RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Funny and clever and usually intresting books from J.K Rowling. However I stopped reading after the first couple of books as I found the style too much geared towards young readers and the books lacked a certain amount of suspence and sense of reality. The world of Harry Potter just wasn't convincing enough. Great series for readers who want a certain "lightness of being" in their stories.

Just fine, if you're 14 or less. Pretty pedestrian otherwise. Since she gained immense success, after the 3rd book, she seems to have dispensed with an editor. She could use one. She has become increasingly long-winded and self-indulgent, and has fallen into the too common trap of writers who enjoy sudden success.

Arrogant incorporation.

I love her books. I am recently reading the seventh one and I'm only on page 111 but it's really great so far. I think the Harry Potter series is the best one I've ever read. All the books are really great. I think the 5th one is my favorite, though. I saw the 5th movie and I loved that too. I just have to wait for it to come on DVD so that I can buy it! I'm really glad J.K. Rowling wrote these fun,exciting, and interesting books because they have really opened my eyes to reading. Thank you!!!

I'd like to add that Rowling has managed to surreptitiously address the very real duality of good and evil that exists in all of us. I appreciate the way she begins the tale of Harry simply, and allows the plot, and Harry's charachter and his struggles become more complex as he enters adulthood. I applaud her for her emotional imagery, and her ability to keep the tale appropriate for children, while at the same time coveying a very intelligent, real, and complex theme. Balance must be kept...good and evil is in all of us, but one side cannot exist without the other. I imagine her intent and this theme will be revealed more clearly in her final book. I axiously await my copy...

She rocks,she is surely not a children's writer. she's matured and so has her writing.Her understanding of the Human Psychology is really great.

J.K. Rowling is brilliant. Her books are based on an ancient magick, but has been turned more hollywood and hocus pocus type magick so that people who are not familiar with magick can sort of understand what it is. Magick is very real, to those who think it's not. I also find it strange that people are coming down so hard on her for her work. The Chronicles Of Narnia has the same type of background to it - magick creatures, magickal lands, etc.... But it doesn't get bashed for being "evil" because the author was a devout Christian. Go figure. I think people need to let children dream and believe. So what if Harry Potter has a magick wand? Didn't all kids have magick wands before the time of Harry Potter, or at least didn't they want one? A child's mind is naturally full of magickal thoughts, wonder - they see the world differently than we do. I have a 15 month old son, and you can bet your ass I will let him read Harry Potter because it's a wonderful tale of REAL issues, mixed with magick and wonder. And how DARE anyone limit the imagination of a child. Kudos to HP and J.K. Rowling! :-)

The books are amazing, all of them! All except.."The Half-Blood Prince" which in turn is so bad, that I still refuse to look at it. But hey- after 40000 pages or whatever the sum of the whole work is- this could happen. What bothers me really is, that Jo apparently was in haste to finish it, so the next Potter movie could be shot in time. I don't think I'll buy Book Seven ever because of that- it is sertainly coerced in precisely the same way. I'll probably read it from a friend...somewhen. And that comes from a huge fan, mind..This money machinery is simply disgusting. And Jo playing along has got disgusting, too.

how can you people not like her books...great author

Great for any ages, the stories draw the reader directly into the books and capture the audience with the emotions of the characters. Though there is great comotion over the religious aspects of the novels, the truth is that the book is not teaching children to cast spells. In fact, there are many moral situations in the Harry Potter series that imply good character and advise for proper behavior. Religious zealots are not suggested to read the book, only for the fact that it may be upsetting to read something that is believed to forsake their own beliefs. Though they do not, theories are overpowering and rumors tend to govern the common mind. If overlooked, Rowling's Harry Potter series could be the best involved read that one could have.

Rowling is a very good author. "Harry Potter" series are truly wonderful and magical and the main character is very likable and cool. Few other books had captured my heart in this way.

Her books are fun to read, and my 9 year old has been reading them without being corrupted by Satan, so they can't be all bad. They are mostly about children growing up, and Harry realizing his own self worth. For that, and for inspiring millions of children to read great big books (which will be good for other authors - she may have spawned an entire generation of leisure readers) I give her a 4.

The author is a self-professed witch, and I don't like that. Also, the books are too dark, and in the last few there seems to be increased vulgarity and sexuality for "kids" books. I admit, there is a certain lure to it, but for me, the tone of the books and the inclusion of adult material in what is supposed to be kids books means that I don't read HP any more.

