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Potter News You Can Use

J.K. Rowling has revealed three chapter titles from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to be:

• Chapter Two: "Spinners End"
• Chapter Six: "Draco's Detour"
• Chapter Fourteen: "Felix Felicis"

Find out more about Harry's creator in our exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling.

Why We Love Harry
Favorite Moments from the Series
There are plenty of reasons to love Rowling's wildly popular series--no doubt you have several dozen of your own. Our list features favorite moments, characters, and artifacts from all five books. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive (what we love about Harry could fill five books!) and does not include any of the spectacular revelatory moments that would spoil the books for those (few) who have not read them. Enjoy.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him. When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists. Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and marvel, Harry's first trip includes a trip to Gringotts and Ollivanders, where Harry gets his wand (holly and phoenix feather) and discovers yet another connection to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. This moment is the reader's first full introduction to Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizards. Harry's experience with the Sorting Hat.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The de-gnoming of the Weasleys' garden. Harry discovers that even wizards have chores--gnomes must be grabbed (ignoring angry protests "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"), swung about (to make them too dizzy to come back), and tossed out of the garden--this delightful scene highlights Rowling's clever and witty genius. Harry's first experience with a Howler, sent to Ron by his mother. The Dueling Club battle between Harry and Malfoy. Gilderoy Lockhart starts the Dueling Club to help students practice spells on each other, but he is not prepared for the intensity of the animosity between Harry and Draco. Since they are still young, their minibattle is innocent enough, including tickling and dancing charms.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Ron's attempt to use a telephone to call Harry at the Dursleys'. Harry's first encounter with a Dementor on the train (and just about any other encounter with Dementors). Harry's brush with the Dementors is terrifying and prepares Potter fans for a darker, scarier book. Harry, Ron, and Hermione's behavior in Professor Trelawney's Divination class. Some of the best moments in Rowling's books occur when she reminds us that the wizards-in-training at Hogwarts are, after all, just children. Clearly, even at a school of witchcraft and wizardry, classes can be boring and seem pointless to children. The Boggart lesson in Professor Lupin's classroom. Harry, Ron, and Hermione's knock-down confrontation with Snape.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Hermione's disgust at the reception for the veela (Bulgarian National Team Mascots) at the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling's fourth book addresses issues about growing up--the dynamic between the boys and girls at Hogwarts starts to change. Nowhere is this more plain than the hilarious scene in which magical cheerleaders nearly convince Harry and Ron to jump from the stands to impress them. Viktor Krum's crush on Hermione--and Ron's objection to it. Malfoy's "Potter Stinks" badge. Hermione's creation of S.P.E.W., the intolerant bigotry of the Death Eaters, and the danger of the Triwizard Tournament. Add in the changing dynamics between girls and boys at Hogwarts, and suddenly Rowling's fourth book has a weight and seriousness not as present in early books in the series. Candy and tickle spells are left behind as the students tackle darker, more serious issues and take on larger responsibilities, including the knowledge of illegal curses.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming. Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone. Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager. Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape. Dumbledore's confession to Harry.

Begin at the Beginning

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Hardcover Paperback

If You Like J.K. Rowling, You'll Love These Authors…

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• Geronimo Stilton
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While You Wait
Hot New Series for Potter Fans

Charlie Bone

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A Few Words from Mary GrandPré
"When I illustrate a cover or a book, I draw upon what the author tells me; that's how I see my responsibility as an illustrator. J.K. Rowling is very descriptive in her writing--she gives an illustrator a lot to work with. Each story is packed full of rich visual descriptions of the atmosphere, the mood, the setting, and all the different creatures and people. She makes it easy for me. The images just develop as I sketch and retrace until it feels right and matches her vision." Check out more Harry Potter art from illustrator Mary GrandPré.

Did You Know?

The Little White Horse was J.K. Rowling's favorite book as a child.

Jane Austen is Rowling's favorite author.

Roddy Doyle is Rowling's favorite living writer.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

poem for
on your forehead
tere is a scar
but where you live
is very very far.
hogwart is the place
you like the most
and in this place
live many ghosts. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Jim Dale
8 hours 17 minutes, 6 cassettes

Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is.That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were.But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny. ... Read more

Reviews (4768)

A great kids' book that appeals to all ages.
I'm not much into kids' books but when my mom brought home Harry Potter, I remembered it from the NY Times bestseller list. In bed one night I flipped open to the third chapter and after five minutes, reverted back to chapter one. After 11 years of torture living with his foster family (Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley), Harry is shocked to learn that he is actually a world famous wizard! When he was only an infant, a powerful, evil sorcerer killed his parents but was unable to destroy him. All that's left of the encounter is a lightening shaped scar on his forhead. The incident having driven the sorcerer into exile, Harry is a celebrity everwher he goes, from diagon alley(for school supplies) to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At Hogwarts, Harry befriends other schoolmates as they learn the arts of magic. While trying to keep his grades in check, Harry learns of a plot to undermine the scools headmaster. Harry risks his reputation and life as he does his best to get to the bottom of the situation. A captivating read, The Sorcerer's Stone contains the imagination of Roald Dahl, the magic of J.R.R. Tolkien, and the humor and suspense J.K. Rawling throws in to even it out.

An exciting,mysterious fantasy...
I strongly encourage people to read this wonderfully written fantasy. When I first started to read the Harry Potter books,I just loved it so much,I had to read more. I'm now through the fourth book (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and waiting for the fifth book in the Harry Potter series. This particular book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) is fantastic.It is about a boy called Harry Potter who lives with his aunt and uncle(Petunia and Vernon)...also with his huge (fat) cousin , Dudley. He starts to get letters from Hogwarts, but, his uncle Vernon refuses Harry to open the envelope which contains Harry's Hogwarts letter. One day letters start pouring inside the house. Harry grabs one but fails to open it.Soon Harry,Petunia,Vernon,and Dudley are in an old house on the sea.The game keeper of Hogwarts comes and takes Harry to Diagon Ally to buy his Hogwarts school supplies. Then Harry takes the Hogwarts express to Hogwarts.He then gets sorted into Gryffindor House(out of Hufflepuff,Ravenclaw,and Slitherin houses).Then he sets off on the most thrilling adventure you could ever imagine.This book will make you sweat as you read it.It is the best book you could ever read!

The One Book that Started It All: the Harry Potter-Mania
Harry Potter, a fatherless and motherless boy, has never seen a unicorn, has never heard of wizards or witches, and has not a clue what Quidditch means. The only thing that Harry has ever experience is the miserable life that the Dursley's have given him for the first ten years of his life. But everything changes when letters from no one start arriving at the Dursleys addressed to him. Also on the same day that Harry turns eleven years old, a giant of a man arrives at the place where Harry and the Dursleys are staying and tells Harry that he is a wizard and that him, Harry, has been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At Hogwarts, Harry does not only meet new friends like Ron Weasly or Hermoine Granger, or enemies like Draco Malfoy, or learns about magic and how to fly on a broom. He also come face to face with Lord Voldemort, his life-time enemy and the person that killed his parents and tried to killed him but only managed to give him a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lighting bolt. But is Harry ready to survive this new life that has been hidden for him for a long time, and is he ready to take hold of the destiny that awaits for him...from now on?

And once "The Sorcerer's Stone" is picked up, can it be put down? Well, I know I could not do it. The world created by JKR is the most amazing and fantastical trance. I loved every single word found in this amazing tale of modern fantasy. Harry Potter is a true hero because is he not only a wizard but a teenager with human characteristics.

Great for kids, teens, geezers and fogies
It's not often that a new series comes out that captures its audience in such a magnificent way as Harry Potter. This series has influenced many other writers, including Stephen King! It has helped children to bond with adults in a fun and magical way. It has introduced a new world to all who read.

In the first book of this series, we are introduced to many of the main characters that play a crucial role in Harry's life. We travel to Hogwarts, a school of Magic where truth be told, I think many of us would like to attend. We meet deep characters, some good and some bad and we learn of magical villages that can be accessed only by those "in the know."

If you haven't done so already, make the HP series part of your library and share it with your children, friends and family.

A Thrilling (Broomstick) Ride
It's not often that a new series comes out that captures its audience in such a magnificent way as Harry Potter. This series has influenced many other writers, including Stephen King! It has helped children to bond with adults in a fun and magical way. It has introduced a new world to all who read.

In the first book of this series, we are introduced to many of the main characters that play a crucial role in Harry's life. We travel to Hogwarts, a school of Magic where truth be told, I think many of us would like to attend. We meet deep characters, some good and some bad and we learn of magical villages that can be accessed only by those "in the know."

If you haven't done so already, make the HP series part of your library and share it with your children, friends and family. ... Read more

Reviews (1668)

Crichton lays another egg
Having been an avid reader of Crichton ever since Andromeda Strain, always hoping for another of that quality, always forlorn, I must say that of his several literary failures this is Crichton's worst. The pseudo-time-travel framework works (or doesn't work) as a mere device to arrive at a 14th-century Perils of Pauline, with all sorts of ad hoc dangers strung together and avoided by ad hoc tricks in a linear plot (if you can call it that) that lacks tension. The main characters are stereotypical, neither likeable nor damnable, lacking color and credibility. The failure of the quantum-mechanics transport machinery and its Rube Goldberg repair become a flimsy sub-plot, hardly contributing to the story, and the ultimate fates of the entrepreneur and of the medievalist, if not inevitable, are less than satisfying. Doniger is not evil enough to make his end one you can really feel is well-deserved, nor is Marek's character sufficiently wrought to lend joy to his decision and its consequence. The "countdown" device utterly fails to lend dramatic tension. The problem was, halfway through the book I could no longer care whether the adventurers got back to the present or not: If they run out of time and get stuck in the hundred years' war, so what?

Overall a fun read
This was a very easy read for me, after reading Great Expectations and Les Miserbles I needed something easy and extremely entertaining, this fit the bill perfectly. There is no thinking involved in this novel and like other reviewers have said it seems there was never any suspence you always felt like the charecters were always going to get out in the nick of time, Overall a fun read

Way Better than the Movie
Don't see the movie, but read the book- not a big crichton fan either, but liked this one.

Great literature? No. Highly entertaining? Yes.
I was especially eager to read Timeline because I had just returned from the Perigord, the region in France where most of the action in Crichton's time-travel book takes place. I had toured the grim castles and fortified towns he describes, and canoed down the exact stretch of the Dordogne that's at the heart of the book. I found that Chrichton was able to bring the medieval period vividly to life, far better than I'd been able to do as I toured the area. As usual, Crichton provides enough of a believable scientific basis for his story to allow an easy suspension of disbelief. I was even more impressed by the amount of research he did to be able to paint such a clear and convincing picture of the area in the mid 14th century. OK, his characters do get into one scrape after another, and help manages to arrive just in the nick of time. But the book still kept me turning the pages late into the night. Robert Adler, author of Science Firsts: From the Creation of Science to the Science of Creation; and Medical Firsts: From Hippocrates to the Human Genome.

