Harry Potter: Do You Have A Favourite?
- Emma Burrows
- Mar 7, 2019
- 4 min read
This past week my fiancee and I had ourselves a bit of a Harry Potter movie marathon and it got me to thinking: which book is best?
Everyone has a favourite, right? Favourite food, favourite drink, favourite animal, favourite book. So why not a favourite Harry Potter book...
I know that everyone has their own opinions when it comes to Harry Potter: some people think they are all equally great, while others, like myself, have our favourites.
There are even some (weirdos) out there that haven't read /or watched any of them!! Shocking, I know... Anyway, I digress.
Here is the point where I should say spoiler alert, but if you haven't read or watched the series yet I'm afraid that's on you.
Here is a quick synopsis for those that need it:
1) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry becomes a first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has a run-in with Lord Voldemort/ Professor Quirrell as Voldemort attempts to find the Philosopher's stone (which he hopes will give him eternal life). Voldemort fails to return.
2) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry's in his second year at Hogwarts and an unknown antagonist (Tom Riddle, A.K.A Voldemort, and a basilisk) petrifies some school residents, including Hermione. Harry defeats the basilisk and Tom's diary which, unbeknown to him at the time, was the first of seven Horcruxes.
3) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry's in his third year at Hogwarts. Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is believed to be a threat to Harry. As it so happens, Harry is Sirius' godson and Harry ends up saving his life. Scabbers, Ron's rat, turns out to be Peter Pettigrew, the traitor that led Voldemort to James and Lily Potter.
4) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry is in his fourth year of school and he is mysteriously entered into the Triwizard Tournament. Harry wins the tournament but Cedric is murdered by none other than Peter Pettigrew. Lord Voldemort finally makes his return.
5) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry is in his fifth year of school. The wizarding world is in denial about Lord Voldemort's return, and the Ministry of Magic interferes with Hogwarts. Bellatrix Lestrange murders Sirius.
6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry is in his penultimate year at school. During his potions class, he acquires Snape's old Potions book which helps Harry to ace his classes. Harry learns about Voldemort's past with Dumbledore's help, and after retrieving another Horcrux, Snape kills Dumbledore.
7) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In the final installment of the series, Harry, Hermione, and Ron skip their last school year to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. There is an epic battle at Hogwarts in which many witches and wizards die, and Voldemort is finally defeated for good.
Worst of the Bunch
In all honesty, I was not the biggest fan of either The Prisoner of Azkaban or The Order of the Phoenix. While important to the story-line as a whole, these just felt like fillers. In my opinion, at least, they just seemed to set the scene for the action that takes place in the following books. I'd even go so far as to say that nothing really happens in these books. Nothing significant anyway.
Yes, we find out a lot of information about Sirius, Lupin and Pettigrew in The Prisoner of Azkaban. And in The Order of the Phoenix we get to see just how intrusive the Ministry can be, but except for the tragic death of Sirius, what else really happens?
I will, however, say that these books are followed by my favorite of the bunch. The Prisoner of Azkaban is followed by The Goblet of Fire; The Order of the Phoenix is followed by The Half-Blood Prince.
Ultimately, my favourite is ...
*drum roll please*
The Goblet of Fire
My top pick just has to be The Goblet of Fire simply because it's full of so much action and suspense. Not only does Harry find himself in the throes of an archaic and violent competition, but Voldemort finally returns. And we even get to see the buds of romance bloom between Ron and Hermione (even if it is a bit awkward).
In this book, and as always, Harry proves himself to be the hero of the story, and the chosen one.
But, I must also acknowledge that the constantly underrated Neville appears again to try to save the day, this time with gillyweed. *yuck*
Anyway, this book is just filled with action and I loved every second!
Conclusion
Now, I do LOVE the entire collection as a whole (including the Fantastic Beasts spin-off/ prequel). I especially love how J.K.Rowling ever so subtly mirrors Harry's developing maturity through her writing style: as I finished each book and opened the next I found that the narratives got a bit more complex, the vocabulary a bit broader, and the imagery darker.
I must say, J.K.Rowling truly is a great writer. However, whilst each book is important to the series, I do think that some were better than others - especially The Goblet Of Fire!
In true bookworm fashion it‘s now my turn to ask you: do you have a favourite book in the series?
Happy World Book Day!
*Images Courtesy Of Google Images and Myself*
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