Amazon.com
Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed. Luckily, Rowling has prepped loyal readers for the end of her series by doling out increasingly dark and dangerous tales of magic and mystery, shot through with lessons about honor and contempt, love and loss, and right and wrong. Fear not, you will find no spoilers in our review--to tell the plot would ruin the journey, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an odyssey the likes of which Rowling's fans have not yet seen, and are not likely to forget. But we would be remiss if we did not offer one small suggestion before you embark on your final adventure with Harry--bring plenty of tissues.
The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. Attentive readers would do well to remember Dumbledore's warning about making the choice between "what is right and what is easy," and know that Rowling applies the same difficult principle to the conclusion of her series. While fans will find the answers to hotly speculated questions about Dumbledore, Snape, and you-know-who, it is a testament to Rowling's skill as a storyteller that even the most astute and careful reader will be taken by surprise.
A spectacular finish to a phenomenal series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a bittersweet read for fans. The journey is hard, filled with events both tragic and triumphant, the battlefield littered with the bodies of the dearest and despised, but the final chapter is as brilliant and blinding as a phoenix's flame, and fans and skeptics alike will emerge from the confines of the story with full but heavy hearts, giddy and grateful for the experience. --Daphne Durham
Visit the Harry Potter Store
Our Harry Potter Store features all things Harry, including books, audio CDs and cassettes, DVDs, soundtracks, games, and more.
Begin at the Beginning
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Hardcover
Paperback |
Why We Love Harry
Favorite Moments from the Series
There are plenty of reasons to love Rowling's wildly popular series--no doubt you have several dozen of your own. Our list features favorite moments, characters, and artifacts from the first five books. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive (what we love about Harry could fill ten books!) and does not include any of the spectacular revelatory moments that would spoil the books for those (few) who have not read them. Enjoy.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
|
|
* Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him.
* When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists.
* Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and marvel, Harry's first trip includes a trip to Gringotts and Ollivanders, where Harry gets his wand (holly and phoenix feather) and discovers yet another connection to He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named. This moment is the reader's first full introduction to Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizards.
* Harry's experience with the Sorting Hat. |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
|
|
* The de-gnoming of the Weasleys' garden. Harry discovers that even wizards have chores--gnomes must be grabbed (ignoring angry protests "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"), swung about (to make them too dizzy to come back), and tossed out of the garden--this delightful scene highlights Rowling's clever and witty genius.
* Harry's first experience with a Howler, sent to Ron by his mother.
* The Dueling Club battle between Harry and Malfoy. Gilderoy Lockhart starts the Dueling Club to help students practice spells on each other, but he is not prepared for the intensity of the animosity between Harry and Draco. Since they are still young, their minibattle is innocent enough, including tickling and dancing charms. |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
|
|
* Ron's attempt to use a telephone to call Harry at the Dursleys'.
* Harry's first encounter with a Dementor on the train (and just about any other encounter with Dementors). Harry's brush with the Dementors is terrifying and prepares Potter fans for a darker, scarier book.
* Harry, Ron, and Hermione's behavior in Professor Trelawney's Divination class. Some of the best moments in Rowling's books occur when she reminds us that the wizards-in-training at Hogwarts are, after all, just children. Clearly, even at a school of witchcraft and wizardry, classes can be boring and seem pointless to children.
* The Boggart lesson in Professor Lupin's classroom.
* Harry, Ron, and Hermione's knock-down confrontation with Snape. |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
|
|
* Hermione's disgust at the reception for the veela (Bulgarian National Team Mascots) at the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling's fourth book addresses issues about growing up--the dynamic between the boys and girls at Hogwarts starts to change. Nowhere is this more plain than the hilarious scene in which magical cheerleaders nearly convince Harry and Ron to jump from the stands to impress them.
* Viktor Krum's crush on Hermione--and Ron's objection to it.
* Malfoy's "Potter Stinks" badge.
* Hermione's creation of S.P.E.W., the intolerant bigotry of the Death Eaters, and the danger of the Triwizard Tournament. Add in the changing dynamics between girls and boys at Hogwarts, and suddenly Rowling's fourth book has a weight and seriousness not as present in early books in the series. Candy and tickle spells are left behind as the students tackle darker, more serious issues and take on larger responsibilities, including the knowledge of illegal curses. |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
|
* Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming.
* Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone.
* Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager.
* Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape.
* Dumbledore's confession to Harry. |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
|
* The introduction of the Horcrux.
* Molly Weasley asking Arthur Weasley about his "dearest ambition." Rowling has always been great at revealing little intriguing bits about her characters at a time, and Arthur's answer "to find out how airplanes stay up" reminds us about his obsession with Muggles.
* Harry's private lessons with Dumbledore, and more time spent with the fascinating and dangerous pensieve, arguably one of Rowling's most ingenious inventions.
* Fred and George Weasley's Joke Shop, and the slogan: "Why Are You Worrying About You-Know-Who? You Should Be Worrying About U-NO-POO--the Constipation Sensation That's Gripping the Nation!"
* Luna's Quidditch commentary. Rowling created scores of Luna Lovegood fans with hilarious and bizarre commentary from the most unlikely Quidditch commentator.
* The effects of Felix Felicis. |
Magic, Mystery, and Mayhem: A Conversation with J.K. Rowling
"I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I'm sure that I will always be a writer. It was wonderful enough just to be published. The greatest reward is the enthusiasm of the readers." --J.K. Rowling
Find out more about Harry's creator in our exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling.
Did You Know?
 |
The Little White Horse was J.K. Rowling's favorite book as a child. |
 |
Jane Austen is Rowling's favorite author. |
 |
Roddy Doyle is Rowling's favorite living writer. |
A Few Words from Mary GrandPré
"When I illustrate a cover or a book, I draw upon what the author tells me; that's how I see my responsibility as an illustrator. J.K. Rowling is very descriptive in her writing--she gives an illustrator a lot to work with. Each story is packed full of rich visual descriptions of the atmosphere, the mood, the setting, and all the different creatures and people. She makes it easy for me. The images just develop as I sketch and retrace until it feels right and matches her vision." Check out more Harry Potter art from illustrator Mary GrandPré.
