The Masquerade Crew

By Bec C. “I sometimes think we sort too soon”. With these words from Dumbledore in the books, and a carefully placed Gryffindor scarf in the movies (if you noticed it you know what I’m talking about), Snape’s whole identity, because in a Hogwarts universe our houses in part define who we are, was placed into question. Suddenly debates abounded. Was Snape truly a Slytherin? Or, like both the books and the movies implied, was Snape secretly a Gryffindor after all? After all, Snape has shown great bravery, and as Slytherins are the bad guys and Gryffindors are the goodies, the brave ones, then surely Snape is a Gryffindor? Right? Before we can get onto the topic of Snape’s true house, I want to examine these two houses, and the concept that while one is brave and good, the other is dark and evil.

Book Synopsis As the novel begins, Harry, Ron and Hermione are on the run from Lord Voldemort, whose minions of Death Eaters have not only taken control of the Minister of Magic but have begun to systematically -- and forcibly -- change the entire culture of the magic community: Muggle-born wizards, for example, are being rounded up and questioned, and all blood traitors are being imprisoned. But as Voldemort and his followers ruthlessly pursue the fugitive with the lightning bolt scar on his forehead, Potter finally uncovers the jaw-dropping truth of his existence.... (from goodreads)

Book Synopsis The final installment of the Harry Potter saga! The final book has everything that will make your heart go wild with enthusiasm, excitement, and fear. After seeing Harry trudge along the winding path to Death, we see it all coming to an end very soon. Will it end how you expected, or differently? Read to find out!

By Ciel W. The Harry Potter series are, undoubtedly, very popular books for this generation. It has fascinated, and still does, millions of fans worldwide. Out of these millions, more than half were (and are) only kids when they started reading, hence growing with Harry, creating an eternal bond of friendship and understanding. Additionally, some of these millions of readers are parents reading to their small children, seeding in them the love of reading. Harry Potter has marked its place in the top favorite reading choices of children, teenagers, and adults all over the world. Its increasing popularity has made the book very successful. However, does being popular and successful mean that it’s a “Classic” and will stand the test of time? Many times when we refer to the word “Classic” we are referencing the Western Cannon, which denotes literary, artistic, and musical influences in shaping the Western culture (i.e. Europe, America, etc.). In the literary aspect, it is a bo...

Book Synopsis As the novel begins, a "grim mood" has fallen over the country. The minions of Lord Voldemort (a.k.a. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named) continue to grow as his evil spreads. The Ministry of Magic has stepped up security everywhere, and as Harry enters his sixth year at Hogwarts, he begins to see himself -- and everyone around him -- in a different, more discerning, light. With rumors swirling about Harry being the prophesied "Chosen One," he begins taking private lessons from Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. As Dumbledore prepares Harry for his destined clash with Voldemort by revealing jaw-dropping insights into the Dark Lord's past—who his parents were, what happened after he left Hogwarts, and more—Harry also struggles to uncover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince, the past owner of a potions textbook he now possesses that is filled with ingenious, potentially deadly, spells. (taken from good reads)

Book Synopsis Sixth year at Hogwarts.

By Charlotte Parr ‘They were good but nothing like the books’. A common phrase that I often hear after coming out of the cinema when a much-loved book has been turned into a film. It doesn’t make the film bad; they’re just not quite the same. The Harry Potter films have sparked off a whole different group of fans, those that have seen the films but not read the books and personally, I think they’re missing out on a lot. As great as the films are there are other bits of detail that are skipped out in the films. For example, early on in the series a comment is made about Peeves, Hogwart’s resident poltergeist, knocking something over which leads to a large crash. Although at the time it seems insignificant we later learn that the item Peeves knocked over was the vanishing cabinet that appears later in the series. Although this did not affect the plot of the films in any way, it was a shame that they couldn’t include these small details that made me smile.

