Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in J.K. Rowling's bestselling series, picks up shortly after we left Harry at the end of The Order of the Phoenix. Lord Voldemort is acting out in the open, continuing his reign of terror which was temporarily stopped almost 15 years beforehand. Harry is again at the Dursleys, where the events of the previous month continue to weigh on his mind, although not as much as the impending visit from his Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Given their last meeting, Harry is understandably confused as to why the old wizard would want to visit him at home.

Rowling opens with a chapter she had wanted to use for the first book, of The Philosopher's Stone--Lord Voldemort has been creating chaos in the Wizard and Muggle communities alike, the war is in full swing and the Wizarding community now lives in fear. The press have been questioning the events at the Ministry which led to the admission of Voldemort's return, and of course Harry's name is mentioned a number of times. Harry's got his problems, but his anxiety is nothing compared to Hermione's when the OWL results are delivered. There's a new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, an assortment of new characters and creatures, and startling revelations about past characters and events.

Gone is the rage-filled Harry of The Order of the Phoenix--he's not being kept in the dark any more, his unjustified Quidditch ban has been lifted and he has matured considerably in his short time out of school. Half-Blood Prince follows Harry into the world of late-teens, and his realisation that nobody is infallible has made his growth that much easier. Accepting his destiny, Harry continues to behave as teenagers do, enjoying his time with his friends, developing his relationships outside of his usual circle, and learning more about how he must, eventually, do what he is destined to do.

J.K. Rowling delivers another fantastic tale which will have the readers gasping for more, capturing the characters perfectly and continuing a tale which readers will enjoy over and over again. --Ziggy Morbi

Absolutely perfect., 24 Dec 2007
(Contains spoilers for 'Order of the Phoenix' and slight spoilers for 'Half Blood Prince'.)

This entire series is special but now that it's complete I can safely say this is my favourite. I'll re-read all the books but this one the most.

Review:

After Sirius' death in book five, Dumbledore invites Harry to help him investigate and obtain information regarding Voldermort's past (or to be more precise- Tom Riddle's past). With Voldermort's Deatheaters returning to him en masse, Voldermort is now ready to return to his reign of terror so Dumbledore and Harry must look into his past to see if there is any way of defeating him. These flashback sequences via the pensieve are terrific and really flesh out the character of Tom Riddle, giving him more substance.

As with each new book a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. This time it is the larger than life, jolly yet fiercely ambitious Horace Slughorn who Dumbledore has convinced to come out of retirement. Apart from Hermione, Slughorn has now become my favourite character in the series. He is neither completely good or bad, he is complex, flawed and likable. For me he is one of Rowling's best creations.

Rowling has a wonderful ability to simultaneously progress the overall main story (in this book MAJOR events happen) and at the same time put excellent detail into the smaller stories that occur in the book. Each book always has a mystery element to be solved and here Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to figure out who the 'Half- Blood Prince' is.

Some of the best chapters concern Harry, Hermione and Ron and their day to day troubles within Hogwarts such as Quiddich practice, how they are faring in certain classes now that they are studying the more difficult N.E.W.T course, not to mention their complicated love lives.

Rowling's world is completely absorbing and this was a pleasure to read with its' usual combination of mystery, humour and sadness, all of which is underpinned by the wonderful Characters- old and new.

10/10.

Great end to this series of Books , 20 Aug 2007
Careful Spoilers included:-

An enjoyable end to this series of 7 books. Darker, more intense then most of the other 6 books, this novel has few if any laughs but the battle scenes towards the end of the book are exciting, and there are some nice twists to the story, even if some of the story is a little predictable.

The last 200 pages were especially good and I found I couldn't put the book down and it great to have Gringotts featured again and of course nice that a lot of the ending happened at Hogwarts as that did seem to be missed from the beginning of the book.

I was disappointed that Mad Eye Moody was killed off so suddenly and found the scene where Dobby the House Elf came to rescue Harry and the others and then got killed by Bellatrix was especially emotional and was written really well by JKR. Also felt sad about Lupin, Tonks and Fred and of course guessed that Snape would kind of come good in the end, after all Dumbledore had never doubted him and he was usually right. I did however feel that the Epilogue at the end was a bit of a mistake and was just the publishers push to JK to tie things up in a neat ribbon for younger readers at the end, but it was so rushed and added little to the story that it really was unnecessary to have it there.

All in all a really good book and thorougly enjoyable to read and a shame the series has come to an end. Don't feel it should be read to very young children though as they may feel very upset with the scenes where people die as these are written in quite a bit of detail.

I don't think JKR should write any more HP books though, it should be left at this one and its fantastic that she has got people of all ages reading again. She should be highly commended for this.

A great ending to a fantastic series, 30 Jul 2007
In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.

Bad but better than the last one, 16 Jul 2007
all I can say is its better than the last one but that's only because the last one is one of the worst books I've ever read (such a disappointment after the first 4) and to point out how truly bad the 6th and 5th are the bullet proof ness of Harry Potters die hard fans have actually been broken and I call upon any non extremist of Harry Potter to write a review about how much of a disappointment this is compared to the other 4. They are actually only 4 and a half stars it doesn't sound like much but if you think about it its is huge. And it proves my point

How will it end?, 11 Jul 2007
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the sixth book in JK Rowling's magical 7-part series and the Second War is now in full swing.

At the end of the previous novel, The Order of the Phoenix, Harry found out the details of the prophecy and so now, with the power of the pensive and the help of Professor Dumbledore, Harry visits memories from other witches and wizards revealing key moments in his nemesis, Lord Voldemort's past, providing useful information for his unavoidable battle with him in the near future.

Also during this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary, Harry obtains a Potions Book that was previously owned by a student who named himself "The Half-Blood Prince". In this book are hand-written notes giving Harry extremely useful tips on potions, making him the top in his class and also some homemade spells.

Relationships are also covered in book 6, including some jealousy problems with Ron and Hermoine and also Harry has a new love interest but worries about the consequences of asking the girl out as it is his best mate's sister, Ginny.

This is a much darker and more serious book than some of the previous ones in the series and also feels like a huge introduction to the final book. There are so many shocking twists and surprises that'll keep you wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. This is an extremely exciting and important book in the series and one of the best yet.

If you haven't read any of the series before, this probably isn't a good place to start, (even if you have seen the films before as there are many scenes and characters missing from the films) as it is based almost purely on everything that has happened in the previous 5 books.

This is a top read that will have you gagging for book 7 once you reach the end of it. I just want to know now "how will it end?".

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J K Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.

This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave children clamouring for a sequel. (Ages 8-13) --Karin SnelsonJust when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio.

Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys--the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a home after the death of his mother and father. But on his 11th birthday Harry discovers that he is no ordinary boy, and despite the best efforts of his hideous relatives he escapes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his new life as a trainee wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history...

As Harry battles against the evils thrown in his path, Stephen Fry injects the proceedings with a wry, dry and extremely contagious humour that perfectly suits the tale, wringing out the best in Harry and his cohorts as they get to grips with their new lives at the sharp end of Hogwarts. Fry's innate upper-class drone is perfectly suited to the telling of this most magical tale, cracking into the high-pitched squawking of Hermione the swat, or the gentle tones of the firm but fair Dumbledore, or the evil sniping of slimey Snape at precisely the right moments, adding further atmosphere and intensity to the story

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fine story and much has been written about its success but until you have heard Fry's cracking reading of this most magical of stories then you simply haven't lived. As with any audio book, this one is perfect for car journeys and an ideal way of introducing reluctant readers to the magic that is Harry Potter. (Age 9 and over) --Susan Harrison

Absolutely perfect., 24 Dec 2007
(Contains spoilers for 'Order of the Phoenix' and slight spoilers for 'Half Blood Prince'.)

This entire series is special but now that it's complete I can safely say this is my favourite. I'll re-read all the books but this one the most.

Review:

After Sirius' death in book five, Dumbledore invites Harry to help him investigate and obtain information regarding Voldermort's past (or to be more precise- Tom Riddle's past). With Voldermort's Deatheaters returning to him en masse, Voldermort is now ready to return to his reign of terror so Dumbledore and Harry must look into his past to see if there is any way of defeating him. These flashback sequences via the pensieve are terrific and really flesh out the character of Tom Riddle, giving him more substance.

As with each new book a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. This time it is the larger than life, jolly yet fiercely ambitious Horace Slughorn who Dumbledore has convinced to come out of retirement. Apart from Hermione, Slughorn has now become my favourite character in the series. He is neither completely good or bad, he is complex, flawed and likable. For me he is one of Rowling's best creations.

Rowling has a wonderful ability to simultaneously progress the overall main story (in this book MAJOR events happen) and at the same time put excellent detail into the smaller stories that occur in the book. Each book always has a mystery element to be solved and here Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to figure out who the 'Half- Blood Prince' is.

Some of the best chapters concern Harry, Hermione and Ron and their day to day troubles within Hogwarts such as Quiddich practice, how they are faring in certain classes now that they are studying the more difficult N.E.W.T course, not to mention their complicated love lives.

