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A review by kyera
The Hogwarts Collection by J.K. Rowling
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.