Harry Potter: the first in the series (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling)

Member Name: Stephoohla

Product:	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling
Date:	21/08/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Harry is such an interesting character, adults and children love it

Disadvantages: None

The first book in the Potter heptalogy, and the first of a complete revolution.

I believe I was about 13 when this book first came out, and as soon as I picked it up I could not put it down until the end.

In this book, we follow Harry Potter, a boy who appears to be completely ordinary, who believes he was orphaned due to a car crash which killed his parents that happened just after he was born. He lives with his horrible aunt, uncle and bully of a cousin, and one night get a visit from a giant who can perform magic. Upon hearing that Harry is a wizard from this giant, his world gets absolutely turned upside down as he slowly begins believing. He is enrolled at a school for witchcraft and wizardry, 'Hogwarts', and here his adventure begins. We follow Harry's heart warming story through the typical problems a young person may have when starting a new school, making friends, avoiding bullies, first crushes, but of course, the main difference being that he is at a school of magic.

The book is highly entertaining, and as soon as you have finished reading you will immediately want to read the following one. I have read this book a good 5 times now, and would still happily read it through again.

It is such an interesting and different concept for a story, having a young wizard as the protagonist.

Soon into the story, we hear about 'He Who Must Not Be Named', the baddie.. Lord Voldemort who is a powerful wizard who is trying to gain power and wanting to take over the wizarding world. We find out that it was Lord Voldemort who killed Harry's parents, setting up a powerful feeling of revenge within Harry.

I won't ruin it, but the ending of this story is intense and will have you on the edge of your seat.

This book is to be enjoyed by adults and children alike, and I know plenty of people of different ages who absolutely loved it. It's a phenomenon and JK Rowling has made so much from from creating this wonderful character.

The book is written well, and the story structure flows really creatively. Rowling definitely has a knack for keeping an audience wanting to keep turning the page!

When the book first came out it was about £5.99 RRP. However, if you shop around you can find it for a lot less.

Summary: Read it now!