The best!!! I am not a "book" person, but I've read each book at least a dozen times. I wasn't always into it, but when I saw Chamber of Secrets, I went out and bought all the books, reading each one very carefully. A lot of people, mostly religious people, love to point out that this is such an evil story. My mother was one of you. I told her that she couldn't judge the books until she had read them. Now, she loves them as much as I do. How can anyone call these books evil? Talk about your symbolism... the lead character is fighting a bad guy that is closely related to snakes! Hello? The serpant in the Garden? Anyway, it's their loss.

I was sceptical at first, but the Harry Potter series is so original, quaint, amusing, exciting; I can't deny I'm one of the millions who is really [censored] that I didn't get a Hogwarts acceptance letter on my 11th birthday. Guess I'm a muggle then =P Seriously though, the characters can be a little cliche at times (i.e. The Dark Lord who wants to take over and the boy whom he couldn't kill, and who continues to overcome him even though Voldemort is a wickedawesome powerful full-grown wizard) but the whole world of Harry Potter is so original and interesting that it makes up for the overall plot being a little dull.

Liked them when I was in 3rd grade..I dont get how teens MY AGE love them..weird..just weird.

Haven't read the latest book or two-but the first three were a good light read.I like the way her charachters are allowed human complexity:The heroes have their faults and even the seemingly villainous have a redeeming quality or two.

J.K.Rowling is certainly the best author today. She has the mind of a real brilliant person and the skills of any other good author,in fact her skills are the best. I'm so hooked on to her books. Harry Potter books are her best books ever!!!

Harry Potter! what a hit! It changed not only the books' world but also movies' world!Great!

I cannot believe the people that say that JK Rowling is terrible. Honestly, they say she promotes witchcraft and evil things? SHE HAS OPENLY SAID IN HER INTERVIEWS SHE DOES NOT! The books are meant to promote good, saying that love never fails, that good is, well, good! Honestly, I believe that most of the people rating AGAINST her never have read the books and they just decide to make a very thickheaded decision beforehand. You cannot rate a book by its cover or what it appears to give off before opening it. People say that she copies off of other Sci-Fi authors? All Sci-Fi books have some sort of magic for the most part! Really! That does NOT mean that they all copy off of each other. JK Rowling's books promote good in everyone. They say that evil is, well, evil, and that good must prevail. They are well-written and in no way give off a bad image. I am ashamed that people would judge the books before reading.

Hmm...I've been a fan of JK Rowling for years ever since the first book came out. I see nothing wrong with 'freedom of speech' and such, but please...some of these opinions are completely pointless. What are you trying to get at here? Voodoo? Witchcraft? and guns?! I don't think that her books are centered around those general items. Do you see her walking around with a gun, coutlessly shooting people's brain's out? I surely don't. If these books are so influentional then mind explaining to me how? The magic isn't real nor does it exist. If it is so bad for children, then keep the books away from them. It's fiction, okay and I'm pretty sure that any author would get critism for their writing and ideas, but not all of us are going to agree. I find stupidity in the eyes of people who say that these books are 'influentional' and contain spiteful 'voodooism.' I don't think that the press or publishers would have put the books out if they were so horrendous. I personally love the books and I will continue reading them at my own free will. Do you see me pretending to hex people and cast enchantments on my house? No, you don't. Do you see anyone else doing that? I haven't. So, my whole point of this is, the books are harmless and contains meaningful friendships and hardcore problems that we face in life, without the wands, Hogwarts and such. She is a brilliant writer and i find nothing wrong with her.

Who knew people could be so militant about Harry ____ing Potter?

Hello. Call me ASLAGG. I am 14 years old, and I love the Harry Potter books. I would just like to say some things to some people. Karekat and Psalm8613-Magic has NOTHING to do with guns. I have read the Harry Potter books about 20 times each. Just because I have doesn't mean that I'm going to go out and shoot my neighbor! You can't blame violence on these books! That is just plain Ludicris! Rave9427-She doesn't have to pretend to be a good writer. She already is and always was! Whisky12-Let's see you write a better book that gets kids to read, sells millions of copies all over the world, wins tons of awards, and makes you richer than the queen of England! SnufflestheGungwee and AbyssAngyl-At least SOME people around here get it! Those of you who critisize JKR don't understand that her books are harmless! They are meant to be fun! You people just have a stick so far up your butt that you can't realize it! My parents are awesome parents! Just because they let me read the Harry Potter books doesn't mean that they are horrible people. Some of you are forgeting that JKR has gotten millions of people (not just kids) around the globe to actually pick up a book and read for fun. That's what really matters.