Rowling's world is completely absorbing and this was a pleasure to read with its' usual combination of mystery, humour and sadness, all of which is underpinned by the wonderful Characters- old and new.

10/10.

Great end to this series of Books , 20 Aug 2007
Careful Spoilers included:-

An enjoyable end to this series of 7 books. Darker, more intense then most of the other 6 books, this novel has few if any laughs but the battle scenes towards the end of the book are exciting, and there are some nice twists to the story, even if some of the story is a little predictable.

The last 200 pages were especially good and I found I couldn't put the book down and it great to have Gringotts featured again and of course nice that a lot of the ending happened at Hogwarts as that did seem to be missed from the beginning of the book.

I was disappointed that Mad Eye Moody was killed off so suddenly and found the scene where Dobby the House Elf came to rescue Harry and the others and then got killed by Bellatrix was especially emotional and was written really well by JKR. Also felt sad about Lupin, Tonks and Fred and of course guessed that Snape would kind of come good in the end, after all Dumbledore had never doubted him and he was usually right. I did however feel that the Epilogue at the end was a bit of a mistake and was just the publishers push to JK to tie things up in a neat ribbon for younger readers at the end, but it was so rushed and added little to the story that it really was unnecessary to have it there.

All in all a really good book and thorougly enjoyable to read and a shame the series has come to an end. Don't feel it should be read to very young children though as they may feel very upset with the scenes where people die as these are written in quite a bit of detail.

I don't think JKR should write any more HP books though, it should be left at this one and its fantastic that she has got people of all ages reading again. She should be highly commended for this.

A great ending to a fantastic series, 30 Jul 2007
In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.

Bad but better than the last one, 16 Jul 2007
all I can say is its better than the last one but that's only because the last one is one of the worst books I've ever read (such a disappointment after the first 4) and to point out how truly bad the 6th and 5th are the bullet proof ness of Harry Potters die hard fans have actually been broken and I call upon any non extremist of Harry Potter to write a review about how much of a disappointment this is compared to the other 4. They are actually only 4 and a half stars it doesn't sound like much but if you think about it its is huge. And it proves my point

How will it end?, 11 Jul 2007
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the sixth book in JK Rowling's magical 7-part series and the Second War is now in full swing.

At the end of the previous novel, The Order of the Phoenix, Harry found out the details of the prophecy and so now, with the power of the pensive and the help of Professor Dumbledore, Harry visits memories from other witches and wizards revealing key moments in his nemesis, Lord Voldemort's past, providing useful information for his unavoidable battle with him in the near future.

Also during this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary, Harry obtains a Potions Book that was previously owned by a student who named himself "The Half-Blood Prince". In this book are hand-written notes giving Harry extremely useful tips on potions, making him the top in his class and also some homemade spells.

Relationships are also covered in book 6, including some jealousy problems with Ron and Hermoine and also Harry has a new love interest but worries about the consequences of asking the girl out as it is his best mate's sister, Ginny.

This is a much darker and more serious book than some of the previous ones in the series and also feels like a huge introduction to the final book. There are so many shocking twists and surprises that'll keep you wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. This is an extremely exciting and important book in the series and one of the best yet.

If you haven't read any of the series before, this probably isn't a good place to start, (even if you have seen the films before as there are many scenes and characters missing from the films) as it is based almost purely on everything that has happened in the previous 5 books.

This is a top read that will have you gagging for book 7 once you reach the end of it. I just want to know now "how will it end?".

Sets the scene well, 19 Sep 2008
...and is undoubtably well-described, but the actual storyline wasn't quite as exciting as everyone said it would be. Still, I will be reading the next one!

From a Primary Teacher's perspective, 16 Sep 2008
The first in the collection explores a typical plot of an orphan boy who is badly treated by his uncle and auntie, and is suddenly offered a place at Hogwarts, the school for young and aspiring wizards and witches. From the moment young Harry meets Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and groundkeeper of the school, the realm of the magical and mysterious unravels before him, gradually revealing the true past of his dead parents.

Clearly the most predictable choice of all books due to the worldwide interest the series has received, few pupils nowadays would not be able to describe an event, character or plot from Harry Potter. This in itself can be used to create further interest in reading and a whole manner of cross-curricular activities.

Film adaptations have been equally as successful as the books, so there are many avenues in which the teacher can lead them into reading. Ideally this read is for Years 5 & 6, but because of the sheer level of interest it could be argued that Year 2 onwards would be keen to hear readings and therefore give them a clear goal to head towards. And as there are so many facets to the Harry Potter phenomenon as well as a deep passion expressed by many children from across the world, it wouldn't be hard to harness the interest of this book and use it to propel a particular lesson. With links to English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, PSHE and school ethics (i.e. house points and community issues), the opportunity to use Rowling's work as a springboard is endless and is therefore inescapably a must-read for any teacher.

An excellent start to a fantastic series!, 16 Aug 2008
I remember the moment back in 2001 when one of my friends thrust Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into my hands and ordered me to read. I'd already been vaguely curious about the series before, what with all the hype surrounding Goblet of Fire, which had been released the previous year. The minute the book was put into my hands during a lunch break at college, I began to read. After that, I couldn't put it down. My form tutor rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of what I was reading - obviously he'd failed to be driven into all the hype surrounding Harry Potter - but I ignored his sniggering and carried on, and i'm very glad I did!

I was 17 when I started reading the books, around the same age as Harry was by the end of the series. His experiences in this book brought back all the memories of school, such as the daunting experience of the first day at secondary school, making friends, been forced to put up with teachers we hate, having enjoyable lessons with our favourite teachers and so on. That, coupled with all the magical elements of the book made it a fantastic read for me. The characters are beautifully written and the plot is wonderful. Harry's thoughts and feelings towards his new life at Hogwarts and the loss of his parents are very well written. The Mirror of Erised chapter is particularly moving.

Harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the perfect read for adults and children alike. There's the magical elements for the younger readers and the memories of life at a boarding school for the older audience! (I loved the school part, even though I was only 17 when I started the series so had only just left school!).

Overall, a great start to the series. The characters are well developed and the plot is exciting, moving and enthralling. If you haven't started the Harry potter series by now then now is the time to do so!

Wow!, 01 Jul 2008
I saw the movie before I read the book and I totally regret it. But the book was amazing and I don't get how some people don't like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." And I can't wait till I get the second in the series. (And if you've seen the movies, start reading the books now before more movies come out).

A magical book for all ages, 17 Jun 2008
I first read this enchanting novel nearly a decade ago, and throughout this time 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' has consistently lived up to its reputation as a magical, exciting work of fiction for readers of all ages. The character of Harry Potter is developed on a scale appropriate for the younger reader, although the twist-and-turn-full plot will leave any aged reader waiting for the next chapter, and indeed the next book. Recommended.

Terry Pratchett's Thief of Time, confronts Discworld and a variety of its defenders with an insidious menace; never before has the phrase "The End of History" had quite so sinister a sound. In the great stinking metropolis of Ankh Morpork, an obsessed clockmaker receives an unusual commission from an excessively beautiful woman whose feet do not touch the ground; strict school-teacher Susan finds herself summoned by her grandfather Death, to do him a favour; the monks who manage the even distribution of Time find themselves with a recalcitrant novice; and dairyman Ronnie Soak muses on his glory days, when he was the Fifth Rider of the Apocalypse, the one who left before they got famous.

As always, the sometimes startlingly surrealistically original, sometimes comfortingly groanworthy, jokes are underlain by some intensely complex ideas and tight plotting. Susan sto Helit makes a reappearance as one of Pratchett's more interesting heroines; the sinister Lady LeJean is one of Pratchett's most interesting villains, particularly once we learn the answer to the mystery about her.

There is an attractive darkness to much of the humour here--Pratchett is often at his best when at his darkest.--Roz Kaveney

Absolutely perfect., 24 Dec 2007
(Contains spoilers for 'Order of the Phoenix' and slight spoilers for 'Half Blood Prince'.)

This entire series is special but now that it's complete I can safely say this is my favourite. I'll re-read all the books but this one the most.

Review:

After Sirius' death in book five, Dumbledore invites Harry to help him investigate and obtain information regarding Voldermort's past (or to be more precise- Tom Riddle's past). With Voldermort's Deatheaters returning to him en masse, Voldermort is now ready to return to his reign of terror so Dumbledore and Harry must look into his past to see if there is any way of defeating him. These flashback sequences via the pensieve are terrific and really flesh out the character of Tom Riddle, giving him more substance.

As with each new book a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. This time it is the larger than life, jolly yet fiercely ambitious Horace Slughorn who Dumbledore has convinced to come out of retirement. Apart from Hermione, Slughorn has now become my favourite character in the series. He is neither completely good or bad, he is complex, flawed and likable. For me he is one of Rowling's best creations.

Rowling has a wonderful ability to simultaneously progress the overall main story (in this book MAJOR events happen) and at the same time put excellent detail into the smaller stories that occur in the book. Each book always has a mystery element to be solved and here Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to figure out who the 'Half- Blood Prince' is.

