What up, fellow literary nerds! Here for another dose of fun and informative content? Whether you’re a Potterhead or not, there is no escaping the magic and adventure contained within the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.
Once it’s unleashed, you will be trapped within this universe, and there’s no going back. And if you haven’t heard about this series, this post will teach you all about it. So strap in for the ride to Hogwarts!
Book 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter is an 11-year-old orphan who is mistreated by his relatives, The Dursleys, who constantly treat him like a servant and keep him in a cramped room under the stairs.
However, all this changes, and he no longer has to put up with their miserable treatment when he receives a letter from a magical giant named Hagrid who reveals to him that he is destined to be a wizard!
He’s sent off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and sorted into the Gryffindor House where he finds out his true purpose in life and about the culprit behind his parents’ death- a twisted dark magic wizard called Lord Voldemort.
He also ends up joining the Quidditch team and befriending his friends till the end Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. Along the way, he also makes enemies such as Draco Malfoy and his cronies from the Slytherin House.
Harry and his two new friends also battle trolls, almost get into trouble with a three-headed dog who seems to be guarding something at Hogwarts and discover that they need to stop Lord Voldemort from stealing the valuable Sorcerer’s Stone which in the wrong hands could cause utter chaos.
Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Someone has opened the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts, and the creature within, a Basilisk, is now stalking the corridors of the school and claiming innocent lives.
Thankfully, Harry and his pals Ron and Hermione are back after their long summer vacation, and it is now up to our brave trio to put an end to these attacks.
Joining them on their quest is Fawkes, a phoenix, and Dobby, a house-elf who only wants the best for Harry and is constantly looking out for his wellbeing.
Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
After a magical misfire at home, Harry runs off and finds himself back at his home away from home- Hogwarts.
This time around, he finds out that there’s a mass murderer called Sirius Black on the loose from Azkaban prison who is intent on killing him! As a result of the same, soul-sucking creatures called Dementors have been stationed at every corner of the school, and often, they try to prey on poor Potter’s energy.
The kind and protective Professor Lupin takes it upon himself to teach young Harry how to defend himself using a Patronus Charm so he can stay safe from the Dementors.
As the story progresses, Harry, Ron, and Hermione also unravel new and darker secrets, such as finding out that Lupin may not be who he seems and that even Ron’s lost rat Scabbers might be harboring some secrets! The trio must now get to the bottom of why Sirius Black is actually after Harry and try their best to rescue him from an uncertain fate before it’s too late!
Book 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Weasleys invite Harry to the Quidditch World Cup, but it is a game that they will never forget because as soon as it begins, Lord Voldemort and crew show up and ruin all their fun! However, they all make it out of the chaos safely.
A few weeks later, Hogwarts is hosting its Triwizard Tournament and will play host to the other competitors such as the wizarding schools of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. The competition is only open to participants of a specific age limit, but somehow Harry’s name lands in the Goblet of Fire, and he’s chosen to represent Hogwarts in the Tournament despite him not meeting the age limit.
This also further leads to Ron distancing himself from Harry as he believes he has cheated by entering the Tournament and causes him to believe that Harry is only looking for fame and popularity. Hermione stands by him like the stalwart friend she is.
Along the way, the students are also encouraged to engage in their festive side by celebrating the Yule Ball, and this is where we are introduced to Harry’s love interest, Cho Chang.
As the Tournament approaches, Harry realizes that something dangerous is afoot (yes, even more dangerous and possibly more fatal than the creepy mer-people whom he has to battle under the lake in one of the tasks). Harry attributes this to the sudden appearance of ‘You-Know-Who’ at the start, and this further poses a peril to not only his life but also the lives of the other contestants.
Throw into the mix a number of odd and mysterious characters, some with their own ulterior motives like tabloid reporter Rita Skeeter, new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Mad-Eye Moody and many more, and you have an adventure that you’ll never forget long after reading!
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
An adolescent Potter finds himself seriously depressed after the incidents of the previous book, as well as the fact that he has received countless letters from his friends at Hogwarts warning him of the return of the dangerous and powerful Lord Voldemort once more.
After their face-off in the last book, Harry is even more weary of the Dark Lord’s presence. To add to his problems, he and his cousin are being hounded by Dementors yet again. As a result, he is forced to break the rules and use magic outside of Hogwarts to defend himself and is thus subjected to a hearing at the Ministry of Magic headquarters.
To further add to his woes, there is a new teacher named Professor Umbridge at the school who is probably out to get him and also is a giant prick to all the other students as she subjects them to torturous methods of discipline that would probably be banned in the Muggle world (real world, for the non-Potterhead).
It is now up to Harry to prepare his friends for an epic battle against evil in order to put an end to Lord Voldemort’s tyranny once and for all. But how will the boy wizard succeed without landing into more hot water with the possible psychopath Umbridge?
Book 6: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry’s sixth year also starts on a bad note as he is coping with some personal losses after the events of the previous book’s climax.
He is, however, adamant now more than ever to finally be rid of Voldemort’s torment, and as a result, Headmaster Dumbledore has taken him under his wing to teach him all that he needs to know about the Dark Lord. Both student and mentor team up to destroy objects called Horcruxes which contain the life source and energy of Voldemort. But this is easier said than done, as the Horcruxes are well hidden.
He is guided and joined on this journey by his friends Ron, Hermione, as well as his love interest Ginny Weasley, Ron’s younger sister with whom his romance is blossoming.
And as always, the brooding Professor Snape, now the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, is always lurking around, always keeping an eye out on the trio at all times.
Book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry has finally come of age. He has lost many a battle and many a friend in his arduous battle with Lord Voldemort. Many have sacrificed their lives in this battle to protect and shield him against the dark magic of The Dark Lord. The young man is yet to give up, however, and even though the final book even pits him against Ron, who abandons him and Hermione one night after an argument and misunderstanding, the brave boy wizard doesn’t give up hope.
He also delves into the past for answers or solutions that may help him take down the Dark Lord once and for all and find the last of the Horcruxes.
The ‘boy who lived’ must also get the trio back together so that they can be rid of the evil that threatens both the school and the lives of everyone there forevermore!
And if you are like me and love a coordinate book jacket for a series check out these gorgeous Juniper Books designs!
If you haven’t started reading this beloved and celebrated series yet, I highly recommend getting to it soon! Do check out our blog for more fun and informative posts that will awaken the inner literary nerd in you!
