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

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling-652 pages

In Harry's, Hermione's, and Ron's sixth year yet more adventures are had and love interests pop up for both Harry and Ron. Harry takes private "lessons" with Dumbledore and finds out about Voldemort's childhood and past and finds out that Voldemort has fractured his soul into six pieces outside of his body in horcruxes. Harry figures out that he must find the remaining four horcruxes in order to be able to kill Voldemort's remaining body/horcrux inside Voldemort. Dumbledore is killed by Snape, who seems to have defected to the Death Eaters (although I know it not to be true). The sixth year ends with Harry breaking up with Ginny, for "noble" reasons, and Hermione and Ron pledging their support to Harry in finding the horcruxes and defeating Lord Voldemort, which both happen at Dumbledore's funeral at Hogwarts.

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

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling-734 pages

I think that Harry Potter is officially my favorite book series now. The plot continues to twist and thicken in the Goblet of Fire as Harry continues at Hogwarts and is now in his fourth year. This year, the Triwizard Tournament has been reinstated after a century-long hiatus. Harry is mysteriously entered (illegally) by someone else and must complete the three tasks along with the other three champions. Foreign wizards from other wizarding schools arrive as part of the tournament and a Yule Ball is held in honor of the tournament. Lord Voldemort returns along with many Death Eaters (including Lucius Malfoy and Crabbe and Goyle). The most intriguing plot twist (twice actually!), however, is who put Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire and turns out to be Voldemort's most loyal follower. I am really liking Dumbledore, too. This was a blast to read and I am eager to continue reading (and finish) Harry Potter!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (U.K. Edition, published 2010)-317 pages

It's Harry's (and Ron's and Hermione's) third year at Hogwarts and more adventures abound. Harry and friends visit Hogsmeade for the first time (although Harry isn't supposed to, since his aunt nor uncle signed his permission form, but he sneaks in anyway) and a prisoner named Sirius Black escapes from the infamous Azkaban prison guarded by Dementors, who arrive at Hogwarts to guard against him. As always, Quidditch is played and Harry and Gryffindor finally win the Quidditch cup. Harry also learns more about the circumstances of his parents' deaths and his father's time at Hogwarts. However, there is a most unexpected twist in the side plot of how his parents were betrayed by a friend/best friend to Lord Voldemort to be killed. Additionally, Harry learns why Snape hates him so much and why he hated his father and his father's friends. As before, there is a new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Lupin, who turns out to be a werewolf and resigns because Snape lets out publicly that he is a werewolf. Gryffindor win the House cup for a third year running. Harry has a new ally (albeit in hiding) in Sirius Black, his Godfather, who signs his Hogsmeade permission slip and gives him and his friends some presents. I really like how J.K. Rowling seemingly fills in all the plot details and the twists and turns in the plot are weaved seamlessly. Also, I am really beginning to like Hagrid and Dumbledore and dislike Snape, of course. These are but a few of the adventures and events of the third installment of Harry Potter and I can't wait to continue reading the series (and watching the movies)!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling-341 pages

I enjoyed reading this one as much as the first one, The Sorcerer's Stone. I am really enjoying this series now, as I never read it as a kid. Harry, Ron, and Hermione have many more adventures in this one and there are many twists and turns just as in the first novel. It seems as though there may be a bit of foreshadowing of things to come later in the series contained in this book. As in The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry faces off with a form of Lord Voldemort, this time Voldemort as a fifth-year at Hogwarts named Tom Marvolo Riddle (who later becomes Voldemort), which seems like it could be important for later. Harry also has to kill a Basilisk, which is a giant serpent. Overall, this was an intriguing, page-turning read and I can't wait to continue reading this series.