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The Harry Potter book series is one of the most popular and well-loved stories of all time. Join us as we take a look back at the history of these magical books!
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Introduction
Since their publication in 1997, the Harry Potter books have become hugely popular, with readers of all ages flocking to immerse themselves in the wizarding world. The books follow the story of young wizard Harry Potter, who discovers his magical heritage and must defeat the evil Lord Voldemort.
The series has now been translated into over 80 languages and has sold over 500 million copies worldwide. The books have also been adapted into a highly successful film franchise, with eight movies released to date.
The first Harry Potter book
The first Harry Potter book, “Philosopher’s Stone,” was published in 1997. The story follows young wizard Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, makes close friends and powerful enemies, and struggles against the evil forces that seek to defeat him and conquer the wizarding world.
The second Harry Potter book
The second Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” was released on July 2, 1998. The novel picks up where the first book left off, with Harry and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their second year. Soon after they return, strange things start happening around the school.
Unfortunately, Chamber of Secrets was not as well-received by critics as the first book was. Some complained that it was too similar to the first book, with the same characters and situations. Others found the plot to be confusing. However, readers continued to enjoy the books, and Chamber of Secrets went on toBecome one of the best-selling novels of all time.
The third Harry Potter book
The third book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, was published on July 8, 1999. The book sold 68,000 copies in the first 24 hours after its release, a record at the time. In the first week following its release, 470,000 copies were sold in the United Kingdom and 1.3 million copies in the United States. It became the fastest-selling book ever published at that time.
The fourth Harry Potter book
The fourth Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” was published on July 8, 2000. The book was 752 pages long, making it the longest book in the Harry Potter series. “Goblet of Fire” was also the first book in the series to be published in the United States and United Kingdom simultaneously.
The fifth Harry Potter book
The fifth Harry Potter book, Order of the Phoenix, was published in 2003. The book was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming the fastest selling book of all time at the time of its release. The story follows Harry Potter as he deals with the aftermath of the death of Sirius Black, his godfather, as well as the return of Lord Voldemort.
The sixth Harry Potter book
The Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in the Harry Potter series, was released on July 16, 2005. In this novel, Harry Potter is in his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he is mysteriously selected by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore to receive private lessons. These lessons are intended to prepare Harry for a dangerous encounter with Lord Voldemort, who is now gathering an army of followers. Meanwhile, Hogwarts is visited by a celebrity wizard named Gilderoy Lockhart, who turns out to be a fraud. As Lord Voldemort’s power grows, Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger must search for a way to defeat him.
The seventh Harry Potter book
The seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series was published on July 21, 2007. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had a first printing of 12 million copies in the United States, the highest first-printing ever for a book.
The novel picks up where the sixth book left off, with Harry, Ron, and Hermione preparing to search for Lord Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes in an attempt to destroy him once and for all. The novel follows their journey as they face challenges and make sacrifices while being pursued by Voldemort’s loyal followers, the Death Eaters.
The novel was originally released in two different editions, a standard edition and a deluxe edition. The deluxe edition included a 32-page booklet of illustrations by Mary GrandPré as well as some extra information about the characters and the wizarding world.
The Deathly Hallows broke sales records when it was released, selling more than 11 million copies in its first 24 hours of release. It received positive reviews from critics and is considered one of the best books in the series.
The movies
As the Harry Potter book series came to a close, fans around the world were eagerly anticipating the release of the final movie. The Deathly Hallows Part 2 was released on July 15, 2011 and grossed more than 1.3 billion dollars worldwide, making it the highest grossing movie of all time. The success of the Harry Potter movies has led to an increased interest in reading the books, and many people who haven’t read the books are now interested in doing so.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the Harry Potter series was always going to be a momentous occasion. After an epic struggle between good and evil that had spanned seven books and ten movies, fans were finally going to see Harry Potter defeat Lord Voldemort once and for all.
The final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was published in 2007 and was an instant bestseller. It received critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike, with many calling it the best book in the series.
The Deathly Hallows also marked the end of an era, as it was the last book in the series to be published. J.K. Rowling has said that she is done writing Harry Potter books, meaning that there will never be another new story about The Boy Who Lived.
While this may be sad for some fans, it is also a testament to the power of the Harry Potter books. They have captivated readers for over 20 years and will continue to do so for many years to come.
