A review by benlundns
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies by J.K. Rowling

1.0

I think Rowling has forgotten what "story" means. See a Story has a beginning "Once upon a time", or "It was a dark and stormy night", are both popular, but it could also just be "Last Tuesday". Then, following a narrative, the main character is introduces, and events will occur, sometimes several over the course of the story. Finally a climax, which is the crux of every story, followed by a wind down. "Happily ever after" is optional.
We get none of this here. We get a name, a list of facts, and a short bio of said name. Bleh. A few years ago, Rowling released, online, and short story of Harry and Ron meeting up for the Quiddich cup, years after the events in the original books, just a couple of pages telling us how characters we loved and grew up with are doing. I would have been happy with that, 2 or 3 STORIES about the character before or after we meet them in the books.
Who wouldn't want to know more about Sybill Trelawney? What was she doing before she came to Hogwarts, how had she changed after the final battle? Who is Silvanus Kettleburn? Tell me how he fell in love with magical beasts, tell me about a trip he took to sight-see dragons after he retired.
Sad, sad, sad and a wasted opportunity to inject life into characters we know so little about.