How do the books rank now?

[Faid]

Now that you've read Order of the Phoenix how has your rankings of the books changed?

My listing:

1. Goblet of Fire

Wow this was a great book. What I enjoyed most about it was how it strayed from the past three years with the Tri Wizard tournament. The book was long, incredibly suspenseful and a joy to read. A real turning point for the series.

2. Philosopher's Stone

Many people overlook this book, but I can't see why. It was my introduction to the series, and what an introduction! Incredibly magical, a wonderful plot full of creativity and surprises.

3. Order of the Phoenix

This book was a long time coming, and lived up to my expectations for the most part. The book's focus was interestingly on human emotion rather than magic. Harry's angsty personality won't win any fans, but the book was still enjoyable through and through. The book is unforgivably dark however, and Umbridge is worse than Voldemort.

4. Chamber of Secrets

I definitely enjoyed this book, but the plot is rather pedestrian. While interesting and action packed, there are very few moments from this book that stand out in my mind as truly exceptional.

5. Prisoner of Azkaban

Some of you will question why I ranked this book as 5th. Well, there are plenty of reasons.

-Huge buildup of suspense towards the villainous Sirius Black... only to find out the rat did it. :rolleyes:
-Hermione and Ron's tedious fighting
-Hermione's time travel was predictable and raises far too many questions
-Chapter entitled "Grim Defeat". Thanks for ruining the suspense of Quidditch.
-Hagrid's foray into teaching was disapointing at best
-Buckbeak subplot was tiresome

Now what's your order?

[xKatiexBellx]

I think:

1) Order of the Pheonix
It's the longest, it's most detailed, it's quite funny and it gets very tense in some parts... to me at least
2)Goblet of Fire
Detailed, funny, al lot of interesting things go on at Hogwarts that year...
2)Prisoner of Azkaban
Hard to explain how much I love it:)... it definately ties with GoF
3)Sorcerer's Stone
You get a god look at the beginning
4)Chamber of Secrets
Don't ask why, but I think that one's a bit boring, if I'm going to read my series out of order, then I make sure i get that one last.

[Colli]

There used to be the huge tie for me between GoF and PoA... but I always liked PoA a little bit more. After reading OotP though, it's changed a lot of PoA for me, like the chapter with Snape and the Marauder's Map (which I *used* to LOVE) and I'd have to go reread GoF and PoA to make that decision!!!! But I'd rank them like this, I guess :confused:

1) GoF
2) PoA
3) OotP
4) TSS
5) CoS

[Elwen]

Hmmmmmm... I am currently rereading them to get some sort of a better idea .... but my *current* ranking is this:


Prisoner of Azkaban
I guess I liked the many threads into the past of Harry's parents.... and the whole thing kept me certainly in suspense till the very end. Seeing all the crucial moments twice, from different perspectives was a pretty awesome story device.

The book has the only DADA teacher I really liked, it tells us more about Snape and it makes a few crucial changes to Harry's situation in respect of the Dursleys. All very good.


Order of the Phoenix
I like new angry Harry. He has all the right to be angry, IMHO. I liked the whole school being disrupted, Harry getting away a bit, and not being allowed to play Quidditch (enough already!!). More insights into Snape and some of the other characters were also very welcome, and I can deal with the death just fine...


Goblet of Fire
(difficult to decide between GoF and OotP)
I still think that this one is the darkest of them all so far (darker than OotP, in a way) - and Harry's show-down with V is scary (if you think about it from Harry's PoV: I think we see the consequences in OotP: Harry has changed and lost any innocence he still had... )

The tournament dragged a bit, as does the beginning with the world cup. Perhaps that is just that I find Quidditch as boring as RL Football (I mean Soccer).



Philosopher's Stone.

It is a little unfair to rank this so low - as a standalone beginning it was, and still is awesome. But as JKR is increasing the stakes and as things arer getting darker later books are bound to surpass the earlier ones. A great introduction to a new kind of world. And in a way, perhaps this weas the wittiest of them all when it comes to hiding clues and picking them up again later. :)


Chamber of Secrets

I like this one, too - but I have to saysthat I remember it least - in spite of the film. Some magnificent moments, but too close in structure to the first one, I think - without having the bonus of novelty....