Some of the best chapters concern Harry, Hermione and Ron and their day to day troubles within Hogwarts such as Quiddich practice, how they are faring in certain classes now that they are studying the more difficult N.E.W.T course, not to mention their complicated love lives.

Rowling's world is completely absorbing and this was a pleasure to read with its' usual combination of mystery, humour and sadness, all of which is underpinned by the wonderful Characters- old and new.

10/10.

Great end to this series of Books , 20 Aug 2007
Careful Spoilers included:-

An enjoyable end to this series of 7 books. Darker, more intense then most of the other 6 books, this novel has few if any laughs but the battle scenes towards the end of the book are exciting, and there are some nice twists to the story, even if some of the story is a little predictable.

The last 200 pages were especially good and I found I couldn't put the book down and it great to have Gringotts featured again and of course nice that a lot of the ending happened at Hogwarts as that did seem to be missed from the beginning of the book.

I was disappointed that Mad Eye Moody was killed off so suddenly and found the scene where Dobby the House Elf came to rescue Harry and the others and then got killed by Bellatrix was especially emotional and was written really well by JKR. Also felt sad about Lupin, Tonks and Fred and of course guessed that Snape would kind of come good in the end, after all Dumbledore had never doubted him and he was usually right. I did however feel that the Epilogue at the end was a bit of a mistake and was just the publishers push to JK to tie things up in a neat ribbon for younger readers at the end, but it was so rushed and added little to the story that it really was unnecessary to have it there.

All in all a really good book and thorougly enjoyable to read and a shame the series has come to an end. Don't feel it should be read to very young children though as they may feel very upset with the scenes where people die as these are written in quite a bit of detail.

I don't think JKR should write any more HP books though, it should be left at this one and its fantastic that she has got people of all ages reading again. She should be highly commended for this.

A great ending to a fantastic series, 30 Jul 2007
In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.

Bad but better than the last one, 16 Jul 2007
all I can say is its better than the last one but that's only because the last one is one of the worst books I've ever read (such a disappointment after the first 4) and to point out how truly bad the 6th and 5th are the bullet proof ness of Harry Potters die hard fans have actually been broken and I call upon any non extremist of Harry Potter to write a review about how much of a disappointment this is compared to the other 4. They are actually only 4 and a half stars it doesn't sound like much but if you think about it its is huge. And it proves my point

How will it end?, 11 Jul 2007
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the sixth book in JK Rowling's magical 7-part series and the Second War is now in full swing.

At the end of the previous novel, The Order of the Phoenix, Harry found out the details of the prophecy and so now, with the power of the pensive and the help of Professor Dumbledore, Harry visits memories from other witches and wizards revealing key moments in his nemesis, Lord Voldemort's past, providing useful information for his unavoidable battle with him in the near future.

Also during this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary, Harry obtains a Potions Book that was previously owned by a student who named himself "The Half-Blood Prince". In this book are hand-written notes giving Harry extremely useful tips on potions, making him the top in his class and also some homemade spells.

Relationships are also covered in book 6, including some jealousy problems with Ron and Hermoine and also Harry has a new love interest but worries about the consequences of asking the girl out as it is his best mate's sister, Ginny.

This is a much darker and more serious book than some of the previous ones in the series and also feels like a huge introduction to the final book. There are so many shocking twists and surprises that'll keep you wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. This is an extremely exciting and important book in the series and one of the best yet.

If you haven't read any of the series before, this probably isn't a good place to start, (even if you have seen the films before as there are many scenes and characters missing from the films) as it is based almost purely on everything that has happened in the previous 5 books.

This is a top read that will have you gagging for book 7 once you reach the end of it. I just want to know now "how will it end?".

Sets the scene well, 19 Sep 2008
...and is undoubtably well-described, but the actual storyline wasn't quite as exciting as everyone said it would be. Still, I will be reading the next one!

From a Primary Teacher's perspective, 16 Sep 2008
The first in the collection explores a typical plot of an orphan boy who is badly treated by his uncle and auntie, and is suddenly offered a place at Hogwarts, the school for young and aspiring wizards and witches. From the moment young Harry meets Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and groundkeeper of the school, the realm of the magical and mysterious unravels before him, gradually revealing the true past of his dead parents.

Clearly the most predictable choice of all books due to the worldwide interest the series has received, few pupils nowadays would not be able to describe an event, character or plot from Harry Potter. This in itself can be used to create further interest in reading and a whole manner of cross-curricular activities.

Film adaptations have been equally as successful as the books, so there are many avenues in which the teacher can lead them into reading. Ideally this read is for Years 5 & 6, but because of the sheer level of interest it could be argued that Year 2 onwards would be keen to hear readings and therefore give them a clear goal to head towards. And as there are so many facets to the Harry Potter phenomenon as well as a deep passion expressed by many children from across the world, it wouldn't be hard to harness the interest of this book and use it to propel a particular lesson. With links to English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, PSHE and school ethics (i.e. house points and community issues), the opportunity to use Rowling's work as a springboard is endless and is therefore inescapably a must-read for any teacher.

An excellent start to a fantastic series!, 16 Aug 2008
I remember the moment back in 2001 when one of my friends thrust Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into my hands and ordered me to read. I'd already been vaguely curious about the series before, what with all the hype surrounding Goblet of Fire, which had been released the previous year. The minute the book was put into my hands during a lunch break at college, I began to read. After that, I couldn't put it down. My form tutor rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of what I was reading - obviously he'd failed to be driven into all the hype surrounding Harry Potter - but I ignored his sniggering and carried on, and i'm very glad I did!

I was 17 when I started reading the books, around the same age as Harry was by the end of the series. His experiences in this book brought back all the memories of school, such as the daunting experience of the first day at secondary school, making friends, been forced to put up with teachers we hate, having enjoyable lessons with our favourite teachers and so on. That, coupled with all the magical elements of the book made it a fantastic read for me. The characters are beautifully written and the plot is wonderful. Harry's thoughts and feelings towards his new life at Hogwarts and the loss of his parents are very well written. The Mirror of Erised chapter is particularly moving.

Harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the perfect read for adults and children alike. There's the magical elements for the younger readers and the memories of life at a boarding school for the older audience! (I loved the school part, even though I was only 17 when I started the series so had only just left school!).

Overall, a great start to the series. The characters are well developed and the plot is exciting, moving and enthralling. If you haven't started the Harry potter series by now then now is the time to do so!

Wow!, 01 Jul 2008
I saw the movie before I read the book and I totally regret it. But the book was amazing and I don't get how some people don't like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." And I can't wait till I get the second in the series. (And if you've seen the movies, start reading the books now before more movies come out).

A magical book for all ages, 17 Jun 2008
I first read this enchanting novel nearly a decade ago, and throughout this time 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' has consistently lived up to its reputation as a magical, exciting work of fiction for readers of all ages. The character of Harry Potter is developed on a scale appropriate for the younger reader, although the twist-and-turn-full plot will leave any aged reader waiting for the next chapter, and indeed the next book. Recommended.

Clever, funny but meaningless, 16 Jun 2008
This was my first Pratchett book and I still don't know what all the fuss is about. It was clever in a schoolboy sort of way and funny in parts but by the end I found it rather tedious. TP has an amazing imagination and he takes us on a fantastic tour - but ultimately it is just froth - fun, lightweight and meaningless.

new to Pratchett, 19 Jan 2008
This is the first Pratchett novel that I've read but I have to say that I'm very impressed and will definitely be repeating the experience. I found it a very quick read, which here is a compliment rather than anything else, because the storyline was so fast-paced without skimping on detail. It was frequently very funny and got a fair few laughs. Very satisfying and had a brilliant ending.

'If the first one was nougat it didn't count', 10 Feb 2007
When I first borrowed this book I set it aside for quite some time, but when I actually read it I got really interested in it. I think my favourite part was the chocolate philosophies, which cropped up a few times. Another advantage was that it had Susan in it, who is my favourite character in the series, but what I really liked about it was that she meets Nanny Ogg, which, as is pointed out, is an education in itself.
In this volume Susan is a schoolteacher, and seems to develop a more caustic side than in her previous chronicles - as well as a weakness for chocolates (unless they contain nougat)
This time, however, a new descendant of an anthropomorphic personification (I pride myself on actually knowing what the words mean) is introduced - this time the son - or sons - of Time. The plural is a bit complicated and I won't go into it, but his name is Lobsang Ludd, but he didn't appeal to me as Susan did and thus I hope he won't crop up again in the series.
And there are other characters making an appearence - this time the Auditors (featured in Reaper Man and Hogfather), this time assuming human form (and going by names of colours a la Resevoir Dogs - e.g. Mr. orange, Miss taupe and Mr. Dark Avocado - I personally think that there should have been a Mr/Miss Off-White.)
I found the plot a bit difficult to follow and I'm still not sure I've got the hang of it, but I quite liked it. Most of it, anyway.

Behold, the Fifth Surprise !, 31 Oct 2006
"Thief of Time" is the twenty-sixth book in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 2001. He has gone on to win the Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.

