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As a Casual Fan, Here’s How I’d Rank All 7 Harry Potter Books
A Collider writer offers a personal, casual-fan ranking of all seven Harry Potter novels, framed against the series' increasingly complicated legacy. The piece notes that J.K. Rowling's public views and her financial support of causes deemed hateful have made it harder for many readers to separate the books from their author, while her repeated retroactive changes to the story's canon have added to a sense that she has lost a firm grip on the material.
The ranking places "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" last, criticised for its length and slow pacing, followed by "Chamber of Secrets", which is described as overstuffed with darker themes that sit awkwardly with its young characters. "Philosopher's Stone" (referred to in the US as "Sorcerer's Stone") appears next, credited as the phenomenon that launched the franchise. The article continues counting down through the remaining titles, offering critical commentary on each book's strengths, weaknesses and how they compare to their film adaptations, though the full list beyond the top five is not included in the provided text.
In short
- Collider writer ranks all seven Harry Potter books from worst to best.
- "Order of the Phoenix" ranked lowest; "Chamber of Secrets" also criticised.
- Piece reflects on Rowling's controversies complicating the series' legacy.
Explained simply
Harry Potter is a seven-book fantasy series written by J.K. Rowling that became a global phenomenon beginning in 1997. The books follow a young wizard and his friends at a magical school as they navigate their education and face increasing darkness and danger.
For most of the past two decades, the series enjoyed uncomplicated popularity, but this has shifted in recent years. Rowling's public statements and documented financial support for causes some regard as hateful have complicated many readers' relationship with the books, and she has made numerous retroactive changes to the story's established canon through interviews and social media.
Against this backdrop of shifting attitudes toward both the author and the material, readers and critics have undertaken various reassessments of the series. This Collider article offers a personal ranking of all seven books, providing a casual reader's perspective on how they compare to one another.