By Bec C. It cannot be doubted that Snape displayed extreme bravery. He was willing to lay down his life, on the chance that Harry would be able to defeat Voldemort. He was willing to risk everything for to protect Lily Evans, and then later, Harry Potter, the last remnant of Lily herself. But does this bravery truly make him a Gryffindor instead of a Slytherin? Is it possible to be brave without being in the house that prides itself on bravery? First let’s examine the notion of bravery.

Book Synopsis Fifth year at Hogwarts.

Book Synopsis From Amazon.com As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief...or will it?

Book Synopsis Harry Potter returns to his fifth year at Hogwarts. No one believes his story about Voldemort's return and Cedric Diggory's death. To make matters worse, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge, is the most horrible, awful teacher they've met. Apparently, the Ministry has put her there to spy on Hogwarts and stop people from believing Voldemort is back. Harry has strange dreams of locked doors and very long hallways. What could it all mean?

Book Synopsis In the richest installment yet of J.K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice. Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back. (taken from goodreads)

By Bec C. The four houses of Harry Potter produce much debate among fans, arguments based on what house a person is in. When you were a child everyone wanted to be in Gryffindor, along with Harry. This was where all the good guys are after all. Nobody wanted to be in Slytherin, unless you wanted to look tough, for that was for bad guys or evil and mean people. However, as you grew up you learnt that the houses were not nearly so black and white, and that in each person might be found traits of the four houses. Even the members of Gryffindor were debated, questions asked as to whether Hermione wouldn’t have been better suited in Ravenclaw, and Neville in Hufflepuff. And yet bot members proved themselves, and with the aid of suiting hat quizzes, and the newly opened Pottermore scores of Harry Potter fans are getting the chance to prove their house identities as well. But is it as simple as being only one house? And is it the end of the world if another house is chosen for you? ...

Book Synopsis Harry Potter and his friends adventures continues with the fourth installment!

Book Synopsis The summer holidays are dragging on and Harry Potter can't wait for the start of the school year. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and there are spells to be learned, potions to be brewed and Divination lessons (sigh) to be attended. Harry is expecting these: however, other quite unexpected events are already on the march...

Book Synopsis Once returned to Hogwarts after his summer holiday with the dreadful Dursleys and an extraordinary outing to the Quidditch World Cup, the 14-year-old Harry and his fellow pupils are enraptured by the promise of the Triwizard Tournament: an ancient, ritualistic tournament that brings Hogwarts together with two other schools of wizardry--Durmstrang and Beauxbatons--in heated competition. But when Harry's name is pulled from the Goblet of Fire, and he is chosen to champion Hogwarts in the tournament, the trouble really begins. Still reeling from the effects of a terrifying nightmare that has left him shaken, and with the lightning-shaped scar on his head throbbing with pain (a sure sign that the evil Voldemort, Harry's sworn enemy, is close), Harry becomes at once the most popular boy in school. Yet, despite his fame, he is totally unprepared for the furore that follows. This is an excerpt from the Amazon product description.

By Bec C. Growing up I was always the nerdy girl, the book worm, the one who excelled on all the tests. While in primary school I was not treated differently due to this (and had a healthy rivalry with a boy in the class, both competing to see who could score higher on tests). In high school I began to see how uncool it was to be the smart girl. I was picked on for this, and had people try to befriend me in order to copy off my tests. Enter Hermione Granger and the Harry Potter series into my life. Apart from making me wish I could enter the Wizarding World and study subjects such as transfiguration and Defence against the Dark Arts, I began to realise that it was okay to be the bookworm, that you could still have close friends and be the smart ones, that you don’t need the newest clothes to be cool. Harry Potter helped my self esteem and helped me accept myself.

Book Synopsis During Harry's third year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he must face his greatest challenge yet: a confrontation with Sirius Black, an escaped convict and madman who is rumored to be in cahoots with Harry's archenemy, the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort. This alone would be daunting enough, but Harry's task is made even more trying when he discovers that Sirius is suspected of being the one who killed Harry's parents.