Officially, The Auditors are in charge of the universe : they see that atoms spin, that gravity works and that things move in curves. However, they hate life - too many irregularities - and have tried several times to deal with those pesky humans. In "Thief of Time", they're at it again - only, this time, they're being a little more devious about it. Normally Death - wears black, bony knees, big grin, carries a scythe - would do what he could to thwart them. However, due to an impending Apocalypse, he has to gather his fellow Horsemen - Famine, War and Pestilence - for the traditional ride. (There's also the matter of the mysterious fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who left before they became famous). As a result, Death persuades his grand-daughter Susan into helping out with the fight against the Auditors. Susan is now a teacher in Ankh-Morpork, so she's used to fighting for her life on a daily basis. Thankfully, for this battle she has Death of Rats and Quoth the Raven to help her out.

The Order of Wen and is based at the Monastery of Oi Dong in the High Ramtops. It is known by several aliases - including the History Monks. It's up to them to see that history follows the right track (it doesn't just happen, after all), and when history breaks it's the Order's job to fix it. Their job is made easier by their ability to move and store time, largely thanks to their "procrastinators". Lu-Tze is one of the Order's most notable members. However, as a Sweeper at the monastery, few pay him any real attention - only the most enlightened know who he actually is. He is an expert at deja-fu, a form of martial arts, and particularly enjoys growing bonsai mountains. In "Thief of Time", Lu-Tze is assigned a difficult new apprentice : Lobsang Ludd. Lobsang was a foundling and was raised for a while by the Guild of Thieves. (In fact, it seems he was pretty good at what he did). However, he entered the Monastery after being discovered by Brother Soto, the Order's Field Operative in Ankh-Morpork. Lobsang shows an uncanny talent for the Order's work also : when there's a time leak, he manages the Procrastinators like an artist.

Jeremy Clockson, like Lobsang, is a foundling - though, in Jeremy's case, he was raised by the Guild of Clockmakers. He runs a shop in Ankh-Morpork and is a brilliant, though slightly erratic, clockmaker. He's on medication (senior Guild members make sure he takes it) but id officially sane (he has the certificate that proves it). Jeremy is hired by the mysterious Lady Myria LeJean to build a truly accurate glass clock. If you believed in fairy stories, it might just remind you of one where Time herself was trapped inside a glass clock...

A fast-moving and very enjoyable book - Lu-Tze, in particular, is very funny though I was a bit sorry Quoth and Death of Rats didn't feature more. Lady LeJean, surprisingly, became a very likeable character. Very highly recommended.

Quite OK for a Pratchett beginner too, 30 May 2006
This was the first book I read in the series - I thought it was brilliant and I am now working my way through the others. Wish I'd discovered them years ago, but what fun I'm having now!

Absolutely perfect., 24 Dec 2007
(Contains spoilers for 'Order of the Phoenix' and slight spoilers for 'Half Blood Prince'.)

This entire series is special but now that it's complete I can safely say this is my favourite. I'll re-read all the books but this one the most.

Review:

After Sirius' death in book five, Dumbledore invites Harry to help him investigate and obtain information regarding Voldermort's past (or to be more precise- Tom Riddle's past). With Voldermort's Deatheaters returning to him en masse, Voldermort is now ready to return to his reign of terror so Dumbledore and Harry must look into his past to see if there is any way of defeating him. These flashback sequences via the pensieve are terrific and really flesh out the character of Tom Riddle, giving him more substance.

As with each new book a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. This time it is the larger than life, jolly yet fiercely ambitious Horace Slughorn who Dumbledore has convinced to come out of retirement. Apart from Hermione, Slughorn has now become my favourite character in the series. He is neither completely good or bad, he is complex, flawed and likable. For me he is one of Rowling's best creations.

Rowling has a wonderful ability to simultaneously progress the overall main story (in this book MAJOR events happen) and at the same time put excellent detail into the smaller stories that occur in the book. Each book always has a mystery element to be solved and here Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to figure out who the 'Half- Blood Prince' is.

Some of the best chapters concern Harry, Hermione and Ron and their day to day troubles within Hogwarts such as Quiddich practice, how they are faring in certain classes now that they are studying the more difficult N.E.W.T course, not to mention their complicated love lives.

Rowling's world is completely absorbing and this was a pleasure to read with its' usual combination of mystery, humour and sadness, all of which is underpinned by the wonderful Characters- old and new.

10/10.

Great end to this series of Books , 20 Aug 2007
Careful Spoilers included:-

An enjoyable end to this series of 7 books. Darker, more intense then most of the other 6 books, this novel has few if any laughs but the battle scenes towards the end of the book are exciting, and there are some nice twists to the story, even if some of the story is a little predictable.

The last 200 pages were especially good and I found I couldn't put the book down and it great to have Gringotts featured again and of course nice that a lot of the ending happened at Hogwarts as that did seem to be missed from the beginning of the book.

I was disappointed that Mad Eye Moody was killed off so suddenly and found the scene where Dobby the House Elf came to rescue Harry and the others and then got killed by Bellatrix was especially emotional and was written really well by JKR. Also felt sad about Lupin, Tonks and Fred and of course guessed that Snape would kind of come good in the end, after all Dumbledore had never doubted him and he was usually right. I did however feel that the Epilogue at the end was a bit of a mistake and was just the publishers push to JK to tie things up in a neat ribbon for younger readers at the end, but it was so rushed and added little to the story that it really was unnecessary to have it there.

All in all a really good book and thorougly enjoyable to read and a shame the series has come to an end. Don't feel it should be read to very young children though as they may feel very upset with the scenes where people die as these are written in quite a bit of detail.

I don't think JKR should write any more HP books though, it should be left at this one and its fantastic that she has got people of all ages reading again. She should be highly commended for this.

A great ending to a fantastic series, 30 Jul 2007
In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.

Bad but better than the last one, 16 Jul 2007
all I can say is its better than the last one but that's only because the last one is one of the worst books I've ever read (such a disappointment after the first 4) and to point out how truly bad the 6th and 5th are the bullet proof ness of Harry Potters die hard fans have actually been broken and I call upon any non extremist of Harry Potter to write a review about how much of a disappointment this is compared to the other 4. They are actually only 4 and a half stars it doesn't sound like much but if you think about it its is huge. And it proves my point

How will it end?, 11 Jul 2007
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the sixth book in JK Rowling's magical 7-part series and the Second War is now in full swing.

At the end of the previous novel, The Order of the Phoenix, Harry found out the details of the prophecy and so now, with the power of the pensive and the help of Professor Dumbledore, Harry visits memories from other witches and wizards revealing key moments in his nemesis, Lord Voldemort's past, providing useful information for his unavoidable battle with him in the near future.

Also during this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary, Harry obtains a Potions Book that was previously owned by a student who named himself "The Half-Blood Prince". In this book are hand-written notes giving Harry extremely useful tips on potions, making him the top in his class and also some homemade spells.

Relationships are also covered in book 6, including some jealousy problems with Ron and Hermoine and also Harry has a new love interest but worries about the consequences of asking the girl out as it is his best mate's sister, Ginny.

This is a much darker and more serious book than some of the previous ones in the series and also feels like a huge introduction to the final book. There are so many shocking twists and surprises that'll keep you wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. This is an extremely exciting and important book in the series and one of the best yet.

If you haven't read any of the series before, this probably isn't a good place to start, (even if you have seen the films before as there are many scenes and characters missing from the films) as it is based almost purely on everything that has happened in the previous 5 books.

This is a top read that will have you gagging for book 7 once you reach the end of it. I just want to know now "how will it end?".

Sets the scene well, 19 Sep 2008
...and is undoubtably well-described, but the actual storyline wasn't quite as exciting as everyone said it would be. Still, I will be reading the next one!

From a Primary Teacher's perspective, 16 Sep 2008
The first in the collection explores a typical plot of an orphan boy who is badly treated by his uncle and auntie, and is suddenly offered a place at Hogwarts, the school for young and aspiring wizards and witches. From the moment young Harry meets Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and groundkeeper of the school, the realm of the magical and mysterious unravels before him, gradually revealing the true past of his dead parents.

Clearly the most predictable choice of all books due to the worldwide interest the series has received, few pupils nowadays would not be able to describe an event, character or plot from Harry Potter. This in itself can be used to create further interest in reading and a whole manner of cross-curricular activities.

Film adaptations have been equally as successful as the books, so there are many avenues in which the teacher can lead them into reading. Ideally this read is for Years 5 & 6, but because of the sheer level of interest it could be argued that Year 2 onwards would be keen to hear readings and therefore give them a clear goal to head towards. And as there are so many facets to the Harry Potter phenomenon as well as a deep passion expressed by many children from across the world, it wouldn't be hard to harness the interest of this book and use it to propel a particular lesson. With links to English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, PSHE and school ethics (i.e. house points and community issues), the opportunity to use Rowling's work as a springboard is endless and is therefore inescapably a must-read for any teacher.

