Summing Up "Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince"

Why I Chose This Book:  You should know by now.

Book Rating (1-5 Stars):  4 stars.  Too much Snape in this.  And SOMEONE ELSE WONDERFUL DIES.

Setting of the Book: Mostly Hogwarts (School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in London).  I'm a complete nerd, I know.

About the Author: J.K. Rowling - this is obviously her claim-to-fame series.  She wrote another book about some kind of political something or other in England (also fiction), but the synopsis on the back of the book really didn't interest me.  Also, I'm pretty sure she wrote the first Harry Potter book in her mid-twenties but didn't actually get it published until her early thirties?  Or something like that.

Plot of the book in one sentence:  Harry, Ron and Hermione try to find out what You-Know-Who is up to while EVERYTHING ELSE FALLS APART.  I just can't even.

If I Could Rename the Book:  Harry Potter & the Death of All that is Good and Sane

Genre: YA Fantasy

Point of View: 3rd person limited (told from Harry's POV)

Favorite Character: Dumbledore <3 p="">
Least Favorite Character: Snape. Malfoy. Snape. Malfoy. Snape. Malfoy....

Other (Main Characters):
Harry Potter - the main character (obviously).  In this book, he's in his third year at Hogwarts.
Ron Weasley - Harry's best friend.  Comes from a poor family (all redheads).  His dad works for the Ministry of Magic, his two oldest brothers have already graduated from Hogwarts, his third oldest brother is a know-it-all rule follower at Hogwarts, his fourth-and-fifth oldest brothers are twins who are constantly causing trouble, and his younger sister is in love with Harry.  lol
Hermione Granger - Harry and Ron's other best friend.  Even though they can't stand her at the beginning of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), they grudgingly grow to admire and like her.
Albus Dumbledore - The Headmaster of Hogwarts.  He's so wise.  And super beardy.  Seriously.  He has a super-long beard.
Severus Snape - The Potions teacher at Hogwarts.  He is SO MEAN to Harry all the time.
Draco Malfoy - a self-entitled bully who picks on Harry, Ron and Hermione all the time.
I could go on, but I don't want to bog you down with too many Harry Potter characters. lol

If the Book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?
It's already a movie, and the characters are spot-on.  Especially Snape - he's so easy to hate.

Favorite Scene of the Book: Honestly, I can't really think of one.

Least Favorite Scene of the Book: In the clock-tower after Harry and Dumbledore return from retrieving the locket....

Did I like the Ending? Hated it.  Hated it.  Why so much death?!

Which of my friends could I see loving this book? Amy - I know she loves it.  haha

Which of my friends could I see hating this book? Probably so many people.

This book left me feeling: Honestly, depressed.  But I press on for the ending.

How Long Did It Take Me to Read It: Too long.

Summing Up "Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix"

Why I Chose This Book:  I had to know what happened after You-Know-Who came back!

Book Rating (1-5 Stars):  This book is going to get 4 stars.  It's kind of depressing; one of my FAVORITE characters dies in it; the movie leaves out a lot of the coolest parts (but that's probably because it's one of the longest books in the series).

Setting of the Book: Hogwarts & the Ministry of Magic

About the Author: J.K. Rowling - this is obviously her claim-to-fame series.  She wrote another book about some kind of political something or other in England (also fiction), but the synopsis on the back of the book really didn't interest me.  Also, I'm pretty sure she wrote the first Harry Potter book in her mid-twenties but didn't actually get it published until her early thirties?  Or something like that.

Plot of the book in one sentence:  Harry, Ron and Hermione meet the Order of the Phoenix and deal with the aftermath of You-Know-Who coming back and the Ministry of Magic taking over the school.

If I Could Rename the Book:  Harry Potter & the Department of Mysteries (is it "department"? Now I can't remember...)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Point of View: 3rd person limited (told from Harry's POV)

Favorite Character: Tonks, hands-down.  She's awesome.

Least Favorite Character: The woman the Ministry of Magic sends to get Hogwarts under control.  She's awful.  *shudders*

Other (Main Characters): 
Harry Potter - the main character (obviously).  In this book, he's in his third year at Hogwarts.
Ron Weasley - Harry's best friend.  Comes from a poor family (all redheads).  His dad works for the Ministry of Magic, his two oldest brothers have already graduated from Hogwarts, his third oldest brother is a know-it-all rule follower at Hogwarts, his fourth-and-fifth oldest brothers are twins who are constantly causing trouble, and his younger sister is in love with Harry.  lol
Hermione Granger - Harry and Ron's other best friend.  Even though they can't stand her at the beginning of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), they grudgingly grow to admire and like her.
Albus Dumbledore - The Headmaster of Hogwarts.  He's so wise.  And super beardy.  Seriously.  He has a super-long beard.
Severus Snape - The Potions teacher at Hogwarts.  He is SO MEAN to Harry all the time.
Draco Malfoy - a self-entitled bully who picks on Harry, Ron and Hermione all the time.
I could go on, but I don't want to bog you down with too many Harry Potter characters. lol

If the Book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters? 
It's already a movie, and the characters are spot-on.

Favorite Scene of the Book: When Fred & George stand-up to...THAT WOMAN.  Ugh.

Least Favorite Scene of the Book: When Harry gets detention and has to write "I must not tell lies" with a quill that PIERCES HIS SKIN.

Did I like the Ending? Of course I did :)

Which of my friends could I see loving this book? Amy - I know she loves it.  haha

Which of my friends could I see hating this book? People who don't like conflict

This book left me feeling: Frustrated, but vindicated.

How Long Did It Take Me to Read It: Too long - this book is sooooo long.

