I Read Harry Potter for the First Time as an Adult (Series Review)

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Hello readers and writers!

Today, we are finally doing a deep dive into the Harry Potter book series with an adult perspective. In the video, I cover everything from the story and characters, all the way to the magic system and why you should read it. At the end of the video, I do a comprehensive ranking of all 7 books. Feel free to skip to whatever timestamp interests you the most as I have them all linked below. I hope you enjoy my first ever series review on this channel!

Happy reading and writing!
-Eric Bowden

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:16 Why I Never Read Them
02:04 Overall Thoughts
03:02 Why I Read It/Why You Should Read It
05:05 Nostalgia Factor
06:40 Filler
07:39 Story/World
18:30 Character Voices
19:55 Characters
30:24 Lore
33:12 Journey
37:33 It's not "Dark"
40:55 Magic System
46:10 Humor
48:00 Covers
50:42 Ranking
01:14:00 Closing Thoughts
01:18:27 Outro

[Atrulion]

You keep saying there's not much if you dig deep into the story, and you'll be disappointed if you do, but I wouldn't say so.
One of my favorite youtube videos of all time explores Dumbledore *A LOT* . It's called *Dumbledore's Big Plan* . It's a long video, but it covers each book thoroughly. I recommend everyone to watch it if you feel like Harry Potter is quite flat.

[FiercedeityBrad]

I first started reading HP in 2002 when the movie tie in paperback of Chamber of Secrets was at the grocery store, and i bought it. Finished it quickly and ordered 3 and 4 off amazon and devoured them quickly. I remember getting the remaining books on their launch days, the anticipation was immense. I read the final book in 3 days which was my way of pacing myself. I remember the moment i finished it and cried.

[Christian-utsp]

You’ll love Sanderson if you’re after “Epicness”. I find it funny you think the whole thing with Snape’s memories was a distraction from the battle, while I found the battle to be a distraction from character moments. Different readers, different tastes

[tycurley]

Just got into reading now as an adult when I hated it growing up. I figured I would start with Harry Potter, and it's truly amazing. It has inspired my new hobby to read, and I can't wait to find new books I will enjoy as much or maybe more.

[teddyp]

The filler stuff might have been my favorite part of the books as a kid but I see how it may not be enjoyable for everyone.

[savelala]

Do these people in the comments who are trying to boycott HP books know that many celebrities out there who they consume are involved in controversies? If they were to stop consuming controversy people, hollywood would no longer exist.

Harry Potter books are good and it's no wonder they continue to sell so much. On goodreads it's one of the most read books, if not the most read in fantasy. With the HBO series, this universe will be further expanded.

[kurtiswilliams]

Order of the Phoenix is a rare instance where the constraints of the film actually made it better than the book. It’s actually my least favorite book of the series, but my favorite of the movies.

[Rosenaification]

I've read these books dozens of times growing up, and I loved your insight. Watching this video has inspired me to read the series more analytically. PoA is also my favorite one, but my second favorite is Order of Phoenix. The filler is what I enjoyed as a kid for some reason. 😂

[evadoubravska]

Well, you could say that many people were blown by this series because they read it as children...even though the later books became more serious, children are still their primary target

[julianexist]

Hey Eric, I too have similar thoughts regarding Harry Potter as someone who didn’t read it growing up, the story was enjoyable but definitely didn’t make me jump of out my seat while reading. One aspect that really disappointed me was the magic system, it felt like everyone were using the same spells over and over and Rowling never really got in to the nitty gritty and the lore of said magic but that’s just me. Getting into Sanderson’s magic systems after this was truly incredible, how someone can create something so creative and well thought out is truly mind-blowing!

[crunchychicken]

"It's not somewhere you'd want to be. It's a very dangerous place." That part had me cackling at the beginning because I remember wanting to go to Hogwarts bad but then as i got older i thought nope nope nope nope nope. This place is not for kids😂

[Chlovan]

My Ranking is
1. Goblet of fire
2. Order of the Phoenix
3. Half blood prince
4. Sorcerer's stone
5. Deathly Hallows
6. Prisoner of Azkaban
7. Chamber of Secrets
I hated Chamber of secrets because of what you said it felt like a rehash. It's still my least favorite but I enjoyed it more on reread.

[BookishEmperor]

Excellent review, Eric! I also read it as an adult for the first time when I was about 23 or so.

[Chance.Dillon]

This is one I haven’t gone through. The first two i went through with my mom when i was very young but I haven’t returned to since.

Killer breakdown. I think it’s cool to hear I can really enjoy this now

[defaultx]

I read them the first time during covid and was pleasantly surprised by how good they are. I'm not an intense potterhead but I really like them, the movies, not as much, but I've been hungering to read them again I think I'll have to now 😅

[kayleetiller]

I disagree with so many of your takes, but still enjoyed hearing your thoughts! It’s always nice hearing other peoples opinions to see if yours change at all.

[Vanessa-fsoz]

I saved this to my Watch Later because I'm another adult who hasn't read Harry Potter, so I'm coming back to this video once I read it!

[KaraganJones]

Loved this video! You mentioned you grew up reading Percy Jackson instead, as someone who did the same I would love to hear your thoughts on the series now as an adult!

[toodlescae]

I waa in my 40's when Harry Potter came out and I love it.

[gonaye]

SO glad you liked this series! Have you discovered Cormoran Strike series yet? I think Rowling really shows how consistently good of a writer she can be with that series as well (and it is certainly a more adult series than Harry Potter)!