I'm in the minority too of not being a huge fan of the series. They are ok though and have done a great job for increasing literacy. You've done better than I have though as I've not finished the series.
I agree; I'm completely grateful for the influx of YA that followed suit of Harry Potter, and for the story it brings. I love the story immensely, and I did grow up with the movies. It's just Rowling's writing that I really can't stand... What she accomplished is awesome, though.
Interesting. My brother shares you opinion on the series.
I haven't re-read this one since PoA was released, so I don't know how well I'd like it now (nostalgia notwithstanding). I do remember feeling as a child that the first two books were children books, and then it changed. And I've never done a re-read of PoA because it was my least favorite. Maybe I should go over them now, to see how they stand the years.
I think that, too, about the first ones definitely being children's books. I talk about that a little in my review of the first book because I feel like it's possible to write a children's book without it sounding so young and immature. PoA was just SO difficult to get through; it took me maybe six months to finally finish it. Goblet of Fire was like a whole different world, though. My dad was talking to me about this the other day, and he's convinced that Rowling hired a ghost writer for the last three books because the writing is so much better, hahah. I haven't gotten that far, yet, but I'm excited for the idea of liking the later books, despite this rocky beginning.
I haven't re-read this one since PoA was released, so I don't know how well I'd like it now (nostalgia notwithstanding). I do remember feeling as a child that the first two books were children books, and then it changed. And I've never done a re-read of PoA because it was my least favorite. Maybe I should go over them now, to see how they stand the years.