Fast Paced and Highly Entertaining
Time travel is one of the most compelling sci-fi topics in Hollywood. Michael Crichton, a highly successful writer, took a more modern look at time travel. The premise of the story is based on the research done by theoretical physicists who speculate that there may be an infinite number of universes containing every alternative event that can exist across all time frames. By accessing these universes one could literally step into a past event. In the story a mythical company, ITC, is doing experimentation in three dimensional teletransportation. When they tried to send an object to a distant location it turned out that it wound up in the past-to be precise: 1357 in a place called Castlegard.

Robert Doniger, the CEO of ITC, saw an opportunity to make a ton of money. He wasn't really interested in the past but in the present. By knowing everything about Castelgard and the battle about to be fought there he could bring this knowledge to the present to create a life-like replica of the castle and village. He brought in archeologists and historians to rebuild the site without letting them know what was really up. When they began asking too many questions they were used as guinea pigs and were hurled back in time-or to another universe to be specific and suddenly were confronted with an alien culture that they were ill-equipped to handle.

The book is outstanding, keeping the reader constantly on edge as our heroes get themselves into and out of one jam after another, while trying to rescue the professor who wanted to know too much for his own good. Meanwhile, Doniger had little concern for his historians, considering them quite expendable so long as the press doesn't ask too many questions. He was such a despicable character one can almost guess he'll get his in the end.

If you saw the movie you don't truly know the story. The movie changed many important details to make it more entertaining for movie-goers, but I found the movie pretty silly and not terribly exciting. The book, however, is terrific! ... Read more

Book Description

In book #11 of the Left Behind series, the scattered Tribulation Force is drawn inexorably toward the Middle East, as are all the armies of the world, when all of human history culminates in the battle of the ages. During the last year of the Great Tribulation, safe houses are no longer safe and the cast of characters dramatically changes. By the time of the war of the great day of God the Almighty, the globe has become a powder keg of danger.

Who will be left standing when the battle leaves the Tribulation Force on the brink of the end of time and the Glorious Appearing? ... Read more

Reviews (193)

Trapped by Success
The authors had an excellent idea, to write a novel about the Apocalypse, with true believers taken away into heaven and the rest 'Left Behind.' The characters were interesting, the action terse, and the story believeable if you accept the premise. This book was highly successful with a limited audience, primarily 'born again' Christians. The success, of course, inspired sequels, which have now stretched to 11 volumes.
Lacking good ideas for these sequels, the authors have proceeded to fictionalize the Revelation of St. John, the last book of the Protestant bible. This book is full of plagues and catastrophic events which befall earth in the period before the millenium, when the risen savior is to return to earth to claim his kingdom forever. Revelation has always struck me as wildly fantastic, and one wonders if the good saint may have been using some biblical mushrooms or other drugs.
Sadly, in most of the series the writing is quite flat. In this book, the narrative fails to convey the drama and emotion to be expected as the band of heroes faces war with the Anti-Christ and the end of our world. In addition, the story is loaded with extended quotations from the bible. This is a lazy way to put together a book, similar to the strategy many of us used in writing papers for undergraduate courses when we didn't have much to say.
Perhaps the authors expected the millenium to occur on December 1, 2000, and are now tap-dancing waiting for the actual event. Whether this is true or not, this entry is at best, disappointing.
The translators who developed the King James version of the bible all those centuries ago had a much better command of the language, and they kept the length to a small fraction of the wordiness of LaHaye and Jenkins.

Better than people give it credit for
A lot of the reviews I have read of these books tend to put it down by comparing it to other end of the world books. And while I will admit that these are not as smart or engaging as some of the the better books that cover the same topic like Fire of Heaven or We All Fall Down, I still really enjoyed them. A friend introduced me to the first book and I cut through all 12 books over the past two months. In a way, it's not really fair to compare them to some of the other books because they are trying to do different things. Left Behind seems to me to try to simply tell a great story about the end of the world. It's light, but what's wrong with that? I really felt like I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next when I finished a book and the very next day would order the next one. I call that a success. A book like We All Fall Down is obviously much more intense and thoughtful, the characters seem much more like real people, and it gives you more to think about, but why does that make Left Behind bad? Can't The Ten Commandments and The Passion both be good movies?

A failure
I am an ardent believer in Christ, but that does not mean that anything written about Christianity should be endorsed and embraced regardless of its quality. I have read all 12 of these novels and they simply aren't very good. The writing is poor, the plot unimaginative, and there certainly isn't anything in these books that will cause a Christian to re-examine and thus more fully embrace our beliefs. Look, I don't doubt that the authors had the best intentions with these books, but quality has to count for something. There are better alternatives out there. Try We All Fall Down by Caldwell. It's well-written and extreimly intelligent. If you're going to read about Christianity, read something that is worth your time.

Left Behind
Blake is a teenager whose parents are christian and he won't commit to it. One day Blake's dad is at the O'Hare airport and his mom went to pick him up. Blake wakes up and see's that his mom has left him a note saying she will be back soon. It has been five hours since she left. Blake turns on the TV and the news is on every channel, saying that "People have been dispearing out of nowhere, planes have been crashing, fires, and many accidents because God is coming back". The things happening to Blake is suspensful.

Armageddon
"Armageddon" picks up the pace in the "Left Behind" series. The middle books tended to be slow, and this one is full of action. My reaction? To be honest, several parts of the book I had to just put down. As a loyal fan, it made me mad! How could they kill of people now, almost at the end? Then I realized that I was on the edge of my seat. Then, there was the cliffhanger ending. Now we have to wait until Glorious Appearing! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Three time Newbery honor author Nancy Farmer's epic fantasy, The Sea of Trolls, is gigantic in every way. There are big Vikings and bigger trolls. There are big themes--hope, despair, life and death. At a substantial 450+ pages, the sheer size of this hefty tome is impressive. But, like all of Farmer's fine work, the large scale has room for enormous quantities of heart and humor. At the center of this massive adventure is a small Saxon boy named Jack, who's never been much good at anything until the Bard of his medieval village makes him an apprentice. Then, just as Jack is learning to tap into and control his power, he is kidnapped (along with his little sister, Lucy) and taken to the court of King Ivar the Boneless and his half troll queen Frith. When one of Jack's amateur spells causes the evil queen's beautiful hair to fall out, he is forced to undertake a dangerous quest across the Sea of Trolls to make things right, or suffer the consequences--the sacrifice of his beloved sister to Frith's patron goddess, Freya. Along the way Jack faces everything from giant golden troll-bears to man-eating spiders, yet each frightening encounter brings wisdom and understanding to the budding young Bard. No quester who enters these pages with Jack will go away unsatisfied. Farmer's skillful melding of history, mythology, and humor, is reminiscent of both Tamora Pierce and Terry Pratchett's medieval fantasies, and will no doubt be HUGELY enjoyed by fantasy readers of all ages. --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (27)

The Five Star Review
"Sea of Trolls", if you like mythology and adventure this is the book for you. It has both topics.Jack a young 12 year old boy who is a bard in training. His master has told him that Berserkers are coming. When he and his friend's family are about to go hide in the woods, he and his sister, Lucy, are captured by the Berserkers, they are now slaves, to a slave trader named Olaf. Impressed by the Berserkers work the king, "Ivar the Boneless" invites Olaf and his Berserkers, and his apprentice, Thorgil. Out of nowhere he makes the king's wife's hair go away! Now Jack has to find a way to fix his mistakes and to save Lucy from a sacrifice. When he goes on his adventure he knows more and sees a clearer aspect of life. So my opinion is, this is a 5 star book, end of story.

What's all the hype about
This is my first Nancy Farmer book, and I had no previous impressions of her or her works.My mom, a children's librarian, told me to read this book for her, a favor she asks every so often.Recently, the only children's books I've read are the Harry Potter books, so that's going to be yardstick against which I'll measure "Sea of Trolls."I think a comparison can be sensibly made due to the similarities between the main characters: both have young boys who inexplicably practice magic (well, in Harry Potter the story is still being explained, but in "Sea of Trolls," no attempt is made to explain Jack's powers), and both of them are thrust into foreign environments.

So on with the comparison.Jack, as a character, is flat.No character development ever seems attempted by the author.First, Jack sticks around with his family in his village, then, with no real explanation and no substantial background regarding his situation, he becomes an assistant to the Bard.No steady personality dicatates a consistent course of actions in Jack.He can't bear parting with his irritating sister Lucy, because she is "pretty" and possesses a startiling vocabulary for a 5 year old, yet he rarely mourns his the almost positive death of his family or the insanity of the Bard, his only real human friend.The only character that seems to present any sort of depth is Thorgril, but I won't spoil why.

Another glaring problem I had with "Sea of Trolls" is that the book attempts to stand on the strength of facts in an attempt to cover up a boring story.In the vein of "The DaVinci Code," albeit without good suspense, Farmer uses obscure but interesting facts distilled from what appears to be fairly extensive research into the time of the story all the while ignoring the relative weakness of the story, which should be the most important aspect of the novel.

It kind of pains me to keep pointing out the faults and weaknesses of this novel, so I won't continue, but please hear me when I say that there are plenty of books out there that are at least competent, let alone stellar.Read the Harry Potter books; Brian Jacques was also one of my favorite authors, although his books got fairly repetitive after a while.I can't see how an author that lacks an interesting writting style and has such a dim grasp on her characters' emotions/personalities can receive so many awards for her books.On a final note, this book is not challenging in terms of vocabulary or sentence structure, and will not serve as a satisfactory vocab builder.Nearly children's pulp, except the pulp is so poorly executed that the book loses all worth to both children readers and teachers that might want to use the book in class.

GREAT BOOK!!!
This book is the story of Jack a young boy who travels across the land after being enslaved by Norsemen. I recommend this book to anyone who likes good fantasy books. This is a real page-turner andNancy Farmer did a good job with it.

Perfectly balanced
Reading this book is like enjoying a fabulous meal where all the flavors, colors and aromas are perfectly balanced. In this book the setting, characters, humor, and story all support each other to provide one of the most satisfying reads I have enjoyed this year.

Jack has been accepted for training by a bard. As the berserkers arrive to pillage and burn his Saxon village, Jack and his young sister Lucy are abducted by the frightening Norse men. Jack must develop his fledgling skills as a bard to save them both.

The story is rich and steeped in Norse mythology. A reader who is a fan of Tolkein senses the professor at his elbow as the story unfolds. Under the protection and enslavement of Olaf One-Brow, Jack attracts the enmity of the evil Queen Frith and must embark on a quest to free his little sister from the queen's death sentence. He is accompanied by a wiley crow named Brave Heart and his glory-driven shipmate, Thorgill.