Customer Reviews:
AMAZING.......2007-10-03
oh my god!!! I am a devoted fan and i SOBBED when i read this book. it is the best... be prepared with a bozx of tissues...
im tearing up...
The Incomparable Jim Dale.......2007-10-03
Even though I ordered 3 copies of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" I was the last in my family to get ahold of the book. I wanted undisturbed reading time and that is a rare commodity. I rushed through the book since I needed to know what happened and missed many of the details in my hurry to finish. I was able to really enjoy the subtleties driving in my car and listening to Jim Dale read the book to me. My inner voice is not nearly as rich as Mr. Dale's and I was enchanted with his reading of the story. I found myself sitting longer than need be in parking lots and in my driveway waiting for a chapter to end. To term Mr. Dale versatile doesn't do justice to the variety of voices he produces. Each character came alive and I found myself even more attached or repelled by many of them after hearing the cd. Can't believe the saga is at an end.
harry potter.......2007-10-03
It is a gift for my grandson and it looks fine. I had a hard time finding it anywhere.
Harry Potter Book 7.......2007-10-03
An exciting conclusion to the Harry Potter series. I recommend this and each of the books in the series to readers of all ages.
stupid.......2007-10-03
What a horribly fitting ending to a series that has been going downhill for the past three or four books. This book was ~750 pages. The first 550 were dull and pretty much a waste of time. The last 50 were unecessary. That left about 150 pages that weren't too bad but weren't exactly a rousing, memorable, climactic battle between good and evil either.
If I were an editor, I would have sent this back for a complete rewrite.
Book Description
Follow Harry from his first days at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, through his many adventures with Hermione and Ron, to his confrontations with rival Draco Malfoy and the dreaded Professor Snape. From a dangerous descent into the Chamber of Secrets to the Triwizard Tournament to the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, each adventure is more riveting and exhilarating than its predecessor, and now all six books are available together for the first time in an elegant paperback boxed set.
Customer Reviews:
Gripping........2007-10-03
I had not read one single book of Harry Potter, though I have watched the five movies so far. I bought this set, and had to read one book after another, all the way to the seventh, which I bought separately.
The paperbacks were in perfect condition, and besides saving a lot from the individual price, I had them available right away.
As is usually the case, the movies really pale in comparison to the book. After the fifth movie, which I found too dark, I was doubting I would read the book, but it is so much better!
A great buy, in summary.
Harry Potter 1-6.......2007-10-01
I've seen the movies; felt it was time to read the books. What a great way to get 1 thru 6 inexpensively!
Harry Potter Book pack.......2007-09-29
great buy, just what my 9 & 10yr old wanted!! Books are here to read and re-read, quick delivery!
Harry Potter collection.......2007-09-29
The order was received within 5 days. It was security wrapped and packaged for shipment. there we no defects of any kind, dents, tears, scrapes, etc.
Quality and service are excellent.
A Must Have Collection.......2007-09-28
A must have collection for people of all ages in a nice & cheap package.
Amazon.com
The long-awaited, eagerly anticipated, arguably over-hyped Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has arrived, and the question on the minds of kids, adults, fans, and skeptics alike is, "Is it worth the hype?" The answer, luckily, is simple: yep. A magnificent spectacle more than worth the price of admission, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will blow you away. However, given that so much has gone into protecting the secrets of the book (including armored trucks and injunctions), don't expect any spoilers in this review. It's much more fun not knowing what's coming--and in the case of Rowling's delicious sixth book, you don't want to know. Just sit tight, despite the earth-shattering revelations that will have your head in your hands as you hope the words will rearrange themselves into a different story. But take one warning to heart: do not open Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince until you have first found a secluded spot, safe from curious eyes, where you can tuck in for a good long read. Because once you start, you won't stop until you reach the very last page.
A darker book than any in the series thus far with a level of sophistication belying its genre, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince moves the series into murkier waters and marks the arrival of Rowling onto the adult literary scene. While she has long been praised for her cleverness and wit, the strength of Book 6 lies in her subtle development of key characters, as well as her carefully nuanced depiction of a community at war. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, no one and nothing is safe, including preconceived notions of good and evil and of right and wrong. With each book in her increasingly remarkable series, fans have nervously watched J.K. Rowling raise the stakes; gone are the simple delights of butterbeer and enchanted candy, and days when the worst ailment could be cured by a bite of chocolate. A series that began as a colorful lark full of magic and discovery has become a dark and deadly war zone. But this should not come as a shock to loyal readers. Rowling readied fans with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by killing off popular characters and engaging the young students in battle. Still, there is an unexpected bleakness from the start of Book 6 that casts a mean shadow over Quidditch games, silly flirtations, and mountains of homework. Ready or not, the tremendous ending of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will leave stunned fans wondering what great and terrible events await in Book 7 if this sinister darkness is meant to light the way. --Daphne Durham
Visit the Harry Potter Store
Our Harry Potter Store features all things Harry, including books (box sets and collector's editions), audio CDs and cassettes, DVDs, soundtracks, games, and more.
Begin at the Beginning
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Hardcover
Paperback |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Hardcover
Paperback |
Why We Love Harry
Favorite Moments from the Series
There are plenty of reasons to love Rowling's wildly popular series--no doubt you have several dozen of your own. Our list features favorite moments, characters, and artifacts from the first five books. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive (what we love about Harry could fill ten books!) and does not include any of the spectacular revelatory moments that would spoil the books for those (few) who have not read them. Enjoy.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
|
|
* Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him.
* When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists.
* Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and marvel, Harry's first trip includes a trip to Gringotts and Ollivanders, where Harry gets his wand (holly and phoenix feather) and discovers yet another connection to He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named. This moment is the reader's first full introduction to Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizards.
