Like the rest of you, I am very much looking forward to seeing the movie. That's pretty much all that needs to be said about that. So now I am going to share a few thoughts on each of the books.
1. The Sorcerer's Stone
You just have to love this introduction to the world of magic. Quidditch, spells, potions, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore. I think my favorite part is when Harry and Ron take out the troll in the bathroom-- good times, good times. However, as much as I love this book, the ending bothers me. What was the point of entering the forbidden corridor when Voldemort never would have gotten the sorcerer's stone anyway? I mean, ultimately, all Harry did was make it easier for Voldemort/Quirrell to get the stone. Not really helpful, in my opinion. It just doesn't seem quite right that Harry and his friends got house points for that little adventure, as fun a story as it is. But, moving on!
2. The Chamber of Secrets
I WANT A FLYING CAR. 'Nuff said. Also, this is where we first meet one of my all-time favorite characters, Dobby the house-elf. I love Dobby.
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
Book three is one of my favorites from the series, if not my number one favorite. I adore professor Lupin. I always wished he could be my teacher. I totally wouldn't mind overlooking the fact that he's a werewolf.
4. The Goblet of Fire
This was the last one to have come out when I started reading the series, and another one of my favorites. The ending creeped me out big time as a kid, though. I kept seeing the ugly little baby Voldemort creature staring at me from my closet at night.... *shudder*
My favorite part is most definitely the second task, when Harry is swimming around in the lake. Every once in a while I'll pull the book off the shelf just to read that scene again. Imagine what eating gillyweed would feel like! Pretty crazy awesome.
After this one, of course, the stories started getting darker. Starting with...
5. The Order of the Phoenix
Gonna be honest here-- this is my least favorite of the series. It just went on too long. And Harry was just a little too "angst...angst...angst" all the time. A little annoying. But on the positive side, Luna Lovegood and thestrals are wonderful things. And the whole prophecy thing was really cool.
6. The Half-blood Prince
This one's right up there with book 3 as one of my favorites. I love Harry and Dumbledore's little excursions into the past. This is also when you start to see the humanity of certain antagonists, like Malfoy and Snape, start to show.
Give me a show of hands here: who didn't yell "NOOOO" or at least gasp out loud when Snape said "Avada Kedavra" at the end? That's what I thought. Freaking TRAGIC, I tell you.
7. The Deathly Hallows
All in all, a great end to the series. The theme of sacrificial love was especially powerful throughout the book. It did get a little tedious at times, but overall a beautiful way to end the story. I found Harry's little near-death-experience particularly intriguing. Oh, and I know a lot of people thought the epilogue was cheesy, but I rather liked it.
My final word: Dobby. Is. My. Hero.
The end.
"I kept seeing the ugly little baby Voldemort creature staring at me from my closet at night.... *shudder*" - LMFAO!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Dobby's death was literally the most depressing part of the book.
Postscript: It was fun talking to you and Kim on Facebook last night ;)