So many interests came together for me in this book, Beowulf, Tolkein, Norse mythology: this was a very enjoyable read.

Jack and Jill
The sea of trolls is about a boy bard named Jack and his sister Lucy. He gets captured by vikings or "northmen" and meets a girl named Thorgil, or the name that her mother gave her...Jill. Since it isn't the mothers right to name the child and the father who didn't want a girl but was forced to keep her, he named her Thorgil This is a really good book that everyone should like. The creatures in the book where well discribed and the battle scenes are easy to imagine having all that detail. The spider was huge and brown like a boulder and it was deaf and blind. If you are looking for a book of adventure and detail then this is a book for you. ... Read more

Book Description

In one of the most hotly anticipated sequels in memory, J.K. Rowling takes up where she left with Harry's second year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Old friends and new torments abound, including a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girl's bathroom, an outrageously conceited professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, and a mysterious force that turns Hogwarts students to stone. ... Read more

Reviews (2308)

PERHAPS THE FUNNIEST ONE SO FAR
Potter 2, THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (1998), may be the funniest one so far. Strangely, I think it is also the one that includes the greater number of physically unpleasant or revolting details, scattered all along the story.
In spite of it, the reading was pleasing to me (I must add I read the Spanish translation first: an eloquent one, but the translators should have probably saved a lot of words). There is a good deal of suspense in the book. Gilderoy Lockhart can make you fall off your chair with laughter. Dobby the house-elf is another brilliantly comic character (we'll meet him again in The Goblet of Fire). Mrs Rowling developes her characters in a way consistent with the 1st book (look up the Weasley twins or Snape, for instance, in Potter 1, since their first appearances until now, and you'll see what I mean). Though the adventurous fever that hits Hermione Granger came as a surprise to me: even her friends Ron and Harry (not half as well-balanced as she is) feel it's strange.
Like in Potter 1, Harry is the less remarkable character in the story, in a way. He's not specially funny or wise or a good student or anything (unlike Malfoy, he's not even specially nasty). Actually, if it wasn't for his scar and his quidditch skills (well, his desperate courage at deadly situations too), JK would have had to choose Mr Filch or that Norris cat to play the hero: Potter would have been as invisible as his cloak. Yet after reading up to the 5th title in the "saga", I think there is some purpose by the author: JK works hard on her books, she's a careful (even too careful) story-maker and character-painter: it cannot be a coincidence that inconspicuousness about Potter's personality. To those having read The Order of the Phoenix this fact is even more urgent, because Potter becomes "remarkable" there -but in the most unfortunate way!! But this lines are not about that book.
Sometimes one can even feel -say, angry with Potter, in this book. He seems to think (erroneously!!) that the best way towards sorting out problems is keeping them hidden from the people who can help solve them: that is Dumbledore in the first place. If Potter's side wins the battle in the end in this book is in spite of him rather than due to him... which is true also about the rest of the series so far. BR>
Finally, that McGonagall's idea, no exams for the pupils because of the hard events they've lived, I think it's foolish: no serious school in the world, even in the fiction world, would ever do such thing!

"There is more than one way to burn a book"
The above quote was from the Coda of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I quote it because while looking through all the one star quotes you see a lot of 'Don't let your children read it, it should be banned ect...' In other words they want to ... burn the book 'cos of their frail mind and 'idea's.' What also irritates me is the large amount of fellow Christians here bashing it and calling it 'Satanic' I am a strong Christian, and guess what? It's not. Witch's magic? Oh dear if a kid can't handle that however will they handle the real world? The point of a Fairy Tale is to prepare kids for the real evil in our world! No these books aren't The Narnia. The Chronicles Of Narnia is my favorite series, and these books o course are not supposed to be anything like them so don't expect them to be. Harry Potter isn't allegory (well according to Lewis's idea neither was Narnia) so don't expect the same level of skill or style. He had witches and goblins as well, will you ban him next? (Oh I forgot some "Christians" think Lewis is evil as well.) Besides "The Last Battle" was more horrific on a psychological level and in its vivid description of battle and mayhem then anything in this book (remember the horses and dwarfs?). There you have the destruction of lands, and all hell (literally) being rained down upon them. Here they have people in a state of shock and a villain getting killed. True the purpose behind the events in Narnia were different, all I'm saying is that the 'disturbing for children' was even more in "The Last Battle". These books are in no way evil; they are however entertaining, un-offensive and fine for kids. Don't worry about polluting minds, being sent to hell or comparing it to a completely different style of writing, just sit and read them for what they are. The ironic this is I never even intended to read a Harry Potter book, I made a promise I would in order to get someone to read Bradbury and here I am defending it, so... don't pre-judge and just get and enjoy them!

Oh how fun! What an adventure!
Year two at Hogwarts has a rough start for Harry, who misses his train and has to make his own way to Hogwarts, breaking every rule in the book along the way. He's in a lot of trouble, yet he still manages to hold his head high and trudge along through school.

Draco doesn't let up as he taunts Harry and tries to cause even more trouble for our hero. We are introduced to new characters that we'll see later in the series. While we don't learn much about Harry's past in this sequel, we learn much more about Hogwarts, the teachers, and the students.

If the HP series were a journey "Chamber of Secrets" would be the bridge from "Sorcerer's Stone" to "Prisoner of Azkaban" where we learn much more about the hows and whys.

It's truly a thrill to read.

Great book to follow the first!
This book was enjoyable, but it was a little slow in how it finally present the clues to discover the final showdown, I think it gives the good lesson in good things are worth waiting for. I didn't like how the characters were acting like total incompetents in seeking help and basically acting like airheads, but I guess that should be expected at 12 years old and only second years.

For a small summary: see the movie!

So Silver
Harry Potter two, didn't have as much going on as the first book, but had much more suspense. Action: amazing. Writing: great. Illustrations: beautiful. All what I call a five star book! ... Read more

Book Description

From the author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series comes a heartwarming tale of a young girl who is given a gift--the chance to right her wrongs, and discover the true meaning of life.

Meg Finn is in trouble.Unearthly trouble.Cast out of her own home by her stepfather after her mom's death, Meg is a wanderer, a troublemaker.But after her latest stunt, finding a place to sleep is the lead of her worries.Belch, Meg's partner in crime, has gotten her involved in an attempt to rob an old man's apartment, and things have gone horribly wrong.After an accidental explosion, both Meg and Belch's spirits are flung into limbo, and a race begins between the demonic and the divine to win Meg's soul.

Meg's not such a bad kid, but she hasn't exactly been an angel either, so the tally for her "good" and "evil" deeds are dead even.Her only chance for tipping the scales to salvation is by going back to earth and doing some good--specifically, helping Lowrie, the old guy she tried to rob. He's got a wish list of life regrets to be set right and only so much time to do it.But even if Meg can persuade Lowrie to get mixed up with her, she's going to have to deal with an even scarier, undead Belch who's definitely on the side of the Devil now.

With laughs and chills, THE WISH LIST is an exciting tale of life, death, and unexpected hereafter. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Great Book!
Have you ever wondered what it's going to be like after death? Well, in The Wish List, Eoin Colfer answers that question with Meg Finn and her friend Belch.
I absolutely loved this book and it brought me into the book so it was like I was standing on the sidelines. This book is fun and will keep you guessing whether Meg evens up her tally and can go to heaven or if Belch wins over and takes her back to Hell. The journey Meg and Lowrie have together is absolutely amazing, especially how they get about the wishes. When you hear the wishes, they will make you want to read more just to find out how they will complete the wish.
Meg Finn and her friend Belch attempt to rob a elderly man named Lowrie McCall, but things go wrong, Meg and Belch end up dead. Belch is sent straight to Hell but in the last few moments of Meg's life, she evens her tally between Hell and Heaven, so she is sent back to help old Lowrie make something of his life. Meg has to get Lowrie to accept her help in finishing a "Wish List", he wants to complete while he still is alive on Earth in order to tip her tally towards Heaven. She doesn't have it easy though. Meg's soul is a "special soul" and Satan wants this soul, so he send Belch to stop her from helping old Lowrie.
I believe the purpose of this book was to elaborate with creative writing to tell more about the after life. This is a good book to get a break from lifewith. It may even help you want to get your wish list started.

Excellent!
I loved it! I was a fan of the first three Artemis Fowl books and when I found out that Eoin was writing a new book I quickly got myself a copy. I must say that this book was great. I started reading it in the morning on the couch and I didn't move from that spot until I finished it. Although it may have been boring at first it quickly pulled through. I loved it. In case you were wondering it had no religious relations. If you are a fan of Eoins writing you must read this book. It is nothing like the Artemis Fowl books (unfortuneatly) but it is still great. Five Stars

Heres what the story's about. It's about a young girl named Meg Finn who's been living a hard life after her mother died and her step father took over. The book starts out with Meg Finn about to break into a house to steal with her theif friend Belch when they suddnly die in a freak accident. Her friend Belch went right to Hell, however, Meg found herslef stuck. She was too good to go to hell and to bad to go to heaven. She found herself stuct and sent back to the world as a purple spirit. Her only change of making it to heaven is helping an old man complete a list of ridiculas tasks - the same old man she was trying to steal from, and the same old man that Belch alsmost killed. Meg thinks the challenges will be easy - little does she know that a dog/human named Belch is out to stop her and bring her down to hell with him.
Although this book had no relations to Artemis Fowl it still had its amount of magic and fantasy.

Not as good as the Artemis Fowl Series, but still great
I thought that this book was great. It wasn't as good as the Artemis Fowl Books, but those were some of the best books I've ever read. This book is about a person who is in pergutory (the place between heaven and hell) and is sent back to earth to help an old man she and a friend tried to rob. It is exciting and kept me inside all day reading. I couldn't put it down. I recomend it to people who like the Artemis Fowl books and people who are about 11, 12, or 13, or people who just like easy reads. I'd recomend buying it, plus if it sucks you only spent seven dollars on it, so it's not a fortune like some of those 30 dollar books.

A fun book from a favorite author.
Eoin Colfer, author of the fun "Artemis Fowl" series comes out with another fantasy/humor novel, the first since "Artemis Fowl". I read this before most people in the U.S. did. I special ordered it from Amazon.co.uk the same week it was released in Europe, roughly four or five months before it would be released in the United States. I got it and devoured it in a single day (early morning to late evening), turning page after page with a hungry avidity. The book not being all too long was an easy read, and ultimately enjoyable. I did, however, find myself wondering at times if Eoin Colfer hadn't been a little heavy-handed with his trade-mark tongue and cheek humor that was so perfectly distributed in his "Artemis Fowl" series.