* Harry's experience with the Sorting Hat. |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
|
|
* The de-gnoming of the Weasleys' garden. Harry discovers that even wizards have chores--gnomes must be grabbed (ignoring angry protests "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"), swung about (to make them too dizzy to come back), and tossed out of the garden--this delightful scene highlights Rowling's clever and witty genius.
* Harry's first experience with a Howler, sent to Ron by his mother.
* The Dueling Club battle between Harry and Malfoy. Gilderoy Lockhart starts the Dueling Club to help students practice spells on each other, but he is not prepared for the intensity of the animosity between Harry and Draco. Since they are still young, their minibattle is innocent enough, including tickling and dancing charms. |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
|
|
* Ron's attempt to use a telephone to call Harry at the Dursleys'.
* Harry's first encounter with a Dementor on the train (and just about any other encounter with Dementors). Harry's brush with the Dementors is terrifying and prepares Potter fans for a darker, scarier book.
* Harry, Ron, and Hermione's behavior in Professor Trelawney's Divination class. Some of the best moments in Rowling's books occur when she reminds us that the wizards-in-training at Hogwarts are, after all, just children. Clearly, even at a school of witchcraft and wizardry, classes can be boring and seem pointless to children.
* The Boggart lesson in Professor Lupin's classroom.
* Harry, Ron, and Hermione's knock-down confrontation with Snape. |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
|
|
* Hermione's disgust at the reception for the veela (Bulgarian National Team Mascots) at the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling's fourth book addresses issues about growing up--the dynamic between the boys and girls at Hogwarts starts to change. Nowhere is this more plain than the hilarious scene in which magical cheerleaders nearly convince Harry and Ron to jump from the stands to impress them.
* Viktor Krum's crush on Hermione--and Ron's objection to it.
* Malfoy's "Potter Stinks" badge.
* Hermione's creation of S.P.E.W., the intolerant bigotry of the Death Eaters, and the danger of the Triwizard Tournament. Add in the changing dynamics between girls and boys at Hogwarts, and suddenly Rowling's fourth book has a weight and seriousness not as present in early books in the series. Candy and tickle spells are left behind as the students tackle darker, more serious issues and take on larger responsibilities, including the knowledge of illegal curses. |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
|
* Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming.
* Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone.
* Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager.
* Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape.
* Dumbledore's confession to Harry. |
Magic, Mystery, and Mayhem: A Conversation with J.K. Rowling
"I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I'm sure that I will always be a writer. It was wonderful enough just to be published. The greatest reward is the enthusiasm of the readers." --J.K. Rowling
Find out more about Harry's creator in our exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling.
Did You Know?
|
|
The Little White Horse was J.K. Rowling's favorite book as a child. |
|
Jane Austen is Rowling's favorite author. |
|
Roddy Doyle is Rowling's favorite living writer. |
A Few Words from Mary GrandPré
"When I illustrate a cover or a book, I draw upon what the author tells me; that's how I see my responsibility as an illustrator. J.K. Rowling is very descriptive in her writing--she gives an illustrator a lot to work with. Each story is packed full of rich visual descriptions of the atmosphere, the mood, the setting, and all the different creatures and people. She makes it easy for me. The images just develop as I sketch and retrace until it feels right and matches her vision." Check out more Harry Potter art from illustrator Mary GrandPré.
Book Description
We could tell you, but then we'd have to Obliviate your memory.
Customer Reviews:
Starts out with a Bang and Becomes a Real Page-turner.......2007-10-01
I've got to admit, as the Potter series continues, it only gets better. The Half-blood Prince grabs your attention from the start and unfolds into the darkest of the series. This book contains many twists and turns, most of which leave the reader wanting to find out more. What makes this book different from the others is that there are quite a few surprises as characters reveal personalities that may not have been fully unveiled previously and this, in turn, leads to a highly fascinating read. I'm afraid that I have to admit, I was about to put the book down before calling it a night, with about 100 pages to go and simply couldn't - the story became so enthralling that I just had to go on to finish it! I don't think that there is any question (at least in my mind), that Half-blood Prince, is the best of the series so far. As with all good series, this one left with a real cliff-hanger - I'm only glad that I waited until the Rowling finished the series - that way, I don't have to wait for the next one to come out: I've already started the final book. Got to get back to my reading!
Harry Potter book 6.......2007-09-26
Great book!!!
Highly recommended book, however it is not for kids. It is for young adults and up.
A great book!.......2007-09-25
This book will be something to be read for generations. I put this series somewhere between Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings for greatest series of books of all time. This particular book is mostly an introduction to the final book in the series, "The Deathly Hallows". It is a self contained plot but leaves much to the next book to finish. I highly recommend the entire series.
The darkest and most intriguing Potter book I've read yet .......2007-09-25
As I've only just begun book seven, I'll count Half-Blood Prince as my favorite in this series thus far. I figured that I would wait until I've finished the entire series and do a review on the series as a whole, but Rowling truly outdid herself with this volume, so I thought I'd put in my two cents.
When book 7 came out a couple months back, I decided I needed to catch up, having only read up to book 3 (and I didn't want to take the easy route and just go by the movies, which are good, but not to be replacements for Rowling's fine prose.) I gobbled up book 4, which was amazing. Order of the Phoenix, while a good book, took me a bit longer to trudge through, and not just because of its sheer immensity. It seemed to be on a bit of an off-note in comparison to the other Potter books. Dolores Umbridge was a horrendously annoying character, and while she may have been essential to the story, she seemed to be in every other scene and her constant nagging of every single character really started to get on my nerves. Book 5 had plenty of action and detail into the wizarding world, but the "fun" -at least in some ways- seemed to be sucked out of it.
