Review, buy R: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3 - Unabridged 10 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition): Children's Edition, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5 - Unabridged Audio CD Set - Adult Edition), Harry Potter - The Complete Story: Collected Audio Edition (Harry Potter), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2 - Unabridged 8 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition): Children's Edition, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE (HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3 - Unabridged 10 Audio CD Set), Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Complete and Unabridged (Harry Potter), Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Unabridged 7 Audio CD Set), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6 - Unabridged 17 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Children's Edition] (Harry Potter Audio Book), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Adult Edition] (Harry Potter Audio Book), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Unabridged 8 Audio CD Set), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Children's Version (Harry Potter), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6): Adult audio CD edition, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2 - Unabridged 8 Audio CD Set - Adult Edition), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter Adult), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5 - Unabridged 24 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition): Child Edition, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter)

The worry, when faced with the follow-up to books as good as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (both winners of the Nestlé Smarties Prize Gold Award), is that it won't be as good. With J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban any concerns are banished from page one. This, the third in the series, continues where the previous two left off and is a fantastic adventure of mystery, magic and mayhem combined with liberal doses of humour and plenty of suspense. Forced to do his homework in the dead of night and forbidden to refer to his magic skills or his life at Hogwarts school, Harry Potter is forced to endure the summer holidays with the dreaded Dursleys. The arrival of Aunt Marge is the final straw and, in a fit of anger, Harry breaks all the rules and casts a spell on her, causing her to blow up like a balloon. Running away from his dreaded relatives, Harry expects to be expelled from Hogwarts for his blatant flaunting of the rule not to use magic outside term time. However, the arrival of the mysterious Knight Bus and a meeting with Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, result in Harry enjoying the rest of the holidays in the wonderful surroundings of the Leaky Cauldron. The escape of Sirius Black-one time friend of Harry's parents, implicated in their murder and follower of "You- Know-Who"-from Azkaban, has serious implications for Harry for it would appear that Black is bent on revenge against Harry for thwarting "You-Know-Who". [+]

Back at Hogwarts, Harry's movements are restricted by the presence of the Dementors-guards from Azkaban on the look out for Black-however, this doesn't stop him throwing himself into the new Quidditch season and going about his normal business-or at least attempting to. Despite warnings Harry is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Sirius Black-how could this one-time close friend of his parents become the cause of their deaths? And why does the presence of the Dementors have such a devastating effect on him, causing him to hear the last moments of his mother's life? With another four Harry Potter novels planned, Jo Rowling is creating a series of books which will become classics to rival C. S. Lewis'Chronicles of Narnia-books written for children but loved by adults too. (Ages 9 and up) -Philippa Reece The worry, when faced with the follow-up to books as good as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (both winners of the Nestlé Smarties Prize Gold Award), is that it won't be as good. With J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban any concerns are banished from page one. This, the third in the series, continues where the previous two left off and is a fantastic adventure of mystery, magic and mayhem combined with liberal doses of humour and plenty of suspense. Forced to do his homework in the dead of night and forbidden to refer to his magic skills or his life at Hogwarts school, Harry Potter is forced to endure the summer holidays with the dreaded Dursleys. The arrival of Aunt Marge is the final straw and, in a fit of anger, Harry breaks all the rules and casts a spell on her, causing her to blow up like a balloon. Running away from his dreaded relatives, Harry expects to be expelled from Hogwarts for his blatant flaunting of the rule not to use magic outside term time. However, the arrival of the mysterious Knight Bus and a meeting with Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, result in Harry enjoying the rest of the holidays in the wonderful surroundings of the Leaky Cauldron. The escape of Sirius Black-one time friend of Harry's parents, implicated in their murder and follower of "You- Know-Who"-from Azkaban, has serious implications for Harry for it would appear that Black is bent on revenge against Harry for thwarting "You-Know-Who". Back at Hogwarts, Harry's movements are restricted by the presence of the Dementors-guards from Azkaban on the look out for Black-however, this doesn't stop him throwing himself into the new Quidditch season and going about his normal business-or at least attempting to. Despite warnings Harry is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Sirius Black-how could this one-time close friend of his parents become the cause of their deaths? And why does the presence of the Dementors have such a devastating effect on him, causing him to hear the last moments of his mother's life? With another four Harry Potter novels planned, Jo Rowling is creating a series of books which will become classics to rival C. S. Lewis'Chronicles of Narnia-books written for children but loved by adults too. (Ages 9 and up) -Philippa Reece.

