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melhara's review
4.0
This ebook consists of three books from the Pottermore Collection. It’s full of wonderful short stories for Harry Potter fans. My review for each book is as follows:
Book 1: [b:Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies|31538635|Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Pottermore Presents, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471436733s/31538635.jpg|52885176]
This book consists of short biographies of Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Sybill Trelawny and Sylvanus Kettleburn (which is kind of random). The brief biographies are followed by a blurb on [a:J.K. Rowling|1077326|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510435123p2/1077326.jpg]’s thoughts and inspirations relating to each character.
I especially enjoyed reading about Lupin and the topic of lycanthronpy:
Knowing this somehow makes me love J.K. Rowling even more.
Book 2: [b:Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists|31538614|Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Pottermore Presents, #2)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471436601s/31538614.jpg|52218734]
This book contains brief biographies on Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn, Quirinus Quirrell and Peeves the Poltergeist. It also has snippets on making potions and a brief history of Ministers for Magic and Azkaban.
While the bit about Azkaban was interesting, I couldn’t help but wonder… what happened to the Dementors that were purged from Azkaban? Are they extinct? Did they move elsewhere? If you know the answer, please let me know.
Book 3: [b:Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide|31538647|Hogwarts An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Pottermore Presents, #3)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1502156557s/31538647.jpg|52218770]
This book includes additional information about Hogwarts that were not included in the original series, such as information about the classes, the ghosts, the moving paintings, Time-Turners, the Mirror of Erised, Pensieve, the Philosopher’s Stone, the Sword of Gryffindor, and the Chamber of Secrets.
Overall, I really enjoyed these stories. I only have two complaints -
1. Please publish this in a hardcover format!
2. These short stories were too short… I need more!
Book 1: [b:Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies|31538635|Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Pottermore Presents, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471436733s/31538635.jpg|52885176]
This book consists of short biographies of Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Sybill Trelawny and Sylvanus Kettleburn (which is kind of random). The brief biographies are followed by a blurb on [a:J.K. Rowling|1077326|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510435123p2/1077326.jpg]’s thoughts and inspirations relating to each character.
I especially enjoyed reading about Lupin and the topic of lycanthronpy:
Lupin’s condition of lycanthropy (being a werewolf) was a metaphor for those illnesses that carry a stigma, like HIV and AIDS. All kinds of superstitions seem to surround blood-borne conditions, probably due to taboos surrounding blood itself. The wizarding community is as prone to hysteria and prejudice as the Muggle one, and the character of Lupin gave me a chance to examine those attitudes.
Knowing this somehow makes me love J.K. Rowling even more.
Book 2: [b:Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists|31538614|Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Pottermore Presents, #2)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471436601s/31538614.jpg|52218734]
This book contains brief biographies on Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn, Quirinus Quirrell and Peeves the Poltergeist. It also has snippets on making potions and a brief history of Ministers for Magic and Azkaban.
While the bit about Azkaban was interesting, I couldn’t help but wonder… what happened to the Dementors that were purged from Azkaban? Are they extinct? Did they move elsewhere? If you know the answer, please let me know.
Book 3: [b:Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide|31538647|Hogwarts An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Pottermore Presents, #3)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1502156557s/31538647.jpg|52218770]
This book includes additional information about Hogwarts that were not included in the original series, such as information about the classes, the ghosts, the moving paintings, Time-Turners, the Mirror of Erised, Pensieve, the Philosopher’s Stone, the Sword of Gryffindor, and the Chamber of Secrets.
Overall, I really enjoyed these stories. I only have two complaints -
1. Please publish this in a hardcover format!
2. These short stories were too short… I need more!
crizzle's review
5.0
I am officially at 20 books on my want-to-read shelf, down from over 200 just a few years ago!!
srreid's review
3.0
Extremely short little snippets, background to some characters, places, objects , histories etc.
terrimpin's review
2.0
I'm honestly tired of Rowling trying to squeeze a cent out of every droplet of plot that she pulls out of her ass. I'm giving this two stars because I finished it, but none of the stories taught me anything new about the Potter universe and it just felt like a cash grab.
kyera's review
4.0
Although a lot of this information could be previously read on Pottermore, it was nice to see it collected into three sets that have then been pulled together for the Hogwarts Collection. They were laid out nicely and made for a quick, but engaging and informative read.
The first set of this collection is called 'Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies'. In it, we learn more about Professor Minerva McGonagall and her history, Remus Lupin and the werewolves, and finally the tumultuous Professor Trelawney. As J.K. Rowling provides her characters with a massive amount of development and backstory that we don't always get to experience in the books - I was so happy to get this deep dive into some of my favourite characters. (So Trelawney isn't a favourite, but I loved understanding her motivations and character more.)
