Recently, I’ve been on a nostalgia kick with the Harry Potter series. Though I do enjoy the movies, the books are so loaded with information that’s left out in the films that I always crave reading the books.
Before I continue, I must warn: heavy spoilers below!
If you grew up with the Harry Potter books, you’ll have had this debate with many of your friends: which ones are your favourites? Even though the series is all inherently linked together, the plotlines of each book are so distinctly different that it hearkens many different rankings amongst readers.
So today, I decided to have some fun and list to you my rankings of the books, from least favourite to most favourite, with a short explanation as to why.
#7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Though it’s slightly ironic that the first book of the series is my least favourite, it shouldn’t be entirely surprising. That’s because J.K. Rowling’s writing style actually matures as Harry and his friend matures. This is something that still boggles my mind, because it’s as if she is guiding her readers as they age in real time. Sure, Philosopher’s Stone might have been considered advanced reading for me when I was eight years old, but when I look back on it now, the style is too simple for me to enjoy. It makes sense: Harry is only eleven years old in this but book. This is also not to say that I don’t appreciate Rowling’s style, because I think it’s insanely smart to start off with tame, more childlike content and slowly build to the darker content.
#6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I might get some flack for placing this one so low on the list, but let’s be real. Order of the Phoenix, though incredibly layered, is the longest book with the least payoff. A lot of it is angsty Harry being angsty, which can get bothersome when it takes up most of the 700+ pages. Lest we forget Professor Umbridge: cue spine-deep shudders. That being said, a lot of life changing stuff begins to come together in this book: we see much more of Sirius, Harry’s godfather, and the importance of his role in Harry’s life. This is also the first book that takes place after Voldemort’s resurgence. The series become inherently graver in this book, especially after the tragic death of Cedric Diggory in Goblet of Fire. The culmination of events in The Order of the Phoenix are super intense, especially with the battle at the Ministry of Magic. However, the sheer length and overload of information make it one of my least favourite to revisit.
#5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Despite what I said earlier about Rowling’s writing style maturing with the series – and thus Chamber of Secrets still being in the more childlike days – the content of this book is enthralling. What makes it more exciting is realizing that the diary of Tom Riddle (aka Voldemort), which manifests as his teenage self, is actually a Horcrux that we only learn about in the penultimate book Half-Blood Prince. The way Rowling links events from one book to another, in the most unsuspecting of ways, is baffling. This important connection is why I love picking up Chamber of Secrets from time to time.
#4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
This is the most contentious one, because I feel like most people I talk to place Goblet of Fire at the very top of their list. And I don’t blame them: this book is action-packed. The Triwizard Tournament is easily one of the most intriguing plotlines, because who doesn’t love a giant dangerous game? I really did love this book; it’s full of love triangles, action, and exciting new magic. As well, the Mad-Eye Moody reveal is one of the most shocking of the books. The entire book is exciting, thrilling, and end on a significantly sombre note. The only reason this is not in my top three favourites is because I found the mystery plot to be somewhat lacking compared to my top three. However, that’s not it to say that this is a really close tie with my #3.
#3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Two words: Marauder’s Map. This one has a special place in my heart because it truly marks the tonal shift in the Harry Potter series. This is the book in which we learn about Dementors, the terrifying soul-sucking monsters that the Ministry of Magic control. Sirius Black is seen as this book’s villain before we realize he’s actually the sweet Godfather to Harry. The mystery element is so on point in this book: from Peter Pettigrew to Remus Lupin to Sirius Black, this is seriously the book of Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. The culmination, in which Hermione and Harry have to use the Time Turner to go back in time, is one of the most exciting endings I’ve ever read. Lest we forget, this book brings about the birth of Harry’s Patronus. Lastly, this is the only book that Voldemort doesn’t appear in, which broke the predictability of the series in a creative way.
#2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Deathly Hallows comes together so well, and what frustrates me is the movie didn’t reflect even half of what was in this book. This is the point where Harry, Ron and Hermione have to search for Horcruxes, based on the pensieve memories Harry explored with Dumbledore in the prior book. However, what I loved most about this book was the element in which Harry discovered various surprises about Dumbledore’s life even after his death. There was also the reveal that Snape was always on the good side, and his tragic, lifelong love for Lily Potter. Though I’m not crazy about the ending (and, lest we forget that cringe-worthy epilogue), this book was the near-perfect way to wrap up an epic series. It was action-packed, dark, and answered all the questions readers needed answered. Ultimately, it ended with a happily ever after, which was what we hoped for from the very beginning. This brings me to my all-time favourite of the series. . .
#1. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
This book is by far my favourite. It’s so packed with so much important information that it feels like the true culmination of the series’ mysteries. The journey through Dumbledore’s pensieve is the major reason why I love this book. Harry learns of the Horcruxes, we learn much more about Tom Riddle’s past, and understand why he is the villain he’s become. This element is what makes for such a well-rounded story. There is also the ominous sub-plot of Draco Malfoy’s task that Voldemort has given him of killing Dumbledore, and seeing how this affects him. Of course, what makes this book even more interesting is the addition of the Half Blood Prince, the mysterious potion master who’s written notes in Harry’s potions textbook – which we find out is Severus Snape. The book also ends with Dumbledore’s death, after he and Harry go on an epically tragic journey to find a Horcrux. All in all, this book has so many elements that stand out so unforgettably to me, that I can’t help but name this one as my favourite.
All in all, it still impresses me to this day that J.K. Rowling was able to bring together so many mysteries that were casually peppered throughout each book and tie it up so neatly in the end. Rowling is truly an amazing planner, and though the creation of her fantasy world is not flawless, she still did a damn good job. There are honestly not many book series I know of that have appealed to such a wide demographic as Harry Potter. I will always have a strong sense of nostalgia for the Harry Potter series, not only because they transported me into another world from a young age, but because they are truly creative and compelling books.
Sound off in the comments below to let us know what your Harry Potter ranking is!
~ Z ~