As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief… or will it? Book five in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teenager. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny from the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth: that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toad-like and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of defence against dark arts teacher-and in no time manages to become the high inquisitor of Hogwarts. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their examinations, devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team line-up, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. [+]

Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black and white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energised as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvellous magical series. -Emilie Coulter.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the long-awaited, heavily hyped fourth instalment of a phenomenally successful series that has captured the imagination of millions of readers, young and old, across the globe. For J K Rowling the pressure is certainly on to continue to come up with thrilling, pacey storylines that allow her hero to mature into a young man without detracting from the magical secret that has made Harry into a superstar. In this book, the teenage Harry has a certain gawky charm that fits well with his advancing adolescence. As the story moves on, Harry too moves on to a new level of maturity that leaves the reader wondering how he will learn from his experiences, and liking him all the more as a character. Once returned to Hogwarts after his summer holiday with the dreadful Dursleys and an extraordinary outing to the Quidditch World Cup, the 14-year-old Harry and his fellow pupils are enraptured by the promise of the Triwizard Tournament: an ancient, ritualistic tournament that brings Hogwarts together with two other schools of wizardry-Durmstrang and Beauxbatons-in heated competition. But when Harry's name is pulled from the Goblet of Fire, and he is chosen to champion Hogwarts in the tournament, the trouble really begins. Still reeling from the effects of a terrifying nightmare that has left him shaken, and with the lightning-shaped scar on his head throbbing with pain (a sure sign that the evil Voldemort, Harry's sworn enemy, is close), Harry becomes at once the most popular boy in school. Yet, despite his fame, he is totally unprepared for the furore that follows. This is a hefty volume: 636 pages, of which probably at least 200 could have been cut without detracting from the story. The weight and complexity of the book is perhaps a hint that Rowling now has her eye sharply focused on her adult audience, and the average child-reader (particularly one who is coming to Harry Potter for the first time) may well find its girth daunting. [+]

Rowling's ironic and pointed observations on tabloid journalism and the nature of media hype is just one of the references littered through the book that will tickle the grown-ups but may well fly over the heads of her young fans. However, after a slow start, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire really starts to sparkle halfway through with Rowling's familiar magic (and yes, there is a death-sudden and tragic-and yes, Harry does start to notice girls). The crux of this story, however, is Harry's gradual coming-of-age and his handling of the increasingly determined threats to his own life. This book is pivotal, not just for the author for whom the heat is well and truly on, but for Harry and his readers who, by the last chapter, are left in little doubt that there is much more to come. (Ages 10 to adult) -Susan Harrison.

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J K Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world-the world of "Muggles"-Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley. A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig. [+]

and that's where the real adventure-humorous, haunting, and suspenseful-begins. This magical, gripping, brilliant book-a future classic to be sure-will leave children clamouring for a sequel. (Ages 8-13) -Karin Snelson Just when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio. Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys-the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a home after the death of his mother and father. But on his 11th birthday Harry discovers that he is no ordinary boy, and despite the best efforts of his hideous relatives he escapes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his new life as a trainee wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history. As Harry battles against the evils thrown in his path, Stephen Fry injects the proceedings with a wry, dry and extremely contagious humour that perfectly suits the tale, wringing out the best in Harry and his cohorts as they get to grips with their new lives at the sharp end of Hogwarts. Fry's innate upper-class drone is perfectly suited to the telling of this most magical tale, cracking into the high-pitched squawking of Hermione the swat, or the gentle tones of the firm but fair Dumbledore, or the evil sniping of slimey Snape at precisely the right moments, adding further atmosphere and intensity to the story Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fine story and much has been written about its success but until you have heard Fry's cracking reading of this most magical of stories then you simply haven't lived. As with any audio book, this one is perfect for car journeys and an ideal way of introducing reluctant readers to the magic that is Harry Potter. (Age 9 and over) -Susan Harrison.

