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A review by celia_thebookishhufflepuff
James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing by G. Norman Lippert
4.0
I've read and reread Harry Potter ten times, and read everything recommended for readers over the years in hopes of ever finding something that felt like reading Harry Potter for the first time. Scratch that, I wanted to read Harry Potter going into it blind again. I wasn't afforded the luxury of going in completely blind before I read it because my parents often made me watch the movies or read the plot summaries, and then I asked for a lot of spoilers. I hate spoilers now, and I think my discovery of the Harry Potter series in such a spoiler-filled way has led me to this. Eventually I had to accept that Harry Potter was my gateway fantasy, and that it and its creator have some major flaws. But I can definitely say reading [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] was that high I've been chasing for twelve years.
I first discovered [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] completely by accident almost two years ago; thought it couldn't actually be what it seemed to be; discovered that it was, in fact, the closest thing to published Harry Potter fanfiction excluding Cursed Child (the book that must not be named), put it aside for two years saved on my tablet, and finally returned to it today. I don't regret that in the slightest.
[a:G. Norman Lippert|1127619|G. Norman Lippert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447189115p2/1127619.jpg]'s writing style is almost identical to Rowling's in some ways, and at times I forgot that I wasn't reading original Harry Potter content (moreso than I ever have when reading fanfiction before). I really appreciated the imaginings of a Hogwarts that attempted to be more united after the Battle of Hogwarts, even when this was only the case sometimes or superficially. I also appreciate the integration of some Muggle technology and more Muggleborns immersed in bridging cultures in general, as well as the exploration of the American wizarding community. It had the feel of [b:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone|3|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474154022l/3._SY75_.jpg|4640799] for a new generation or a returning audience.
There are definitely a few elements of Cursed Child that I have to wonder the origin of after reading this as well. There's just enough similarity with major characters that I would be suspicious of whether [a:G. Norman Lippert|1127619|G. Norman Lippert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447189115p2/1127619.jpg] influenced [a:John Tiffany|5042201|John Tiffany|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and Rowling put her name on for profit (considering this first James Potter book was published almost ten years before Cursed Child). Knowing what Rowling's been doing these last few years to make money, I would not be at all surprised.
At the same time, there were many elements of [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] that do completely stand on their own. After taking my magic and esotericism class this semester, I appreciate how much history and magical theory was involved in this one, not just in classes but in how class content got worked into the general story.
Unfortunately, a book that so closely emulates its source is bound to have some issues, and I do have some complaints about both the glaring differences from Rowling's books and the similarities in flaws Rowling had throughout the series and as she did continue her own content. There were some major inconsistencies that contributed to main plot points of [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] regarding, for example, the movement of wizard portraits, the existence of wizard royalty, and the ways a wizard can cheat death. This last one was a big one because it contradicted Harry's own lived experience. I also wasn't a huge fan of the villainization of, nor the complete heroification and disregard for the crimes of .
Overall, I really enjoyed coming back to Harry Potter in this way, and I've already downloaded the sequel and plan to read it soon as well.
I first discovered [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] completely by accident almost two years ago; thought it couldn't actually be what it seemed to be; discovered that it was, in fact, the closest thing to published Harry Potter fanfiction excluding Cursed Child (the book that must not be named), put it aside for two years saved on my tablet, and finally returned to it today. I don't regret that in the slightest.
[a:G. Norman Lippert|1127619|G. Norman Lippert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447189115p2/1127619.jpg]'s writing style is almost identical to Rowling's in some ways, and at times I forgot that I wasn't reading original Harry Potter content (moreso than I ever have when reading fanfiction before). I really appreciated the imaginings of a Hogwarts that attempted to be more united after the Battle of Hogwarts, even when this was only the case sometimes or superficially. I also appreciate the integration of some Muggle technology and more Muggleborns immersed in bridging cultures in general, as well as the exploration of the American wizarding community. It had the feel of [b:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone|3|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474154022l/3._SY75_.jpg|4640799] for a new generation or a returning audience.
There are definitely a few elements of Cursed Child that I have to wonder the origin of after reading this as well. There's just enough similarity with major characters that I would be suspicious of whether [a:G. Norman Lippert|1127619|G. Norman Lippert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447189115p2/1127619.jpg] influenced [a:John Tiffany|5042201|John Tiffany|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and Rowling put her name on for profit (considering this first James Potter book was published almost ten years before Cursed Child). Knowing what Rowling's been doing these last few years to make money, I would not be at all surprised.
At the same time, there were many elements of [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] that do completely stand on their own. After taking my magic and esotericism class this semester, I appreciate how much history and magical theory was involved in this one, not just in classes but in how class content got worked into the general story.
Unfortunately, a book that so closely emulates its source is bound to have some issues, and I do have some complaints about both the glaring differences from Rowling's books and the similarities in flaws Rowling had throughout the series and as she did continue her own content. There were some major inconsistencies that contributed to main plot points of [b:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing|2548866|James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (James Potter, #1)|G. Norman Lippert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638479995l/2548866._SY75_.jpg|2556437] regarding, for example, the movement of wizard portraits, the existence of wizard royalty, and the ways a wizard can cheat death. This last one was a big one because it contradicted Harry's own lived experience. I also wasn't a huge fan of the villainization of
Spoiler
the foreign black female character with a different brand of magic AKA the only person of colorSpoiler
Severus SnapeOverall, I really enjoyed coming back to Harry Potter in this way, and I've already downloaded the sequel and plan to read it soon as well.