Summing Up "Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire"

Why I Chose This Book:  Because it was the next one to read in the Harry Potter series.

Book Rating (1-5 Stars):  5+ stars!  This is probably one of my FAVORITE Harry Potter books - if not THE favorite!

Setting of the Book: Mostly Hogwarts (School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in London).  I'm a complete nerd, I know.

About the Author: J.K. Rowling - this is obviously her claim-to-fame series.  She wrote another book about some kind of political something or other in England (also fiction), but the synopsis on the back of the book really didn't interest me.  Also, I'm pretty sure she wrote the first Harry Potter book in her mid-twenties but didn't actually get it published until her early thirties?  Or something like that.

Plot of the book in one sentence:  Harry is entered into the Tri-Wizard tournament where he's sure someone wants him killed.

If I Could Rename the Book:  Harry Potter & the Tri-Wizard Cup

Genre: YA Fantasy

Point of View: 3rd person limited (told from Harry's POV)

Favorite Character: Mad-Eye Moody (even though he's not what he seems).

Least Favorite Character: Lucius Malfoy.  Ugh.

Other (Main Characters): 
Harry Potter - the main character (obviously).  In this book, he's in his third year at Hogwarts.
Ron Weasley - Harry's best friend.  Comes from a poor family (all redheads).  His dad works for the Ministry of Magic, his two oldest brothers have already graduated from Hogwarts, his third oldest brother is a know-it-all rule follower at Hogwarts, his fourth-and-fifth oldest brothers are twins who are constantly causing trouble, and his younger sister is in love with Harry.  lol
Hermione Granger - Harry and Ron's other best friend.  Even though they can't stand her at the beginning of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), they grudgingly grow to admire and like her.
Albus Dumbledore - The Headmaster of Hogwarts.  He's so wise.  And super beardy.  Seriously.  He has a super-long beard.
Severus Snape - The Potions teacher at Hogwarts.  He is SO MEAN to Harry all the time.
Draco Malfoy - a self-entitled bully who picks on Harry, Ron and Hermione all the time.
I could go on, but I don't want to bog you down with too many Harry Potter characters. lol

If the Book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters? 
It's already a movie, and the characters are spot-on.  Especially the villians.  You just LOVE to hate them.

Favorite Scene of the Book: There are so many!  Probably every task the Tri-Wizard champions have to face.

Least Favorite Scene of the Book: What happens at the very end of the final task of the Tri-Wizard tournament.  It's horrible.

Did I like the Ending? Of course!

Which of my friends could I see loving this book? Amy - I know she loves it.  haha

Which of my friends could I see hating this book? Maybe Matthew DelValle.

This book left me feeling: Magical (pun intended - lol)

How Long Did It Take Me to Read It: Longer than an hour and less than a day, but it was time well-spent!

Summing Up "Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban"

Why I Chose This Book:  Because the Harry Potter series is awesome.

Book Rating (1-5 Stars):  I'm gonna go with another 5 stars on this one.

Setting of the Book: Mostly Hogwarts (School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in London).  I'm a complete nerd, I know.

About the Author: J.K. Rowling - this is obviously her claim-to-fame series.  She wrote another book about some kind of political something or other in England (also fiction), but the synopsis on the back of the book really didn't interest me.  Also, I'm pretty sure she wrote the first Harry Potter book in her mid-twenties but didn't actually get it published until her early thirties?  Or something like that.

Plot of the book in one sentence:  Harry, Ron and Hermione discover a supposed murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped from the wizard prison, Azkaban, to come after Harry and kill him - or is that the whole truth?

If I Could Rename the Book:  I wouldn't rename any of the books in the Harry Potter series - they're all apropos.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Point of View: 3rd person limited (told from Harry's POV)

Favorite Character: In this book, I love the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Lupin.

Least Favorite Character: Always Snape.  He's just such a jerk.  Although, I don't like Draco Malfoy either.

Other (Main Characters): 
Harry Potter - the main character (obviously).  In this book, he's in his third year at Hogwarts.
Ron Weasley - Harry's best friend.  Comes from a poor family (all redheads).  His dad works for the Ministry of Magic, his two oldest brothers have already graduated from Hogwarts, his third oldest brother is a know-it-all rule follower at Hogwarts, his fourth-and-fifth oldest brothers are twins who are constantly causing trouble, and his younger sister is in love with Harry.  lol
Hermione Granger - Harry and Ron's other best friend.  Even though they can't stand her at the beginning of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), they grudgingly grow to admire and like her.
Albus Dumbledore - The Headmaster of Hogwarts.  He's so wise.  And super beardy.  Seriously.  He has a super-long beard.
Severus Snape - The Potions teacher at Hogwarts.  He is SO MEAN to Harry all the time.
Draco Malfoy - a self-entitled bully who picks on Harry, Ron and Hermione all the time.
I could go on, but I don't want to bog you down with too many Harry Potter characters. lol

If the Book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters? 
It's already a movie, and the characters are spot-on.  Although, I don't LOVE who they cast as Sirius Black or Lupin, but they play their parts well.

Favorite Scene of the Book: When Harry & Hermione travel back in time using a time-turner, and have to help themselves while also avoiding themselves...it's pretty awesome.

Least Favorite Scene of the Book: In the Shrieking Shack when Sirius, Lupin, Snape come face-to-face with Harry, Ron, Hermione and a surprise guest.

Did I like the Ending? Always.

Which of my friends could I see loving this book? Amy - I know she loves it.  haha

Which of my friends could I see hating this book? Literally no one.

This book left me feeling: Whimsical

How Long Did It Take Me to Read It: Longer than an hour and less than a day, but it was time well-spent!