"Prince" gives the series the shock to the heart that it needed, bringing the fun back while managing to still get progressively darker. I found to my delight that this book has some seriously twisted stuff. There were times reading "Prince" that I began to wonder at how young kids must react to some of the goings-on here. I won't give much away, but we have elements such as Harry trying out a spell that turns out to be borderline mutilation, animated corpses that George Romero would envy, and as most have surely had spoiled for them, the death of a very major character. The latter, while I indeed had spoiled for me beforehand, still came as quite a shock and the child in me found myself in denial that it even happened. Her unpredictability in killing off essential characters makes her writing suspenseful in a way that I haven't found in fantasy since George R.R. Martin (sorry kids, he's an author for adults only. At least wait until high school for him.)
We also have a subject new to this book: Horcruxes. Bravo, Rowling; this is brilliant. Not only do Horcruxes explain a good deal about past books and prove yet again that she has her material planned well in advance, but it is a genius plot device. Harry and Dumbledore's investigations into this subject provide a very entertaining plot thread.
So, for anyone like me whose faith in the Potter series might have waned a little with book 5, Half-Blood Prince is well worth the wait. It brings back the mystery and wonder of the series that we found all the way back to the first book. While I haven't finished the series yet, I do believe that Rowling has earned herself a place next to CS Lewis and even J.R.R. Tolkien in creating a series that will be timeless for generations, that both children can love and perhaps adults can love even more.
my review.......2007-09-24
The 6th harry potter book in my opinion is one of the best. I have read it three times. It starts the beginning of the end and is a very good transitional book. Rowling is masterful in the way she transitions from one thing to another and writes another masterpiece with harry potter and the half-blood prince
Book Description
Harry's first six years of magic, mystery, and adventure at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are now available in a handsome hardcover boxed set.
Includes books one through six: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; and the most recent addition to the bestselling series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Customer Reviews:
Simply Great.......2007-09-27
Simply Great worth the time to read. I know everyone says this about every book but they are soooo much better than the movies.
Outstanding delivery time.......2007-09-21
Just wanted to say how pleased I was with the quick delivery of the Harry Potter Book Set. It arrived quicker that I expected it to and was exactly what I was looking for.
Harry Potter Hardcover Box Set Books 1-6.......2007-09-16
I bought this set for my 23 year old for her birthday. Two of our other children enticed her into reading Harry Potter. She really wanted the set and so the entire family pitched in to get it for her. She loved it. She was so excited. I have read the Harry Potter series myself except for number seven, which I am going to do soon. The entire series deserves a five star rating. Ordering from Amazon was easy, fast and efficient. The books were shipped promptly and were everything Amazon said they would be. I love ordering from Amazon and will continue to do so in the future.
Awsome Books!!.......2007-09-15
These Harry Potter books are very awsome to read young and adults alike!! I purchased these as set and glad it did. Will be treasure forever!! Recommend to Read!!
Harry Potter books.......2007-09-11
Very good books I am pleased with the quality and I received the books in very good time.
Average customer rating:
- The Order of the Phoenix rises...
- Entertaining and kept my interest
- Adolescents at Hogwarts
- I am still going to give it five stars..
- Gets better as you go along...
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
J.K. Rowling
Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
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Similar Items:
-
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
-
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
-
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
-
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
-
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
ASIN: 0807220299
Release Date: 2003-06-21 |
Amazon.com
As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it?
The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?
Here are just a few things on Harry's mind:
• A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey.
• A venomous, disgruntled house-elf
• Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team
• The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams
. . . and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.
Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew, boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.
Though thick runs the plot, listeners will race through these tapes and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.
Customer Reviews:
The Order of the Phoenix rises..........2007-09-23
After reading the fourth book in the series I thought it could just not get any better... boy was I wrong! Harry staves off an attack by Dementors, saves his cousin's life, and has to face a trial at the Ministry of Magic, all before the school year even begins.
With Voldemort back, Dumbledore has recalled the Order of the Phoenix, a group of Wizards and Witches that fought against You-Know-Who the last time. Harry is hidden away for a short period of time at the secret head quarters of the Order, while awaiting his trail at the Ministry of Magic for 'Under Age Use of Magic away from School'. It soon becomes evident that the Minister of Magic is not only determined to not believe that Voldemort has returned, but has even started a compaign to discredit both Harry and Dumbledore to try and prevent people from believing them.
During the School year Harry and the other fifth years have increasingly large piles of school work to complete, and to perpare for their OWLs, which come at the end of their fifth year. Meanwhile the students, and teachers, have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to deal with, who has been appointed by the Ministry of Magic! Things at Hogwarts go from bad to worse, as this new teacher is given a wide range of powers over the other teachers via a stream of Ministry 'Educational Decrees'. Meanwhile Harry is plagued by troubling dreams, of traveling down a darkened hallway to a mysterious door, which leaves his scar burning more and more intensely. Perhaps even more puzzling, and disturbing, to Harry is the fact that Dumbledore seems to be going to lengths to ignore him.
Anyone who has enjoyed the past books in this series will love 'The Order of the Phoenix. This book takes the mystical fantasy elements of the earlier books, and ties them into an increasingly darkening plot line, pitting Harry and his friends against even worse dangers around every corner.
RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'.
Entertaining and kept my interest.......2007-09-21
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was far darker than the previous book but kept my interest throughout. Many of the characters are either becoming more sinister or are displaying a great tenacity to fight evil. Overall, I enjoyed this book far more than the previous one although the Potter series, as a whole, still doesn't strike me a "great literature" but rather an entertaining experience. I will say that as the plot progressed, I've become more eager to find out what's going to happen next; therefore, I'm going to start book six tonight.
Adolescents at Hogwarts.......2007-09-17
In this fifth book of the Harry Potter series we join Harry at the first part of the summer after his fourth year at Hogwarts. Harry finds himself back with the Dursleys, isolated in the Muggles' world once again. But all this changes as Dementors attack him. We then move into the school year where things do not look up for Harry. It seems that the Ministry of Magic has made sure that no one would believe of Harry's encounter with Voldemort of nothing more than his imagination.