It seems, at times, as though the biting back-and-forth between Meg and the old man are a little derived, creating an invisible barrier for the reader, keeping him from really losing him/herself in the story. That's alright though, because all in all Eoin keeps the story moving along at a decent pace, even giving it enough momentum to carry it through the few bogs of heavy humor.

When it comes down to it, "The Wish List" is a very charming book that cultivates the feeling of a boat cruise; easy-going and enjoyable.

A great book
Well, its not Artemis Fowl, but on the same note, Colfer isn't recycling an old formula. It does have similar themes, but it is its own work.

Chris Federico, a reviewer here, states that 1)Its too religious, 2) Its unoriginal and 3)That its way too scary with for children and will traumitize them. I disagree on all accounts.

For one thing, I commend Colfer on doing a Heaven/Hell parable WITHOUT going overtly religious. The main character wants to go to Heaven, but its not beaten over our head with "the love of God" and such. It might be more effective if it did have religous overtones, but Colfer does a fine job with the basics.

Hell is viewed as a bad place, but its not traumitizing to the readers. I'm willing to bet some scenes are probably unsettling to readers, such as the description of Belch merging with his dog, but it won't haunt your childhood. I'm willing to bet Chris hasn't had contact with a child in quite some time or is seriously underestimating them. I guess if you're a bad person, it might make you reconsider things, but still...

The book is not completely of its own, but I managed to enjoy it without thinking about cliches.

I do have some complaints. For one thing, it builds up to the fact that Meg does something HORRIBLE to her stepfather. In fact, Satan personally wants to welcome her. Now, when the DEVIL himself wants to welcome you to Hell, chances are you're a very bad person. When we see what Meg does, it is a complicated scheme that really hits the stepfather hard, but its not evil. The protagonists of Roald Dahl's novels do worse. I guess the devil is easily excited these days. *shrugs*

Secondly, the demons themselves aren't too compelling. I guess Dr. Faustus spoiled me on devils and the like as I felt myself sympathizing with Mephastophilis, the fallen angel from that book with his longing for Heaven and blurring of good and evil. The devils in here aren't really interesting at all; in fact, they don't come across as evil, manipulate or seductive. I guess Colfer has a satirical view of Hell and its devils; Satan wears designer suits, celebrity bimbos work as his secretaries among other things but I really felt it lacking. Heck, a complete makeover like he did with the fairies in Artemis Fowl would be interesting.

Still, the positives definetly outweigh the negatives. Colfer is great with humor, and it manages to be touching without mushy. Meg is not as complex as Artemis Fowl is, but I didn't really appreciate his character until the second book came out. The relationship between Meg and the old man is really great, with how they bond and how they help each other out.

Despite its flaws, I can't reccomend this book enough. ... Read more

Book Description

A stunning andprovocative new novel by the internationally celebrated author of The Blind Assassin, winner of the Booker Prize

Margaret Atwood’s new novel is so utterly compelling, so prescient, so relevant, so terrifyingly-all-too-likely-to-be-true, that readers may find their view of the world forever changed after reading it.

With breathtaking command of her shocking material and with her customary sharp wit and dark humour, Atwood projects us into a conceivable future of our own world, an outlandish yet wholly believable place left devastated in the wake of ecological and scientific disaster and populated by characters who will continue to inhabit your dreams long after the book is closed.

This is Margaret Atwood at the absolute peak of her powers. For readers of Oryx and Crake, nothing will ever look the same again.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (150)

Atwood's Best?
Perhaps not. In terms of her use of language, form, depth of charaterisation etc. the 'The Blind Assassin' is technically Atwood's greatest novel so far. But having read all her novels, I've got to say that 'Oryx and Crake' is my personal favourite. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book, how engrossed I was with every word, and how moving, shocking and disturbing I found it. It's one of the best books I've ever read. It's one of those books that, once you've finished the last page, stays with you, and when you're not reading it you're thinking of it. And it's one of those books that, when you finally close it, you so wish that you could've put your name to it yourself. It's an immense work of imagination. I finished it well over a week ago and still think of it. I found it extraordinary. The way Atwood evokes her distopian futuristic world in every detail and makes it come alive and breathe is quite incredible. I was hooked. I was hoping it would be good but it far exceeded my expectations. The book's nightmarish vision of the future makes 'The Handmaid's Tale' look like a picnic, and while you're reading Atwood makes you live in that world, makes you feel what Snowman is feeling. What horror. Frighteningly, plausibly, brilliant!

A page-turner but not Atwood's best
This books follows Atwood's usual formula of a slight mystery and a slow revel. The plot centres around one character, Snowman, who is living in an abandoned post-global warming world. He retraces the events of his life, starting with his childhood on an elite research compound where people work to develop genetically modified creatures, a place separate from the "pleeblands" where most ordinary humans leave. Snowman also slowly reveals the characters Oryx and Crake and their role in his life and current situation.

Atwood definitely succeeds at creating a sense of place - a terrifying, overgrown world of characters split between the elite research facilities of Snowman's childhood and the dangerous "pleeblands" where average people live. I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to find how Snowman got to the place he was.

But the characters in this novel aren't fleshed out. At the end we are still left wondering about the motivations of Oryx and Crake and Snowman himself.

There is also a child pornography sub-plot that was kind of pointless. We are expecting a great denouement but get none. I was left wondering "so what?" Why was this tawdry industry explored if not to offer us some sort of meaningful criticism of it?

To a lesser degree, the same is true of the genetic modification theme. Atwood is clearly horrified by the dangers but also seems fascinated by the possibilities, and in the end the question is not entirely resolved.

While I enjoyed this book, it felt more like a tawdry paperback than a novel by one of Canada's foremost authors. I am shocked that of all of her novels, this one won the Booker Prize. If you want Atwood sci-fi read The Handmaid's Tale. And if you want a compelling, mysterious read try Alias Grace.

Compelling story
Atwood is a poet. This book, while not her best, is nonetheless a chilling, riveting story. Fans of The Handmaid's Tale will enjoy her return to sci-fi writing. Those who prefer Atwood's more traditional novels may not love this one, but even they won't be able to help being tranfixed by her craftsmanship.

Atwood's worst
All authors have a weakness. Ms Atwood's seems to be her (vehement) refusal to accept her science fiction roots: there may be no flying cars or space aliens (terrestrial aliens, however, abound), but this is SciFi, try as she might to deny it. Perhaps she does this to avoid a less 'prestigious' genre and win another award? Not like she really needed it.

"Orynx and Crake" is mostly backstory, and we never really get a good sense of how Snowman develops, after the backstory, because there really isn't much actual story. The lovely prose is subverted by a much too unsubtle 'warning' about genetic technology that feels overly pedantic.

And then there's that warning itself, and all the ideas she uses to demonstrate it. If she'd accepted her scifi roots, and done some homework, she'd know that Heinlein and Dick (and others) did them all decades ago, and she could have revisited them with something new to say. She clearly did not.

The author herself got tired
This is the first book I've read by Mrs. Atwood, so I can't compare it to her other work. Suffice it to say that it was not a compelling reading debut. "Oryx and Crake" is nothing: it's not science fiction simply because the "science" part could have been written by anyone who has no scientific background and has simply listened about scary fantasies like global warming and genetic manipulation. Both, of course, can be fascinating subjects, but here it's only cliches and commonplaces. It's also not a character study: Jimmy is sometimes compelling, but most of the times seems like a regular loser. Crake is never explored as a character, perhaps because he is like any other mad scientist so common in paperbacks and movies a la James Bond. But Oryx is the most absurd of the characters. What's with the child pornography story? I can imagine a very good novel written about the horrific world of child pornography and the human degradation it must imply, but the novel simply mentions the thing and doesn't give it any significance. It's not a thriller either. Certainly, what kept me reading was the interest to find out how the catastrophe came about, but in the end the author got bored or had to go to the supermarket, and it simply ended with some virus killing everybody, and we readers get nothing interesting about the process. An atomic bomb could have dropped from the sky and finished everything. Not recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

A best-selling book in an easy-to-read large print format ... Read more

Reviews (319)

Lions, Witches and Wardrobes--Oh My!
Because it is so spectacular, I'm choosing The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to be the first book I review here at Amazon. I first fell in love with this story (and the subsequent volumes in the series) when my fifth-grade teacher read it to our class. Though it has been more than a decade since, this book has remained one of my all-time favorite works of literature, and I try to reread it once a year. It has an enchanting effect on the heart, mind and soul that never diminishes.

The novel features four British children: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy (Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve) who discover a magical world hidden behind fur coats in a wardrobe. In "Narnia", they encounter an endless parade of fantastic characters and events that aid them in their quest to free the land of Narnia from the spell of the White Witch. She makes winter a permanent season and turns those who oppose her into stone. The most prominent Narnians are the talking animals, but especially the lion Aslan who, with the children's help, must return spring and benevolent rule to the land.

On a more analytical note, I find it fascinating how C.S. Lewis uses allegory to loosely bridge his fictional world with well-known themes and stories from the Bible. You can most easily recognize this in the ever-present battle between good and evil and the symbolic representation of Christ's Resurrection in the guise of Aslan's death and revival on the Stone Table. Which fulfills an "even deeper magic from before the dawn of time."

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a modern classic that should be included in EVERYONE'S library. It will leave you completely satisfied, but at the same time craving more (which can be found in the other six volumes of the Chronicles of Narnia series). Oh, to sit and rule at Cair Paravel while munching on Turkish Delight!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
This book is about a girl named Lucy and her 3 siblings named Peter, Susan, and Edmund. They have to go live with a relative that they call the "Professor." On day they decide to play hide and go seek. Lucy runs to a closet and there she meets a kind faun named Mr. Tumnus in a really cold wintery place. Lucy returns to her brothers and sister and tries to convince them of what she saw. Lucy and her siblings have now entered the land of Narnia where the evil White Witch lives who dislikes children and it always trying to capture them. At the end of the book, there is a big battle between the witch's evil side and Aslan's (the lion) good side. Aslan's courage and loyalty to the children and people in Narnia brings Spring to their land.

This is the best fantasy I have ever read because it keeps the reader always involved. It is really hard to put this book down. Although this story seems complicated and hard to follow, it is fast moving and always keeps the reader in suspense. I loved reading this book and recommend it for both girls and boys. I know this one will be on your top ten list.

I want to go to Narnia
How can you not adore this? You know how food can be labeled "comfort food" - well this is the type of story that's a "comfort story". I felt so protected, secure and safe while reading this. It takes me back to a time in my life when I reguarly daydream adventures like those in Narnia. I think it reminds us of imagination, and freedom, and child-like wonder. Such a beautiful, wonderful story. Allow it to take you away and suspend your disbelief - you won't be sorry.