Just when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio. Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys-the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a home after the death of his mother and father. But on his 11th birthday Harry discovers that he is no ordinary boy, and despite the best efforts of his hideous relatives he escapes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his new life as a trainee wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history. As Harry battles against the evils thrown in his path, Stephen Fry injects the proceedings with a wry, dry and extremely contagious humour that perfectly suits the tale, wringing out the best in Harry and his cohorts as they get to grips with their new lives at the sharp end of Hogwarts. Fry's innate upper-class drone is perfectly suited to the telling of this most magical tale, cracking into the high-pitched squawking of Hermione the swat, or the gentle tones of the firm but fair Dumbledore, or the evil sniping of slimey Snape at precisely the right moments. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fine story and much has been written about its success but until you have heard Fry's cracking reading of this most magical of stories then you simply haven't lived. As with any audio book, this one is perfect for car journeys and an ideal way of introducing reluctant readers to the magic that is Harry Potter. [+]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in J. K. Rowling's bestselling series, picks up shortly after we left Harry at the end of The Order of the Phoenix. Lord Voldemort is acting out in the open, continuing his reign of terror which was temporarily stopped almost 15 years beforehand. Harry is again at the Dursleys, where the events of the previous month continue to weigh on his mind, although not as much as the impending visit from his Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Given their last meeting, Harry is understandably confused as to why the old wizard would want to visit him at home. Rowling opens with a chapter she had wanted to use for the first book, of The Philosopher's Stone-Lord Voldemort has been creating chaos in the Wizard and Muggle communities alike, the war is in full swing and the Wizarding community now lives in fear. The press have been questioning the events at the Ministry which led to the admission of Voldemort's return, and of course Harry's name is mentioned a number of times. Harry's got his problems, but his anxiety is nothing compared to Hermione's when the OWL results are delivered. There's a new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, an assortment of new characters and creatures, and startling revelations about past characters and events. [+]

Gone is the rage-filled Harry of The Order of the Phoenix-he's not being kept in the dark any more, his unjustified Quidditch ban has been lifted and he has matured considerably in his short time out of school. Half-Blood Prince follows Harry into the world of late-teens, and his realisation that nobody is infallible has made his growth that much easier. Accepting his destiny, Harry continues to behave as teenagers do, enjoying his time with his friends, developing his relationships outside of his usual circle, and learning more about how he must, eventually, do what he is destined to do. J. K. Rowling delivers another fantastic tale which will have the readers gasping for more, capturing the characters perfectly and continuing a tale which readers will enjoy over and over again. -Ziggy Morbi.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in the phenomenally successful Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, and after listening to this fantastic reading of what is sure to become an absolute classic, there is little doubt that Rowling's stories will continue to capture the imaginations of generations of young readers long into the future. After surviving his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and then enduring a summer holiday with the dreadful Dursleys, Harry is ready and raring to get back to his school friends. But something is trying to stop him, and after missing the Hogwart's Express he just about makes it to the school gates on time courtesy of a flying car and rather a lot of magic. But the eventful journey back to school is just the beginning and when rumours about the mysterious Chamber of Secrets start to spread Harry realises that his second year is going to be just as eventful as the first. Matching Stephen Fry's endearingly snooty vocal chords with Rowling's superb storytelling skills was a stroke of genius: Fry manages to give further depth to an already complex and utterly absorbing plot by adding an irreverent wit and a deep-rooted touch of class to a compelling and magical tale. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a fantastic book, and this stupendous audio version is perfect for long car journeys and sleepless nights, and is an ideal way to introduce reluctant readers to the awe-inspiring world of Harry Potter. (Ages 9 and over) -Susan Harrison J K Rowling's sequel to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone carries on where the original left off. Harry is returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after the summer holidays and, right from the start, things are not straightforward. Unable to board the Hogwarts express, Harry and his friends break all the rules and make their way to the school in a magical flying car. From this point on, incredible events happen to Harry and his friends-Harry hears evil voices and someone, or something is attacking the pupils. [+]

Review Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3 - Unabridged 10 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition): Children's Edition / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

Review Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5 - Unabridged Audio CD Set - Adult Edition) / Cover to Cover Cassettes Ltd:

Review Harry Potter - The Complete Story: Collected Audio Edition (Harry Potter) / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

Review Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2 - Unabridged 8 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition): Children's Edition / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

Review HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE (HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE) / LISTENING LIBRARY:

Review Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter) / Listening Library:

Review Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3 - Unabridged 10 Audio CD Set) / Cover to Cover Cassettes Ltd:

Review Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Complete and Unabridged (Harry Potter) / Cover to Cover Cassettes Ltd:

Review Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Unabridged 7 Audio CD Set) / Cover to Cover Cassettes Ltd:

Review Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6 - Unabridged 17 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition) / J.K. Rowling:

Review Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Children's Edition] (Harry Potter Audio Book) / Bloomsbury:

Review Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Adult Edition] (Harry Potter Audio Book) / Bloomsbury:

Review Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Unabridged 8 Audio CD Set) / Cover to Cover Cassettes Ltd:

Review Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter) / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

Review Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Children's Version (Harry Potter) / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

Review Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6): Adult audio CD edition / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

Review Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2 - Unabridged 8 Audio CD Set - Adult Edition) / Bloomsbury Publishing PLC:

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Review Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5 - Unabridged 24 Audio CD Set - Childrens Edition): Child Edition / Cover to Cover Cassettes Ltd:

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