LOL, I've just been through the comments below me and I refuse to come back to this website again because from what I can make out your all a bunch of jealous frustrated adults who have obviously never picked up a pen and written a word like JKR has in you sad, dull little lives. Let me just put it this way. Writing a book requires imagination that your narrowminded, overtly religious heads cannot comprehend. So lay off JKR because what she has done is 10 times more than what your measly little lives have done. ESPECIALLY FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF. Flame me and call me a confused little girl or whatever. I'm not coming back to read your comments because it would worthless to know what you lesser folk think.

I read them all, and enjoyed them all. J.K. Rowling writes beautifully, everything flows like a giant rumbling rogue wave ready break.Rowling should consider writing books for an older audience, she definitely has the potential.

Amazing stories! I really like Hogwarts!

Ther are no books as good as the harry potter series.

Excellent books. Compelling characters and storylines. Makes for a great read.

I actually was never really into ahrry Potter. I read the first book and saw the first movie, and it really wasn't my thing, but I'm sure she is good author, and she writes from her heart and I respect that.

"Frenchval" is right in saying that the HP books don't really add much to the genre but is very wrong about Rowling's assesment of her place among literary greats. In interviews, she has unabashedly compared herself with the likes of Roald Dahl (considered by many the greatest children's author of all time) and George Orwell (who's talent is beyond question). From the comments, I guess Rowling sees herself as a combination of Dahl's imaginitive, whimsical genius and Orwell's uncanny grasp of the human condition. If this were true (which it's not; Dahl has proven himself by churning out fantastic books for decades and as for Orwell, well, do I need to get into that?) it would make her one of the best authors in two genres... Which would make HP the best series of books ever written. Make no mistake: Rowling does consider herself and her work in terms of greatness and I don't think that she'd hesitate to put herself next to ANY author. P.S. My previous rating for her was a "3" but I've recently read "Phoenix", which was so bad, I dropped a point.

Come on ! let's be serious for a second ! HP stories may be viewed as cute and refreshing but it adds nothing to the genre ! I'm sure JK Rowling herself wouln't rate herself among the best !

She is a genius. These days we are too eager to offer criticism to anyone who generates so much publicity. Regardless of what you think of her you just have to read Harry Potter because even if it doesn't entertain you (god help you) then at least it will educate you! We all need to escape once in a while and it looks like some of you are well over due, how you can say that her books are the devils work really just questions your sanity - perhaps you are a little unstable from where you come from but over here in England we have some very, very happy children and some ecstaticaly happy adults - myself being just one of them. JK Rowling has moved story writing into the millenium and if you just go with it, you will be entertained to the highest order!

Harry Potter books are awesome!

Her "Harry Potter" stories are cool and entertaining. :-)

She makes children think, she makes children imagine, she makes children dream, but most of all she makes children read. Any author who can make children of all races love to read is a great author. To hell with the Bible Thumpers.

I think that the religious despise of Harry Potter is rediculous. You seem to be saying that Mrs Rowling is recruiting kids to some sort of cult. You are accusing her of leading children down the path to Satanice worship. And I'm guessing it's because she's a wiccan. And psalms is a Christian. That speaks for itself. This is obviously an excuse to get a J.KRowling because she is a wiccan, and you are saying she is influencing kids to cast curses and such. This is rubbish. IF THE CHILD IS CLEVER ENOUGH TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS, THEN THE CHILD IS CLEVER ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IT IS NOT REAL. And by the way, they really are excellent books. Read them and you'll realise how wrong you are.

JK Rowling has inspired kids (and adults!) worldwide to turn off the tv/playstation/stereo for awhile and pick up a book. I can honestly respect anyone who writes well enough to do that! Her characters are solid, with consistent storylines that catch the reader from the beginning. Her books aren't something I would consider "classic" worthy; rather they are built to enchant and entertain...which they do with great success. I expect these books to have real staying power.20 years from now, kids will still be reading these books very much in the same way that kids still read The Narnia Chronicles today.

Before saying anything about the actual books I'd like to point out that Christianity has caused more pain and suffering in this world than any other religious movement. If you can't be bothered to look at history just look at the streets of Belfast or even Glasgow (my old Home Town). I think that it is unfair for people in a country that allows children to learn how to use guns, to bad mouth a series of fantasy books. I think the HP books set pretty sound ethical examples for children. As the series has progresed I find the books become more accomplished and show more of the difficulties that can arise in making real life moral judgments. Then again I come from a country where a Catholic can be beaten up for being on the wrong street on the 5th of July and that happens to be the same country as J.K. Rowling.

