Juliet by Anne Fortier

What if the story of the ill fated lovers Romeo and Juliet was based on a doomed romance involving powerful families in Siena instead of Verona? This is the very premise of Juliet, a novel by Anne Fortier which shows the evolution of the story and how it is affected the families for hundreds of years.

Twins Julie and Janice Jacobs return home upon the death of the great aunt who raised them only for Julie to discover her true name is Giulietta Tolomei and that her deceased mother believed a treasure is waiting for her to find in Siena. So she travels across the world only to discover that her love of the play Romeo and Juliet stems not only from a literary enchantment with the story but from the fact that Shakespeare took the idea from a true romance and conflict between the Tolomei, Salembeni, and Marescotti families back in the 1300’s.

As Julie/Giulietta gets closer and closer to the secret treasure her mother wanted her to find she discovers that members of the other families are hot on the trail as well. They follow her at every step but she wants greatly to end the curse that has become, as Shakespeare put it, “a plague on both our families”. Through examinations of past family interactions and the romance that spurned the story the characters discover not only the treasure but family connections and romances galore.

Juliet is not only a great love story but a suspenseful look on what it takes to save a family from a possible curse. It examines secrets and the importance of love, family, and history. Anyone who has enjoyed any aspect of Romeo and Juliet will appreciate the novel as well as anyone who enjoys love stories or mysteries.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

In the thrilling conclusion to the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry and his friends face the ultimate battle between the forces of good and bad. Members of both sides have to face life and death in a changing world.

At the beginning of the novel Harry, Ron, and Hermione attempt to spend a semi-normal summer, celebrating weddings and romances. However, the illusion of normalcy is soon smashed and they must begin their journey to destroy the Horcruxes, reservoirs of power that keep Voldemort alive, so that during the final battle he can be killed once and for all.

Along the way Harry learns who his real friends are. Hermione knows what is at stake and never wavers but Ron has a moment when he leaves the group, the stress being too much for him. In the end most of Harry’s classmates who have stood beside him at some point during the earlier novels continue to support him until the very end. This is the main lesson: love and support truly are some of the most powerful emotions that can be found on this earth.

The end of the series is very powerful, with several important characters being killed in the heat of the battle. Major secrets are revealed, romances blossom, and the epilogue explains what happens to Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the future.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

In the sixth installment of the popular Harry Potter series, the main characters are entering their sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In this year Harry, Ron, and Hermione meet new people, learn new things about their old nemesis Voldemort, and face a massive loss to their school.

The adventure primarily begins when Harry realizes he is allowed to take advanced Potions and has not yet bought a book for the class. When he begins using one of the old school books he discovers an inscription by The Half-Blood Prince, an anonymous old student who has re-invented potions and spells. Harry uses the book throughout the novel, eventually discovering that the previous owner might have been more nefarious than studious. This is another instance where maybe books shouldn’t be trusted when the additions are written by hand especially when they’re leading one to cheat in classes.

Rowling also takes the opportunity to develop Voldemort’s character even more fully. Harry learns about the villain's sad past and how he may have worked some of the most disturbing and powerful Dark Magic ever. It’s up to Harry to gain a new professor’s trust and learn all he can about Voldemort’s dark history and magics.

Harry learns more and more about Voldemort and his role in what everyone knows will be the ultimate showdown. He works closely with Dumbledore, who also reminds him to trust in his friends. But in a heart-wrenching ending the school is attacked by Death Eaters and not everyone gets out alive, putting into motion the harrowing ending to the Harry Potter series in the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, the main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione have certainly grown up. It begins with Harry getting into unwarranted trouble with the Ministry of Magic, earning him an expulsion from Hogwarts. With the help of Dumbledore, who is behaving very oddly, he gets back in. But Harry’s troubles are just beginning.