An excellent start to a fantastic series!, 16 Aug 2008
I remember the moment back in 2001 when one of my friends thrust Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into my hands and ordered me to read. I'd already been vaguely curious about the series before, what with all the hype surrounding Goblet of Fire, which had been released the previous year. The minute the book was put into my hands during a lunch break at college, I began to read. After that, I couldn't put it down. My form tutor rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of what I was reading - obviously he'd failed to be driven into all the hype surrounding Harry Potter - but I ignored his sniggering and carried on, and i'm very glad I did!

I was 17 when I started reading the books, around the same age as Harry was by the end of the series. His experiences in this book brought back all the memories of school, such as the daunting experience of the first day at secondary school, making friends, been forced to put up with teachers we hate, having enjoyable lessons with our favourite teachers and so on. That, coupled with all the magical elements of the book made it a fantastic read for me. The characters are beautifully written and the plot is wonderful. Harry's thoughts and feelings towards his new life at Hogwarts and the loss of his parents are very well written. The Mirror of Erised chapter is particularly moving.

Harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the perfect read for adults and children alike. There's the magical elements for the younger readers and the memories of life at a boarding school for the older audience! (I loved the school part, even though I was only 17 when I started the series so had only just left school!).

Overall, a great start to the series. The characters are well developed and the plot is exciting, moving and enthralling. If you haven't started the Harry potter series by now then now is the time to do so!

Wow!, 01 Jul 2008
I saw the movie before I read the book and I totally regret it. But the book was amazing and I don't get how some people don't like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." And I can't wait till I get the second in the series. (And if you've seen the movies, start reading the books now before more movies come out).

A magical book for all ages, 17 Jun 2008
I first read this enchanting novel nearly a decade ago, and throughout this time 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' has consistently lived up to its reputation as a magical, exciting work of fiction for readers of all ages. The character of Harry Potter is developed on a scale appropriate for the younger reader, although the twist-and-turn-full plot will leave any aged reader waiting for the next chapter, and indeed the next book. Recommended.

Clever, funny but meaningless, 16 Jun 2008
This was my first Pratchett book and I still don't know what all the fuss is about. It was clever in a schoolboy sort of way and funny in parts but by the end I found it rather tedious. TP has an amazing imagination and he takes us on a fantastic tour - but ultimately it is just froth - fun, lightweight and meaningless.

new to Pratchett, 19 Jan 2008
This is the first Pratchett novel that I've read but I have to say that I'm very impressed and will definitely be repeating the experience. I found it a very quick read, which here is a compliment rather than anything else, because the storyline was so fast-paced without skimping on detail. It was frequently very funny and got a fair few laughs. Very satisfying and had a brilliant ending.

'If the first one was nougat it didn't count', 10 Feb 2007
When I first borrowed this book I set it aside for quite some time, but when I actually read it I got really interested in it. I think my favourite part was the chocolate philosophies, which cropped up a few times. Another advantage was that it had Susan in it, who is my favourite character in the series, but what I really liked about it was that she meets Nanny Ogg, which, as is pointed out, is an education in itself.
In this volume Susan is a schoolteacher, and seems to develop a more caustic side than in her previous chronicles - as well as a weakness for chocolates (unless they contain nougat)
This time, however, a new descendant of an anthropomorphic personification (I pride myself on actually knowing what the words mean) is introduced - this time the son - or sons - of Time. The plural is a bit complicated and I won't go into it, but his name is Lobsang Ludd, but he didn't appeal to me as Susan did and thus I hope he won't crop up again in the series.
And there are other characters making an appearence - this time the Auditors (featured in Reaper Man and Hogfather), this time assuming human form (and going by names of colours a la Resevoir Dogs - e.g. Mr. orange, Miss taupe and Mr. Dark Avocado - I personally think that there should have been a Mr/Miss Off-White.)
I found the plot a bit difficult to follow and I'm still not sure I've got the hang of it, but I quite liked it. Most of it, anyway.

Behold, the Fifth Surprise !, 31 Oct 2006
"Thief of Time" is the twenty-sixth book in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 2001. He has gone on to win the Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.

Officially, The Auditors are in charge of the universe : they see that atoms spin, that gravity works and that things move in curves. However, they hate life - too many irregularities - and have tried several times to deal with those pesky humans. In "Thief of Time", they're at it again - only, this time, they're being a little more devious about it. Normally Death - wears black, bony knees, big grin, carries a scythe - would do what he could to thwart them. However, due to an impending Apocalypse, he has to gather his fellow Horsemen - Famine, War and Pestilence - for the traditional ride. (There's also the matter of the mysterious fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who left before they became famous). As a result, Death persuades his grand-daughter Susan into helping out with the fight against the Auditors. Susan is now a teacher in Ankh-Morpork, so she's used to fighting for her life on a daily basis. Thankfully, for this battle she has Death of Rats and Quoth the Raven to help her out.

The Order of Wen and is based at the Monastery of Oi Dong in the High Ramtops. It is known by several aliases - including the History Monks. It's up to them to see that history follows the right track (it doesn't just happen, after all), and when history breaks it's the Order's job to fix it. Their job is made easier by their ability to move and store time, largely thanks to their "procrastinators". Lu-Tze is one of the Order's most notable members. However, as a Sweeper at the monastery, few pay him any real attention - only the most enlightened know who he actually is. He is an expert at deja-fu, a form of martial arts, and particularly enjoys growing bonsai mountains. In "Thief of Time", Lu-Tze is assigned a difficult new apprentice : Lobsang Ludd. Lobsang was a foundling and was raised for a while by the Guild of Thieves. (In fact, it seems he was pretty good at what he did). However, he entered the Monastery after being discovered by Brother Soto, the Order's Field Operative in Ankh-Morpork. Lobsang shows an uncanny talent for the Order's work also : when there's a time leak, he manages the Procrastinators like an artist.

Jeremy Clockson, like Lobsang, is a foundling - though, in Jeremy's case, he was raised by the Guild of Clockmakers. He runs a shop in Ankh-Morpork and is a brilliant, though slightly erratic, clockmaker. He's on medication (senior Guild members make sure he takes it) but id officially sane (he has the certificate that proves it). Jeremy is hired by the mysterious Lady Myria LeJean to build a truly accurate glass clock. If you believed in fairy stories, it might just remind you of one where Time herself was trapped inside a glass clock...

A fast-moving and very enjoyable book - Lu-Tze, in particular, is very funny though I was a bit sorry Quoth and Death of Rats didn't feature more. Lady LeJean, surprisingly, became a very likeable character. Very highly recommended.

Quite OK for a Pratchett beginner too, 30 May 2006
This was the first book I read in the series - I thought it was brilliant and I am now working my way through the others. Wish I'd discovered them years ago, but what fun I'm having now!

River god,Brilliant, 10 Oct 2008
Someone lent me this book to read because they liked it,it was the start of a long long reading experience, I just couldn't put it down and I ended up reading the whole series.Anyone who doesn't like it must lack imagination of this epic story.Totally loved it.

One of my favourite books of all time, 28 Aug 2008
A cleverly written book that will make you think you're reading fact not fiction. The real life settings supported by the obvious extensive research that the author has undertaken.

Read this then read "The Seventh Scroll". Truly enchanting and gripping stuff!

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2008
I returned from a Nile Cruise captivated by the history of Egypt and someone leant me a copy of The Quest. On examination I discovered that this was the 4th of a series, so embarked on a journey starting with River God. This is the first Wilbur Smith book I've read and I was impressed. A good story, well written and from what I can make out from my limited knowledge, historically accurate. At 672 pages, a fairly long read, so will probably leave it a couple of books before I resume my journey with The Seventh Scroll. But still looking forward to it.

Best book, EVER., 16 May 2008
I love this book to distraction! This book has taught me so much about life in Ancient Egypt, love, war and people in general.

I cannot emphasise enough how good this book is, this should be a compulsory read for everyone. This book will stay with you long after you have finished it, which sounds a little cliché but has never been truer for any book that I've read.

In a league of its own, 01 Apr 2008
My words here won't do this book justice! The story is told by Egyptian slave, Taita. He tells the turbulent story of his mistress, Lostris, and her lover, Tanus. The attention to detail is incredible and you really get to love and hate the characters accordingly. Wilbur Smith is a master storyteller. The author's note at the back of the book is also very intriguing!

Absolutely perfect., 24 Dec 2007
(Contains spoilers for 'Order of the Phoenix' and slight spoilers for 'Half Blood Prince'.)

This entire series is special but now that it's complete I can safely say this is my favourite. I'll re-read all the books but this one the most.

Review:

After Sirius' death in book five, Dumbledore invites Harry to help him investigate and obtain information regarding Voldermort's past (or to be more precise- Tom Riddle's past). With Voldermort's Deatheaters returning to him en masse, Voldermort is now ready to return to his reign of terror so Dumbledore and Harry must look into his past to see if there is any way of defeating him. These flashback sequences via the pensieve are terrific and really flesh out the character of Tom Riddle, giving him more substance.

As with each new book a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. This time it is the larger than life, jolly yet fiercely ambitious Horace Slughorn who Dumbledore has convinced to come out of retirement. Apart from Hermione, Slughorn has now become my favourite character in the series. He is neither completely good or bad, he is complex, flawed and likable. For me he is one of Rowling's best creations.