During the school year it seems our hero does not deal well with his adolescent years. He is clueless about everything; what is happening to him, his friends, relationships, and common sense nor is he able to take advice. It is his almost constant whining, inability to control his anger and ineptitude in daily teenage life that has me drop my rating to three. Even with this the plot is moved along as we are introduced to the Order of the Phoenix, Hogwarts curriculum trying to cause change by the Ministry of Magic, and Harry scar gives more warnings.
I am still going to give it five stars.........2007-09-13
I too thought the book was very drawn out, however, I understand why this needed to happen. The Order of the Phoenix takes place after the fourth (Duh) in which the readers come to find that the lovely Voldermort has come back and stronger than ever. Plagued with constant ridicule from the daily prophet and the minister of magic Harry must remain calm and continue to do as he does and fight the snickers and the sneers from the people at Hogwarts. I really liked the beginning of this book because it started off with some pretty good suspense. There is an introduction of two new characters and I thought very much that they added quite nicely to the dynamic of the story. I positivley promise that you are going to loathe one of the new people so much, it will make your head spin. The kids at Hogwarts begin to take matters in their own hands when forces are way out of their control and the book moves nicely into some history of Harry's family and professor snape. The end is a great ending and a brilliant set up for the sixth ( I have already started it, soo good). If you have seen the movie and are wondering if this book may be for you, just pick it up and enjoy it.
Gets better as you go along..........2007-09-09
At first I didn't like this book as much as the others...however as I stuck with the progression of this book I really started to enjoy the character development and the plot of the story (through all books). It is a definite turn down a darker path, both with the story but also as the characters realize Lord Voldemort is really back to his full power. It really upset me the way Dumbledore was acting towards Harry, but at the end it is all explained. I had to wait for the last book to be released to start reading this series, and I'm glad I did, I couldn't have waited for new books to be released...this series is one of the greatest ever written, in my opinion, and well worth the sleepless nights it has had me staying up reading.
Average customer rating:
- Makes a long drive fun!
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - CD w/ Jim Dale
- finally the end
- Where's the substance?
- Harry Potter Numero Uno
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
J.K. Rowling
Manufacturer: Listening Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
-
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
-
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
ASIN: 0807281956
Release Date: 1999-12-01 |
Amazon.com
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.
A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson
Amazon.com Audiobook Review
The amazing popularity of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone means that now even Muggles know about the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whether or not you've read about Harry, this unabridged audiobook brings his world to life. Reader Jim Dale brings an excellent range of voices to the characters, from well-meaning Hermione's soft, earnest voice to Malfoy's nasal droning; from Professor McGonagall's crisp brogue to Hagrid's broad Somerset accent; and from snarling Mr. Filch to p-p-poor, st-tuttering P-Professor Quirrel. Some of the characterizations are peculiar--why do the centaurs have Welsh accents?--but that's a small price to pay to hear one of the myriad ways to sing the Hogwarts School song. Harry Potter fans of all ages--Muggle or not--will enjoy curling up with a few chocolate frogs, a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans ("Alas! Ear wax!"), and this marvelous, magical audiobook. (Running time: 8 hours, 6 cassettes) --Sunny Delaney
Book Description
Read by Jim Dale
8 hours 17 minutes, 7 CDs
Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable muggle aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's a wizard, just as his parents were.
But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.
From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.
Customer Reviews:
Makes a long drive fun!.......2007-10-02
I was going to call in sick the next day just because I felt I needed the day off, but then I received my Sorcer's Stone CDs in the mail. I decided going to work wouldn't be so bad if I could listen to someone read Harry Potter to me while I drove my 1 hour commute.
WOW! I was so caught up in the story that I didn't realize I was traveling well below the speed limit. Warning, listening to these CDs could make you late for work or cause you to get off at the wrong exit.
Jim Dale does a fabulous job of changing his voice to sound like the characters he's imitating. I was able to really get lost in the story. The hardest part was turning the car off because I wanted to hear what happened next.
A brilliant work of art, Harry Potter. Really brilliant.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - CD w/ Jim Dale.......2007-10-01
Jim Dale does an excellent job dramatizing the first book in the Harry Potter series.
finally the end.......2007-09-30
i finally got to read a book without being told the ending before i finished
Where's the substance?.......2007-09-28
There is nothing good about Harry Potter. The story is lacking in creativity in every way, there is no suspense, it is not controversial, and everything always works out.
The characters are obviously derived from racism. I do not have a problem with this. After all we are all racists, and anyone that says racism is wrong, is the one that's wrong. That said, J. K. Rowling does not use this in any way. She could have used it to create some controversy, create conflict among the characters, explain why some people are friends and some aren't or easiest of all, humor. But she doesn't, why not? The only racism she uses is Hermione being a half breed. It would have been so much better if, instead of one parent being non-magical, that parent were French.
To keep this review short, I head straight to the end with the "obstacles" which are not obstacles at all. The three headed dog (cause three heads are just so cool and scary) gets put to sleep by a flute. Oh my God she did not use a flute to do that, how many times have I seen this? Why is it always a flute when it comes to putting things to sleep, or waking things that always sleep. Where did she get this from... poke'mon? Then there's the part with the door that needs a key. Wow, a locked door, I've never thought of that before. And the key is right there in the room, they just have to pick the right one, and nothing goes wrong if they pick the wrong one. Why didn't she just put the key in the door so as not to waste paper, and turn the key too for that matter. Next comes the Chess Board. It would have been so much better for them to lose the game and then walk across the board any way just to show all the readers that love the book just how foolish they are. And all the rest of the obstacles are just as bad, but I must stop writing because thinking about this book gives me a migraine.
Harry Potter Numero Uno.......2007-09-27
A good book and a flight of fantasy. Rowling surely has an imagination! Enjoyable overall.
Average customer rating:
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Going Strong
- A Catholic homeschool father's perspective
- Very long......
- The plot thickens....and darkens...
