TITLE: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1)
AUTHOR: J.K. Rowling
GENRE: Fantasy
AGE RANGE: MGSYNOPSIS:
Harry Potter’s life is miserable. His parents are dead and he’s stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he’s a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.
“Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.”
When I started reviewing books, the Harry Potter series was the one series that I thought, no matter how many times I reread, I’d probably never review, because really, what’s the point? Nearly everyone on this site has read at least one book in this series or watched at least one film, I’d wager, and they have so many reviews that mine would just be a little drop in the ocean. But then, earlier this year, I started my first full reread of the series in a very long time, and it brought back so many emotions that I couldn’t help myself.
“There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”
It had been so long, I worried that the books wouldn’t hold the same magic for me anymore, but I was wholly mistaken. From the very first page, I felt transported back to my childhood, to growing up with Harry and Hermione and Ron and all the rest of the kids at Hogwarts, to a simpler time when I desperately wanted that letter of invitation and I thought maybe, just maybe, if I wished hard enough and whispered the spells just right…
“I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed – or worse, expelled. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.”
As many times as this has been said before by others, I’ll say it, too: even after all this time has passed, I still think J.K. Rowling created one of the most tremendously lovable worlds ever seen in fiction. If the wistful little ache that forms in my chest every time I think of this series is any indication, I think I’ll love Harry and his adventures all the way to my grave.
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Priyasha
June 6, 2019I think reliving these are more fun. I read this at 12 and I can even reread at 19 as well.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Agreed, reliving them is so much fun! 🙂 I’m glad you still enjoy the series, too.
Kelsey @ There's Something About KM
June 6, 2019I always find it sort of fun to reread the synopsis of a book I’ve read multiple times – especially a book like this one – just to see how well the summary describes the story. This one is quite satisfactory! ?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Haha that’s so true! On the other hand, sometimes I reread the synopsis and I’m like, “Wait… that’s a terrible synopsis! That’s barely even the plot!” ?
Kelsey @ There's Something About KM
August 26, 2019Oh definitely. I find that’s the norm, so it’s even more fun to read a synopsis that is accurate. ?
Samantha Duffy
June 6, 2019“After all this time?” “Always”
:] :] :]
I feel the same way every time I open those books. She really did perform some kind of magic on us, captivating us, even 20 years later. It is an amazing piece of writing and I just, I will never grow tired of those books. I plan to read them with my own children, and grandchildren. <3
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Always ♥♥♥ I have that tattooed on my collarbone. 🙂 And yes! I can’t wait until my son is old enough for them.
Kamilla
June 6, 2019I felt the same way when I reread HP for the first time (and after 15 years, too). I was so scared I would ruin HP for myself, but the reread made me appreciate HP more, and now I want to reread the series again once a year (or two).
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Yessss! I’m so glad it didn’t ruin the series for you either <3 <3 <3
Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads
June 6, 2019You’re making me want to do a re-read of the series as well! Thanks so much for posting this <3 It really warms my heart. I love your reviews.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Thank you so much love!! <3 You're so sweet and if you do reread the series, you should let me know and maybe I can pick it back up with you when you reach PoA lol!
evelynreads1
June 6, 2019Rereading Harry Potter is one of the best things!
(Www.evelynreads.com)
CJR The Brit
June 6, 2019HARRY POTTER FOREVER!!!! And I still find it weird it’s called the Sorcerers Stone…..here in England its called Philosophers Stone!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Haha that’s always been so odd to me, too! It makes more sense to me to call it the Philosopher’s Stone since that’s a phrase used in other stories, too, but I always end up calling it the Sorcerer’s Stone since that’s what it is on my copies of the books. ?
CJR The Brit
August 26, 2019It should just be the same! I dont think people would care if it was Philosophers or Sorcerers!!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 26, 2019True, I don’t think they would either! I wonder what on earth made them decide to change it in the first place.
EmilyJane1995
June 6, 2019Never too many times to re-read Harry Potter ❤ it’s my go to book even when I have 20+ other books on my shelf. The magic never ends!
Laura Beth
June 6, 2019I’m posting my own review tomorrow. I loved yours!!
tasya @ the literary huntress
June 7, 2019Great post, Destiny! Even though this series (both the movies and books) have been reviewed so many times, it’s always interesting to read someone’s review; it’s just a beautiful feeling of seeing someone experiencing the magic for the first time or all over again ?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 25, 2019Thank you, love! Oh, so true. I really almost didn’t even post a review but then I remembered how much I love reading gush-reviews for my old favorites and I just had to. Seeing your comment makes me glad I did!
Malka @ Paper Procrastinators
June 12, 2019I’m so happy that you posted this review because for the very first time, despite having reread this series countless times, I read the synopsis! I’ve never done that before and it was really fun to see how this book was officially pitched, after hearing so many individual pitches from people that have read it!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 12, 2019Ahh, that’s awesome. 😀 It is neat to go back and read a synopsis for an old favorite.
Alex
June 13, 2019I was in the same position. I’m coming to the end of my first reread of the series in 10 years and I just couldn’t resist writing blog posts about it!