Rowling has a wonderful ability to simultaneously progress the overall main story (in this book MAJOR events happen) and at the same time put excellent detail into the smaller stories that occur in the book. Each book always has a mystery element to be solved and here Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to figure out who the 'Half- Blood Prince' is.

Some of the best chapters concern Harry, Hermione and Ron and their day to day troubles within Hogwarts such as Quiddich practice, how they are faring in certain classes now that they are studying the more difficult N.E.W.T course, not to mention their complicated love lives.

Rowling's world is completely absorbing and this was a pleasure to read with its' usual combination of mystery, humour and sadness, all of which is underpinned by the wonderful Characters- old and new.

10/10.

Great end to this series of Books , 20 Aug 2007
Careful Spoilers included:-

An enjoyable end to this series of 7 books. Darker, more intense then most of the other 6 books, this novel has few if any laughs but the battle scenes towards the end of the book are exciting, and there are some nice twists to the story, even if some of the story is a little predictable.

The last 200 pages were especially good and I found I couldn't put the book down and it great to have Gringotts featured again and of course nice that a lot of the ending happened at Hogwarts as that did seem to be missed from the beginning of the book.

I was disappointed that Mad Eye Moody was killed off so suddenly and found the scene where Dobby the House Elf came to rescue Harry and the others and then got killed by Bellatrix was especially emotional and was written really well by JKR. Also felt sad about Lupin, Tonks and Fred and of course guessed that Snape would kind of come good in the end, after all Dumbledore had never doubted him and he was usually right. I did however feel that the Epilogue at the end was a bit of a mistake and was just the publishers push to JK to tie things up in a neat ribbon for younger readers at the end, but it was so rushed and added little to the story that it really was unnecessary to have it there.

All in all a really good book and thorougly enjoyable to read and a shame the series has come to an end. Don't feel it should be read to very young children though as they may feel very upset with the scenes where people die as these are written in quite a bit of detail.

I don't think JKR should write any more HP books though, it should be left at this one and its fantastic that she has got people of all ages reading again. She should be highly commended for this.

A great ending to a fantastic series, 30 Jul 2007
In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.

Bad but better than the last one, 16 Jul 2007
all I can say is its better than the last one but that's only because the last one is one of the worst books I've ever read (such a disappointment after the first 4) and to point out how truly bad the 6th and 5th are the bullet proof ness of Harry Potters die hard fans have actually been broken and I call upon any non extremist of Harry Potter to write a review about how much of a disappointment this is compared to the other 4. They are actually only 4 and a half stars it doesn't sound like much but if you think about it its is huge. And it proves my point

How will it end?, 11 Jul 2007
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the sixth book in JK Rowling's magical 7-part series and the Second War is now in full swing.

At the end of the previous novel, The Order of the Phoenix, Harry found out the details of the prophecy and so now, with the power of the pensive and the help of Professor Dumbledore, Harry visits memories from other witches and wizards revealing key moments in his nemesis, Lord Voldemort's past, providing useful information for his unavoidable battle with him in the near future.

Also during this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary, Harry obtains a Potions Book that was previously owned by a student who named himself "The Half-Blood Prince". In this book are hand-written notes giving Harry extremely useful tips on potions, making him the top in his class and also some homemade spells.

Relationships are also covered in book 6, including some jealousy problems with Ron and Hermoine and also Harry has a new love interest but worries about the consequences of asking the girl out as it is his best mate's sister, Ginny.

This is a much darker and more serious book than some of the previous ones in the series and also feels like a huge introduction to the final book. There are so many shocking twists and surprises that'll keep you wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. This is an extremely exciting and important book in the series and one of the best yet.

If you haven't read any of the series before, this probably isn't a good place to start, (even if you have seen the films before as there are many scenes and characters missing from the films) as it is based almost purely on everything that has happened in the previous 5 books.

This is a top read that will have you gagging for book 7 once you reach the end of it. I just want to know now "how will it end?".

Sets the scene well, 19 Sep 2008
...and is undoubtably well-described, but the actual storyline wasn't quite as exciting as everyone said it would be. Still, I will be reading the next one!

From a Primary Teacher's perspective, 16 Sep 2008
The first in the collection explores a typical plot of an orphan boy who is badly treated by his uncle and auntie, and is suddenly offered a place at Hogwarts, the school for young and aspiring wizards and witches. From the moment young Harry meets Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and groundkeeper of the school, the realm of the magical and mysterious unravels before him, gradually revealing the true past of his dead parents.

Clearly the most predictable choice of all books due to the worldwide interest the series has received, few pupils nowadays would not be able to describe an event, character or plot from Harry Potter. This in itself can be used to create further interest in reading and a whole manner of cross-curricular activities.

Film adaptations have been equally as successful as the books, so there are many avenues in which the teacher can lead them into reading. Ideally this read is for Years 5 & 6, but because of the sheer level of interest it could be argued that Year 2 onwards would be keen to hear readings and therefore give them a clear goal to head towards. And as there are so many facets to the Harry Potter phenomenon as well as a deep passion expressed by many children from across the world, it wouldn't be hard to harness the interest of this book and use it to propel a particular lesson. With links to English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, PSHE and school ethics (i.e. house points and community issues), the opportunity to use Rowling's work as a springboard is endless and is therefore inescapably a must-read for any teacher.

An excellent start to a fantastic series!, 16 Aug 2008
I remember the moment back in 2001 when one of my friends thrust Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into my hands and ordered me to read. I'd already been vaguely curious about the series before, what with all the hype surrounding Goblet of Fire, which had been released the previous year. The minute the book was put into my hands during a lunch break at college, I began to read. After that, I couldn't put it down. My form tutor rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of what I was reading - obviously he'd failed to be driven into all the hype surrounding Harry Potter - but I ignored his sniggering and carried on, and i'm very glad I did!

I was 17 when I started reading the books, around the same age as Harry was by the end of the series. His experiences in this book brought back all the memories of school, such as the daunting experience of the first day at secondary school, making friends, been forced to put up with teachers we hate, having enjoyable lessons with our favourite teachers and so on. That, coupled with all the magical elements of the book made it a fantastic read for me. The characters are beautifully written and the plot is wonderful. Harry's thoughts and feelings towards his new life at Hogwarts and the loss of his parents are very well written. The Mirror of Erised chapter is particularly moving.

Harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the perfect read for adults and children alike. There's the magical elements for the younger readers and the memories of life at a boarding school for the older audience! (I loved the school part, even though I was only 17 when I started the series so had only just left school!).

Overall, a great start to the series. The characters are well developed and the plot is exciting, moving and enthralling. If you haven't started the Harry potter series by now then now is the time to do so!

Wow!, 01 Jul 2008
I saw the movie before I read the book and I totally regret it. But the book was amazing and I don't get how some people don't like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." And I can't wait till I get the second in the series. (And if you've seen the movies, start reading the books now before more movies come out).

A magical book for all ages, 17 Jun 2008
I first read this enchanting novel nearly a decade ago, and throughout this time 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' has consistently lived up to its reputation as a magical, exciting work of fiction for readers of all ages. The character of Harry Potter is developed on a scale appropriate for the younger reader, although the twist-and-turn-full plot will leave any aged reader waiting for the next chapter, and indeed the next book. Recommended.

Clever, funny but meaningless, 16 Jun 2008
This was my first Pratchett book and I still don't know what all the fuss is about. It was clever in a schoolboy sort of way and funny in parts but by the end I found it rather tedious. TP has an amazing imagination and he takes us on a fantastic tour - but ultimately it is just froth - fun, lightweight and meaningless.

new to Pratchett, 19 Jan 2008
This is the first Pratchett novel that I've read but I have to say that I'm very impressed and will definitely be repeating the experience. I found it a very quick read, which here is a compliment rather than anything else, because the storyline was so fast-paced without skimping on detail. It was frequently very funny and got a fair few laughs. Very satisfying and had a brilliant ending.

'If the first one was nougat it didn't count', 10 Feb 2007
When I first borrowed this book I set it aside for quite some time, but when I actually read it I got really interested in it. I think my favourite part was the chocolate philosophies, which cropped up a few times. Another advantage was that it had Susan in it, who is my favourite character in the series, but what I really liked about it was that she meets Nanny Ogg, which, as is pointed out, is an education in itself.
In this volume Susan is a schoolteacher, and seems to develop a more caustic side than in her previous chronicles - as well as a weakness for chocolates (unless they contain nougat)
This time, however, a new descendant of an anthropomorphic personification (I pride myself on actually knowing what the words mean) is introduced - this time the son - or sons - of Time. The plural is a bit complicated and I won't go into it, but his name is Lobsang Ludd, but he didn't appeal to me as Susan did and thus I hope he won't crop up again in the series.
And there are other characters making an appearence - this time the Auditors (featured in Reaper Man and Hogfather), this time assuming human form (and going by names of colours a la Resevoir Dogs - e.g. Mr. orange, Miss taupe and Mr. Dark Avocado - I personally think that there should have been a Mr/Miss Off-White.)
I found the plot a bit difficult to follow and I'm still not sure I've got the hang of it, but I quite liked it. Most of it, anyway.

