The Harry Potter series is made up of seven fantasy novels by J.K. Rowling published from 1997-2007. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The series was originally published by Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom and later by Scholastic in the United States. As of 2023, the books have sold over 600 million copies worldwide and have been adapted into a film series as well as a spin-off play. The story is being rebooted into a television series to debut on HBO in 2026.
As someone who has seen all the films, including the spin-off films, I was excited to dive into reading the original books to see how the stories compared and to see why they have sold over 600 million copies. It has been a fun journey and well worth the ride.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, is a magical fantasy filled with unforgettable characters and was a pure joy to read. One can really see why they made a film series based of these books.
Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That’s because he’s being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he’s really 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.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone we get the wonderful introduction of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and many more unforgettable characters that are nothing short of brilliant. Author J.K. Rowling expertly lays the groundwork for a captivating series of books that continues to enchant readers for generations.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling is a fun mystery based at Hogwarts Castle infused with creatures, ghosts, and a bit of Hogwarts history. The book progresses the story forward while adding to the characterizations of our favorite students.
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls’ bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets offers plenty to enjoy with its monster-lit ambiance and mystery. While the second book in the series occasionally feels a bit bland it more than makes up for it with a strong, satisfying conclusion. Once again Rowling’s writing is sharp, propelling the overarching story forward–although I could’ve used less of Dobby and Ginny Weasley.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling dives deeper into Harry’s family history, adding rich layers to the series’ overarching story. This exploration three books into the series gives depth to the character Harry Potter.
For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.
Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter’s defeat of You-Know-Who was Black’s downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, “He’s at Hogwarts… he’s at Hogwarts.”
Harry Potter isn’t safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may be a traitor in their midst.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue to shine as the core trio in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, while the introduction of Sirius Black brings complexity and intrigue to the narrative. This book is one that every detail, even the seemingly minor ones, contributes meaningfully to the bigger picture, leaving me astonished by the end.
With its fantastic storytelling, Prisoner of Azkaban might just be my favorite book in the series so far.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The fourth installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, marks a significant turning point in the saga. With its deeper themes and darker tone, this book sets the stage for the complexity and intensity that define the later entries in the series.
Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn’t happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he’s not normal – even by wizarding standards. And in this case, different can be deadly.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire stands out as a defining installment in the series. Breaking from tradition, the story begins not getting ready for Harry’s trip to Hogwarts, but with an exhilarating trip to the International Quidditch Cup before transitioning to the familiar halls of the iconic school. The story starts light and vibrant but gradually unfolds into a narrative filled with heartbreak and intensity, leaving me grappling with its emotional weight.
At first, its status as one of the longer books in the series may seem daunting, but its wonderful storytelling makes every page worth it. While Prisoner of Azkaban once held the top spot in my list of favorites, Goblet of Fire surpasses it with its rich, layered plot and captivating depth.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in J.K. Rowling‘s series, primarily functions as a transitional story. While this limits its potential, it significantly enhances the series by introducing compelling new characters.
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? It’s not just the upcoming O.W.L. exams; a new teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a venomous, disgruntled house-elf; or even the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Now 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.
Despite being one of the longer books in the series, I flew through the chapters at a brisk pace. This installment takes the Harry Potter series to the next level, offering a more intricate plot and world-building that’s a refreshing shift from the chaotic, magical school days of the earlier books. It was a thrilling, frustrating, and undeniably entertaining ride.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
While I expected Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling to primarily serve as a setup for the series finale, I was pleasantly surprised by its depth and tone. Darker than the first five books, it delivers a thrilling story that exceeded my expectations, quickly becoming one of my favorites in the series so far.
The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses. And yet…
As in all wars, life goes on. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate – and lose a few eyebrows in the process. The Weasley twins expand their business. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, though Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince beautifully highlights the everyday charm of the magical world while adding new layers of depth to beloved characters. It thoughtfully explores Lord Voldemort’s past, revealing intriguing details that deepen our understanding of him. The story builds to a climax that is both thrilling and deeply emotional, leaving a lasting impression.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling concludes the Harry Potter series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, delivering an emotionally charged finale. While it may not rank as the very best book in the series, it still holds a high rating, as Rowling masterfully wraps up her beloved saga with profound sentiment and purpose.
It’s no longer safe for Harry at Hogwarts, so he and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, are on the run. Professor Dumbledore has given them clues about what they need to do to defeat the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, once and for all, but it’s up to them to figure out what these hints and suggestions really mean. Their cross-country odyssey has them searching desperately for the answers, while evading capture or death at every turn. At the same time, their friendship, fortitude, and sense of right and wrong are tested in ways they never could have imagined.
The ultimate battle between good and evil that closes out this final chapter of the epic series takes place where Harry’s Wizarding life began: at Hogwarts. The satisfying conclusion offers shocking last-minute twists, incredible acts of courage, powerful new forms of magic, and the resolution of many mysteries. Above all, this intense, cathartic book serves as a clear statement of the message at the heart of the Harry Potter series: that choice matters much more than destiny, and that love will always triumph over death.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows delivers a bittersweet conclusion to the Harry Potter series. While it serves as a fitting and captivating end to the magical saga, it’s hard not to feel a pang of sadness knowing the adventures of Harry, Hermione, and Ron have come to a close. The story is deeply engaging, with a purposeful slow build that heightens the stakes and draws readers into every moment. Additionally, the fresh settings offer a welcome departure from the familiar formula of the earlier books, giving the story an added layer of excitement and depth.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Jim Dale, is available at Libro.fm!
