which SPOILER ALERT: failed horribly. Surprisingly not by the witch and muggle discrimination and blood purity, but by Rowling’s additions of other magical creatures. In Harry Potter there are magical ‘creatures’ who have the intelligence of witches. They can comprehend laws and have the personhood of the human cast, but in the Harry Potter universe they are treated as second class citizens, which completely contradicts her anti racist message. Moreover, the portrayal of certain magical beings, like house-elves and goblins, raises concerns about unintentional racial stereotypes. With Goblins reflecting anti-Semitic stereotypes and house elves being slaves that love being slaves because of their nature???
Characters
One prominent concern revolves around the lack of substantial character development. Despite the characters aging, their growth seems confined to merely acting their age without undergoing transformative arcs. Now, let’s talk about character arcs. Off the top of my head, the only two characters with real arcs are Hermione and Neville, and only Neville’s is done right. He starts as a shy kid and becomes incredibly brave, which feels totally believable because the groundwork for his transformation is laid from the beginning. This makes him interesting and a teaches a good lesson to the series’ young audience. Neville also becomes more active, with his bravery killing one of the Horcruxes, thus weakening Voldemort. But Harry? He doesn’t change at all. He remains impulsive, hot-headed, and he doesn’t show more mastery of magic or any ability to plan. I think something that could have not only developed Harry’s character and Hermione’s (don’t worry I’ll talk about her) would be if he (using his knowledge and unique experiences) could have made a plan that Hermione disagreed with, but it succeeded. Instead his reckless behavior is constantly rewarded and encouraged.
Hermione’s arc, on the other hand, is not only poorly executed but also quite troubling. She goes from being an overbearing teacher’s pet to someone who can listen to others, but this transformation is tied to her efforts to free house-elves, which is treated as a joke. By the final book, she accepts that the house-elves want to be slaves, which is problematic, to say the least. This could have been handled so much better by replacing this whole slave business to something else.
Plot
The rushed inclusion of crucial details, such as the nature of the horcruxes and Voldemort's past, contributes to a sense of narrative whiplash. A more organic integration of these elements throughout the earlier books could have enhanced the overall cohesiveness of the story. JK Rowling also info-dumps…A LOT. Info-dumping isn’t always bad, but it shows an immaturity in the writing and can become annoying for the reader to sit through. JK Rowling also lacks an ability to create a cohesive and well written fantasy world. The illogical elements within the fantasy world, such as the loosely defined magic system and inconsistencies in the plot, can be distracting for those who appreciate a well-constructed fictional universe. I also Hated how she named the fantasy schools by just lazily translating ‘magic place’ or ‘witch castle’ to whatever place she wants the school to be in.
Romance
JK Rowling also has problems developing the romantic relationships of certain characters, especially Harry’s love interests. The abrupt shift from Cho Chang to an awkward love triangle involving Ginny Weasley seems contrived, contributing to the perception that character relationships were manipulated to serve the plot rather than evolving naturally. It just seemed like Rowling shoved the relationship to develop her ‘love wins all’ message without actually writing an authentic, strong and loving relationship.
There’s also Rowlings attempt at conveying an anti-racist message…which SPOILER ALERT: failed horribly. Surprisingly not by the witch and muggle discrimination and blood purity, but by Rowling’s additions of other magical creatures. In Harry Potter there are magical ‘creatures’ who have the intelligence of witches. They can comprehend laws and have the personhood of the human cast, but in the Harry Potter universe they are treated as second class citizens, which completely contradicts her anti racist message. Moreover, the portrayal of certain magical beings, like house-elves and goblins, raises concerns about unintentional racial stereotypes. With Goblins reflecting anti-Semitic stereotypes and house elves being slaves that love being slaves because of their nature???
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Grief
Moderate: Death, Slavery, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture
cirrusfloccus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: War and Child abuse
amytk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Child abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Mass/school shootings, and Pandemic/Epidemic
reka111's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love
This series was a defining part of my childhood, not only because it transported me to a world that every child longs for, but because of these books, I started reading.
The characters (most of them) were likeable and well developed.
JK Rowling definitely deserves the fame she got for this book series (I can't say anything else good about her).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Death, Kidnapping, War, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
sasquatch_3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Death, and Emotional abuse
maeveh's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Great book series
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, War, and Death
nicole_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Love these books, the magic and adventure make them a comfort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Torture, Murder, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Animal death
If those warnings trigger you I don’t recommend. Yet try to remember it’s fiction and the magic reels you into its world.42donotpanic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Blood
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