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
J.K. Rowling
Manufacturer: Listening Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
Humorous
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Similar Items:
-
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
-
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
-
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
ASIN: 0807282596
Release Date: 2000-07-08 |
Amazon.com
In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling offers up equal parts danger and delight--and any number of dragons, house-elves, and death-defying challenges. Now 14, her orphan hero has only two more weeks with his Muggle relatives before returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Yet one night a vision harrowing enough to make his lightning-bolt-shaped scar burn has Harry on edge and contacting his godfather-in-hiding, Sirius Black. Happily, the prospect of attending the season's premier sporting event, the Quidditch World Cup, is enough to make Harry momentarily forget that Lord Voldemort and his sinister familiars--the Death Eaters--are out for murder.
Readers, we will cast a giant invisibility cloak over any more plot and reveal only that You-Know-Who is very much after Harry and that this year there will be no Quidditch matches between Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Instead, Hogwarts will vie with two other magicians' schools, the stylish Beauxbatons and the icy Durmstrang, in a Triwizard Tournament. Those chosen to compete will undergo three supreme tests. Could Harry be one of the lucky contenders?
But Quidditch buffs need not go into mourning: we get our share of this great game at the World Cup. Attempting to go incognito as Muggles, 100,000 witches and wizards converge on a "nice deserted moor." As ever, Rowling magicks up the details that make her world so vivid, and so comic. Several spectators' tents, for instance, are entirely unquotidian. One is a minipalace, complete with live peacocks; another has three floors and multiple turrets. And the sports paraphernalia on offer includes rosettes "squealing the names of the players" as well as "tiny models of Firebolts that really flew, and collectible figures of famous players, which strolled across the palm of your hand, preening themselves." Needless to say, the two teams are decidedly different, down to their mascots. Bulgaria is supported by the beautiful veela, who instantly enchant everyone--including Ireland's supporters--over to their side. Until, that is, thousands of tiny cheerleaders engage in some pyrotechnics of their own: "The leprechauns had risen into the air again, and this time, they formed a giant hand, which was making a very rude sign indeed at the veela across the field."
Long before her fourth installment appeared, Rowling warned that it would be darker, and it's true that every exhilaration is equaled by a moment that has us fearing for Harry's life, the book's emotions running as deep as its dangers. Along the way, though, she conjures up such new characters as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, a Dark Wizard catcher who may or may not be getting paranoid in his old age, and Rita Skeeter, who beetles around Hogwarts in search of stories. (This Daily Prophet scoop artist has a Quick-Quotes Quill that turns even the most innocent assertion into tabloid innuendo.) And at her bedazzling close, Rowling leaves several plot strands open, awaiting book 5. This fan is ready to wager that the author herself is part veela--her pen her wand, her commitment to her world complete. (Ages 9 and older) --Kerry Fried
Book Description
Read by Jim Dale
Running time: 20 hrs., 30 mins. 17 CDs.
Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year of magical adventures in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This year Harry turns 14 and becomes interested in girls -- one in particular. And with Dark Magic comes danger, as someone close to Harry dies. You'll have to listen to learn more! The audio is available on July 8th.
Customer Reviews:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.......2007-09-30
What can one say? Rowlings continues with her wonderful story, keeping her characters constantly endearing. The adventures continue and no matter what your age you will be caught up in the excitement and magic as Harry learns more about his background, his strengths and his weaknesses.
If you have not read Harry Potter at all, then you must start with the first book and read all seven of them, you will be transported out of this world and into one that will bind you as magically as it has bound me
Going Strong.......2007-09-24
The fourth Harry Potter is significantly darker than the first three. harrys is growing up, and is about to face some difficult challenges. Unlike the first three books, the fourth Harry starts not with Harry's departure to Hogwarts, but with a Quidditch tournament, during which some dark misteries are unveiled, misteries which are signs of the things to come.
The Quidditch tournament, another year at Hogwarts and a Triwizard tournament are the highlights. Harry comes face to face with his arch-enemy Voldemort, which is bound to split the wizarding world.
Though beautifully and expertly written, the fourth Harry Potter is just a tad too long, with descriptions that are more detailed and lengthy (sometimes unnecessarily so) than usual. Still, the fourth Harry is just as gripping as the first three, and keeps the reader wanting for more. And fortunately there is more. Order of Phoenix, here I come!
A Catholic homeschool father's perspective.......2007-09-17
It took four books, but Voldemort, the most powerful of the dark wizards, is back. And his minions, the Death Eaters, couldn't be happier. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tells the tale of how it happened--in about 750 pages. As with the previous novels in the series, the prose is generally crisp, the dialog is occasionally goofy, and the characters are wonderfully well drawn. Though quite a long book, the plot is tight, amusing and keeps you guessing. My only major criticism of the book as literary work regards the ending. As heroes go, Harry's main virtue in these final confrontations always seems to be dumb luck. Voldemort is a bit of a bungling super-villain for whom there's always an element of, "Oops, forgot about that." And not once but twice there were "Tuco" moments where the villain insists on lecturing the hero before doing away with him. "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." While I suppose these types of scenes aren't quite as trite for young readers who haven't seen them done over and over in dozens of books, TV shows, and movies, for me they were something of a let-down.
On the plus side, this was the first book in the series so far that made me laugh out loud a few times. Something about Hermione's idealistic but naive obsession with her Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare struck me as highly amusing. I suppose it was Ron's insistence on calling the organization "spew" that did it.
This was also the darkest book in the series so far. In it we are finally given a more concrete idea of what constitutes "dark" magic. Dark wizards apparently use the three "unforgivable curses"--the imperius curse, which causes the victim to do the spell-caster's bidding, the cruciatus curse which causes the victim horrible pain, and Avada Kedavra, the killing curse. Now this last one looked so much like the "abracadabra", the all purpose Vaudeville magician word, that I went out and looked it up. It seems that J. K. Rowling herself said that it is an Aramaic spell meaning "let the thing be destroyed." Now why she chose to use Aramaic--the language of Christ--for this worst of all spells, and not Latin like she did for all the rest is beyond me.