Elwen

[Fleurdelacour]

Mmm... I've got them all beside me, lets have a look flick through...

1. Prisoner Of Azkaban - I just adore this book, it's a whole book of Remus Lupin, we find out more things about the fateful night of 31st October 1981. And it's got Quidditch, a few Ron and Hermione moments. I know I can open the book at any point and find a bit I love :) It's also really good for carrying around in your bag ;)

2. Order Of Phoenix - Half of me really resents this book for the death, and the fact there wasn't enough Ron and Hermione moments, setting aside the Kiss of course, Ron's reaction alone was enough to send it into the top three! however, I do love this book, because we waited three years for it, It's a good weapon in the street, just slide it in to your handbag, and voila, you've got a club ;) But, seriously, I loved all the Fred and George moments, and I've never been so emotionally effected by a book, like I have done with OotP, and it takes skill do drive me to buy a black outfit for mourning! I also loved the Pensive moment when we see the Maraurders in action, it showed us James and Sirius weren't troublemakers like Fred and George, but well, arrogant eegits... And Lily didn't exactly like James, I thought that was fabulous! :D And Remus was in it too....

3. Goblet of Fire - Tying with PS All those Ron and Hermione moments! The hormones are starting to rage in this book! Ron's first cold stab of jealousy, brilliant :D then there's Voldie coming back and everything... No Remus in this though... But pleanty of Sirius :) Hermione also develops a political mind with her SPEW stuff, loved that too.

4. Philosphers' Stone - This is tying with GoF. Sure, it's the first, and I'm sitting right now where I read the thing, but they're eleven years old, and not enough sparks are flying. but my favourite bits are re-reading it and squeaking at the bits where the Weasleys are introduced to us, and when Hermione is introduced, I love it :) I also love the Mirror Of Erised. It's only recently that I've found that chapter so touching and so sad, and I just sit there crying. I mean, poor Harry, it's the first time he sees his parents, and when Lily's 'reflection' starts to cry... oh god that really gets me... :(

5. Chamber of Secrets - I don't know why, but I don't really like it. Ive read it about three times, and I don't know, I cant put my finger on it, I just dont like it... I only liked Gilderoy Lockhart - he was just hilarious! But, apart from that, it was, a bit off... I cantput my finger on it...

[Deagol's Bane]

It's tough to order them. Just reading through ya'lls orders makes me rethink my own. But...

From least favorite to favorite w/ barest comment, if any:

5. Sorcerer's Stone

4. Chamber - didn't like snake/monster/chamber plot so much.

3. Order - not as much humor, IMO.

2. Prisoner - Excellent, but it can't top ...

1. Goblet - The funniest, best. Wonderful.

That order has changed before, and it probably will change again. That's how I see it now, though.
Final thought: I think they're all extremely excellent compared to all other similar types of books.

[ChianaWeasley]

My favorites in order?

Well....it has got to be these....

1. Sorceror's Stone
2. Goblet of Fire
3. Prisioner of Azkaban
4). Chamber of Secrets
5). Order of The Pheonix

Sorceror's Stone will always be my favorite, my most battered book :D my babe, actually I now have two copies of it. All I need now is the hard cover version.
I enjoyed Goblet of fire, because it had alot more humor, and a bit more romance(but only the chuckling kind).
And Order of The Pheonix was far too angsty for my liking, harry needs to lighten up. And where was the snoggage between Ron and Hermione? ;)

[jesuisalleeaujardin]

1. prisoner of azkaban
2. order of the phoenix
3. goblet of fire
4. sorcerer's stone
5. chamber of secrets

:clap:

jardin

[StarGazr]

I've thought about this... and here's what I've come up with:

1) Prisoner of Azkaban: It introduces one of my favorite characters, Remus Lupin... there's lots of good Snape moments... we meet and hate then like Sirius Black (gotta love that)... it's been my favorite since I first read the series!