The second set of this collection is called 'Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists'. In it, we learn more about Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn... and Peeves? Although Poltergeists were the third part of the set's collection, it just didn't fit in with the theme for me. Yes, it was interesting - but give me something that fits with Slughorn and Umbridge more - like Malfoy history? For me, Dolores Umbridge was quite possibly more vile than Voldemort. They're both so terrible, although in different ways at times but Voldemort embraces who he is and Umbridge attempts to hide it behind sugared sweetness that barely covers the rotten core inside.
The third and final set of this collection is called 'Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide', which just made me really want a full-length 'Hogwarts: A History' book. So J.K. can we get Bathilda's seminal work, please? Like Hermione before me, I would comb through that text if it existed, but since it doesn't - I'll just have to dive deeply into this collection. In it, we learn about the journey to Hogwarts and how they decided upon the infamous scarlet train, as well as lessons, ghosts, portraits (and how to enchant them), and rare magical artifacts. There is a bit of a time turner section within the collection that shows J.K. Rowling's intense dislike for the objects and regret over having created them - with reaffirms my opinions about the Cursed Child and utter confusion about the plotline within it.
Overall, these were fun and informative stories and encyclopedia-like entries that bring further depth and dimension to the Wizarding World. I would highly recommend them to fans of the series.
The first set of this collection is called 'Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies'. In it, we learn more about Professor Minerva McGonagall and her history, Remus Lupin and the werewolves, and finally the tumultuous Professor Trelawney. As J.K. Rowling provides her characters with a massive amount of development and backstory that we don't always get to experience in the books - I was so happy to get this deep dive into some of my favourite characters. (So Trelawney isn't a favourite, but I loved understanding her motivations and character more.)
The second set of this collection is called 'Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists'. In it, we learn more about Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn... and Peeves? Although Poltergeists were the third part of the set's collection, it just didn't fit in with the theme for me. Yes, it was interesting - but give me something that fits with Slughorn and Umbridge more - like Malfoy history? For me, Dolores Umbridge was quite possibly more vile than Voldemort. They're both so terrible, although in different ways at times but Voldemort embraces who he is and Umbridge attempts to hide it behind sugared sweetness that barely covers the rotten core inside.
The third and final set of this collection is called 'Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide', which just made me really want a full-length 'Hogwarts: A History' book. So J.K. can we get Bathilda's seminal work, please? Like Hermione before me, I would comb through that text if it existed, but since it doesn't - I'll just have to dive deeply into this collection. In it, we learn about the journey to Hogwarts and how they decided upon the infamous scarlet train, as well as lessons, ghosts, portraits (and how to enchant them), and rare magical artifacts. There is a bit of a time turner section within the collection that shows J.K. Rowling's intense dislike for the objects and regret over having created them - with reaffirms my opinions about the Cursed Child and utter confusion about the plotline within it.
Overall, these were fun and informative stories and encyclopedia-like entries that bring further depth and dimension to the Wizarding World. I would highly recommend them to fans of the series.
beammey's review
4.0
I was hoping this would be more informative than it was. Still a good read for any Harry Potter fan though. 4 out of 5 stars.
sarahemaginnis's review
4.0
Although Pottermore promised “original, never-seen-before” writing from Rowling, there is little that we have not already read or learned at one point or another. For example, the majority of the chapter on Hogwarts teacher, and later headteacher, Professor McGonagall, can still be found on the Pottermore website, with just 660 new words written by Rowling. However, I enjoyed having the information in one thematically arranged and condensed e-book format; it was nice to take my kindle to the gym and read about the wizarding world of Harry Potter instead of having to navigate through the Pottermore website. My only wish is that they published these short stories in a compiled hardback print edition – I will always choose print over e-book format.
Favorite Quotes: Here are some of my favorite quotes on some of my favorite characters from the compiled short stories.
On Dolores Umbridge:
“Dolores Umbridge may have looked like an iced cupcake, but she was anything but sweet. She was savage, sadistic and remorseless. When she dared take control of Hogwarts from Albus Dumbledore, she committed all sorts of sinister acts. Under the newly created title of ‘High Inquisitor’ she single-handedly (well, with a little help from Filch) sucked the beloved school of all its joy, put every student in grave danger, and tortured Harry Potter. As far as we’re concerned, she more than deserved her fate at the hands (hooves?) of centaurs.”
On Minerva McGonnagall:
“Known to successive generations of students as ‘Professor McGonagall,’ Minerva – always something of a feminist – announced that she would be keeping her own name upon marriage. Traditionalists sniffed – why was Minerva refusing to accept a pure-blood name, and keeping that of her Muggle father?”
“Minerva was also, like her mother, a gifted Quidditch player, although a nasty fall in her final year (a foul during the Gryffindor versus Slytherin game which would decide the Cup winner) left her with concussion, several broken ribs and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch. Though she gave up Quidditch on leaving Hogwarts, the innately competitive Professor McGonagall later took a keen interest in the fortunes of her house team, and retained a keen eye for Quidditch talent.”