Hope
I chose to read this classic by C.S. Lewis because every one else I knew had read it when they were younger. I was told that it was an allegorical novel by a friend, which spiked my interest in what I considered just a child's fantasy. Lewis fills his world, Narnia, with a wonderful array of different and interesting characters. Fauns, Nymphs, Dryads, Naiads, and hospitable beavers all contribute to the fantastic nature of this story. Lewis must have been a creative man to imagine such wonders and write them down. A place where perpetually deadened by the cold of winter, with no Christmas and, therefore, no hope would be a terribly bleak setting. The depiction of Aslan as a symbol of Christ was quite interesting. Even the girls, Susan and Lucy, become similar to the two Marys in the gospel in their caretaking of the lion. So as not to give away the story to anyone else I will end saying this unique world provides more than just a fantasy escape. To both children and adults it provides a reminder that there is hope, even in our world, when it too seems cold and dead.

The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe a reveiw by Irene
Have you ever imagined being sent away to someone's house, that has a secret that no one knows but you? The house in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe had a secret , which only Peter, Susan,Edmund, and Lucy knows. Once they went through the wardrobe in the house,their adventures would begin in the land called Narnia, and their lives will change.

I love this book, because it tells about Lucy trying to save her friend Tumnus. It tells about the wonderful adventures she had with her friends, Peter, Susan, and Edmund and the great dangers they faced in Narnia. I also liked the little rhymes that describes Aslan, the great lion.

I wish that this book would be longer and the adventures of Narnia would countinue in this book.

I recommend this book for people who like adventure stories, because this book is filled with adventures.

My favorite part is when the dwarf made Edmond a prisoner and used a whip to threaten him to go faster. If the White Witch ( a terrible witch) that calls herself queen of Narnia wants Edmond to go faster, the dwarf whips him until he goes faster.

My other favorite part is when Edmond got tricked into bringing Peter, Susan and Lucy to her because she wants to turn Edmond and his friends into stone. They are smart and she doesn't want them to break the White Witch's spell. The spell is a spell that will keep Narnia always in a winter season.

On the map, I think it is a little confusing because it doesn't show the place where Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy came through the Wardrobe to Narnia, but the story is exciting. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Jim Dale

Running time:20 hrs., 30 mins. 12cassettes

Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year of magical adventures in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.This year Harry turns 14 and becomes interested in girls -- one in particular.And with Dark Magic comes danger, as someone close to Harry dies.You'll have to listen to learn more!The audio is available on July 8th. ... Read more

Reviews (4706)

Darkness Reborn.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE is the fourth installment of the Harry Potter series and (so far) is also the longest and most dark. I had enjoyed the previous three books immensely, but had heard so many conflicting reviews about GOBLET OF FIRE, that I didn't know what to expect. After finally finishing the novel, I found that it was a most intriguing read and has become my favorite in the series so far.

The book begins during the summer before the fall term starts at Hogwarts. Harry joins the Weasley family and Hermione for a trip to the World Quiddich Cup. The tournament is marked by strange events which foreshadow the dark horrors and adventures that lie waiting for Harry and friends back at school.

The book builds from the opening, sinister and puzzling chapter to it's conclusion (over 700 pages later) when a line in the sand is drawn and the forces of good unite to stand against the resurrected Lord Voldemort. Whereas the previous three novels seemed self-contained and concluded in themselves, GOBLET OF FIRE ends on a cliffhanger, merely hinting at the huge struggle facing the forces of good. I have a feeling things are only going to become more dark and depressing for Harry and the gang.

Not just for kids!
Ages 9-12 shouldn't get to have all the fun! "The Goblet of Fire" is a terrific story for anyone who has ever wanted to fly or gazed longingly at a poster of a favorite athlete, wishing that athlete could come to life. JK Rowling makes it happen and if your imagination hasn't been too stifled and trodden down by the concerns of everyday life, then this book might be for you, no matter what your age. "The Goblet of Fire" is exciting, funny, frightening and impossible to put down. I kept telling myself "just one more chapter" until I had finished the final 450 pages in one fell swoop! The hype and hyperbole proved to be fully justified and Ms Rowling has shown herself to be a wonderfully creative and insightful writer. As a junior high and high school English teacher, one of my main frustrations is the fact that my students don't want to read for pleasure, even when given time to do so in class. However, the Harry Potter series has renewed the hope with which I began my career 15 years ago, that books and good, old-fashioned story-telling and imagination weren't yet out of style. Thanks, Ms Rowling, for Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the Hogwarts gang, yes, even Draco Malfoy, the kid we all love to hate! And thanks, too, for bringing back my own junior high memories after all these years with your refreshingly honest and accurate portrayals of young boys and girls discovering new experiences and getting to know each other again for the first time.

Awesome!
I definitely think JK Rowling has honed her craft. I did not like the original Potter book, because I thought there wasn't much depth to the characters and everthing was predictable. As of the Prisoner book, I think she has definitely improved. I liked this so much I could barely put it down.

The thing that separates this book out from her first two novels is that as the characters age, the plots have become much darker and much less predictable, and this one, in particular, reads almost like a mystery novel, because there is so much left up in the air.

The ending also sets the stage for future novels.

I think kids and adults (myself included) will find this to be the best Potter book yet (I have not yet read the Order of the Phoenix)

Pushing it to the next level
I'm a thirty-something woman and I am a Harry-a-holic. Why should this fantastic series be just for kids? Obviously I'm not the only person who feels this way. I see adults riveted by this series everywhere I go. And the best thing is kids love it too! This series opens the door that many of us need, something in common with our children. It really helps us to identify with each other. Thank you J.K. Rowling!

"Goblet of Fire" shows us that it is not written reverently for the little ones, however. I must warn you, there is a tragic death. I'm sure most children can deal with it, but I personally was shocked. I'm not sure I'm old enough for where this series is going, but I'll let it take me there just the same.

By opening that doorway to the sad inevitability we all face, Rowling has pushed the boundaries of how we view children's adventures. We realize now that Voldemort means business and that anything could happen as he continues his quest for power. Can Harry stop him? Voldemort continues to get more powerful with every novel and Harry is only just able to stop his nemesis from succeeding with his ingenious plots to take over all the witching world and quite possible the muggle world as well.

This book left me waiting almost too eagerly for "Order of the Phoenix," which I read with my 9-year-old niece who seems to cope with the terrors in this series better than I am.

If you're all growed up, read this with some kids, they can comfort you when it gets scary.

Real Emotion
The Goblet of Fire is the first time that Harry really deals with hard problems, and dark emotions. This is also the first time the book every brought out real emotion, such as sadness. J.K. Rowling really knows how to make each book better and better. Although this isn't my favorite of the serious, it's a very close second. There were many times in which I just bursted out into laughter, and others when i cried. Every emotion is provoked in this book. I really recommend that every one read Harry Potter, even if it to read this one book in the series. ... Read more

Book Description

I say to you all, once again--in the light of
Lord Voldemort’s return, we are only as strong
as we are united, as weak as we are divided.
Lord Voldemort’s gift for spreading discord and
enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing
an equally strong bond of friendship and trust.

So spoke Albus Dumbledore at the end of Harry Potter’s fourth year at Hogwarts. But as Harry enters his fifth year at wizard school, it seems those bonds have never been more sorely tested. Lord Voldemort’s rise has opened a rift in the wizarding world between those who believe the truth about his return, and those who prefer to believe it’s all madness and lies--just more trouble from Harry Potter.

Add to this a host of other worries for Harry…
• A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey
• A venomous, disgruntled house-elf
• Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team
• And of course, what every student dreads: end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams

…and you’d know what Harry faces during the day. But at night it’s even worse, because then he dreams of a single door in a silent corridor. And this door is somehow more terrifying than every other nightmare combined.

In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling’s seven-part story, Harry Potter confronts the unreliability of the very government of the magical world, and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it) Harry finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages, and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back. ... Read more

Reviews (5092)

The Most Anticipated Book Lives up to Its Hype
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a marvelous edition to J.K. Rowling's library, and well worth the long, long wait and the number of pages. Although the book is the darkest novel yet in the Harry Potter saga, it reads like one of the earlier editions, happy and light with plenty of humor thrown in compensate for the overall dark tone of the novel. The plot is complex and involved, but never difficult as Rowling takes time and trouble to make certain everyone understands the mystery before moving to the next part.

Many characters in this book become more well-rounded, and their actions are better justified. Professor McGonagall becomes a much more likable character, and we get more insight into the reason behind Professor Snape's hatred of Harry. We also see Harry's love life blossom somewhat as he ages, and he goes through typical teenage strife with his friends, Ron and Hermione.

The ending is an exciting, heart-in-your-throat adventure that is sure to delight Harry Potter fans old and new. My only advice for reading this book: Don't make this your first Potter foray. Read the other books first. Rowling doesn't explain every detail from the first ones; she just assumes you've read them and doesn't bog you down with details you already remember (if you've read the first four).

Basically, this is a very exciting book that well lives up to the Harry Potter saga and is sure to delight the many legions of fans who have waiting with bated breath for the newest edition.

Book Five: My Fondest Dreams Realized.
At the end of book 4, I like most others found myself wishing one thing: the fifth book. It was a far greater delay than i wanted, but it was worth it. This is the Best Book in the Series.

I shall endeavor to avoid spoilers of any kind. Do Yourself a Favor. Dont wait for it to be out on Paperback. Read it now. If you havent read 1-4, start now so you can read book 5

Harry is finally growing up and his questions are finally getting answered. HP5 really made me wonder what happened to JK Rowling to make her paint the Ministry of Magic as such dangerously and willingly ignorant fascists.

The disjointed often poorly paced book 4 was full of a lot of passages where i wanted to slap Harry around for being such a whiner. Not So Book 5. The conflict is shaping up beautifully. It feels like this is the "Empire Strikes Back" of the Harry Potter Book: grim and full of white-knuckle tension, and not the funniest or easiest episode, but its the finest crafted and most important episode.

I thought Maybe JKR wouldnt beable to keep up the passion, angst and beautiful craftmanship of the first few books since they were written when she wasnt rich and famous etc. I thought fame might pull the spark out of the books, but i was wrong. If anything she's honed her craft even more.
What always struck me about the Harry Potter boos was that there was a legitimate, tangible sense of horror underlying the bad events. Often in children's books the bad stuff is contrived to give the main character something to Do, not so Harry Potter. Book 5 makes it clearthat death is very real, and it affects everyone, and that evil is real and present, And OFTEN done in the name of good.
Book 5 ups the ante, making it even more important to read. It is not so much a 'children's book' and more a book about universal struggles that we in which all need to immerse ourselves.

