Best Harry Potter book? (no spoilers, please)

[XemaSab]

Which book is your most favorite, and why?

I really liked Order of the Phoenix. It's the first book where the wheels really come off the thing, and Harry begins to understand the limitations (and hidden strengths) of the people around him.

(and again, let's not spoil the end of book 7 for the slow readers).

[VenusRising]

1. I chose the last book.

I just finished last night, and while I think all of the other books are wonderful, I love answers.

I love the history of the characters and the back-stories that weren't fleshed with detail until the end.

I can't wait to read the whole series again, and then I'll have a better idea of the best story.

[RedCappedBandit]

2. I voted goblet of fire

I love them all, and it was hard to decide.. but I think goblet of fire offered more insight into life at hogwarts and wizarding culture :shrug: Then again, all of the books did a good job at that.. Sigh, I'm still not sure. But, that is how I voted.

[XemaSab]

12. I think GoF in a lot of ways had the most solid plot

Whenever I'm reading GoF it's my favorite... :D

[hyphenate]

3. The first one

Because of how Harry is introduced to a life he never could dream was waiting for him. The sense of wonder and the whole experience is just amazing to him, and I think we get a good ride along the way as well. :)

[Seabiscuit]

7. I agree. Plus, we were all swept away with him as an 11 year old into

the world of magic, which was as new to us as it was to him. For that reason I especially like the first film version, which was exquisitely done.

[CatholicEdHead]

4. Last one

The darkest one is Order of the Phoenix.

[Danger Mouse]

5. Last one...HBP and POA are close seconds.

:hi:

[XemaSab]

6. Nice sig line

:D

[Danger Mouse]

8. just so happens to be my favorite line from 'deathly hallows'

charity burbage: it's what's for dinner.

[XemaSab]

10. I like

"Expecto Patronum" and "Avada Kedavra," myself. :D

"Avada Kedavra" is CERTAINLY my favorite line from HBP. :D

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. I picked HBP because of the ominous sense of foreboding that pervades the whole book

It was like reading a slowly unfolding horror novel. The pall of dread just got heavier and heavier until the final, wrenching scenes. I honestly think it might be the darkest book. The only thing that almost made me not vote for it was - IMHO - the cloying and rather forced attempts to include a "normal teenagers at school" subplot with romance, Quidditch, etc. It was drastically out of place compared to the rest of the book. But the rest of it is just so awesome that it still gets my vote.

[XemaSab]

11. That book is a little odd for me

the opening chapters and the closing chapters are some of the best scenes in the series, but the middle chapters get a big "meh."

I thought Deathly Hallows was suffering from a bit of the same problem, but on reread you can see where a lot of the middle chapters are going. Not so with HBP. :shrug: I think the snogging bogged it down, and it seemed to be missing a lot of the little details from the other books. :shrug:

(and PS, Sectumsempra is in fact one of the best chapters in the series :D )