2) Chamber of Secrets: I love Gilderoy Lockhart! He's one of the funniest and most well written characters every! Gotta love that dueling scene with Snape. Plus, the scene in the Chamber is so well written... the suspense and mystery of the whole book is really good.

3) Goblet of Fire: Here's where things get a little hard to pick... I chose GoF cuz it's a big turning point in the whole series, from the characters to the plot... a lot is happening. The kids are growing up and I like how they are portrayed in this book.

4) Order of the Phoenix: OK... I had a really hard time with the last two, but I just loved Tonks, so that's why I put this as #4. It's a good story... but I read it pretty fast so I can't really give solid reasons as to why I like it... :p

5) Sorcerer's Stone: I feel bad putting this at the end! It's a good book... it's just not my favorite!... It has so much exposition... and I like that... but it's the first book... some things get better... later :D

I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!!

[Mirdan]

for me:

1) OotP -- i like this new and angrier Harry :cool:
2) PoA -- we first meet Lupin and Sirius Black :hug:
3) GoF -- i like turning points ;)
4) CS -- Harry was such a Gryffindor in this book!
5) S/PS -- i don't like putting this first book as my least favorite, but in any case, it had to be somewhere! :(

[Lord Schaudt]

1.ootp Long, super long, lots and lots of detials

2. PoA, nice and with a great new charcter

3. S/p's I like it a lot

4. GoF i don;t really like it, dunno y

5. CS i hate lockhart!

[Seriphus]

[list=1]
Prisoner of Azkaban

The introduction of Remus and Sirius; learning about their generation; lots of Snape; the scene in the Shrieking Shack.

Goblet of Fire

The central and pivotal book of the series, setting up the darker final books; fantastically written; lots of new information; some great new characters.

Philosopher's Stone

When the wizarding world was new and 'magical'; the scene in the Forbidden Forest; Quirrell; that twist that said this is no ordinary series.

Order of the Phoenix

Interesting new characters and the return of some favourites; more insight in to Snape and the marauders; a great read, but a little over-anticipated.

Chamber of Secrets

Still a good book, but the only thing I can think of that really stands out is Tom Riddle.
[/list=1]

[PhineasNigellus]

Order of the Phoenix
Goblet of Fire I just kept thinking how stpid harry was in the undre water task...
Prisoner of Azkaban
Philos/sorc's stone
Chamber of secrets
It just seemed unrealistic compared to what happens in the rest of Harry Potter - I mean its a bit like a stand alone book in that it does not further the Harry / V story much

[ChianaWeasley]

Why is Sorceror's Stone down so far on everyone's list?!
:eek:

[xKatiexBellx]

Originally posted by Lord Schaudt
5. CS i hate lockhart!

::nods:: I totally agree! He gets me so mad!

[lizz]

My list

1. PoA
2. OoTP
3. PS
4. GoF
5. CoS

[RosieLass]

I don't remember the earlier books that well, but off the top of my head, I'd rank them like this:

1. Prisoner of Azkaban -- good, gripping story
2. Sorcerer's Stone -- it was the first
3. Chamber of Secrets -- 3rd place is the only spot left because:
4. Goblet of Fire -- too long
5. Order of the Phoenix -- waaaay too long

[Deagol's Bane]

RosieLass ~
4. Goblet of Fire -- too long
5. Order of the Phoenix -- waaaay too long

Too long! Too long!! You don't have to read it all in one sitting, you know.
... ;) :)
Ok, I'm joking. I know what you mean (I guess). I thought parts of OotP were a little bit tedious (relatively speaking), but I still wouldn't mind if they went on and on and on....

ChianaWeasley ~
Why is Sorceror's Stone down so far on everyone's list?!I was wondering the same thing about Goblet of Fire. I just always assumed it was everyone's favorite 'cause I like it so much. :o

... hmmph... Too long! :rolleyes: Crazy talk. ;)

[RosieLass]

Originally posted by Deagol's Bane
Too long! Too long!! You don't have to read it all in one sitting, you know.
... ;) :)
Ok, I'm joking. I know what you mean (I guess).

... hmmph... Too long! :rolleyes: Crazy talk. ;)

LOL!