Can't wait for the movie...
I'm a huge fan of the horror genre and am a huge King fanatic, but I couldn't resist reading this book after seeing the Third film. I'm 17 and I found unbelievable that these books are aimed at 9-12 yr olds. The vocabulary is fantasic and Ms Rowling is quite an inticing writer.
I should have read the fourth book first, that's a little advice for the rest of ye, because now I know the general outcome of that book - so I think I'll wait for the fourth film rather than read it.
Anyway, being such a huge King fan, I can't help comparing different writers to him. He is - to me - the best writer in the world, just just at horror but at everything, and I found J.K Rowling right up his alley. She's brilliant, the book's brilliant, cant wait for the film!!! :-)

Good, but dark
There's a good reason most of us cannot recall being 15 very well and the latest Harry Potter book will show you why: his heroic behavior is being marred by hormones that make him confused, angry, and irrational. The blue cover should give you an idea of the darkness of this 5th and darkest year of Harry's schooling at Hogwarts. I was so enraptured by reading book #4, Goblet of Fire, that I paid the $30 to get an advanced hardback copy of this book. I would advise against that; it's not worth it, but is worth reading. It's nearly as long, about 700 pages, but you'll find yourself wizzing through them. The author balances action with description and lets her imagination run wild with this fantasy world. The dark tone of this book and the surprising twists will have you anxiously reading to find a good place to stop, but the evil does not let up until the final pages. Phoenixes, like the human spirit, rise perpetually, and in this book we get some long overdue explanations, but at the cost of someone's life. In this book, Harry has a complete reversal of fortune and becomes the laughing stock of the school. New characters are introduced, there is some serious espionage in this book, and the book mainly centers on the war between the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. We learn much in this book and even get to see Harry's dad who is less the saint then Harry has been told. The book also seems to be a scathing social commentary, in typical English style, against the government and the media. In this episode, they suddenly become unthinkably evil, twisting facts, commiting gross injustices, physically hurting people, and manipulating public sentiment. In this novel, the good guys get put on trial for crime, and it is mindboggling.

Overall, a very imaginative book, different in tone from the rest, that both captures teenage angst and the disruption to daily life caused by the Dark Lord. If you love the series, buy it but don't rush to do so. It's not as good a read as the other books, and is very dark, almost depressing. It's all bad news until the last few pages, and the kids cause some terrible trouble this time.

I have always taken issue with these stories as "childrens literature" for their moral content and bad role models. These kids break rules, lie, sneak around, and singlehandedly confront the dark lord on a regular basis. Perhaps this is why China has banned the books. Well, I think that Rawling has simply put aside these moral issues to tell a good, compelling, imaginative story. Harry is not every man, he is a very special kid, a sort of christlike lowliest child. If the kids were constantly telling Dumbledore what was going on, the story would get dull. In this book, you get a good sense of how annoying it is to constantly have adults intercede. And of course the overall moral tale is that good always triumphs over evil. In the end, it is for parents, not books to teach values.

worth the wait
Harry's back and so is the others, well harry is having a crudy summer and when he goes back to school things dont seem to lighten up because the new teacher has the personality like a poisend beehive with a rabid badger and throw in a couple of 50 seperate posions and you get Dolores umbridge. however there are som good stuff, like ron becoming keeper, a secret program, and Harry might have a shoot at Cho but Voldemort is still out there and Harry is having this dream about a door at the end of a hallway but he wakes up. you got to read the book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Edge-of-your-chair sci-fi for teens!
An exciting book in which you, yes YOU, the reader, choose what happens next in the story!Easily read and simple text matter for young adults. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2274)

perhaps the best of the 4 books
This is the third book in the wonderful Harry Potter series (7 total, only 4 are published at the moment). Harry is to begin his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During the summers, he lives with his aunt and uncle. They are not at all fond of magic and keep Harry away in his closet, forbidden to use magic (by the school) or have any contact with his friends. Harry's parents were murdered by an evil wizard when Harry was only an infant. Harry survived, mysteriously, unscathed except for a scar on his forehead. Harry arrives at Hogwarts having learned that a man named Sirius Black has escaped from the wizard prison Azkaban. Presumably he wants to kill Harry Potter. Black was a convicted murderer and worked for the wizard who killed Harry's parents.

The school is almost in a lockdown with the frightening Dementor guards looking for Black and guarding the school. Harry, of course, gets into mischief anyways and winds up involved in finding Sirius Black. There are plenty of surprises and Rowling writes this book with fast pacing and an interesting story.

This is one of the strongest books of the four, and with this book, the series is beginning to get noticeably darker and less for children than it was before. While not very frightening for an adult, the book may be scary for a young child. Though these are marketed for children, the Harry Potter series is as much for adults as it is for children. Excellent reading.

Jim Dale's reading is a must-hear!
First of all, don't expect Tolkien or Lewis. You won't find such literary depth and deftness here. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are much more akin to Roald Dahl's quirky, alternately lighthearted and dark children's stories. However, that's not to say Rowling's books aren't well-written, enormously entertaining and fun. They are. In fact, I can honestly say that very few books of late have delighted me as much -- *especially* the CD versions. For as much as I enjoy *reading* the Harry Potter books (and I have them all in print form), I love *hearing* them even more. Jim Dale's readings (especially the briskly-paced and richly charactered third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) have to be heard to be believed. Dale is a master storyteller. He switches between characters seamlessly, giving each one a different voice and personality. His English accent is a delight, and the pronounciations are crisp. I especially enjoy hearing the voices of Draco Malfoy, Hagrid and Professors Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall (who has a delightful brogue). I recently purchased the third book on CD in anticipation of my 3-hour drive (each way!) to Chicago for a conference. I loaded up my car's CD changer and listened all the way down and back, hanging on every word. Dale's fabulous reading turned what could have been a long, uneventful trip into a delightful escape to Hogwarts. In fact, when I returned home, I didn't want to get out of my car ... and, I'm nearly ashamed to say, kept looking for excuses to run errands just so I could continue listening to the exciting story unfold! Rowling's books seem tailor-made for *hearing*, as if she wrote them specifically to be read aloud. So if you've ever wanted to try an audio book, and if you enjoy reading the Harry Potter series, I highly recommend Jim Dale's presentations. Thankfully, the audio versions are UNABRIDGED so you can enjoy every single word. I hope Dale continues to be the reader for the Harry Potter series. I can't imagine any other voice for them. He's a perfect match for Rowling's words. By the way, I'm 39 years old. And I was raised on science fiction and fantasy books. I rank the Harry Potter books right up there with some of my all-time favorites. As I said in the beginning, Rowling's books are not as deep or clever as many of the classics of the genre, but they're every bit as entertaining in their own right. I recommend the books, but I *highly* recommend Jim Dale's reading of them. Especially Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

The foundation of HP
It was the release of this book that finally got me to pick up the series that had so many children and adults raving. It was one of the best book decisions I ever made. HP has proven to be an exciting and fun way to bond with my nieces and nephews along with many coworkers and friends.

"The Order of the Phoenix" does take the reader deeper into the dark world which Voldemort, the nemesis of HP and all good witches/warlocks has tried to plunge them. This book finally sheds light on part of Harry's past that helps to explain the present. Along with Harry, we learn more about his parents and about how things were at the time Voldemort killed them.

We are also introduced to an integral character, Sirius Black. Is he a good witch or a bad witch? Read this "Prisoner of Azkaban" to find out.

Much Better than the Movie!
I've found the books to be much better than the movies! Especially with book three, since as the books get longer it seems more and more is cut out of the movies. To discover the real hidden clues to what lies ahead reading the books is a MUST!

This book was more enjoyable than the previous two for me in that it was more detailed. Had more substance in its plot, and it was written for a more advanced mind (all the books increase in difficulty level and for me enjoyment level).

For a small summary: see the movie!, otherwise Harry blows up aunt, doesn't get in trouble, ministry of magic is more worried about the escaped murderer they think is after Harry, turns out escaped murderer is no murderer and is Harry's godfather, harry has to deal with dementors with a powerful protronus charm (protective spell), harry learns spell from new dark arts teacher who was friends with his parents and he is a werewolf, in the end this book doesn't have the normal happy ending--traitor escapes and harry's godfather barely escapes dementors (prison guards) to live on the run.

Wooow... amazing
I'm 13 years old and I can relate to the main character and the story. The 3rd book is mostly about teenagers and Harry's life change.Teens make a lot of changes. The book keeps you guessing until the end.It's an amazing and mysterious book. ... Read more

Book Description

Best-selling authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins deliver a great page-turning combination of fiction and prophecy in the fifth book in the Left Behind series, Apollyon. The Tribulation Force travels to Israel for the Meeting of Witnesses as further judgments are released upon the world. Satan falls from heaven and opens the bottomless pit, releasing Apollyon and his plague of locusts that torture the unsaved. Apollyon is a thriller that will be tough to put down. ... Read more

Reviews (482)

"Here's another fine mess we've gotten into."
After taking a two year break from this seemingly endless series of end of the world novels I finally picked it back up where I had left it behind, with Nicolae Carpathia (aka The AnitChrist) deciding to show up at the Meeting of the Witnesses after all.
Apollyon, like the others before it, is a quick and frothy read that emphasizes cliffhanger action above any real dramatic tension. Think of it as Irwin Allen's Production of The Book of Revelations. What lifted this entry above a three star rating was the somewhat refreshing humor I found in it. Some of the slapstick moments (at the AntiChrist's or his Supreme Commander's expense) were quite refreshing, although Supreme Evil Incarnate treated as a buffoon does not inspire fear in me. I also have a soft spot in my heart for monster mayhem and the swarm of locust like demons at the novel's conclusion satisfied that B-movie craving quite nicely. After the disappointing Soul Harvest this was a breath of fresh air and it left me hungry for the next book in the series, which is just what Jenkins wants to inspire in his devoted readership. I enjoyed it but, seeing that it suffers from the same problems (no real dramatic tension, endless repetition of cliffhangers, Hero Death Exemption) and only moves the story forward by inches, I cannot really recommend it, but, from a personal entertainment standpoint, I give it four stars for the guilty pleasure of it all.

Better than people give it credit for
A lot of the reviews I have read of these books tend to put it down by comparing it to other end of the world books. And while I will admit that these are not as smart or engaging as some of the the better books that cover the same topic like Fire of Heaven or We All Fall Down, I still really enjoyed them. A friend introduced me to the first book and I cut through all 12 books over the past two months. In a way, it's not really fair to compare them to some of the other books because they are trying to do different things. Left Behind seems to me to try to simply tell a great story about the end of the world. It's light, but what's wrong with that? I really felt like I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next when I finished a book and the very next day would order the next one. I call that a success. A book like We All Fall Down is obviously much more intense and thoughtful, the characters seem much more like real people, and it gives you more to think about, but why does that make Left Behind bad? Can't The Ten Commandments and The Passion both be good movies?

a failure
I am an ardent believer in Christ, but that does not mean that anything written about Christianity should be endorsed and embraced regardless of its quality. I have read all 12 of these novels and they simply aren't very good. The writing is poor, the plot unimaginative, and there certainly isn't anything in these books that will cause a Christian to re-examine and thus more fully embrace our beliefs. Look, I don't doubt that the authors had the best intentions with these books, but quality has to count for something. There are better alternatives out there. Try We All Fall Down by Caldwell. It's well-written and extreimly intelligent. If you're going to read about Christianity, read something that is worth your time.

