Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (Philosophers, outside of America) Stone is the first of the phenomenal series of Harry Potter books. This book started it all. Some people think that this book is the best, as it sets up the whole magical world for the first time. JKR sort of had an obligation to describe more in this book. Since she was introducing all of the characters, everyone was described from head to toe. Some people enjoy this factor of the book and others do not. I personally loved the descriptions, because it painted a picture in my head. I think that many agree.
This book is the shortest of all four of them. It is very powerful, however, explaining the death of Harry's parents and setting up his current situation.
What makes this book so good? People ask. I think it is a matter of two major components. One, that people are enthralled and amazed with the magical world that JKR has created, and want to learn more about it. Secondly, this author just has a knack fro writing what we want to hear. She makes up exciting, complex plots that make our minds boggle.
These books are wonderful also for their reach out to all ages. That is another thing that makes them fly off the shelves.
The Sorcerer's Stone creates a whole new world. Personally, this world is so intriguing; I can't put any of the books down. Voldemort is the villain of course, and he is the role of a cruel, heartless being. Who can barely take human form. This "Voldemort" can scare some children out of reading the books, but others are enthralled by his greed of power and his bloodthirstiness. This makes the book all the more better.
I liked the way at the beginning where JKR just let you be confused and then answered all of your questions as she went along.
When Harry meets all of his teachers, and gets some new friends, his situation seems to fit everybody in some way. You have a horrible teacher (Snape), one who is strict but you love (McGonagall), and one who just seems the wisest in the world (Dumbledore). And then you always seem to have a friend that is smarter than you and has excellent grades (Hermione), and one who is always there no matter what (Ron).
I think that it is just wonderful how in the first book, Harry succeeds in victory with the help of this friends. I think that demonstrated how this will be a trio, an unbreakable friendship. Even if there are some cracks along the way.
It is also amazing how through this book, she leads you to believe as the characters do, which is that Snape is the one trying to steal the Sorcerer's Stone. It all makes sense until she reveals the truth and then you see that it really doesn't! It seems to be that way in every book, to some extent.
And another thing that is so big that it deserves its own paragraph is Quidditch. Quidditch is of course the game wizards play on broomsticks and is taken quite seriously. How JKR came up with some thing like this, I have yet to conceive. One different thing about Quidditch that makes is unique is that it could go on forever. Or, at least, until all of the players die! There is no time limit, and it only ends when the snitch is caught. Another thing about Quidditch is that it is one of the most brutal sports, or IS the most brutal sport of them all. Bludgers are probably the most dangerous aspect of Quidditch, other than that you are on a skinny little broom hundreds of feet in the air! It makes you wonder: Who would want to play it at all? There are many witches and wizards who would be willing to do such a dangerous sport. The reason must be: that the excitement and plot to the whole game is so immense, that all worries of it are forgotten! (Or until someone does get hurt) Quidditch is a wonderful newly introduced sport. Would you play it?
Overall, besides learning magic, disgusting potions and more, the Harry Potter characters learn lessons, whether it be through magic or the trials of the social life. As the sequels continue to get longer, many say they get better because of more emotion, darker subjects, and an almost cliff-hanger at the end of everyone.
I hope that you enjoyed my first article. More reviews coming your way.