I'm not reading it in one sitting. I'm slogging through it one chapter at a time. Maybe that's my problem. I found GoF really tedious, too, until I made myself sit down one afternoon and finish the rest of it all in one go.

[Deagol's Bane]

:) Ok, RL. To each her own. I'm not even close to being the biggest HP fan here, after all.

Some stats from this thread (From Faid to Marchwarden. 17 total order lists taken into account):

Title__Votes for each position__Mean__Median__Mode

PoA:___11111111222223335____1.88____2______1

OotP:__11111222223334455____2.47____2______1,2

GoF:___11122223333334444____2.65____3______3

PS:____12233344444455555____3.71____4______4

CS:____23344444555555555____4.29____5______5



I didn't do ties. My #'s could be wrong (I didn't double check all). Some rounding.

But given that, so far, Chamber of Secrets is the clear least favorite, and Prisoner of Azkaban is the pretty clear favorite.

Goblet/Order are kind of a toss up, I think.

[Fleurdelacour]

Pretty good Deagol... It's numbers though... *shudders*

Funny how CoS is a least favourite... I cant even quote from it... I blame Dobby!

[PhineasNigellus]

lets face it CoS just has the worst plot - i mean if it was the series opener i may not have stuck with Harry Potter.

[Kristin]

Thanks for those numbers DB! :clap:

I think it's really interesting to read not only people's rankings, but also *why* we like or dislike certain books.

1 - Prisoner of Azkaban
I just don't find any flaws in this book. Everything has bearing on other parts of the book. It's a bit like a mystery, which I love. I find the twist to be wonderful. I love hearing about Harry's dad and his friends. I love the Animagi revelation. I love Sirius and Lupin. The Shrieking Shack scene is the best in the series IMO.

2 - Order of the Phoenix
Solidly in second place. Can you say "tension"? I was on the edge of my seat reading. I grew to love Sirius even more. McGonagall and Flitwick were so cool. I loved how Ginny and Neville have grown. And Fred and George gave us some of the funniest moments in the entire series. I have a few quibbles (rushed ending, horrible death, anticlimactic prophecy). Other than that, I thought the writing in OotP was excellent.

3 - Goblet of Fire
I love the length, but it does ramble a bit. The writing isn't as tight, so there are some sections that are enjoyable to read but mostly unnecessary. But GoF is much funnier than the previous books, and more exciting. The end is just marvelous.

4 - Chamber of Secrets
At first, Lockhart drove me batty. But now I find him hilarious! (Which is what moves CoS ahead of SS.) I don't like the spiders.

5 - Sorceror's Stone
Even though it's in last place, I still love this book. It's just more simplistic. And the characters and the trio friendship aren't as developed as they are in later books.

[Deagol's Bane]

Thank you, Fleur and Kristin. :)

I'll keep them edited/updated (the numbers, I mean).

The humor is a pretty big draw for me - maybe the biggest.

[Marchwarden]

1.OP
Mainly because of the development of the secondary characters. Ginny, Neville, Luna and Bellatrix are all showing dimension and depth - which is good, because after five books, the Heroic Trio are in danger of being overused. Also, this volume's Hagrid-monster subplot is less odious than usual, perhaps because this time there's a rational motive; wanting to help a brother is more sympathetic than 'just being weird'. And the twins are brilliant.

2.PA
Mainly because of Lupin, Black and the Marauder revelations. Buckbeak subplot wearisome, but at least served purpose (unlike Norbert subplot). Our first look at dementors was also fairly vivid. Some excellent one-liners.

3.CS
Harry feared as Slytherin's heir. The diary, a fairly novel plot device. Moaning Myrtle, and her crush on Harry. Lucius Malfoy - love a good odious villain. Riddle's anagram. The sword. On the minus side: I found Gilderoy to be extremely overdone.

4.GF
Many enjoyable elements, but it meandered; also, spacing the tasks so far apart gave the Tournament a rather sluggish feel.

5.SS
Let me make it clear that I enjoyed the book; however, the necessary exposition was a burden which the later books don't bear.