Behold, the Fifth Surprise !, 31 Oct 2006
"Thief of Time" is the twenty-sixth book in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 2001. He has gone on to win the Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.

Officially, The Auditors are in charge of the universe : they see that atoms spin, that gravity works and that things move in curves. However, they hate life - too many irregularities - and have tried several times to deal with those pesky humans. In "Thief of Time", they're at it again - only, this time, they're being a little more devious about it. Normally Death - wears black, bony knees, big grin, carries a scythe - would do what he could to thwart them. However, due to an impending Apocalypse, he has to gather his fellow Horsemen - Famine, War and Pestilence - for the traditional ride. (There's also the matter of the mysterious fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who left before they became famous). As a result, Death persuades his grand-daughter Susan into helping out with the fight against the Auditors. Susan is now a teacher in Ankh-Morpork, so she's used to fighting for her life on a daily basis. Thankfully, for this battle she has Death of Rats and Quoth the Raven to help her out.

The Order of Wen and is based at the Monastery of Oi Dong in the High Ramtops. It is known by several aliases - including the History Monks. It's up to them to see that history follows the right track (it doesn't just happen, after all), and when history breaks it's the Order's job to fix it. Their job is made easier by their ability to move and store time, largely thanks to their "procrastinators". Lu-Tze is one of the Order's most notable members. However, as a Sweeper at the monastery, few pay him any real attention - only the most enlightened know who he actually is. He is an expert at deja-fu, a form of martial arts, and particularly enjoys growing bonsai mountains. In "Thief of Time", Lu-Tze is assigned a difficult new apprentice : Lobsang Ludd. Lobsang was a foundling and was raised for a while by the Guild of Thieves. (In fact, it seems he was pretty good at what he did). However, he entered the Monastery after being discovered by Brother Soto, the Order's Field Operative in Ankh-Morpork. Lobsang shows an uncanny talent for the Order's work also : when there's a time leak, he manages the Procrastinators like an artist.

Jeremy Clockson, like Lobsang, is a foundling - though, in Jeremy's case, he was raised by the Guild of Clockmakers. He runs a shop in Ankh-Morpork and is a brilliant, though slightly erratic, clockmaker. He's on medication (senior Guild members make sure he takes it) but id officially sane (he has the certificate that proves it). Jeremy is hired by the mysterious Lady Myria LeJean to build a truly accurate glass clock. If you believed in fairy stories, it might just remind you of one where Time herself was trapped inside a glass clock...

A fast-moving and very enjoyable book - Lu-Tze, in particular, is very funny though I was a bit sorry Quoth and Death of Rats didn't feature more. Lady LeJean, surprisingly, became a very likeable character. Very highly recommended.

Quite OK for a Pratchett beginner too, 30 May 2006
This was the first book I read in the series - I thought it was brilliant and I am now working my way through the others. Wish I'd discovered them years ago, but what fun I'm having now!

River god,Brilliant, 10 Oct 2008
Someone lent me this book to read because they liked it,it was the start of a long long reading experience, I just couldn't put it down and I ended up reading the whole series.Anyone who doesn't like it must lack imagination of this epic story.Totally loved it.

One of my favourite books of all time, 28 Aug 2008
A cleverly written book that will make you think you're reading fact not fiction. The real life settings supported by the obvious extensive research that the author has undertaken.

Read this then read "The Seventh Scroll". Truly enchanting and gripping stuff!

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2008
I returned from a Nile Cruise captivated by the history of Egypt and someone leant me a copy of The Quest. On examination I discovered that this was the 4th of a series, so embarked on a journey starting with River God. This is the first Wilbur Smith book I've read and I was impressed. A good story, well written and from what I can make out from my limited knowledge, historically accurate. At 672 pages, a fairly long read, so will probably leave it a couple of books before I resume my journey with The Seventh Scroll. But still looking forward to it.

Best book, EVER., 16 May 2008
I love this book to distraction! This book has taught me so much about life in Ancient Egypt, love, war and people in general.

I cannot emphasise enough how good this book is, this should be a compulsory read for everyone. This book will stay with you long after you have finished it, which sounds a little cliché but has never been truer for any book that I've read.

In a league of its own, 01 Apr 2008
My words here won't do this book justice! The story is told by Egyptian slave, Taita. He tells the turbulent story of his mistress, Lostris, and her lover, Tanus. The attention to detail is incredible and you really get to love and hate the characters accordingly. Wilbur Smith is a master storyteller. The author's note at the back of the book is also very intriguing!

Mostly Harmless . . ., 12 Sep 2005
. . . but is that what we really want from our H2G2?

The Zarniwoop/Bird sequences are maddeningly ill-executed and suffer from chasms in logic and continuity, which throws the rest of the series into shadow. The ending is a nice tying together of loose ends, and would seem to satisfy Adams' plans to continue the H2G2 metaplot, but is a bit too sentimental and perfect. Radio H2G2's strength is (or was) its lack of sentimentality and fluff, which have since permeated the last three series to saturation point. Furthermore, the new abilities attributed to the babel fish become unbelievable, even for H2G2.

"Mostly Harmless" was an interesting book; as a radio series it is too slow. Adams was a good writer; Dirk Maggs isn't Douglas Adams and never will be. That, it would seem, is his greatest failing, but he also fails to grasp the true essence of the H2G2 multiverse. Fans will be disappointed. However, if you plan to read the book, this may be a faster alternative.

Excellent Stuff, 04 Jul 2005
When I originally listened to the HHGTTG in the 80s, I listened to it countless times, each time picking up on a new thread of the story, discovering more jokes and catch lines. This, as with the 3rd and 4rd phases, is in the same vein. You need to listen to it several times to really appreciate it.
Brilliant stuff, and about time.

That's it. No more!, 29 Jun 2005
It's quite an undertaking to draw to a close a cult sage that spans four decades, but the BBC manages to pull it off in fine style.

Part of the attraction of listening to this is not just the assured performances of the 'original' cast, (Geoffery McGivern and Simon Jones are completely at home as Ford and Arthur) but recognising the other less central characters and the familiar voices behind them.

The last phase not only manages to neatly tie up all loose ends from all other series, but also be a less downbeat finale than the book was. To get the benefit of this, though, you have to listen to the Hollywood happy ending which is unexpected to those familiar with the book. It works, but takes a leap of faith to hope that it is as the author would want it.

Nice to hear Douglas Adams one more time, too.

Over all, a joy to behold.

Quintessential not essential, 23 Jun 2005
While the universe apparently has no boundaries, the same cannot be said of the shelf-life of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I wanted to like this as much as I've liked all the other Hitchhiker radio plays, books and TV series...all of which I proudly own and contentedly devour. But, there is a point from beyond which there is no return. In fact, listening to this, I finally realized why it is a good thing that the Beatles never reunited. Sometimes, you need to Let it Be.

The play starts out well. In fact, the beginning (including the description and story of the Grebulons) had me laughing out loud. Very, very funny stuff. Ford's return to the Hitchhiker building...very funny. But then, the play tried to do something it shouldn't have done...it tried to be clever and plot-driven...at the expense of being just plain funny and lighthearted.

It was a string of marvelous, lustrous pearls...without the string. The last time a plot was this thick and complex, Peter Jackson directed it into more than 10 delightful hours of The Lord of the Rings. With only two hours at their disposal, the writer/director threw in everything he possibly could to, evidently, employ as many actors as humanly possible in as short a space of time as possible.

Trillian, as Ford once said, is a girl "full of hidden shallows." To expand her into two characters and a major role is spreading the butter a bit thin on the bread. And it's not butter, it's margarine. Zarniwoop deadened the plot just as it was getting started, which seems to be his function. The Vogons who, according to the Guide, are "not actually evil" are now actually evil. Subtlety: gone. Nuance: gone. Different word for subtlety or nuance: gone. This is what happens when thoughts are replaced with afterthoughts.

I'm glad the cast had the chance to say goodbye. But a simple, etched fishbowl would have done the job. I've kept my receipt, in case reverse temporal engineering ever becomes a reality. My opinion in a nutshell: 41.

The BBC have done a terrific job........, 05 May 2005
.....with adapting the spoken word audiobooks into "new" HHGTHG episodes, and its wonderful to hear Mark Wing-Davey and the gang again.

