The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been a hit in every aspect of the literary business. From eight blockbuster movies to an entire theme park. The brand of the “boy who lived” has grossed almost 25 billion dollars since Joanne King Rowling published The Philosopher’s Stone in 1997.

Only one other novel has breached the glass ceiling of Harry Potter’s success- E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey.

Be as this may, the Harry Potter empire is an imprint of western culture. Specifically, the early 2000s. It’s the book the millennial generation grew up with and fell in love with. Potter is a trademark of most every childhood which explains the continual success as the Wizarding World expands to include the Fantastic Beasts era. However, the quality of Harry Potter has been brought into question over the years. Are the fans actually fans of JK Rowling’s writing or the hype surrounding the series? How many readers would enjoy the books or movies movies, if the concept wasn’t such a hit and socially encouraged phenomenon?

The plot of Harry Potter is simple and perhaps explained fully in the name of the first chapter of the first novel, “The Boy Who Lived.” The books are packed with adventure and complex characters that grow into themselves throughout the seven book series. There is no love triangle (*glares at Suzanne Collins*); however, it’s hard to say the relationships aren’t awkward. First kisses, disastrous yule balls, and best friends who date each others siblings. Not my cup of tea, or shall I say butterbeer?

Throughout the series, The Wizarding World unfolds and the story grows beyond Harry and the golden trio themselves. It’s a world readers are allowed to dive into. Every bookworm’s most desired dream. Rowling spent years putting details into the novels and The Wizarding World, that makes every minuscule aspect come to life. The novels have quality and depth. The world feels real. It doesn’t stop once the pages close. It lives on and perhaps this is why the book has such great success and frankly, is not overrated.