On Remus Lupin:
“Shortly before Remus’s eleventh birthday, no less a person than Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, arrived uninvited on the Lupins’ doorstep. Flustered and frightened, Lyall and Hope tried to block his entrance, but somehow, five minutes later, Dumbledore was sitting at the fireside, eating crumpets and playing Gobstones with Remus.
Dumbledore explained to the Lupins that he knew what had happened to their son. Greyback had boasted of what he had done and Dumbledore had spies among Dark creatures. However, Dumbledore told the Lupins that he saw no reason why Remus should not come to school, and described the arrangements that he had made to give the boy a safe and secure place for his transformations. Due to the widespread prejudice around werewolves, Dumbledore agreed that for Remus’s own sake his condition should not be broadcast. Once a month, he would leave for a secure and comfortable house in the village of Hogsmeade, guarded by many spells and reached only by an underground passage from the Hogwarts grounds, where he could transform in peace.
Remus’s excitement was beyond anything he had known before. It was the dream of his life to meet other children and have, for the first time, friends and playmates.”
“Remus functioned as the conscience of this group, but it was an occasionally faulty conscience. He did not approve of their relentless bullying of Severus Snape, but he loved James and Sirius so much, and was so grateful for their acceptance, that he did not always stand up to them as much as he knew he should.”
Favorite Quotes: Here are some of my favorite quotes on some of my favorite characters from the compiled short stories.
On Dolores Umbridge:
“Dolores Umbridge may have looked like an iced cupcake, but she was anything but sweet. She was savage, sadistic and remorseless. When she dared take control of Hogwarts from Albus Dumbledore, she committed all sorts of sinister acts. Under the newly created title of ‘High Inquisitor’ she single-handedly (well, with a little help from Filch) sucked the beloved school of all its joy, put every student in grave danger, and tortured Harry Potter. As far as we’re concerned, she more than deserved her fate at the hands (hooves?) of centaurs.”
On Minerva McGonnagall:
“Known to successive generations of students as ‘Professor McGonagall,’ Minerva – always something of a feminist – announced that she would be keeping her own name upon marriage. Traditionalists sniffed – why was Minerva refusing to accept a pure-blood name, and keeping that of her Muggle father?”
“Minerva was also, like her mother, a gifted Quidditch player, although a nasty fall in her final year (a foul during the Gryffindor versus Slytherin game which would decide the Cup winner) left her with concussion, several broken ribs and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch. Though she gave up Quidditch on leaving Hogwarts, the innately competitive Professor McGonagall later took a keen interest in the fortunes of her house team, and retained a keen eye for Quidditch talent.”
On Remus Lupin:
“Shortly before Remus’s eleventh birthday, no less a person than Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, arrived uninvited on the Lupins’ doorstep. Flustered and frightened, Lyall and Hope tried to block his entrance, but somehow, five minutes later, Dumbledore was sitting at the fireside, eating crumpets and playing Gobstones with Remus.
Dumbledore explained to the Lupins that he knew what had happened to their son. Greyback had boasted of what he had done and Dumbledore had spies among Dark creatures. However, Dumbledore told the Lupins that he saw no reason why Remus should not come to school, and described the arrangements that he had made to give the boy a safe and secure place for his transformations. Due to the widespread prejudice around werewolves, Dumbledore agreed that for Remus’s own sake his condition should not be broadcast. Once a month, he would leave for a secure and comfortable house in the village of Hogsmeade, guarded by many spells and reached only by an underground passage from the Hogwarts grounds, where he could transform in peace.
Remus’s excitement was beyond anything he had known before. It was the dream of his life to meet other children and have, for the first time, friends and playmates.”
“Remus functioned as the conscience of this group, but it was an occasionally faulty conscience. He did not approve of their relentless bullying of Severus Snape, but he loved James and Sirius so much, and was so grateful for their acceptance, that he did not always stand up to them as much as he knew he should.”
aneumann's review
3.0
I’m a big nerd and loved some of the behind the scenes stuff this added. That said, I wish it came out back when the books were published, not just as this continuing ramble from JK Rowling.
kyuropii's review
4.0
An exemplary read! Rowling here is showcasing her usual brand of wit and vivid storytelling, one moment I'm on my bed, another minute I'm on Hogwarts, reliving the everyday living of witches and wizards of the day and age; though this book is no more than a collection of bios from different wizard and witches and some mystical objects on the book. But Rowling proved herself to make Potter readers reel in for a tinge of nostalgia, and definitely left me lingering for an hour after reading.
But what I really want right now is Dougal x Minerva short story :)
But what I really want right now is Dougal x Minerva short story :)