Although The Silmarillion takes place in the same imaginary world as J.J.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and was originally published four years after the author's death and over two decades after the former book, it is set much earlier, in the First Age of the World. The tales and the book which reads as a fusion between a story collection and historical chronicle, are a matter of legend even to the characters of The Lord of the Rings:

In the beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the Ainur of his thought; and they made a great Music before him

Tolkien wrote the heart of this material very early in his career, and continued to work on it throughout his life. It fell to his son, Christopher Tolkien, to edit it into book form, and such proved the unquenchable public appetite that he subsequently oversaw 12 volumes of The History of Middle-Earth. This edition features 20 highly evocative colour plates by Ted Nasmith, themselves worth the price of admission, while reinforcing the sense of a historical work are genealogical tables, an extensive index, appendix and colour map. Far removed from the genial style of The Hobbit, this is Tolkien at his most formal, his prose austere, poetically beautiful, his storytelling capturing the epic scale, high drama and melancholy wonder of myth. These stories of elves and heroes and old gods are quite literally the foundation of the entire modern fantasy-publishing revival, and are therefore essential reading. --Gary S. DalkinJRR Tolkien is best known for The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings but those who thought these two wonderful adventures marked the height of his imagination have many more delights to come. The Silmarillion represents the source of Tolkien's later work and follows the events of the First Age of Middle Earth. For information, The Lord Of The Rings concerns the end of the Third Age.

The Silmarillion is a gloriously realised story of rebellion, exile, war and the heroism of elves and men. But to gain an insight into the staggering complexity of Tolkien's world, however, the shorter works also included are must-reads. Dealing with the myth of creation, the nature of the Gods, the fall of Númenor and the Rings of Power, they paint a vivid picture not only of Middle Earth but also of the author's soaring imagination.

Tolkien was born of English parents in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 and died in England in 1973. He worked on The Silmarillion from as early as 1917 but the work was not published until after his death. This edition, richly illustrated by Ted Nasmith, is both collector's item and source of reference and fascination for every follower of Tolkien. --James Barclay

Absolutely perfect., 24 Dec 2007
(Contains spoilers for 'Order of the Phoenix' and slight spoilers for 'Half Blood Prince'.)

This entire series is special but now that it's complete I can safely say this is my favourite. I'll re-read all the books but this one the most.

Review:

After Sirius' death in book five, Dumbledore invites Harry to help him investigate and obtain information regarding Voldermort's past (or to be more precise- Tom Riddle's past). With Voldermort's Deatheaters returning to him en masse, Voldermort is now ready to return to his reign of terror so Dumbledore and Harry must look into his past to see if there is any way of defeating him. These flashback sequences via the pensieve are terrific and really flesh out the character of Tom Riddle, giving him more substance.

As with each new book a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. This time it is the larger than life, jolly yet fiercely ambitious Horace Slughorn who Dumbledore has convinced to come out of retirement. Apart from Hermione, Slughorn has now become my favourite character in the series. He is neither completely good or bad, he is complex, flawed and likable. For me he is one of Rowling's best creations.

Rowling has a wonderful ability to simultaneously progress the overall main story (in this book MAJOR events happen) and at the same time put excellent detail into the smaller stories that occur in the book. Each book always has a mystery element to be solved and here Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to figure out who the 'Half- Blood Prince' is.

Some of the best chapters concern Harry, Hermione and Ron and their day to day troubles within Hogwarts such as Quiddich practice, how they are faring in certain classes now that they are studying the more difficult N.E.W.T course, not to mention their complicated love lives.

Rowling's world is completely absorbing and this was a pleasure to read with its' usual combination of mystery, humour and sadness, all of which is underpinned by the wonderful Characters- old and new.

10/10.

Great end to this series of Books , 20 Aug 2007
Careful Spoilers included:-

An enjoyable end to this series of 7 books. Darker, more intense then most of the other 6 books, this novel has few if any laughs but the battle scenes towards the end of the book are exciting, and there are some nice twists to the story, even if some of the story is a little predictable.

The last 200 pages were especially good and I found I couldn't put the book down and it great to have Gringotts featured again and of course nice that a lot of the ending happened at Hogwarts as that did seem to be missed from the beginning of the book.

I was disappointed that Mad Eye Moody was killed off so suddenly and found the scene where Dobby the House Elf came to rescue Harry and the others and then got killed by Bellatrix was especially emotional and was written really well by JKR. Also felt sad about Lupin, Tonks and Fred and of course guessed that Snape would kind of come good in the end, after all Dumbledore had never doubted him and he was usually right. I did however feel that the Epilogue at the end was a bit of a mistake and was just the publishers push to JK to tie things up in a neat ribbon for younger readers at the end, but it was so rushed and added little to the story that it really was unnecessary to have it there.

All in all a really good book and thorougly enjoyable to read and a shame the series has come to an end. Don't feel it should be read to very young children though as they may feel very upset with the scenes where people die as these are written in quite a bit of detail.

I don't think JKR should write any more HP books though, it should be left at this one and its fantastic that she has got people of all ages reading again. She should be highly commended for this.

A great ending to a fantastic series, 30 Jul 2007
In years to come, these books will be ranked along with the greats of child literature. A modern classic.

Bad but better than the last one, 16 Jul 2007
all I can say is its better than the last one but that's only because the last one is one of the worst books I've ever read (such a disappointment after the first 4) and to point out how truly bad the 6th and 5th are the bullet proof ness of Harry Potters die hard fans have actually been broken and I call upon any non extremist of Harry Potter to write a review about how much of a disappointment this is compared to the other 4. They are actually only 4 and a half stars it doesn't sound like much but if you think about it its is huge. And it proves my point

How will it end?, 11 Jul 2007
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the sixth book in JK Rowling's magical 7-part series and the Second War is now in full swing.

At the end of the previous novel, The Order of the Phoenix, Harry found out the details of the prophecy and so now, with the power of the pensive and the help of Professor Dumbledore, Harry visits memories from other witches and wizards revealing key moments in his nemesis, Lord Voldemort's past, providing useful information for his unavoidable battle with him in the near future.

Also during this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary, Harry obtains a Potions Book that was previously owned by a student who named himself "The Half-Blood Prince". In this book are hand-written notes giving Harry extremely useful tips on potions, making him the top in his class and also some homemade spells.

Relationships are also covered in book 6, including some jealousy problems with Ron and Hermoine and also Harry has a new love interest but worries about the consequences of asking the girl out as it is his best mate's sister, Ginny.

This is a much darker and more serious book than some of the previous ones in the series and also feels like a huge introduction to the final book. There are so many shocking twists and surprises that'll keep you wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. This is an extremely exciting and important book in the series and one of the best yet.

If you haven't read any of the series before, this probably isn't a good place to start, (even if you have seen the films before as there are many scenes and characters missing from the films) as it is based almost purely on everything that has happened in the previous 5 books.

This is a top read that will have you gagging for book 7 once you reach the end of it. I just want to know now "how will it end?".

Sets the scene well, 19 Sep 2008
...and is undoubtably well-described, but the actual storyline wasn't quite as exciting as everyone said it would be. Still, I will be reading the next one!

From a Primary Teacher's perspective, 16 Sep 2008
The first in the collection explores a typical plot of an orphan boy who is badly treated by his uncle and auntie, and is suddenly offered a place at Hogwarts, the school for young and aspiring wizards and witches. From the moment young Harry meets Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and groundkeeper of the school, the realm of the magical and mysterious unravels before him, gradually revealing the true past of his dead parents.

Clearly the most predictable choice of all books due to the worldwide interest the series has received, few pupils nowadays would not be able to describe an event, character or plot from Harry Potter. This in itself can be used to create further interest in reading and a whole manner of cross-curricular activities.

Film adaptations have been equally as successful as the books, so there are many avenues in which the teacher can lead them into reading. Ideally this read is for Years 5 & 6, but because of the sheer level of interest it could be argued that Year 2 onwards would be keen to hear readings and therefore give them a clear goal to head towards. And as there are so many facets to the Harry Potter phenomenon as well as a deep passion expressed by many children from across the world, it wouldn't be hard to harness the interest of this book and use it to propel a particular lesson. With links to English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, PSHE and school ethics (i.e. house points and community issues), the opportunity to use Rowling's work as a springboard is endless and is therefore inescapably a must-read for any teacher.

An excellent start to a fantastic series!, 16 Aug 2008
I remember the moment back in 2001 when one of my friends thrust Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into my hands and ordered me to read. I'd already been vaguely curious about the series before, what with all the hype surrounding Goblet of Fire, which had been released the previous year. The minute the book was put into my hands during a lunch break at college, I began to read. After that, I couldn't put it down. My form tutor rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of what I was reading - obviously he'd failed to be driven into all the hype surrounding Harry Potter - but I ignored his sniggering and carried on, and i'm very glad I did!

I was 17 when I started reading the books, around the same age as Harry was by the end of the series. His experiences in this book brought back all the memories of school, such as the daunting experience of the first day at secondary school, making friends, been forced to put up with teachers we hate, having enjoyable lessons with our favourite teachers and so on. That, coupled with all the magical elements of the book made it a fantastic read for me. The characters are beautifully written and the plot is wonderful. Harry's thoughts and feelings towards his new life at Hogwarts and the loss of his parents are very well written. The Mirror of Erised chapter is particularly moving.

Harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the perfect read for adults and children alike. There's the magical elements for the younger readers and the memories of life at a boarding school for the older audience! (I loved the school part, even though I was only 17 when I started the series so had only just left school!).

Overall, a great start to the series. The characters are well developed and the plot is exciting, moving and enthralling. If you haven't started the Harry potter series by now then now is the time to do so!