I think that J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is good. I haven't read books 3-4 yet. I just started on book 5. J.k. rowling's writing really moves you into the story. She deserves a 4.5 only bcause her bokks are getting kind of long.

Chistians say Harry Potter is evil, I say that's a load of bull. They say it teaches them bad principals and it should be hidden from them. If these peopel would just STOP trying to shelter their children, hide every "bad" from them, they'd learn on their own what is right and wrong. I go to a Christan school, and all bu ONE of my teachers HATES Harry Potter, and, that one teacher is my best friend's mother. She's open minded, and, out of all the teacher's kids there, my friend is the only one there who has a clear view of the real world. She understands that war, and violence, and all that crap are part of life, and it can't be escaped. I beleive in God, but I don't agree with these Christans who say Harry Potter is evil. Another friend of mine is the son of a preacher, and his father uses Harry Potter in his sermons, not cursing it and saying it's wrong, but using the good ideas (ie: loyalty, friendship, courage, etc) to teach, and, I've gone to every church in my town. The only one I've been able to stan is that one, because he's open minded. He's willing to accept other beliefs, and listen to their ideas, in fact, he's the one who introduced me to Harry Potter. Now, when I baby sit his youngest daughter, not only does she beg me to read one of the Harry Potter books to her, or tell her one of my sequel ideas, but her father tell me to, aswel. To sum it all up, to those people who say Harry Potter is evil: Open your minds, read one of the books with your family, and don't judge it as a religious person, judge it as a open minded person. Harry Potter, and J.K. Rowling herself, is amazing, imaginative, and wonderful. And, if you don't like it, atleast let your children read it, let them have their own opinions, and make their own choices for once. You'd be suprised what will happen.

The idea that Harry Potter is evil or is somehow a violation of gods law is obsurd. The bible may say wizardry is evil, but you must remember that wizardry has, in the past, always meant "evil magic". In Harry Potter, the wizards who are portrayed as heros are not evil and use magic that is hardly cult-like (Yeah, enchanting a clock is evil, yes, I agree, uh huh). Voldemort's evil magic is obviously portrayed as evil and Voldemort always loses in the end. If including evil characters in books is going to twist childrens minds, ban Star Wars. We could have a Darth Vader invasion soon. With that said, her writing is pretty good, with a simple storyline that is somewhat predictable, but overall the book was meant to be a pure fun-read and that's what it is.

I never thought I'd find an author to replace my former fav children's book author Susan Cooper...but behold Rowling! Pure magic, pure fun and wonderful storytelling!!!

"Harry Potter" rules, there is no doubt that this is the most popular book of all times - and not without a reason, I must add. The books are not only full with magic and adventures, they are also gentle to the reader, with familiar, yet interesting characters. Hats down for J.K. Rowling.

J.K.Rowling is the best writer! I,v read all four books twice and they were even better than the first time! I think they shouldnt have made the movies though they werent as good as the book(so far)

her books suck thank you thank you

I pity the fool who reads these books! Actually I pity anyone who says they follow God and read these books! All harry potter is, is evil!! Deut. 18:10-12 clearly states that wizardy is evil. And people have came back at me by saying lord of the rings is evil thinking they are so smart. But actually, they aren't!! They are just setting themselves up to look retarded! And if you want to know why, then I could write a book why!! But there already is one! So if you want to know why then read "Finding God in the Lord of the Rings" My final word: I think anyone who reads harry potter is nieve and so so sad to read such a horrible book. (oh and I know that H.P. is a horrible book b/c i read the first one!)

I saw the Harry Potter books in Costco, and thought "oh jeez, another kiddie book" and left it at that, then, I got dragged (not quite kicking and screaming) to the movie theater. I was blown away! My wife got our teen girls the HP books #1-#4 to read for xmas '02, and I took the opportunity to "inspect the contents" with evident glee! My lovely and adorable wife recently informed me that I was now on the pre-publication sale list for HP#5 (yes she made very happy-again!) I can't wait for it... These are great books that tell a story, and put good and evil in terms that anyone can understand. Do I hold these books to the same measure I use to judge speculative fiction and hard core Sci-Fi? Absolutely not! These books are to be read for fun. And they are fun, and delightful, and make you laugh, cry, angry, etc... and they make you think about what IS good and what IS evil. If you love kids or you are a kid at heart, I can guarantee you will love these books. Now a word to those 'persons' who are making such spurious allegations about HP and the antichrist and suffering witches to live et.al.: get a life. Go take the log out of your own eye, I won't go into the old judge not schtik- the meaning of that saying is not that you are not supposed to judge; you are not supposed to judge amiss! The message is that you will be judged by your own hypocritical and fallacious standards- and found guilty. I have forgotten more theology and christianity than most people ever bothered to learn (not a boast, just the facts). HP books will not turn your kids into satanic puppets. Your television has probably done that allready! The thing your kids need to learn is that good people DO good things bad people DO bad things, we ALL make mistakes- and learn from them- if we're smart! So take the apostle James's advice and show your faith by your good deeds. Speaking of good deeds: go hug your kids and tell them that you love them- and stop whining about HP books!