Of course, it should be mentioned that Rowling's distinction between good magic and "dark magic" has never been accepted by the Catholic Church as Fr. Amorth, the famous exorcist, has repeatedly pointed out. That said, to this point in the series, all of the "good magic" has been of the comic-book variety--turning people into ferrets or making someone's nose grow tentacles. The "dark magic" is used exclusively by characters who are unmistakably evil.
One interesting little tid-bit in Goblet of Fire that may be thrown into the Christian-vs.-occult-influence debate happens at the Yule Ball. Up to this point, Christmas and Easter at Hogwarts have been mentioned at least in passing in every book. However, while the British are ever so much less stupid about actually calling the holidays by their proper names (unlike some in the U.S. who insist on calling them "Winter/Spring Break" or attempt to replace them with made-up PC holidays from the 1960s), Christmas and Easter have nonetheless lost almost all religious meaning to most Britons. And thus it has been at Hogwarts--Christmas in the first three books has been all about feasting, decorating, and getting presents. But for a split second in Goblet of Fire, Rowling has suits of armor singing, "O Come All Ye Faithful" (page 395). Given all the secular "holiday" tunes she could have inserted there, that she chose an unmistakably Christian one could be telling. Admittedly, it could also be complete coincidence.
Finally, the aspect of Goblet of Fire that I most appreciated was the introduction of the slimy, ethics-free journalist, Rita Skeeter. This character was such an on-target parody of a gossip reporter that you just know that J. K. Rowling was taking some shots at the media. That Ms. Skeeter worked hand-in-glove with the "Ministry of Magic"--a government agency populated with petty bureaucrats and place-seeking brown-noses--made the parody that much more on-the-nose.
Over all, as a work of fantasy fiction that has been marketed with young readers in mind, I found Goblet of Fire to be quite a foreboding read. The scene at the end where Wormtail mixes a potion in a graveyard for which the vital ingredients are a bone from Voldemort's father, some of Harry's blood, and Wormtail's own hand--which he, himself, promptly slices off--was border-line demonic. And for a book with so much discussion of death, I found it more than a little disconcerting that it lacked any notion of Judeo-Christian eschatology. So again, I will refrain from endorsing this book or the series as a whole as in any way suitable for younger Catholic readers until I see where all this is going.
Very long.............2007-09-15
Finally finished fourth book. Started reading these books last week. My son kept telling me how good they were. He's got 3 kids of his own but will stand in line half the night to get a first edition.
I liked the first and third books, but not the 2nd as much. I have the four movies, so after I finished each book, I watched the movie. Unfortunately i didn't think the 3rd movie was as good as the book. I missed the Quiddich matches, as they are my favorite scenes.
But book four was a bit too much. So many characters, constantly changing who they were and what they were. And 700+ pages is quite a lot. It's a heavy book and and I have it in paper back. Hard to hold. Towards the end, I was really confused as to who was who, who was good, who was bad, etc. I'm glad I had the film. It helped even though some of the characters were missing. Unfortunately the fourth film didn't show the opening Quiddich match either.
Still, I guess I'll plod on to book 5. It's even heavier than 4. My only last remark is I don't see how young kids can possibly get through these books. The language is really for much older children than 10, probably young adults, and I had to print out a dictionary from the Internet to keep track of all the Hogwart names. Seventy some pages of names! That's quite a lot.
The plot thickens....and darkens..........2007-09-11
Gobblet of Fire, the fourth book in the Harry Potter series, is another charmer. Old characters come back, and many new ones enter, as the general feel of the series begins to grow darker. Harry dreams of Voldemort, killing a muggle, and speaking with Wormtail and another man who he dosn't know, about Harry. Then we are whisked off to the Quiditch World Cup, where the celebration after the match turns to sinister and dangerous. The Death Eaters, the old followers of Voldemort, come out of the shadows and begin to wreak havock that night after the event, and someone conjurs up the Dark Mark, Voldimort's mark, apparently with Harry's wand!
Once the school year begins excitement begins to build within Hogwarts, as this year the school will be the sight for legendary Tri Wizard Tournement, which has not been held in many long years. Who will be selected as the champion for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? What is the mission that Voldemort gave to this mysterious stranger in Harry's dream? And what about the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, 'Mad-Eye' Moody? This is another MUST READ by Rowling.
RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'
Average customer rating:
- Harry Potter and the Excellent Set Up for the Future
- Happy
- Another winner!
- Poltergeists, Headless Hunts and Grumbling Gnomes
- 'The Chamber of Secrets is open, enemies of the heir, beware!"
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
J.K. Rowling
Manufacturer: Arthur A. Levine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Humorous
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Similar Items:
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
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ASIN: 0439064864 |
Amazon.com
It's hard to fall in love with an earnest, appealing young hero like Harry Potter and then to watch helplessly as he steps into terrible danger! And in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the much anticipated sequel to the award-winning Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, he is in terrible danger indeed. As if it's not bad enough that after a long summer with the horrid Dursleys he is thwarted in his attempts to hop the train to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his second year. But when his only transportation option is a magical flying car, it is just his luck to crash into a valuable (but clearly vexed) Whomping Willow. Still, all this seems like a day in the park compared to what happens that fall within the haunted halls of Hogwarts.