Book Synopsis Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts.

Book Synopsis From Amazon : For most children, summer vacation is something to look forward to. But not for our 13-year-old hero, who's forced to spend his summers with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who detest him. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard accidentally causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig. As it turns out, Harry isn't punished at all for his errant wizardry. Instead he is mysteriously rescued from his Muggle neighborhood and whisked off in a triple-decker, violently purple bus to spend the remaining weeks of summer in a friendly inn called the Leaky Ca...

By Ciel W. Harry Potter is more than just a book; it’s a promise of something better. I am the type of person that would recommend Harry Potter to everyone, even though it might not suit their reading style. I would constantly tell people to read them. If they didn’t like it, well, I will respect their opinion. However, I will argue my point in favor of the books in hopes of changing their negative opinion about it, at least a little. If they really enjoy it, as much or even more than I do, I would engage them in endless conversations about the themes, characters, settings, and feelings the books evoke in us. This is how strongly I feel about the Harry Potter books. It is one of those books that you’d want everyone to read, at least once.

Book Synopsis Harry's on summer break after completing his first year at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and his aunt, uncle, and cousin are as mean as ever, trying at every turn to keep him from fulfilling his destiny as a wizard. Their efforts to prevent his return to Hogwarts are aided by an unknown force: a mysterious elf who shows up and warns Harry that he must never return to the school. (taken from Goodreads)

Book Synopsis Young wizard, Harry Potter, is in his second year at Hogwarts.

Book Synopsis Ever since Harry Potter had come home for the summer, the Dursleys had been so mean and hideous that all Harry wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature who says that if Harry returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girl's bathroom. But then the real troble begins—someone is turning Hogwarts students into stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious pat is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwart most suspects...Harry Potter himself!

Book Synopsis Harry Potter thinks he is an ordiary boy—until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel.The Reason: Harry Potter is a Wizard. (taken from the book back cover)

By Charlotte Parr The Harry Potter series has taken a significant place on the world stage, inspiring many readers and, for some, shaping their childhood. I was one of the children of the Harry Potter generation, one of the ones who grew up waiting for the next installment. It’s hard to put my finger on what makes Harry Potter so great and why it has become the success that it is. The world of Hogwarts has become a magical place that everyone wishes they went to school, Harry Potter is the wizard everyone wants to know and Voldemort is the villain we all love to hate.

Yes you. No, not the person behind you. I’m talking to you. The Masquerade Crew wants you. We are looking for guest bloggers and reviews to post on our blog, and you could get that chance. We are giving book bloggers, tumblrites, facebookers, twitterers and any and everyone in between a chance to be featured on our blog as a guest reviewer. It’s not too hard to do. All you need is to read a book and fill out one form. We are reaching out to our existing fans and hoping to establish relationships with new fans. One primary focus will be with fellow book bloggers, but anyone can be accepted as a reviewer. If you operate a blog about books and would like to submit a book review to be included on our site, please do so. We will gladly link to your blog in the review and add you to our blogroll in the sidebar. It would be appreciated if you would do the same. You don’t even have to be the author of the review. If one of your fans would like to submit a book review (and they don’t have...

Book Synopsis Taken from Book blurb: Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a clock ofinvisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger:a letter to an invitation to an incredible place that Harry -and anyone who reads about him- will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter.

Book Synopsis What did Harry Potter know about magic? He was stuck with the decidedly un-magical Dursleys, who hated him. He slept in a closet and ate their leftovers. But an owl messenger changes all that, with an invitation to attend the Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches, where it turns out Harry is already famous.

Orpheus by Dan DeWitt Genre: Horror Book Synopsis Cameron Holt is fortunate enough to survive the initial outbreak that turns his New England island community into a hive of the undead. So is his son, Ethan. Now, the only thing keeping Holt going is the determination to rescue his son from the undead...or remove him permanently from their ranks. Unfortunately, zombies aren't the only thing getting in his way.