Juvenile and shallow. Riding on the coattails of that other British writer who has been writing about witches, wizards, and even Death himself (and his family) for the last 20 years. If you're a child at heart, go for it.

I strongly disagree with karekat and psalm. If Harry Potter has such a huge effect on young children's minds, then why isn't every 2nd grader in America practicing Wicka? I know many kids who play violent computer games such as Counterstrike, and they are wonderful kids who obviously enjoy it for the strategy and gameplay. I honestly do not believe that the media has a huge effect on the minds of children. I am sure that it does in some cases, but those cases are not very common and usually are aggrevated deeply by abuse or neglect. Now that I have said that, I want to say that these books are simply fantastic. Rowling is very creative in her writing, and her stories are unpredictable and fascinating. 2 thumbs up!

nice for kids to start reading and continuing while maturing with the much better works from Hobb, Modessit and Feist. If you are an adult and still reading this: cut it out!@

Absolutely untouchable in modern children's literature.

She's a great story teller and one that you can pick up and read and not want to put it down - thank you.

She written one story but she did it well. She is not "great" however.

Duh she's great! I mean her books of Harry Potter rock, I've reasd them a lot, because she won't hurry up and make her 5th one! I know, I heard she got writer's block, sorry, but she *HAS* to hurry!. She rocks. Hugz, Babz :P

I bought the first book for my young nephew, and because I only give books to children which I have read first, I got "Sorceror's Stone" from the library -- and loved it. Since then, I have bought a complete set for both my nephew and myself, and will continue buying Ms. Rowling's books. Sure, they began in a most simplistic way but as Harry ages so do the plot lines and depth of the story. I say, "Brava, Ms. Rowling!"

I must give credit to anyone who can compell children to read. I must give even more credit to someone who can engage me so whole-heartedly in so-called "Children's books." I read the 4th volume straight through! I can't even begin to address the comments of those who think Harry Potter is of the devil. Critique her on her literary merit, not your religious beliefs! I, for one, read quite a bit of magic and fantasy as a child and yet here I stand before you a good, honest person. Please, give children more credit. If your child cannot understand the difference between fiction and reality, perhaps you would do best to enroll your child in a counsiling program.

nothing special, she has some narrative skills, but the books are simple in content and structure, not to mention pathetic in realizem (everything allways happens to harry, and he allways win, it's lame and overfocusing in a very unrealistic way). and to all the people with the smart ass religeous comments get a life, your obssesion with the bible is sad and the way you make an fun oriented children book into the satanic bible in desgise is lame and pathetic.

Wonderful books, wonderful, wonderful... I could not put them down. These are books introducing fantasy to children in a new and engaging way. I cannot make myself taking people attacking these books seriously. I especially liked the 3rd book, and Harry's godfather sirius... finally a dark, good character. Oh, I am sure he is really a satanist... Hope the moive version will not screw things up. I must admit that the way the books are being exploited to earn money is appaling. I cannot believe Rowling would allow herself to be connected to all-time bad Coca Cola. *sighs* but the books are not less good because of that

Having read previous comments of some participants I felt obliged to put the record straight. I am a 29 years old and married with a young son who I love more than anything on this planet. I am also pagan. I am saddened to read the comments of some of you so-called Christians. I believe that Christ, for whom I have no disrespect whatsoever, was supposed to teach love and understanding of your fellow man. Obviously you have missed that major part of the Christian doctrine, like so many religious fanatics choosing to twist the scriptures for your own ends. For those reading who are not pagan/Wiccan may I now allow you to hear the opposite side of the argument. Wicca is a nature loving religion that promotes respect of the environment and for all other human beings, regardless of race, sex or religion. Pagan people do not worship Satan, because they do not believe he exists. Many of them accept Christ as another deity, along with those of many other cultures. Unlike so many religions, Wicca does not have folk standing on street corners trying to ensnare the uninitiated, because it simply does not need to. People come to be pagan through choice, because it is right for them, as I did. If anyone suggests that they have been involved in Wicca and have had a bad exp