The Book of Harry Potter Trifles, Trivias, and Particularities Volume 1

I'll come right out and admit that I expected this book to be a cakewalk. I've read the entire series of books multiple times, and I was convinced that I'd have no problem answering even the difficult questions. Well, I've been well and truly humbled. Ms. Maltese has gathered an incredible range of facts and tidbits from seemingly nowhere. The book itself is divided into individual quests, or areas of knowledge, then further broken down into three levels of difficulty: salamander, phoenix, and dragon. I knew I was in trouble when I started missing phoenix questions! Fortunately, the answers are supplied at the end of the chapter, along with some fun trivia bits. I actually went and double-checked some of those answers for accuracy, and the book was right every time. This book would be a great at a party, or for a fund-raiser trivia quiz. I think this would also be a great idea translated into other languages, since many of the character names are completely different in each country. My hat is off to Ms. Maltese and her impeccable research skills. I challenge all Potter fans to try their hand and test their Potter knowledge!

What I love most about this book is the level of minute and obscure detail. As a Harry Potter fan, I thought I had a good working knowledge of the world in which the stories take place. With great chagrin I found myself working my way up through the trivia levels, surprised at how much I didn't know. It's wonderful to feel like I'm rediscovering the Potter-verse, to find myself better acquainted with all the odd nooks and crannies. This is a wonderful book to have, as it will demand the reader go pick up copies of the stories and read them again with a closer eye. I can see how it would be great fun for groups of friends or at birthday parties. Anyone who ever wanted to play Harry Potter Jeopardy only needs a copy this book to help set up the board.

`The Book of Harry Potter Trifles, Trivia, & Particularities' by Racheline Maltese is an interesting work containing information from all seven of the Harry Potter novels. It is divided into several different categories (such as: Everyday Magic, Famous Families & Faces, The Wizarding Wars, Hogwarts & Academia, just to name a few) this allows you to test your knowledge one subject at a time. Within each category the question are grouped in sets of three allowing for different levels of experience and hints to help out if you find yourself at a lose. The Trivia Tidbits point out differences between the movie and book series that could, and most likely have, gone unnoticed by even the most devoted of Potter fans. Lastly the answer key located at the end of each category not only contains the answer but goes into great detail before stating exactly which book, and chapter, to check should you ever fell the need to verify the fact. This is a very well researched book, put together with a lot of thought, and an excellent addition to any collection.

I bought this obsessively well-researched book to read on my own, and see if my re-reading of Rowling's works had taught me anything. I picked it up a chapter at a time during the busy holidays for a break, and enjoyed it very much. But where the book is really going to shine is in groups. Have a theme party, or invite your fellow Potter fans over for a round of trivia and snacks! Have a contest! I certainly plan to do so as soon as the winter holidays are out of the way. Even casual fans will be interested, and serious scholars will enjoy an opportunity to show off their knowledge (or have friendly arguments about the fine details). The book includes three levels of trivia, by difficulty; even the youngest fans can probably manage the easiest questions, and even hard-core followers will be challenged by the highest level. It may also spur you to re-read chapters or entire books of Rowling's works; it draws not only on all 7 books of the series, but on related works like "Fantastic Beasts" and "Quidditch Through The Ages". The answers are of course included, along with references to the source material. The writing style pays homage to Rowling's tone and world feel, while being highly readable and entertaining. This book would make a wonderful gift for fans of all ages. I wish I'd found time to read this before Christmas, but there are always birthdays. There's enough material, both in the differently themed chapters and the different difficulty levels, to keep anybody occupied for weeks.

The book is very charming and well put together. I love the way that the questions are grouped as a series of "challenges" that involve increasingly stronger skill levels, and the "trivia tidbits" are both enlightening and entertaining. Harry Potter fans will have a wonderful time with this book. ~Logospilgrim, author of 'Bring forth the best robes: a spiritual understanding of Severus Snape'