*First I want to say that I wouldn't normally write an epinion on a product that has almost 500 reviews already, but I've become so intrigued by the Harry Potter mania, I guess I just can't help it. Hey, if it's good stuff, it's good stuff!*


Okay, I admit it, I use to be a Harry basher, I mean, I just didn't get it. What could possibly be so great about a series of books for kids and young adults?? Sure, there are some great books out there for young people, but they really aren't anything to get all worked up about right? Certainly nothing that you would really enjoy; nothing with a real plot line or developed characters. I must now bow my head in shame for not giving Harry a chance earlier.

For some reason I decided to go and see the movie when it came out. I'm a movie junkie, and I hate to miss anything fantasy, or science fiction. Truthfully, I didn't expect much, I thought I would enjoy the effects, and sit patiently through the kiddy plot line. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised! You mean, this stuff really has a deep and involving plot line?? The characters are really developed?? I left the theatre wanting more....which lead me to buy the books, I'll read anything with a good fantasy/science fiction plot line. If the movie was good, the books have to be better right? Well, I've just completed the first book in the series and I must say that as great as the movie is, it doesn't do the book justice.

I've read quite a few book in my day of this genre, and I can tell you that it's not incredibly easy to combine fantasy with a believable plot and characters. Let's just say that the cheese runneth over in fantasy novels. Not true with J.K. Rowling's wonderfully, fresh writing style. Perhaps the best thing about her writing is the character development, a lost art of the genre if you ask me, but more about that later. She's also able to to combine a dark, serious story, with fun loving, mischevious characters which creates a perfect reading atmosphere. You care about the characters, and the story keeps you turning the pages to see what happens to them. It doesn't get better than that does that?



The Story:

*I don't like to give away too much, just in case you haven't read it yet.*

Of course, our hero is the young Harry Potter, forced to be raised by his horrible aunt and uncle (The Drusley's) because of the mysterious death of his parents (at least at first it's mysterious). What Harry doesn't know is that he's really a wizard, but with the help of a loyal worker for Hogwarts School of Withcraft and Wizardry, he discovers who he is, and is able to escape the torments of living with the Drusley's for his first year studying wizardry at Hogwarts. Harry makes friends, and get's into an enormous amount of trouble at his first year of study, and learns more about his unknown past. Sorry, that's all I'm giving, the point of this review is actually make you read the book right??

Also, if you just saw the movie, do yourself a favor and read the book too. The movie focused on the parts of the story that would make a good movie, and left out some of the better aspects of the writing, so make sure to catch both!



The Characters:

Along your journey through Hogwarts you'll meet a broad range of characters, from the wild to the laid back, and you'll enjoy all of them. Of course, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermoine will be the focus of your attention throughout your reading. You'll also find that some not so nice students attend Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy for example. You'll also find that Malfoy and Potter's blood lines go way back, just another example of how deep this plot line really goes. You'll meet professors like Snape, Quirrell, McGonagall, and the head wizard himself Albus Dumbledore. And don't forget everybody's favorite, the gentle giant Hagrid.



Overall:

When the story's over, you'll be wishing for more pages, but have no fear, there are already 3 more published books, and 3 more on the way. There are also rumors that Rowling is planning a new series on Malfoy...that sounds interesting. I personally think she should pull a Star Wars and go back and write about Harry and Malfoy's parents, and the occurences at Hogwarts back in the day. But I'll take what I can get!

Look for me to be reviewing the next book in the series within the next few weeks. I would say the best thing about this book is it's agelessness (if that's a word). No matter if you're 5 or 50, or 500, I would find it hard to believe that you didn't fall in love with the magic of Harry Potter.





Recommended: Yes