
Arthur A. Levine Books - Arthur A. Levine Books
Release date: 2007-10-16
Hardcover
Author: J. K. Rowling
School & Education, Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic, Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Juvenile Fiction, Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction, Fiction, Magic, Schools, Wizards, Children: Grades 4-6




This review is for the books, not necessarily the packaging this particular set is sold with.
When the Harry Potter hype first started, I was a little annoyed. I just couldn't understand the big deal. But, of course, I hadn't read any of the books yet. In fact, it wasn't until book five came out that I finally started reading them. I became interested after having seen a portion of the first movie while channel surfing.
It's so obvious it shouldn't be necessary, but as a practicing witch I feel compelled to mention that the "magic" practiced in Harry Potter is not real... obviously. True magick is far more subtle and much less reliant on wands and special ingredients. But make not mistake: The enchantment Harry places on the reader is quite real. It is impossible not to fall in love with Harry, Dumbledore, Hagrid.... all of whom feel so real to me.
Rowling's extensive knowledge of mythology is formidable and the moral lessons woven within the plot make this epic tale a definite read for children and adults of all faiths. It is all about the classic struggle between good and evil, right and wrong. Now we Christians who rail against the books haven't read them. The architects of the bible dictates that all witchcraft is evil only because they didn't want any competition. How is a priest walking through a congregation waving a censor filled with burning incense and reciting verses in latin any different than a Pagan burning incense and reciting a spell? There's no difference. Just that the Christians believe it is their divine right to practice magic and anyone else who does is evil.
I'm still in mourning after reading the last of the series. These books were a big part of our lives (mine and my children's) for several years. If you haven't read Harry Potter yet, please do. If you're a parent, please don't deny your children this experience. As time moves on, Harry Potter will be counted among the other classics in literature.
This Harry Potter complete set will be enjoyed by most young Harry Potter fans. The seller could have made it even better by having made available the child's name and chosen address written on the box's shipping tag done by an experienced calligrapher, and even perfect if each book would have been autographed by the author, with perhaps a special letter from her to the child. Most parents or grandparents would have been willing to shoulder the extra costs of making this item a treasured heirloom for years to come.