Saturday 3 September 2011

Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel.

The reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!

Harry Potter Series:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: 20th Anniversary House Editions
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play Script written with John Tiffany & Jack Thorne)

Pottermore Presents:
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Short Story Collection)
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Short Story Collection)
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Short Story Collection)

Incredibuilds:
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Erumpent (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Niffler (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Swooping Evil (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Thunderbird (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Aragog (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Buckbeak (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Hedwig (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Express (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: House-Elves (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Quidditch (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Sorting Hat (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Stag Patronus (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Thestral (Deluxe Book and Model Set)

Other Harry Potter Books & Products:
Funko Pop 2019 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts - Matthew Reinhart
Harry Potter - Creatures: A Paper Scene Book
Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Kit and Sticker Book (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: Magical Film Projections: Patronus Charm (Activity Book)
Harry Potter Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book: Which House Are You? (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: The Character Vault - Jody Revenson
Harry Potter: The Marauder's Map Guide to Hogwarts - Erinn Pascal (Activity Book)
Harry Potter: Winter at Hogwarts: A Magical Colouring Set (Colouring Book, Gift Tags & a build your own 3D Firebolt in a Keepsake Box)
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World: Magical Film Projections: Creatures (Activity Book)
Metal Earth: Harry Potter Gringotts Dragon (3D Puzzle)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter: The Official Guide

Visit J.K. Rowling's website or the Pottermore website for more information

Review:
I've been a Harry Potter fan for years now, I think I first started reading the series when only the first 2 books were available way back before any of the films had been released. Yes, I was one of those fans that was queueing outside my local supermarket at midnight on release days and who came home and stayed up all night reading just so I could find out what happened next. I've read all of the books several times over the years but have been wanting to re-read the series again for some time now. The trouble is that with all of the new books I keep adding to my to read pile I find it difficult to make time to re-read old favourites. A visit to Alnwick Castle gave me the perfect excuse though - how could I resist reading the book when I was at the castle used to film Hogwarts in the earlier films?

There are already thousands of reviews out there for the series and pretty much everyone I know who likes reading has already read the series so I'm not going to write a detailed review. What I will say is that it doesn't matter how many times I read these books they still make me feel like a child again every time I pick one of them up. I love the magical world of Hogwarts with staircases that move, talking pictures and flying broomsticks. Not to mention the characters we get to see grow up throughout the series, characters who come to feel like old friends that you can look forward to spending time with. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone may not have the most complicated plot, especially when compared to the later books in the series, but it is a solid start and a great introduction to the world J.K. Rowling created. An introduction that is sure to leave you wanting to continue the journey - I can't wait to join Harry, Ron & Hermione on their next adventure.

Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

5 comments:

  1. I'm planning on re-reading the series when I get onto Pottermore. I've been selected for early entry but I'm still waiting for that e-mail! I'm really looking forward to re-reading them though and I'd really like to try and get the full set of Signature covers, I love those. ^^

    ComaCalm's IMM

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  2. i loved that you read this in bed while we were at Alnwick.

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  3. Well written! I too picked up the books when the first couple were released. The waiting for the next book to be released, the anticipation of finding out more about our beloved characters. It is an amazing series that shall not be repeated anytime soon.

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  4. I LOVE this series as well and can't get enough of it. But I'm having the same issue with finding the time to reread these and other old favorites that I love.

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  5. @ ComaCalm - are you on Pottermore yet? I don't think I've even tried to register, I could never get on there when you were able to :o( I'm looking forward to giving it a try in October though! I love the Signature covers & am really tempted to buy them. I must get around to re-reading Chamber of Secrets :o)

    @ Kirsty - How could I resist reading Harry Potter when we were staying at Hogwarts??? I only read a couple of chapters but it just had to be done lol

    @ Twimom227 - Thanks Jen, I don't think I've ever been as excited about a series as I was about the Harry Potter ones, it was like torture waiting for them to come out but so exciting to go & buy a copy at midnight & stay up all night reading :o)

    @ Samantha - It's so hard to make myself re-read a book when there are so many new ones sitting on my to read pile but I really enjoyed re-visiting this & must make myself carry on with the series! I hope you get to do a re-read soon :o)

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