It is pretty safe to say that a majority of people have at least heard of the Harry Potter franchise. Whether it's the books or the movies, in whatever medium, people have experienced a bit of this Wizarding World. All the stories come together in order to create a story that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
5. "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban"
The third entry in the series seems to be the weakest out of the seven. Though it is an enjoyable story, it just seemed to repeat the same story that was established in the first two, making the story seem a bit bland. I'm not saying this was a bad story by any means, and I thoroughly enjoyed the development of James' time in Hogwarts.
My major issue with the story is the fact that it really throws so much into a single school year for Harry. The Sirius conflict, Buckbeak, dementors and more. There is just so much thrown in that you have to stop to wonder how you can keep up with it.
Looking back at the time traveling elements, I can see how all the conflicts can flow together, which is impressive, but I think there could have been a better way to implement the Time Turner without the overflow of conflicts.
4. "Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince"
The story just doesn't seem to mix into the "Harry Potter" tone. In comparison to the other novels, it is just too dark.
I understand this is Harry moving closer to adulthood, but the whole thing just seems to fall flat. I understand this is the novel where Dumbledore dies, and what seems to be Snape's betrayal of the Order of the Phoenix, but it just seems to all happen so quickly that you are left wondering what just happened.
I think this story was by no means bad, but Rowling really could have lightened up this novel, even by a small amount, in order to keep the magic within the "Harry Potter" universe.
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
If this story was a standalone story, it would be great, but it just doesn't fit within "Harry Potter" very well. Before this story, we have the same cut and past plot, but it just changes so much and leaves Harry in a hovel of suffering.
It seems that really nothing goes right for Harry. It starts out with him being expelled from Hogwarts. Then Ron and Hermione seem to fall away from him. Umbridge comes and causes Harry a lot of pain.
Yeah, things all work out in the end, but he is only around 15 years old during the events in the novel. He is still a young kid who shouldn't be forced to completely become an adult.
2. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
This is by far my personal favorite of the "Harry Potter" series because it marks the shift for readers from the childish innocence of the first three, and transitions us to the more adult themes of the rest of series.
We finally get to understand that the dangers surrounding Harry is greater than anything we ever expected, and gone is the ability for each conflict to be wrapped up by the end of the novel.
1. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
Alright, alright, I know this is a major cop-out. Honestly, though, we all look at the first book with a great level of love because it is what started it all.
I think we all will hold this book deep in our hearts. I know personally when I read this, I was still holding out for that Hogwarts letter. Voldemort wasn't a treat, and I just wanted to join Ron, Hermonine, and Harry on the Hogwarts Express.
