Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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A muggle’s review of Harry Potter

August 15, 2018 by Kristin 17 Comments

Well, hello, school. This morning I’ve got a sixth-grader, third-grader, and toddler who is super excited and has no idea what to expect from Mothers’ Day Out that begins tomorrow. She missed the preschool age cut off by about six weeks, but I know she’s ready for some kind of school setting. Meanwhile, the big kids probably could have kept living their best summer lives but surely will be glad to see their friends and settle well back into the school routine.

In honor of this first day back at school, my sixth-grade Cate is here sharing a review of the Harry Potter series. We bought two of the books at a used book sale on Fourth of July. She started a few days later and finished the whole seven-book series in about a month. Y’all, that’s a lot of reading in a month!

The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited, so that’s how she read the five books we don’t yet own. (Get the whole series in paperback or the Kindle versions here!) But my aunt is graciously mailing her the books she doesn’t have because, yes, she’s already started re-reading it!

*****

To me, the Harry Potter series is exciting and suspenseful. The details create great images but also leave enough to your imagination. Author J.K. Rowling was very creative when making this series.

There are 7 books:

  1. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone“
  2. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets“
  3. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban“
  4. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire“
  5. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix“
  6. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince“
  7. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows“

My favorite is the fourth one, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” I like this one especially because of the Triwizard Tournament. I won’t spoil it in case you decide to read it, but it’s full of danger and adventure. It is also very mysterious, for several different reasons. I don’t really like danger and mystery separate, but together they’re awesome!

After #4, the seventh book is probably my favorite. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is definitely the most dangerous and adventurous. It’s very constant danger/adventure so, I stayed up late not wanting to put it down! I really love how J.K. Rowling ended it. If you want me to explain a little about the Deathly Hallows, then I’ll say a little: Harry needed a certain cloak, wand, and stone, and his enemy did not need to get his hands on them!

My least favorite is the fifth one, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” It is the slowest story and I didn’t like the ministry, a professor, and the story. The book is very sad.

Overall, I enjoyed this series – so much so I already started rereading the books! If you read them, I hope that you enjoy them, too!

*****

Cate, 11, will re-read books more than anyone I know, comprehends and remembers more details than I knew was possible, and loves horses. She’s excited to have a locker this year at school although she will miss sleeping in most mornings. Her momma is going to miss her help and conversation during school hours.

*****

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Filed Under: Cate, Porch Stories Tagged With: books, Cate, school

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    August 15, 2018 at 4:58 am

    Cate, that is one awesome book review. I listened to the first book in the series in audiobook form with my kids, but it sounds as if you’ve been doing some serious reading this summer! Thanks for sharing it with your mum’s friends!

    Reply
  2. Lesley says

    August 15, 2018 at 6:22 am

    I’m a big fan of Harry Potter and I loved Cate’s review! That is a lot of reading in a month!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 15, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      A LOT of reading. She reads quickly yet comprehends well. I was so glad she found some characters and stories to love. Glad you’re here, Lesley!

      Reply
  3. Sue Donaldson says

    August 15, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    I love these books – and Cate’s a doll! (My eldest, Bonnie, age 29 gave our youngest, Mary, age 22 a Golden Snitch clock for Christmas! A hit!)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 15, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      What a fun gift, Sue! Thanks for being here!

      Reply
  4. Rebecca Jones says

    August 15, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    I always encouraging reading and imagination, and am a writer from way back. While a lot of parents would not allow their children to read these as Christians, I think parents are capable of instilling their values, and good will always triumph over evil.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 15, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      I actually haven’t read Harry Potter, but my husband and other trusted friends have, so I was comfortable with her reading them. She filters what scares her pretty well, and she enjoyed them thoroughly. We may hold off on some of the later movies, based on what friends have told me. Thanks for your comment, Rebecca!

      Reply
  5. Amanda Conquers says

    August 15, 2018 at 5:41 pm

    Great review, Cate! I read them in under a month too. Too too good to not keep reading. I’m with you, Order of the Phoenix was my least favorite. I think my favorite was The Chamber of Secrets… fun story and super suspenseful. Wishing y’all a wonderful start to your school year <3

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 15, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      I’m passing this on to her. Thanks for joining in the conversation, my friend. xo

      Reply
  6. Lauren Sparks says

    August 15, 2018 at 5:44 pm

    I know they are widely beloved, but I just can’t make myself read or watch Harry Potter! I know that’s a spicy take. laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 15, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      I haven’t read them or watched them either … 🙂 Glad you’re here, Lauren!

      Reply
  7. Gayl says

    August 15, 2018 at 8:03 pm

    Cate, what a great review! I think my favorite is The Deathly Hallows but I like the whole series. It’s about time for me to reread them. 🙂 Blessings to you, Cate and Kristin!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 16, 2018 at 9:00 am

      Cate definitely supports rereading them! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Gayl!

      Reply
  8. Lisa notes says

    August 16, 2018 at 1:24 pm

    My youngest daughter was a great re-reader like you, Cate. 🙂 She’d get a favorite book or series and read it again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter books too. I’d read one, then watch the movie, then read the next one, watch the movie. 🙂 Thanks for a beautiful review.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 16, 2018 at 5:08 pm

      She’s eager to watch some of the movies! Thanks for being here, Lisa!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Limping Words: Slow, but Steadily Moving Forward #LMMLinkup - Words, Photos and Art says:
    August 17, 2018 at 10:42 am

    […] up with: #InspireMeMonday, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #porchstories, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, […]

    Reply
  2. Stories from the Porch in August says:
    August 29, 2018 at 4:02 am

    […] of my oldest, Cate also read the whole Harry Potter series in July and August. She shared a review about her new favorite series on the blog earlier this month. Ben also reviewed a joke book, if you’re looking for some new […]

    Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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