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J.K. ROWLING
I have placed "sizzler
ratings" next to books read, even if the review
hasn't been added at this time.
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HARRY
POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (2000) |
Sub-category: Children/Magic/Wizards
The plot: Although yet
another dull summer locked away from the world with the
Dursleys seems inevitable to Harry, he is suddenly thrust
into adventure as he wakes up one day with the scar on his
forehead burning. However, his thoughts are thrust elsewhere
with the arrival of a postage stamp-covered envelope with
an invite for Harry to attend the World Quidditch Cup. However,
strange events take place at the World Quidditch Cup -which
are nothing but a precursor to the even stranger - and sinister
- things about to fall upon Harry back at Hogwarts School!
Comment: OK, this book
never grabbed me as much as the third one. But, even though
it is dreadfully long-winded in places, I can't say I ever
wanted to STOP reading the book. That thought didn't enter
my head at all! And just as well because the reward is a
book which sets up the next three books to possibly be positively
spellbinding and unputdownable. In the end, I was blown
away not so much by the plot in this book, but the incredible
way in which Rowling has so clearly thought out ALL the
novels in this series, and the smallest detail in the first
book becomes the most crucial turning point in this fourth
book. Blew me away... Keep reading folks - I'm can almost
guarantee the ending will have you whipping off to Amazon
to put your name down for the 5th book (which Rowling has
lately been claiming will be released at the same time as
the first movie - November 2001 - a long wait, trust me!)
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HARRY
POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (1999) |
Sub-category: Children/Magic/Wizards
The plot: Harry Potter
returns to Hogwarts School for his third year after a narrow
escape from his unsympathetic relatives, the Dursleys. Finally
the day is upon him and he boards the train to Hogwarts
and Platform 9 3/4's at Kingscross Station. However, before
he can even get there, he is terrorized by a Dementor -
prison guards from Azkaban who are on the lookout for a
nasty villain called Sirius Black. Once back at Hogwarts,
Harry soon discovers that Sirius Black means to find him...
Comment: Well, Rowling
is certainly getting into stride here! The third book in
the now famous Harry Potter series really rips along at
a cracking pace with Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermoine,
tumbling into one adventure after another. Delightfully,
Rowling introduces some new and interesting characters who
all add to making life very complicated and challenging
for Harry! And yet, with the help of his friends, Harry
can also be found having all sorts of naughty fun that I'm
sure most 13 year olds can only dream of...
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HARRY
POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (1998) |
Sub-category: Children/Magic/Wizards
The plot: After a dull
summer at the Dursleys, pretending to be a muggle instead
of a young wizard, Harry Potter is relieved to be returning
to Hogwarts School! But before he can get there, he is 'abducted'
by his good friend, Ron, for the end of the holidays, and
can't get onto the train on the day everyone returns to
Hogwarts. Fortunately, Ron devises a way and Harry and Ron
manage to get to Hogwarts where they are introduced to a
lousy Defense of the Dark Arts teacher and people and ghosts
mysteriously being 'frozen.' As Harry tries to complete
his studies, win the Quidditch cup, he begins to unearth
clues that might explain why people are being placed in
suspended animation - but it's dangerous territory which
everyone is trying to protect him from venturing too close
to...
Comment: After being somewhat
vaguely disappointed with the first Harry Potter book, Rowling
certainly starts delivering more of what I was expecting
in the second book. Certainly, the twists and turns as the
end seems to draw neigh for Harry are becoming much more
complex and fleshed out than in her original book - which
makes the story all the more enjoyable. Harry's world is
becoming more complex and I love the little things Rowling
introduces - like staying up until am. I wasn't allowed
to do that at the age of 12! Some say Rowling may embellish
and dwell a little on stereotypes but I found her depiction
of Gilderoy Lockhart quite funny and I defy anyone to not
know someone this vain... By introducing these amusing little
morsels, I am sure Rowling sucks in more young minds into
the wonderful playground of Harry Potter (and occasionally,
horrifying parents who now have to compete with the freedom
Harry Potter has).
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HARRY
POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (1997) |
Sub-category: Children/Magic/Wizards
The plot: Life cannot
be any worse for someone that what young 11 year old,
Harry Potter has to endure with his Uncle and Aunt Dursley
and son, Dudley. Forced to raise Harry after his parents
were killed in a 'car accident,', Harry lives in a cupboard
under the stairs and is constantly being put down and
denied everything in favor of Dudley. Then one day, a
letter arrives, but before Harry can see it, My Dursley
whips it away. But the letters keep coming and multiplying,
forcing the Dursleys to run all over Britain in an impromptu
holiday to prevent Harry from opening a letter. Until
the night of Harry's 11th birthday! Suddenly a giant,
Hagrid, bursts in on the Dursleys and Harry and tells
Harry that he has to hurry and get some stuff to go to
Hogwarts School. Harry can't believe his ears - particularly
when he finds out Hogwarts is a special school - one for
wizards! Suddenly, Harry's whole life is changed as he
goes off to his new school - and finds out he is a celebrity
before he arrives owing to his parents...
Comment: I held off reading
the Harry Potter books for quite a while, feeling they
were most likely going to be a bit like the wonderful
children's books Roald Dahl wrote and I grew up reading.
However, eventually, someone took pity on my ignorance
and thrust the first 3 books into my hands. Since one
must read these in order, one has to read this book first.
I was actually a bit disappointed by it. Certainly, there
were shades of my hero, Roald Dahl and his brilliant books,
James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory, but Rowling seemed to not have
so much in the way of neat little plot twists and problems.
If Harry was in a spot of bother, he usually got out of
it the easiest way imaginable without having to go to
much trouble. However, the book began to pick up at the
end when Harry and his friends had to jump through a series
of riddles and I found it encouraging - maybe Rowling
could write a neat children's book after all. Fortunately,
as I have found out reading subsequent books, Rowling
improves and by her third book, Harry Potter
and the Prisoner of Azkaban, she is certainly matching
Roald Dahl for originality, imagination and interesting
and well thought out stories. So, get get broken in on
the magical world of Harry Potter with this book, because
it only gets better!
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An absolute sizzler of a movie - A must
see! |
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A scorcher of a good movie; still capable
of riveting you to your seat |
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Low flame burner; a pleasant piece of mindless
brain candy |
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A fizzler of a movie which will have you
counting zzzzzz's... |
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