A pair of round glasses. A lightning-shaped scar.
These two elements have become as easy to distinguish in popular culture as the silhouette of a bat in the sky, highlighting Harry Potter as one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture.
But for those only familiar with the Boy Who Lived through the performance of Daniel Radcliff, reading the book series can seem tedious. After all, J.K. Rowling has expanded her original vision beyond the core story, which may be intimidating for newcomers.
If you’re wondering how many books are in the Harry Potter series, keep reading. While the article may not feature every short story or piece of media released, it offers a comprehensive guide to the most notorious entries in the Harry Potterverse.
The Core Books in the Harry Potter Book Series
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Young Harry Potter sleeps in the cupboard under the stairs, at the mercy of his abusive aunt, uncle, and cousin. However, his fate changes once the letters arrive—first by owls, then by a giant man who claims Harry has been admitted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
There are many things Harry has to accept at once—he has magic, a dark wizard murdered his parents, and he may be a bit more important than he thinks he is.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the first edition of this book is widely regarded as one of the most expensive rare first edition books ever.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
After spending a horrifying summer in his aunt’s household, Harry is thrilled to be picked up by his friend Ron in a flying car. However, problems arise as soon as his second year at Hogwarts starts: Harry hears voices, something petrifies students across the school grounds, and a terrifying message appears on the walls: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware.”
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets amplifies the stakes of the previous book and introduces more of the series’ overarching themes.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Before Harry’s third year at Hogwarts starts, he hears terrifying news: Sirius Black, a mass murderer and a follower of Voldemort, has escaped the wizard prison, Azkaban. The worst part? He has connections to Harry, and he will go after him. But things are not as they seem, and Harry will discover more about himself, his parents, and Voldemort.
Considered one of the best books of the saga, The Prisoner of Azkaban sheds light on what happened before Harry was born and highlights the importance of love and friendship beyond life and death.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The start of Harry’s fourth year in Hogwarts is marked by the celebration of the Triwizard Tournament, an event that pits three magic schools against one another for the chance of winning the Triwizard Cup. Each school is represented by one champion, selected through magic by the enchanted Goblet of Fire.
However, the unexpected happens when the Goblet of Fire chooses Harry Potter as the fourth champion of the Triwizard Tournament, and things quickly take a darker turn.
The Goblet of Fire is a turning point in the Harry Point series, as it is the book where the stakes get high, and the consequences can be deadly. Nonetheless, it combines the youthful feeling of sports stories alongside thrilling whodunit storytelling.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Following the tragic events of the previous book, Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts, facing more danger than ever. Voldemort has returned, yet the Ministry of Magic refuses to acknowledge or accept it. Hogwarts’ new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher does not wish to instruct students on how to defend themselves properly.
Luckily, the resistance is here—Dumbledore has created the Order of the Phoenix to fight Voldemort clandestinely. Harry begins Dumbledore’s Army, a study group to learn how to defend themselves secretly.
Order of the Phoenix kickstarts the narrative of the latter half of the series and starts to reveal Voldemort’s real connection to Harry. It creates a darker overarching plot that leads to the final confrontation against Voldemort.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
With Voldemort’s return becoming official, both factions prepare for the inevitable confrontation. Aiming to defeat him, Dumbledore and Harry explore his backstory—what he did, how he did it, and who he was back when he was simply Tom Riddle. At the same time, Draco Malfoy begins to act strangely.
Continuing the darker tone set by the previous book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince dives deeper into the perspective of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, highlighting the wickedness required to take part and what morality may compel them to do.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry embarks alongside his friends Hermione and Ron to destroy the four remaining Horcruxes to secure victory. However, the war has begun, the Ministry of Magic has fallen, and many more allies will put their lives on the line. Hope may lie in the deathly hallows—three mythical objects with power beyond imagination.
The final book of the main series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows holds the Guinness World Record for most units sold within 24 hours of release, and not without reason—it concludes Harry’s journey and reveals plot twists and motivations that change the perception of previous books.
Official Sequels
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
Although it is the official eighth book in the main story, The Cursed Child is more akin to a distant sequel or spinoff. Likewise, it is not exactly a novel, as it is, first and foremost, the playscript of the original West End production.
Set 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows, it is a legacy story that follows Albus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy, and the weight of the legacies on their shoulders through the past, present, and future.
Supplementary Materials and Worldbuilding Stories
Hogwarts Library Series
This collection comprises three books—the most treasured studying materials at Hogwarts, brought to life. While they do not expand on the plotline of the main Harry Potter books, they’re a valuable piece of the world’s lore brought to life.
The series has three books: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
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Harry Potter: A Journey Through Series
This collection consists of four books, each representing one or two classes and portraying the regular structure of the Hogwarts curriculum.
So far, the volumes are A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, A Journey Through Potions and Herbology, A Journey Through Divination and Astronomy, and A Journey Through Care of Magical Creatures.
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How Many Books Are in the Harry Potter Series? It Depends
The core book series comprises seven volumes. However, J.K. Rowling recognizes the official sequel as the eighth book, although fans are not eager to include it. Finally, adding supplementary material and stories can quickly increase the number exponentially.
In short? The number of books in the Harry Potter series is a minimum of seven and a maximum of whatever number satisfies your craving for more stories about the Boy Who Lived.
Additionally, feel free to explore our blog, where you can read more about popular book series, including the Game of Thrones books, The Cartel book series, the Stranger Things book series review, and The Twisted book series.