Chilling, malevolent voices whisper from the walls only to Harry, and it seems certain that his classmate Draco Malfoy is out to get him. Soon it's not just Harry who is worried about survival, as dreadful things begin to happen at Hogwarts. The mysteriously gleaming, foot-high words on the wall proclaim, "The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware." But what exactly does it mean? Harry, Hermione, and Ron do everything that is wizardly possible--including risking their own lives--to solve this 50-year-old, seemingly deadly mystery. This deliciously suspenseful novel is every bit as gripping, imaginative, and creepy as the first; familiar student concerns--fierce rivalry, blush-inducing crushes, pedantic professors--seamlessly intertwine with the bizarre, horrific, fantastical, or just plain funny. Once again, Rowling writes with a combination of wit, whimsy, and a touch of the macabre that will leave readers young and old desperate for the next installment. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson
Amazon.com Audiobook Review
What makes the Harry Potter series so successful? Maybe it's the fact that J.K. Rowling doesn't write children's books, she writes children's stories, more in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm than Dr. Seuss. The exploits of Harry and his friends captivate even the shortest attention spans by engaging the imagination with vivid characters and fast-moving action, instead of trying to merely catch the eye with colorful pictures or pop-up effects. Not surprisingly, the Potter tales sound wonderful read aloud, and adapt to the audiobook format extremely well. Broadway actor Jim Dale's impressive vocal range gives each character in the book its own distinctive voice--a considerable task, given the pantheon of witches, warlocks, ghosts, ghouls, dwarves, and elves that Harry encounters in his second outing. And thankfully, since the book is read unabridged, no one's favorite character is omitted. Engaging for children without being childish, the audio version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is worthy addition to the deservedly popular series. (Running time: 9 hours, 6 cassettes) --Andrew Nieland
Book Description
In one of the most hotly anticipated sequels in memory, J.K. Rowling takes up where she left with Harry's second year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Old friends and new torments abound, including a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girl's bathroom, an outrageously conceited professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, and a mysterious force that turns Hogwarts students to stone.
Customer Reviews:
Harry Potter and the Excellent Set Up for the Future.......2007-10-02
I'm gonna be honest.
I didn't like this book as much when I first read it.
However, after finishing the seventh book, I have found a new respect for this chapter in the Harry Potter series. The Horcruxes become such a large part of the series that, having completed the journey, it is hard to not like this book as much as the others.
This is the chapter in the Harry Potter book series that really sets up everything from Ginny to Horcruxes, and it is truly a great chapter in the series. If you don't dig it as much initially, finish the series. You'll know what I mean.
Happy.......2007-09-26
I was very happy with the product and received it according to what I was told. This was the first time I ordered a book from Amazon, and it was easy and quick.
Another winner!.......2007-09-26
The next installment in the series is as wonderful as the first. Keep em' coming! More adventures and magical fun. Great read! I can't wait for Harry and his friend's 3rd year!
Poltergeists, Headless Hunts and Grumbling Gnomes.......2007-09-26
It is obvious from the very beginning why children are so enthralled with the Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling has the most vivid and wonderful imagination and has created a world of pure fantasy that any child who ever dreamed of putting a spell on the school bully would love to visit. In this second entry of the series all of the fantasy of the first book returns along with a house elf, a flying car, a whomping willow tree, a deathday party for a ghost and a diary that writes back. Even more impressive than this author's imagination though is her writing ability. Despite the fact that this is purely fiction it is written in such a brilliant manner so as to make it seem like the author was really there and has come back to our dull world to take us all back with her to this enchanted place called Hogwarts.
What is not so obvious at first however is why so many adults have become such die hard Harry Potter fans. As I read this book though an idea came to me and now I think I understand a least part of the attraction so many adults feel for these books. With her wonderful writing style the author brings this story to life in such a vivid way that it takes many adults back to their school days. We are able to identify with Harry, Ron and Hermione as they attend classes and do homework. We can relate to the fun and comradeship that these children have with their classmates and it brings back fond memories of our own childhood. Most all of us had one or two very best friends and we understand the bond between Harry, Ron and Hermione. Most all of us had teachers like Snape who were ill tempered and went out of their way to catch us at something. Most all of us did at least a few things that we didn't want to get caught doing and finally most all of us had our little crushes like the one Ron's little sister has on Harry. For adults this book is not only a fantastic voyage into a world of fantasy but it is also a trip back in time.
There isn't much that can be said about the plot of this book without giving too much away but the basic premise of the story revolves around an old Hogwarts legend. Supposedly one of the four founders of Hogwarts only wanted the school to be open to pure bloods and when he lost that fight he left the school but he left behind a hidden chamber that could someday be opened by his heir unleashing a terrible curse on the students not of pure magic bloodlines. Well the old legend seems to be coming true and once again Harry and his brave comrades are caught right in the middle of the situation and Harry is even accused of being the one who opened the chamber.
This book contains several cleaver scenes that were left out of the movie including the fantastic sight of the Weasley's garden gnomes. If you have seen the movie don't think that you have the whole story. You should really read this book and believe me, it is such a wonderful book that you will finish it in no time.
'The Chamber of Secrets is open, enemies of the heir, beware!".......2007-09-11
The second installment in the Harry Potter serires by JK Rowling is just as enthralling, enchanting, and mesmerizing as the first. Before his second year at Hogwarts can begin, Harry has to find a way to escape from the Dursleys. Yet luckily he has friends, friends who happen to have a flying car! His next challenge ends up being just to get on the train to Hgwarts, when the passage to platform 9 and 3 quarters suddenly seals, trapping him and his friend Ron Weasley on the outside. Again they are saved by the flying car, yet Harry and Ron learn that any landing you can walk away from is a good one, as they end up in the clutches of a disgruntled, but valuable, Whomping Willow, which seems intent on bashing them to pieces! Soon, though, their troubles realy begin...
Harry's second year at Hogwarts becomes very eventful, and very entertaining for the reading, as well as a bit scary. JK Rowling does a wonderful job of increasing the danger and the suspense in her second novel, keeping the reader's attention throughout. We are introduced to new entertaining new characters, such as Dobby, a sad house elf that seems to be trying to keep Harry away from Hogwarts, and yet says he is helping Harry. Also we meet Moaning Mertyl, a weeping ghost that lives in one of the girls bathrooms.
Chamber of Secrets is highly entertaining, and would be greatly enjoyed by readers of almost any age, 9 through adult. It's one of those books that you want don't put down till the very end, and then you pick it up again almost immediately for a second read.
RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Dangerous Book for Boys
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