Are you kidding me?
I am an agnostic, and make no bones about it. But, I also feel that a person should not critique a work unless he has actually read it. I am now on my fifth book in this series (Apollyon), and am finding myself making excuses for having read this far. Is it the writing? Goodness no. Is it the engaging characters? Oh, sure. I honestly don't know.

It's kind of like my addiction back in high school to the "Flowers in the Attic" series that was such in vogue then. Terrible writing, awful premise, bad execution. But for some reason, I kept reading. Maybe to see how bad it could get? If it could get any better? No. Mostly, it was to see what all the fuss was about, and to see what so many others actually saw in the thing.

This series is basically about "preaching to the choir," and making the events of Revelation fit into some (semi) coherent story. Unfortunately, anyone with reasonable intelligence will be rolling their eyes countless times. The relative normality of human existence after all of these calamities is one sour point. Another would be that this "all knowing, all loving" God would visit such horror and calamity upon his people--believers or not.

My biggest point of contention would be that no matter how good or how pure a person is, all that matters to get into heaven is to be "born again." Even the characters of Hattie and Chaim "believe" that Christ is the savior, and yet that isn't good enough. . .they haven't been "born again." Puh-leeze. Switch off your brain, and submit as a slave to Jeebus, and you're goin' to heaven! Even if you're an evil )&**&%!!! But if you're basically a good guy, but for some reason don't make the secret prayer. . .you're going to burn in eternal torment FOREVER! Boy, that's justice. People that actually believe that trip me out!

It may be your interpretation of Biblical events, but it doesn't make logical sense. God gives you a brain. You use your brain to determine that it doesn't make sense that good works aren't good enough. Your brain doesn't conclude that blind faith in a book that is hard to understand is the ONLY WAY. So you are DOOOOOMED. Justice like that is hard to distinguish from the justice of the DEVIL, wouldn't you say? I'm just sayin'. . .

John the Revelator¿s plague of locusts unleashed.
Add another 1/2 star to the three I've given it.

It is difficult to visualize the various plagues in the Book of Revelations, however Lahaye and Jenkins have done an excellent job. Why these demon locusts did not attack everyone was very clear. Also I've wondered about the two prophets who will be left in the streets of Jerusalem for three days as John describes, but again the authors brought these two men to life for me.

Amanda Steele may have been a traitor to her husband and The Tribulation Force. Since I had no emotional connection to Amanda, who was introduced merely to play a small role, I was unconcerned that she disappeared. However, her death along with others on the jet that crashed did show Nicolae Carpathia's truer motive.

In my opinion, this is one of the better books in the Left Behind series, but after reading four straight through I was committed to the series. If someone were to start reading just one book out of order, then I think the interwoven connections would be difficult to follow.

The scenes in Jerusalem were strong and well written. Never having been to the city, I was able to picture it somewhat -- especially considering the photojournalists and newscasters we have today. New characters are introduced as each book moves forward, which keeps the pressure building with their interpersonal relationships and questions of fealty.

True dramatic tension is missing, but the humor at the expense of the The AntiChrist and his divergent crew is refreshing, though difficult to imagine. However, if you have read the previous four books, this will be an excellent adventure in the continuing saga.

Victoria Tarrani ... Read more

Amazon.com

Unless your species evolved sometime after 1993 when Jurassic Park hit theaters, you're no doubt familiar with this dinosaur-bites-man disaster tale set on an island theme park gone terribly wrong. But if Speilberg's amped-up CGI creation left you longing for more scientific background and ... well, character development, check out the original Michael Crichton novel. Although not his best book (get ahold of sci-fi classic The Andromeda Strain for that), Jurassic Park fills out the film version's kinetic story line with additional scenes, dialogue, and explanations while still maintaining Crichton's trademark thrills-'n'-chills pacing. As ever, the book really is better than the movie. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (569)

A page turner
This is a great book.It is far better than the movie.The sequels are okay, but the first one is still the best.Anyone would like this book no matter their age.

I don't think that's tomato juice....
Jurassic Park is a gripping action title set on a private island of the coast of Costa Rica. Horrific and deep,it should please anybody with the ability to read.i couldnt put it down for all the tea in china, nor all the chinese waitresses who bring it.
John hammond is hungry to make something extraordinary.dealing with boigenetic company,ingen,they manage to create genetically engineered dinosaurs.hammond has an idea of having a dinosaur zoo where kids can marvel at these amazing creatures.unfortunately, his view doesn't include reality, and ingen comes across many problems creating this "zoo".
the way crichton writes is sheer genious.the words seem to flow together and, in time, you'll feel as if it's happening before your eyes.A modern classic written like Shakespeare for old people, jurassic park should not be missed by anybody.

Great Read
A book about Dinosaurs terrorizing a group of people who on a secluded island makes for a great adventure book.This book is the investigation of an island that soon will be opened to the public.And what the characters find is an island of terror where the Dinosaurs are let loose and thereafter terrorize the human characters, therefore, asking the question "Does man really control nature?".This book is a great read if you are looking for a fast paced action adventure that also going into the details of the area and characters.One of Crichton's best books.

Crichton is too Heavy Handed
Having read this book before the movie came out, and now having reread it a week ago I'm still suprised at how much I enjoy this story.But, this time around I noticed something--the characters are far too simplistic.Every character in Jurassic park has some quirk that is just beaten to death by the end of the book.In final chapters I just wanted them all to be killed by the dinosaurs!Even though I did enjoy the character of Ian Malcolm and some of the things he had to say about modern science, I was ready for him to be dead too.Even Crichton's "good" characters, meaning the smart, well-adjusted ones, are one-dimensional throw-away personalities.I'm still confused how I can enjoy the story while enduring yet another plot segment revolving around Lex's utter stupidity (even a youngster such as this character would have had a lot more sense than to throw temper tantrums while being hunted by man-eating dinosaurs!).That's just the thing about this book.The stupid characters are monstrously stupid.The smart ones smarter than everyone else to the point of arrogance.The cowardly ones--embarassingly so.All of them are just waaaaaay to simplistic to be believable.Thinking back on the other books I've read by Crichton (Rising Sun, Congo, Sphere, the Andromeda Strain), this is a common thread in his writing.They all feel dumbed down even when his subjects are diverse and abstract.It seems as though he's gone for the lowest common denominator.It's actually insulting in a way.

Jurassic Park is entertaining, but not a lasting work of literature by any stretch.

a surprising favourite book
i don't think their is a person alive today who hasn't seen the jurassic park adaptation of michael chrichton's book.
and it was because i'd seen the movie that i wasn't to keen to read the book.
as a media student and planning to do film studies in london, i began picking up books from second hand stalls that have been film, e.g tomb raider, the bodyguard, men in black, etc.
and jurassic park. it sat on my shelf untouched for over two years, until last summer.
it was study leave, the sun was shining and my exams were until two months after i went back to college, so there was no point in doing revision.
i looked at my shelf (as you do) and fancied reading a book in the garden in the glorious sunshine - that i hadn't read before.
harry potter and patricia cornwell novels were starting to become tendious after reading them over and over about 18 times.
so i picked up jurassic park and couldn't put it down.
it is now my favourite book. full of philosophy, nonlinear equations, dinosaurs, blood and gore - what more could a geek want!
don't be put off by the farce that is jurassic park the movie, the book it absoulety fantastic.
the film is just a joke - its only function is to display industrial light and magic's animatronic and cg dinosaurs (but i have to admit, they are pretty good.)
compared to the story, plot and basically entire content that the film is based on - there are no words to describe the anger and shame.
spielberg should have his hands cut off and his eyes burned out. but then, ive never really rated him as a director anyway.

read the book!!!!!!!!!!!
if i could give you just one tip for the future, jurassic park novel would be it.
It would stop this narrow minded view that the human race is the be all and end all. ... Read more

Book Description

Jake seems to have grown up overnight - literally. He goes to bed as his usual kid-self and wakes up ten years older to find the world completely taken over by Yeerks. All the other Animorphs are either dead or Yeerk-infested, and Jake alone is left to fight. Is it all just a horrific dream, or has the Yeerk invasion truly succeeded? ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Intense and Terrifying
This was an extremely tense and fast-paced book. After a horrific failed battle in which Jake makes the call to leave two Animorphs behind, Jake wakes up the next morning and finds everything changed. He's suddenly "at least ten years older" in an UNfamiliar world. This book is similar to the alternate, possible reality books of #7 "The Stranger," the beginning of Megamorphs #3, and Megamorphs #4. Jake finds himself in New York City with everything changed-everyone is a Controller, including Andalites. It has the nightmarish aspects of 1984 as well as provoking humor of human society becoming merged with Yeerk society (the bits about pills and clinics and the advertising boards, for example).

I'd say this is an especially dark book, almost a warning of the future. Jake sees his worst fears played out: he was responsible for everyone getting caught since Tom finally figured it out. He finds out that he's responsible for Rachel's death and for turning Cassie, Marco, and Ax into Controllers. The confusing aspects of this book is when he has hallucinations that we don't know are real or not. He sees the walking corpses of the enemies he's killed and is shocked that Cassie is a jaded terrorist, accepting violence. There are few light-hearted moments in this book as Jake is purposely forced to run through the gauntlet for some mysterious end or experiment by a different, perhaps even higher power than the Ellimist or Crayak. It's a terrifying book and one almost wishes for the end since it is quite painful at times. At the end of this book, readers can only hope that Jake can learn from his futuristic experiences.

The Familiar
Jake seems to have grown up overnight - literally. He goes to bed as his usual kid-self and wakes up ten years older to find the world completely taken over by Yeerks. All the other Animorphs are either dead or Yeerk-infested, and Jake alone is left to fight. Is it all just a horrific dream, or has the Yeerk invasion truly succeeded?

The Familiar
The people that gave bad reviews on #41 are evil ! Well, okay, that's opinion. But anyway, I absolutely loved The Familiar. The way KA Applegate can create a futuristic Animorphs is amazing. I thought that The Familiar is one of the best books in the series, because it has so much glory in it. The auther fashioned this book to be not JUST #41. She fashined it to be a great , never to be forgotten book. True, the ending is a completely unexpected one -- but doesn't that make it all the

more exciting? The Familiar is one of the best books in a long time since August. Now that's worth it.

