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Where Does Your Favorite Harry Potter Book Rank Among The Best The Wizarding World Has To Offer?
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Vote up the best Harry Potter books that changed the fantasy genre forever.
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What makes this installment the best: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire raises the stakes with the Triwizard Tournament, throwing Harry into unexpected and dangerous challenges. It marks a turning point in the series, where things start getting really serious (and a bit scary). New characters like Mad-Eye Moody and Viktor Krum add intrigue and depth to the story. The mix of action, mystery, and growing tension keeps fans on their toes
Plot and background:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth novel in the Harry Potter series, written by British author J. K. Rowling. It follows Harry Potter, a wizard in his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the mystery surrounding the entry of Harry's name into the Triwizard Tournament, in which he is forced to compete. The book was published in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury and in the United States by Scholastic, in both countries the release date was 8 July 2000, the first time a book in the series was published in both countries at the same time. The novel won a Hugo Award, the only Harry Potter novel to do so, in 2001. The book was made into a film, which was released worldwide on 18 November 2005, and a video game by Electronic Arts.- First Published: July 8, 2000
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What makes this installment the best: With its introduction of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, this book enriches Harry’s background while adding layers of mystery and excitement. The plot is full of twists as Harry learns more about his parents' past and his own heritage. It's considered one of the most beloved books because it balances suspense with emotional depth, making readers feel even more connected to Harry's journey.
Plot and background:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third novel in the Harry Potter series, written by J. K. Rowling. The book follows Harry Potter, a young wizard, in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry investigates Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner from Azkaban whom they believe is one of Lord Voldemort's old allies. The book was published in the United Kingdom on 8 July 1999 by Bloomsbury and in the United States on 8 September 1999 by Scholastic Inc. Rowling found the book easy to write, finishing it just a year after she had begun writing it. The book sold 68,000 copies in just three days after its release in the United Kingdom, and since has sold over three million in the country. The book won the 1999 Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Bram Stoker Award, the 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, and was short-listed for other awards, including the Hugo. The film adaptation of the novel was released in 2004, grossing more than $796 million and earned notable critical acclaim.- First Published: July 8, 1999
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- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
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What makes this installment the best: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a fan favorite because it dives deep into Voldemort's past, giving readers a better understanding of the dark wizard's origins. The book also sets the stage for the final showdown with some intense moments and reveals crucial secrets through Harry's lessons with Dumbledore. Plus, it introduces new characters like Horace Slughorn, who plays an important role in unraveling Voldemort's secrets. It's darker than previous books but still manages to sprinkle in humor.
Plot and background:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth and penultimate novel in the Harry Potter series, written by British author J. K. Rowling. Set during protagonist Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, the novel explores the past of Harry's nemesis, Lord Voldemort, and Harry's preparations for the final battle alongside his headmaster and mentor Albus Dumbledore. The book was published in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury and in the United States by Scholastic on 16 July 2005, as well as in several other countries. It sold nine million copies in the first 24 hours after its release, a record at the time which was eventually broken by its sequel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. There were many controversies before and after it was published, including the right to read the copies delivered prior to the release date in Canada. Reception to the novel was generally positive and it won several awards and honours, including the 2006 British Book of the Year award. Reviewers noted that the book took on a darker tone than its predecessors, though it did contain some humour. Some considered the main themes to be love and death, and trust and redemption.- First Published: July 16, 2005
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What makes this installment the best: As the grand finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows wraps up loose ends while delivering heart-stopping action and emotional weight. It features epic battles, surprising alliances, and some truly tear-jerking moments that fans still talk about today. The story explores themes of sacrifice and loyalty as Harry faces Voldemort one last time. It's an unforgettable conclusion that solidifies its place as a top favorite.
Plot and background:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final novel of the Harry Potter series, written by British author J. K. Rowling. The book was released on 21 July 2007 by Bloomsbury Publishing in the United Kingdom, in the United States by Scholastic, and in Canada by Raincoast Books, ending the series that began in 1997 with the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The novel chronicles the events directly following Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and the final confrontation between the wizards Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in January 2007. Before its release, Bloomsbury reportedly spent £10 million to keep the book's contents safe before its release date. American publisher Arthur Levine refused any copies of the novel to be released in advance for press review, although two reviews were submitted early. Shortly before release, photos of all 759 pages of the U.S. edition were leaked and transcribed, leading Scholastic to look for the source that had leaked it.- First Published: July 21, 2007
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What makes this installment the best: As the story that started it all, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone captures the magic of discovering Hogwarts for the first time. Meeting characters like Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and Dumbledore sets up friendships that are central to Harry's journey. The book introduces us to a world filled with wonder yet hints at darker undertones with Voldemort lurking in the background. Its charm lies in its simplicity and magical beginnings
Plot and background:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the first novel in the Harry Potter series and J. K. Rowling's debut novel. The plot follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage as he makes close friends and a few enemies in his first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With the help of his friends, Harry faces an attempted comeback by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents, but failed to kill Harry when he was just a year old. The book, which was Rowling's debut novel, was published on 26 June 1997 by Bloomsbury in London. In 1998, Scholastic Corporation published an edition for the United States market under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The novel won most of the British book awards that were judged by children, and other awards in the US. The book reached the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August 1999, and stayed near the top of that list for much of 1999 and 2000. It has been translated into several other languages and has been made into a feature-length film of the same name.- First Published: June 26, 1997
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What makes this installment the best: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix stands out for its portrayal of Harry’s growth amidst chaos at Hogwarts under Umbridge’s reign (ugh). It's packed with emotional highs and lows as he deals with loss, prophecy revelations, and forming Dumbledore's Army to fight back against tyranny. Luna Lovegood is introduced here too—she quickly becomes a fan favorite for her quirky yet wise nature.
Plot and background:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth novel in the Harry Potter series, written by J. K. Rowling. It follows Harry Potter's struggles through his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the surreptitious return of the antagonist Lord Voldemort, O.W.L. exams, and an obstructive Ministry of Magic. The novel was published on 21 June 2003 by Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom, Scholastic in the United States, and Raincoast in Canada. Five million copies were sold in the first 24 hours of publication. It is the longest book of the series. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has won several awards, including being named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults in 2003. The book has also been made into a film, which was released in 2007, and into a video game by Electronic Arts.- First Published: June 21, 2003
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