I have been suffering from a book review block for quite some time and a friend suggested I should try reviewing a book I love. So here I am trying to review the Harry Potter Series in one post. 
 I was late to join the Harry Potter bandwagon because I thought magic and dragons were for kids... Yeah! And then while babysitting a kid who wanted to watch Harry Potter, I got hooked. I watched the first movie and there was no turning back. I borrowed the first three books from that very kid and finished each in one sitting. Rest is as they say is history! 
 What attracted me to the series first was the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione. From hating Hermione to making a team that so complete together was awesome. Their friendship made them stronger as they each had something to offer the others in the group. Then to see them grow through their own share of ups and downs was an experience like no other. They had their fair share of fights, yet they always found their way back to each other. Also, I fell in love with Hermione for her dialogue - "Now, if you two don't mind, I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed or worse... expelled!" Epic! 
 The second thing that I love about the series is the plot. Sure, there are holes here and there - like how Voldemort always waits to attack till the end of the year... But the fact that few details mentioned in the passing in one book becomes so important in others. To have seven books so thoroughly interlinked is super awesome. 
 Then there are themes throughout the book that taught me a lot and reaffirmed some of my beliefs. For instance, with the support of true friends, one can overcome anything. If it wasn't for Ron, Hermione and the Weasley family, but mostly Ron and Hermione, Harry wouldn't have survived for long; That it is okay to be scared and need help; That we should treat people well irrespective of their stature and power. But most of all it is the message that people can rally surprise you that resonated with me. Luna, anyone? For all her weirdness, she is one of the bravest, kind hearted and intelligent person in the series. She alone can teach us so many lessons - like it is okay to be different or how to embrace yourself as the person you truly are but mostly, that it doesn't matter what people think about you as long as you are true to yourself. She is probably the one character that stands out of the rest for so many reasons. Then there is Snape... who would have thought that behind all his rage and darkness there is a person who can love so completely and unconditionally. Neville, the scared little forgetful boy from first year turns out to be the first one to defy Lord Voldemort's orders right in front of him in the seventh year. And let us not forget Hagrid, the gentle giant - the first surprise of the series. 
 The Weasley family taught me that family is strength. From Fred and George I learnt that life is too short to take seriously. Sirius taught me that friends can be family. I learnt to appreciate my individuality from Luna. Dumbledore taught me that even the best of us makes mistakes. Neville taught me that we can be strong. Ron taught me the meaning of loyalty. And Hermione taught me to READ 
 This series is so much more than fantasy book for children. You have to only give it a chance, it will change your life for better.