At this point most of the magical world has chosen not to believe Harry or Dumbledore about the resurrection of Voldemort, instead seeing them as delusional. Harry even has to deal with schoolmates who don’t believe in him anymore. What’s worse is that the Ministry of Magic, one of the leaders in the disbelief against Voldemort scheme is taking a hand at Hogwarts, sending in a Defense Against the Dark Arts who is both nauseatingly sweet and maniacal at the same time.

Each of the characters come into their own through this book, realizing that the threat of Voldemort means that they have to learn to protect themselves, no matter the cost. Slowly the rest of Harry’s friends, old and new, realize the threat and work to create a defensive group to learn the skills they need.

The end of the book shows the power of friendship, as well as the strength of prophecy, love, and revenge. There is a climactic battle between Harry and his friends along with the Order of the Phoenix and Voldemort’s strengthened band of Death Eaters.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the series by J.K. Rowling, Harry goes back to Hogwarts only to be faced with a situation he did not put himself in, although many of his classmates think he did. A competition is being held between Hogwarts and two other wizarding schools and Harry’s name miraculously turns up and places him in the running even though he is not old enough to participate.

This book, like most of the rest, offers a wonderful look at a magical fantasy world but also a series of lessons. First of all, the competition puts an edge on Ron and Harry’s friendship, showing that sometimes friendships can be hard to keep and, just as in a romantic relationship, there must be understanding between partners. Fortunately Ron learns that friendship is worth fighting for.

Rowling is also able to use this opportunity to explore what wizards are like even if they’re not from Hogwarts, something that hasn’t really been seen before the fourth book. This is a way that opens up the magical world Rowling has created even more, fleshing it out with enough details for the magical world to seem even more believable to the reader.

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Rowling continues her fantasy series with flashbacks that flesh out her villian, fights, magical challenges, and a very powerful ending.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

The Prisoner of Azkaban is the third novel in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. In this book one of the biggest lessons is that sometimes what the public story is might not necessarily be the true story. There are several instances where this is the case.

For example, the main story surrounds the escape of prisoner Sirius Black, who was a friend of Harry’s parents and supposedly the reason why Voldemort was able to murder them. But is Sirius really the madman murder that the wizarding world thinks he is? Well, just as in the media nowadays, everything isn’t what it’s reported to be.

This book also teaches about the negative repercussions of stereotyping. In this book the students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry get one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professors that they’ve ever had but a secret he’s keeping, and a prejudice by others, stands in the way between him and a second year of teaching. This goes to show that prejudices for things one can’t truly control is unfair.

Other than the mystery involving Sirius Black, one of the notable parts of the book is the conflict between Ron and Hermione. Although the fight is majorly centered around Hermione’s acquisition of a cat who hates Ron’s rat, the conflict is meant more to highlight their relationship and how kinetic their friendship is.

All in all Harry’s third year shows the growth of the characters and the negativity of stereotyping and prejudice.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

The second book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is primarily about two common feelings: suspicion and worry. These feelings are often experienced by most everyone, just not in the same manner that Harry and his gang are experiencing them in the novel.

This book is about Harry’s second year, with a brief interlude showing how much he much actually wants to get to school, due to his guardians and lack of friends at home. It also gives a taste of the doubts, suspicions, and frustrations that Harry will experience as he tries to figure out what is going on with the Chamber of Secrets. With the warnings given by the most unlikely of creatures, a house elf named Dobby, it creates even more mystery about what the school year will hold.

Even though Hermione is absent during most of the book she still grows very much in this book, foreshadowing how much her logic will play into Harry’s survival. She is not afraid to break the rules if it’s for the greater good, showing that although intellect and education is still  one of her greatest wants, she is not afraid to go out of her way to help out when she feels it’s needed.

Chamber of Secrets is a fast paced novel with many twists and turns. Harry doubts not only his classmates but himself as he learns that one of his magical talents has an evil taint to it. He makes acquaintances with several of the school ghosts including that of an annoying young female ghost.

What is most important to the book is the concepts of friendship and support. No matter what the student body thinks, Hermione and Ron are always on Harry’s side. This novel is full of suspense, suspicion, doubts, and the power of friendship.