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carriedoodledoo's review against another edition
2.0
Updated review: While this is a good piece of fiction, the spiritual landscape in which it takes place REALLY has me taking a second look at this series. On reading a few pieces from the second generation of witchy fiction to follow this landmark series, I feel like the logical progression of this type of fiction is to darker and darker, not to more and more harmless. As such, I think that this series deserved to be treated with a great deal of caution and discernment.
Once again, I read this book in an afternoon. A really solid piece of children's literature that teaches great lessons on bravery, loyalty, thinking for yourself and not trusting strangers (or strange magical items). Really looking forward to reading the next book!
Once again, I read this book in an afternoon. A really solid piece of children's literature that teaches great lessons on bravery, loyalty, thinking for yourself and not trusting strangers (or strange magical items). Really looking forward to reading the next book!
bwill26's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
bantwalkers's review against another edition
3.0
This is a frustrating book because there is a lot to like. Rowling is a talented writer. Her characters are rich and she's witty as hell. The problem, she's not much of a storyteller. I found the same to be true when I read the first book in high school. I want to root for the characters, but in the end it becomes obvious that their richness is only quirkiness. And as Rowling layers quirk upon quirk she forgets to add depth. I am only giving them a shot now because of the assertation that they become more complex and mature as the series goes along. Also, on the story telling front, I think the magic angle gives Rowling too much freeness to exploit her own weakness. She seems to get to a point where she has written herself into a corner so she just magics herself out of it, coincidentally. It makes for rarely suspensful and always annoying endings. A phoenix with a sorting hat that produces a sword, really? I'm sorry, that's just plain stupid.
But like I said, she is a gifted writer and very funny. It makes this one, as with the first one, very readable, if not always palatable.
But like I said, she is a gifted writer and very funny. It makes this one, as with the first one, very readable, if not always palatable.
indkt's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
roeckitcody's review against another edition
3.0
if the entire book was like the last 50 pages... this would have been my favorite thing ever.
I know I will come to really appreciate and love these books. but this was not my favorite, sadly.
although I am super duper excited to read Prisoner if Azkaban because it's one of my favorite HP movies for sure!
I know I will come to really appreciate and love these books. but this was not my favorite, sadly.
although I am super duper excited to read Prisoner if Azkaban because it's one of my favorite HP movies for sure!
roeckitcody's review against another edition
3.0
if the entire book was like the last 50 pages... this would have been my favorite thing ever.
I know I will come to really appreciate and love these books. but this was not my favorite, sadly.
although I am super duper excited to read Prisoner if Azkaban because it's one of my favorite HP movies for sure!
I know I will come to really appreciate and love these books. but this was not my favorite, sadly.
although I am super duper excited to read Prisoner if Azkaban because it's one of my favorite HP movies for sure!