Ranking the Harry Potter Books ✨

Hey friends,

If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts recently, you would’ve noticed I just reread the Harry Potter books for the first time in like 13 years, and the first time I’ve actually reread the last two books (something I didn’t realize until writing the review for Deathly Hallows and seeing the release date). I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked these books, reading them for the first time as an adult. I think I appreciated them a bit more than when I was a kid, especially enjoying Goblet of Fire more.

I’ve mentioned this in my reviews but revisiting the Harry Potter this past week has been one of the best things for my mental health, despite me sobbing over the last few books and now having a gaping Harry-less hole in my heart. Don’t worry, I already know how I’m going to fill it in May.

One thing I got out of this reread is the ability to finally rank the books. I’m really excited to compare this ranking to my film ranking.

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – While I definitely enjoyed this one, compared to the other books it’s just not as good. This is the turning point of the series, yet it was one of the only books where I didn’t tear up or have a lasting emotional impact (again when compared to the other books).

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Okay, this one actually really surprises me. I thought this one was going to be much higher up. I think what it was is that this one didn’t have the whimsy of the first book, but didn’t have the emotional impact of the later books. I like how this one ends up setting up a lot of important information, despite readers not realizing how important it was until later on.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – This one doesn’t really surprise me. This book definitely is much slower paced than the other books and the ending battle is pretty anti-climatic. I like how loved characters, like Neville, have time to shine, and I still mourn the loss of those who didn’t make it through the Battle of Hogwarts. This book leaves such a hole upon completion and was a good conclusion to the series, even if it’s not perfect.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Okay, this one was one I thought was an all-time favorite, but I’m okay with where it’s placed on the list. Angst Harry can be a little off-putting along with the portrayal of relationships in this book. Harry being slow on the up-take, girls being needlessly complicated, and the personification of hormones was just weird. That being said, Umbridge is one of the worst characters of the series and was written so well, the way the Ministry handled Voldemort’s return is surreal during this pandemic, and Sirus’s death is something I will never get over.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Okay, there are a lot of things I liked about this book and I can’t even explain why I liked them more in this book than the others. I was actually surprised that people dislike this book and just consider it a set up for the final books. While there definitely is a lot of set up, I thought it was done in such an intriguing way I was eagerly anticipating more. The pensive memories with Voldemort’s past and piecing together the mysteries of the Horcruxes was done so well.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Okay, I’m so not surprised this one was towards the top. The whimsy and magic in this book is something I will always love. I can see why I fell in love with this series after this first book and I will be shocked if there ever comes a day that this book doesn’t give me all the feels.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Okay, definitely surprised that this one was at the top. I know this one is a favorite for a lot of people, but I guess over the years I forgot how much I enjoyed it. The mystery was executed so well, Lupin creates such interesting lessons, and the final reveal(s) in the shrieking shacks were just jaw-dropping.

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What is your favorite/least favorite Harry Potter book?

Be sure to let me know down below! Feel free to include your ranking too!