It is common knowledge that the brilliant Harry Potter series is not just a film franchise, but rather first came from the phenomenal book series created by J. K. Rowling. The book series was an instant hit and inspired a worldwide phenomenon and kicked off a fandom which rages on to this day as well as some of the biggest movies of all time.
The book series is acclaimed and beloved by both casual readers and massive bookworms. A good place to go and see just how popular and well-liked the books, or any books for that matter, is Goodreads. That is exactly where this list will go so, here is every Harry Potter book ranked, according to Goodreads.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (2016) - 3.65/5
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a 2-part play written by Jack Thorne, which is based on the story of J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Thorne. It is set 19 years after the events of the Potter films and follows Harry, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Albus Severus Potter as he sets off on his Hogwarts journey.
The book received a 3.65/5 on Goodreads from 605,556 ratings and 62,295 reviews, with 84% liking it. 28% of reviewers gave it 5 stars with 5% giving it 1 star, and the biggest rating being a 4, which got 30%. The play itself was received with critical acclaim, and Potter fans clearly deemed the book not bad, just not Harry Potter, more like fan-fiction.
HARRY POTTER: THE PREQUEL (2008) - 4.19/5
Harry Potter: The Prequel is a short story that is 800 words long, written by J. K. Rowling for a charity auction in 2008. The story follows an adventure of Sirius Black and James Potter as they encounter a muggle Police officer.
The short story gained 4.19/5 on Goodreads from 17,527 ratings and has 1,155 reviews, with 92% of people liking it. 52% of raters gave it 5 stars - the highest % of any rating - with 3% giving it a 1 star. The story leaves a lot of questions for fans in a good way. While not a fully-fledged novel, it leaves a lot of people wanting one.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (1998) - 4.42/5
The second book in the Potter series, Chamber Of Secrets follows Harry and co. in their second year at Hogwarts. With various messages written on the walls - regarding the opening of the Chamber of Secrets, the Heir of Slytherin and the killing of non-pure blood pupils - coming after attacks petrifying students, Harry, Ron, and Hermione investigate.
The book received a 4.42/5 from 2,445,755 ratings and has 46,503 reviews with 98% of people liking it. 58% gave it 5 stars - the highest rating % - with 0% giving it a 1 star, and 1% giving it 2 stars. It is a testament to the series that a book of this quality and popularity is the lowest of the series, while it is the lowest it is still great and loved by Potterheads.
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (1997) - 4.47/5
The novel that kicked off a pop culture phenomenon, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone is the first book of the Potter series. It follows Harry Potter as he learns of his magical background and abilities and is accepted into Hogwarts, where he makes the best of friends, bitter enemies, and encounters his attempted murderer Voldemort for the first time since.
The book earned a 4.47/5 from 6,324,442 ratings and garnered 99,889 reviews, with 96% of people liking the book. The highest rating % comes in the 64% who give it 5 stars, with 2% giving it either 1 or 2 stars. The book that kicked off a phenomenon like Harry Potter would have to be both brilliant and beloved, which is exactly what the first book is, leaving fans clamoring for more.
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (2003) - 4.49/5
The fifth and longest book in the series, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix follows Harry as he struggles with the return of Lord Voldemort, Ministry interference at Hogwarts, on top of his exams. The book also gives details on the Order of the Phoenix and the prophecy which Voldemort seeks.
The book, from 2,268,178 ratings, gained a 4.49/5 with 37,516 reviews, and 98% of people liked it. The highest rating % again was 5 stars of which 63% gave it while 0% gave it 1 star and 1% gave 2 stars. The fifth book is deemed the fifth-best by Goodreads. It is brilliantly slow burning until it reaches its epic conclusion and is a great read.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (2000) - 4.55/5
The fourth novel in the series Goblet of Fire concerns itself with the Tri-Wizard tournament and how Harry is forced to compete in the life-risking event of which his name was mysteriously entered into via the Goblet of Fire. The book also sets up for the return of the Dark Lord, shaping the events to come in the story.
The film earned 4.55/5 stars from 2,327,279 ratings and has 41,051 reviews, with 99% of people liking the book. The highest % rating once again was 5 stars of which 65% gave it, 0% gave it 1 star, and 1% gave it 2 stars. The book is great at detailing the tournament as well as furthering the underlying narrative of the series while furthering character development throughout.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2005) - 4.56/5
The penultimate novel of the Potter series, The Half-Blood Prince details Harry's last year at Hogwarts (unbeknownst to him) as he prepares the fight against Voldemort and uncovers the keys to defeating him alongside his teacher and mentor Albus Dumbledore. All the while Malfoy has been given a mission by Voldemort, which Snape ends up completing due to an unbreakable vow.
The book was deemed a 4.56/5 from 2,212,433 ratings, with 35,269 reviews and 98% of people liking it. 67% deemed it worthy of 5 stars with 0% giving it 1 star, and 1% 2 stars. The penultimate book needed to be, and of course was, great, with its suspenseful and tremendous ending and setting up the events of the final book.
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (1999) - 4.56/5
Prisoner of Azkaban is often deemed as one of the very best Potter films and the book is no different. Following Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their 3rd year at Hogwarts as they investigate serial killer Sirius Black, a believed former ally of Voldemort who has escaped Azkaban and is looking for Harry.
The book earned its 4.56/5 from 2,489,864 ratings, with it garnering 48,909 reviews, and 99% of people liking it. 66% gave it 5 stars with 0% giving it 1 or 2 stars. The book has received wide acclaim and is beloved by fans, most everyone sees it better than the first two, and rightfully so, the narrative and characters throughout are great.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (2007) - 4.61/5
The final and epic conclusion to the main Potter saga, Deathly Hallows follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they search for the remaining Horcruxes with it all leading back to Hogwarts for a final confrontation with Voldemort and the Battle of Hogwarts ensues.
The book gained 2,574,179 ratings earning it its 4.61/5, with 60,693 reviews and 98% of people liking it. 72% of people deemed it worthy of 5 stars while 0% gave it 1 star and 1% gave it 2 stars. The conclusion to the series of books is utterly epic and keeps your eyes glued to every page as the story builds to a crescendo, and you are forced to say goodbye to the characters you love so dearly.