Read the other reviews before reading this one, it'll help!
Although Animorphs are considered appropriate for ages 9-12, older children can certainly appreciate them.I'm 14 and have been reading Animorphs for about 4 years, and have noticed that it's difficult to comprehend some of the books if you're younger than 12.Judging by the previous reviews, this book is definitely one ofthem.The purpose of this review is to fill in some areas left void by the other reviewers, so read them prior to my review.First of all, the point of the book is to express a simple universal concept: love.The Animorphs have been forced to make difficult choices, but they continue to have a sense of morality.They realize that they cannot become totally ruthless.They need values and principles, or the world is not worth saving.Don't take this statement entirely literally, just be patient and you'll figure it out.The ending is easy to understand if you read the story carefully.Jake discovers the extent of his love for Cassie.An exciting new development is a being like the Ellimist, but different.I believe this book uses an idea similar to what was used in #7 "The Stranger", so read that too.It will also make the ending clearer when you read this book (And you should definitely read it! ).Be sure to read Megamorphs #4, because it relates to the book when Jake tells of his most terrifying dream, and at other points in the story.The new "being" in #41 could be interconnected with what is foreshadowed about Cassie during Megamorphs #4... that will make possible an interesting future plot.Anyway, this was one of my all-time favorite Animorph books, along with #s 4, 7, 19, 26, all the Tobias books, Megamorphs 3 and 4, and Visser (During which KAA implies that Marco is now either 12 or 15 years old, depending on what she means by "adolescence."Don't pay attention to the numerous hints about their age, they never add up.)But this is DEFINITELY a must-read, one of the best in the series.Don't miss it!

An exciting but confuseing book
This book is completely difrent from the other books wicth is good. but the book makes it seem like with out the Animorphs we would be infestted.The end is a bit confusing. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

fun to read
Her Serene Highness Gabriella de Cordina, called Brie by friends and family, doesn't remember anything about her life. She was kidnapped, and the shock of her experience, as well as the drugs that were used on her, left her without any memories about herself or the people she knew. Her father, Prince Armand, knows that she is still in danger, so he asks ex-cop Reeve MacGee to be her bodyguard until those who took her are captured.

I only just finished reading Nora Roberts' _The Right Path_, and I found this book to be a relief. Whereas _The Right Path_ didn't seem to have any real romance, this book had just enough. The mix of mystery and romance was perfect. Brie's amnesia was a great introduction to Cordina and the royal family: as she rediscovered them, I learned about them, too. Reeve was great, although not as wonderful to read about as some of Roberts' other heros (Roarke from the In Death books is, for me, a great favorite) - part of the reason why this book got a four instead of a five. Brie, although prone to haughtiness, was very likeable, and I enjoyed reading about her and Reeve's romance. The mystery element, "who kidnapped the princess?", was also fun, but pretty predictable. There aren't too many possibilities for who could have done it, and I had the answer figured out quite a bit before the book ended - another reason why the book got a four. I'm not usually very good at solving mysteries, so I figure this must have been a pathetically easy one to figure out. However, this is mostly a romance, not a mystery. This is still a highly enjoyable read, and I definitely recommend it.

A Royal Romance!
If one were to ask me who writes good romance books there might be many names I could offer. But if someone were to ask me who is a wonderful romance writer, surely Nora Roberts would be the first name I would think of to suggest. In addition, when it comes to writing family series, there are no other authors who even compare to this author.

Affaire Royale was originally published in 1986. But time has done little this this engrossing read. From the first page when we meet Her Serene Princess Gabriella we are swept away by her, other members of the royal court and the small country of the fictitious Cordina.

The book opens in a hospital room where we learn that Brie, as she is commonly known, was recently kidnapped, returned but is suffering from amnesia. With her kidnappers still not known, Bride's father Prince Armand has hired Reeve McGee, a family friend and former private investigator to protect his onyl daughter. But Bride ghas other plans for Reeve and instead of dogging her every step as a bodyguard, wants him to help her remember her past. Add a dose of mystery, political intrigue, smoldering passion and romance and once again you as the readers are captivated by the writing and characters Nora Roberts presents.

The first book in the Cordina Royal series, this series was continued with Command Performance published in 1987 and The Playboy Prince published in 1988. Then just this past year Cordina's Crown Jewel, the 4th title was published which I'm
sure was greeted with great happiness by Nora's many loyal fans.

While Nora Roberts has written sevevral trilogies and the 11 book MacGregor series, each book stands alone on its own as well as beckoning to readers. Each time we close the book we are grateful to enter the worlds which Ms. Roberts writes about in such detail and characters who we come to feel we know personally.

Now I am looking forward to reading all of the books in this series.

good book to read
This the first book of the Cordina's Royal Family series. It doestn't have the usual deep that Ms. Roberts puts in her books, but never the less, it is a very enjoyable book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Inspector Ghote as, well, a human
First: If you can get it, perhaps at the library, seek the audiotape version read by Sam Dastor to bring full life to this wonderful book. A story whose heart is Inspector Ghote's admiration of a man, that man's use of anger in the performance of his duties, and Ghote's realization that anger is perhaps not the best policy. Not for the speed-reader, Keating's descriptions of those monsoon days in India will bring out the sweat in you!

a psychological detective novel turned inside out
Under a Monsoon Cloud is the first novel by HRF Keating I read (actually heard on audio tape) and it won't be the last. Detective Ghote is an unforgetable character whose misadventures and efforts to save himself and his family from doom are presented in a spellbinding narrative rich with wit and local color. The ending comes as a surprise and a relief. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this third installment to Eoin Colfer's funny, fast-paced, fairy-filled adventure series, boy genius and arch criminal Artemis Fowl once again can't resist plotting the perfect crime--and, once again, he can't keep from stirring up so much trouble that the fate of the entire fairy world teeters in the balance.

The once hard-boiled Artemis has softened a bit between his bestselling debut and the seat-of-your-pants Arctic Incident, and that trend continues in The Eternity Code: He's still plotting for a billion-dollar-plus payoff for the Fowl family, but now his enemies are human (chiefly Jon Spiro, a ruthless businessman Artemis tries to blackmail using stolen fairy technology) and he has to turn to his old adversary-turned-friend Captain Holly Short and cutpurse dwarf Mulch Diggums for help. The dialogue and action prove as smart and page-turning as ever this time around, with Artemis struggling to bring his faithful bodyguard Butler back from the dead before racing Mission Impossible-style to triple-cross the double-crossing Spiro.

Colfer's young antihero might be getting more likeable all the time, but that hasn't taken the edge off the Tom-Clancy-meets-Harry-Potter action. Artemis has to agree to a memory-erasing "mind wipe" from the People after helping them recover their technology, but only a foolish fan would count Artemis out after this blockbuster "final heist." Book four can't come soon enough.... (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (184)

Artemis Fowl and The Eternity Code
The story starts with a mysterious murder of a famous Scientific Researcher at CERN. Brilliant physicist Leonardo Vetra has been murdered, his eyes plucked out, and an ancient anti-Christian cult's symbol branded upon his chest. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is shocked to find a proof that the legendary secret society, the Illuminati, dedicated since the time of Galileo to promoting the interests of science and escaping the blind faith of the Vatican, is alive and murderously active. Leonardo Vetra's final discovery, antimatter, the most powerful and dangerous energy source known to man, has disappeared, only to be hidden somewhere beneath Vatican City on the eve of the election of a new pope. Langdon and Leonardo's adopted daughter, Vittroria, start on a impossible journey and a frantic search through out catacombs, secret archives, churches, to protect incineration of man kind. Read this amazing book by Dan Brown to find out more!

Artemis Fowl and The Eternity Code
The story starts with a mysterious murder of a famous Scientific Researcher at CERN. Brilliant physicist Leonardo Vetra has been murdered, his eyes plucked out, and an ancient anti-Christian cult's symbol branded upon his chest. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is shocked to find a proof that the legendary secret society, the Illuminati, dedicated since the time of Galileo to promoting the interests of science and escaping the blind faith of the Vatican, is alive and murderously active. Leonardo Vetra's final discovery, antimatter, the most powerful and dangerous energy source known to man, has disappeared, only to be hidden somewhere beneath Vatican City on the eve of the election of a new pope. Langdon and Leonardo's adopted daughter, Vittroria, start on a impossible journey and a frantic search through out catacombs, secret archives, churches, to protect incineration of man kind. Read this amazing book by Dan Brown to find out more!

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
This next book (in the Artemis series) is sure to be a winner. Before Artemis gives up the life of crime for his dad he has one last scheme.
Artemis has constructed a super-computer made from fairy technology. He meets with a powerful Chicago business man, Jon Spiro. Jon Spiro steels the C-cube and mortally injures Artemis's Personal bodyguard, Butler. To save Butler, Artemis will have to ask his old rival, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon.

Artemis Fowl (I am a 12 years old boy from taiwan)
The story began with a boy named Artemis who had stolen fairy technology and created a device he called a C Cube. He wanted to sell the C Cube to Spiro A rich American businessman both rich and influential. But Spiro didn't like his terms, so they began a battle for the C Cube. First, Spiro took the C Cube away, but he soon realized the cube was encrypted with an "eternity code". So Spiro's group began searching for Artmis, the fairies noticed that Artmis had stolen their technology, so they found Artemis and planned to steal the C Cube back. At last, Artemis tricked Spiro and the fairies. The fairies took the C Cube back and fairy used a mind wipe to wipe Artmis and his friend's minds. They forgot the battle and had their quiet life.
My favorite characters are Butler and Captain Holly Short. Butler was strong and smart. He knew how to protect his principle very well and he was always watching everybody around him. Holly believed Artemis all the time, but sometimes Artemis tricked her. She thought straight, so she often got cheated or betrayed by somebody but she had the capability that Butler had; she fought with goblins and could defeat them using her abilities.
I like the part of the battle between Butler and Arno Blunt in the beginning because the entire scene was interesting and Butler used his brain to save Artemis. I like the part when Artemis and Spiro tricked each other in the end too. Both of them used their most wonderful plan, but Artemis won the game at last. The part where Spiro ordered Pex and Chips to bury the dwarf under ground is funny. The dwarf laughed underground and Pex and Chips thought he was crying. The parts that I didn't like were reading Artemis diary, because his diary was boring, and the time when Butler almost died.
This story is full of interesting stuff and very imaginative. I laughed sometimes when I was reading; and sometimes I felt jumpy. When I am reading this book, I can't almost stop myself, because this book attracted me so much. I think the author might add more fairies to the story because that might make the story more interesting. If he left out off the diary, I think that would be better, too.

Nooooooooo
I really wanted to love this book, beacuse i liked the first two so much, but the part were butler gets shot is cliched right down to the drawn out "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO." But Juliet was in it more, which made up for it. Artemis is also gettting disgustingly nice. He was so much more fun evil! The main problem is that this was a great ending to a trilogy, but Eion Colfer has to go and publish a fourth book, and i'll end up reading it anyway. ... Read more