The Best Harry Potter Books, Ranked
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In 1997, the world was introduced to the Boy Who Lived. Few people knew then that fantasy literature would never be the same. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series became beloved by adults and children alike, entwining a fantasy world with our everyday lives in a way that captured hearts and minds. Fans of all ages followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s journey through Hogwarts and dreamed of receiving their own letter by owl post. From books to two blockbuster movie series to stage productions and theme parks, Harry Potter has lost none of its magic over the years.
The Harry Potter book series is a storytelling masterpiece. Rowling weaves together a captivating narrative filled with suspense, mystery, humor, and heartwarming moments. Each book is intricately plotted, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. From the moment we meet the young, orphaned wizard, Harry Potter, and discover his destiny at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we are hooked. The books take us out of the Muggle world and transport us to a world of magic, mythical creatures, and epic battles between good and evil.
J.K. Rowling is particularly celebrated for her attention to detail and world-building. From the rich history to the many magical creatures to Quidditch, Rowling dedicated thought and creativity to every aspect. Whether it’s exploring the halls of Hogwarts, navigating the treacherous Forbidden Forest, or visiting the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, Rowling’s words breathe life into every nook and cranny of the wizarding world.
The Harry Potter series is comprised of seven books, released between 1997 and 2007. The order of the Harry Potter books is as follows:
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Rowling also released two companion books in 2001, Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In 2016, the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child debuted, based on an original story by Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne.
Ranking the Harry Potter books isn’t an easy task, and, of course, it’s completely subjective. So here it goes, our ranking of the Harry Potter book from worst to best.
#7. Book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I know, I know, a controversial starting point. But hear me out. The seventh book had the huge pressure of finishing an incredibly popular, best-selling book series with a fanbase of passionate and expectant readers. It needed to wrap up lots of different plot points, bring our heroes to their final conflict with our villains, and give appropriate farewells to characters readers had known and loved for a decade. It was a mammoth task and, unfortunately, the result was the weakest of the Harry Potter books. With a bloated, complicated plot, a new deus ex machina that tested even the most avid fan’s patience, and a lot of time spent in tents, Deathly Hallows delivered a watery and meandering conclusion to an incredible series.
#6. Book 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Order of the Phoenix suffered from some of the same issues as Deathly Hallows, namely a slow pace and not very much happening for a substantial amount of time. The book was weighed down by an angsty Harry, a pervasive feeling of dread, and our characters’ horrible realization that adults cannot protect them. While these themes should make it a more mature book, it instead plods along at a snail’s pace, with none of the usual humor or comfort we got from previous books. The time spent at Grimmauld Place further slowed the book and had readers empathizing with Sirius’ irritation at being trapped in one place.
#5. Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The second book in the series, Chamber of Secrets, was in a similar vein to the first book but lacked the wide-eyed wonder of Philosopher’s Stone. You can’t deny that it started badly, with Harry and Ron’s frankly ridiculous decision to fly to Hogwarts when they couldn’t get to the Hogwarts Express. I know they’re two twelve-year-old boys and it’s unfair to expect them to make sensible choices, but still. The consequences of their action slowed the book down and removed much of the action and excitement that made the first book so good. That said, it’s still an enjoyable read and introduced a lot of key information about Voldemort that would be essential to the later books.
#4. Book 6: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
After the long slog of Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince felt like Rowling was back on form. While its pace was slower than the likes of Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire, its plot maintained better momentum than the fifth book. The backstories revealed about Tom Riddle, Dumbledore, and Snape were crucial in building to the series’ conclusion. Half-Blood Prince also took the time to explore Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s growing maturity. It had more romance and more teenage drama than ever before and marked an important progression in Hermione and Ron’s feelings for each other, not to mention Harry and Ginny’s blossoming romance.
#3. Book 1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Philosopher’s Stone was our first introduction to the wizarding world; our first trip to Diagon Alley, our first journey on the Hogwarts Express, our first year exploring Hogwarts and learning about Quidditch and meeting characters we would love for decades to come. I still remember the magic of the Great Hall, the wonder of the library, and the terror of the Forbidden Forest. The plot flows smoothly, with just the right balance of humor, action, and tension. Rowling skillfully laid the foundations on which the rest of the series would be built.
#2. Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
I loved Prisoner of Azkaban. I loved the mystery around Sirius Black, the Marauder’s Map, Hogsmeade, Harry learning about the Marauders, all of it. I loved the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, the many magical beasts we met, Hogsmeade, Hermione’s Time Turner, and how it all tied together in the end. The climax is one of the best in the entire series. Rowling created a real sense of urgency with our characters racing against time not once, but twice, in an effort to save Buckbeak and Sirius. While it still retained the innocence of the early books, Prisoner of Azkaban introduced darker themes and higher stakes that hinted at the challenges Harry, Ron, and Hermione would face later in the series.
#1. Book 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Goblet of Fire marked the most significant change in the series. The danger we had experienced in earlier books reached a whole new level in the fourth book and saw Harry facing the person he feared the most: Voldemort himself. Bigger, more mature, and darker, Goblet of Fire introduced themes that would continue through the next three books, gathering momentum until they finally reached their climax in Deathly Hallows. But it’s not just the fact that it’s a significant turning point that makes it the best Harry Potter book. Rowling achieved some of her best world-building in Goblet of Fire: the Quidditch World Cup, the Triwizard Tournament, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, giants, dragons, and a host of other magical creatures and items that enriched the incredible world she created.
Despite the strengths and weaknesses of the individual books, there’s no denying that, as a whole, Harry Potter is a truly incredible series. There are few authors who have succeeded in capturing the imaginations of both adults and children so completely. The world of Harry Potter is just as immersive and enthralling now as it was when Philosopher’s Stone was first published – and maybe even more so. We have movies and stage productions, merchandise, collectibles, toys, and even theme parks inspired by and dedicated to Harry’s mesmerizing world. Two decades after the release of the last book, Harry Potter continues to captivate and thrill readers of all ages and remains a best-selling series for very good reasons.
Do you agree with our ranking? What is your favorite book in the Harry Potter series? Let us know your opinions in the comments section. And don’t forget to sign up to our email list to get Finds of the Week and our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, delivered straight to your inbox.
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