Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #6)

652 pages / 18 hrs, 32 mins

"The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.

"And yet . . .

"As in all wars, life goes on. The Weasley twins expand their business. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate - and lose a few eyebrows in the process. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, through Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.

"So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complete story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort - and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability."  --from the publisher

My second time through this one, and I'm surprised at how much I forgot. It is brimming over with background information. I think it is a brilliant, near-perfect story. I give it five out of five stars.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

 (Harry Potter #4)

734 pages / 20 hrs, 36 mins

"Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for hundreds of years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards."  --from the publisher

I'm continuing my second time through the series, and thoroughly enjoyed this installment again. I had forgotten much of the content of this one. It definitely holds up to my original rating of four (out of five) stars.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #7)

759 pages / 21 hrs, 37 mins

"Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.

"The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.

"To stop Voldemort, Harry knows he must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them.

"He will have to face his enemy in one final battle."  --from the publisher

Wow! What an ending! I'm not sure I understood Dumbledore's explanation; some things are better in print than audio. I plan to get a print copy and go over it again. Rowling is an incredibly talented writer.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #5)

870 pages / 27 hrs, 1 min.

"In his fifth year at Hogwart's, Harry faces challenges at every turn, from the dark threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the unreliability of the government of the magical world to the rise of Ron Weasley as the keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Along the way he learns about the strength of his friends, the fierceness of his enemies, and the meaning of sacrifice." -- from the publisher

Loved it! I may have shed a few tears during this one. Four out of five stars from me.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #4)

734 pages / 20 hrs, 37 mins

"Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for hundreds of years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards.

"And in his case, different can be deadly."  --from the publisher

Wow! I'm amazed at the character development, especially the back stories and their complicated connections. How does an author keep it straight? This may be my favorite in the series, so far. I give it four out of five stars, but maybe should have given it five.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

 (Harry Potter #3)

435 pages / 12 hrs, 15 mins

"For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

"Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts . . . he's at Hogwarts."

"Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst." --from the publisher

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. It may be my favorite of the three I've read. Since Hoopla carries the series I can continue through the series without waiting! I give it four out of five stars, but could probably go with five out of five.