 Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7) Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 558 More Information
On: 2010-09-01
Great boxed set, I have read the whole series however they were my childrens set and I wanted a set of my own. Great price on Amazon. On: 2010-08-31
We have been listening to the set and are now in our second last book - cant put it down. We love the narrator and his use of different voices for each character - we cant wait for a new character to be introduced so that we can hear what he or she will sound like! On: 2010-08-30
Nothing new to say about the quality of the books or its edition, which have quite good appearance, with beautiful covers and "illustrations".
About this box, the "bad" thing is that is made of folded cardboard which means that it has some bad edges an can even be unfolded. It also seems risky to lift it by the handles, because it is a lot of weight for that not-so-thick cardboard. The locker is both quite a good idea, but slightly hard to close when the box is full.
EXTRAS. If you already have the books, DONT buy this, because it has no extras, except for a few stickers for the box, nothing interesting.
My piece of advise: Dont buy this for the box but for the books On: 2010-08-30
As an Aussie Harry Potter fan, it was great to find the American (Scholastic) editions in a reasonably-priced boxed set...if a little weird to see book one titled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone". The box itself was slightly disappointing - though the artwork is fabulous, the boxs construction is definitely not as sturdy as those for the British (Bloomsbury) editions we get here in Australia - which I also own. The books themselves have very cool cover art as well - the main reason for my collecting yet another version of the series.
For those who might be interested, Amazons UK website has the Bloomsbury boxed sets available to order...
Bloomsbury childrens covers boxed set: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Potter-Paperback-Boxed-Set/dp/0747595852/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283174950&sr=1-12
Bloomsbury adults covers boxed set: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Potter-Adult-Paperback-Boxed/dp/0747595844/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283174950&sr=1-3 ).
In November this year, therell also be Bloomsburys new Signature Editions boxed set: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Potter-Boxed-Set-Philosophers/dp/1408812525/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283175386&sr=1-3
If what youre really after is the books to read, then absolutely, buy this set! If youre after a collectors item, and the less-sturdy cardboard doesnt worry you, then you too should buy this set. If youre after a sturdier box and dont mind paying the extra for postage, get one of the British sets published by Bloomsbury. On: 2010-08-27
This is an affordable, beautiful box set! Im very happy with the set itself, & of course the books are incredible. I received the package in brand new condition very quickly, no problems whatsoever. On: 2010-08-14
I am already into the fifth book and am very much enjoying the series. Well worth reading for yourself or your older children. Might be a little scary for younger children, because of magic caused death, etc. On: 2010-08-13
I have NOT purchased this, but a relative has, and we are both Underwhelmed. The hardcover Books, and the story they contain is world famous. The Wal-Mart level cardboard & plastic carry case is worthy of a collection of Bevis & Butthead, not Harry Potter. The last time a series of fictional stories was this Huge and Successful was a hundred years ago when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave the world Sherlock Holmes. A case made from western red cedar, or oak with brass hardware would have been worth whatever it cost to create, and a collection worthy of posterity, and the incomparable tale of Harry Potter. Cardbord is a case they pack shoes in, not art. On: 2010-08-12
I purchased the book set so my son would have the entire series in hard cover. I was very disappointed that the decorative container was simply a card board box. For the price I expected a higher quality box. On: 2010-08-09
The box is just cardboard but given that to buy this set cost you $9.08 less then what youd pay if you bought all the bocks new individually from amazon, What do you expect? On: 2010-08-08
This box set makes a great gift for all Harry Potter fans. Comes in a nice box to keep the books together for many years. On: 2010-08-07
All 7 books in a cute Hogwarts trunk - definitely something to pass on to my future children :) On: 2010-08-04
Absolutely beautiful box set. Contains the new, brighter colored covers of the books. This paperback box set doesnt take up as much room as the hardback in the chest. Arrived in good condition. On: 2010-08-01
Well I for one am glad this new set of books is made of cheap material. Maybe it will burn better! Maybe it will fall apart before it can pollute and damage more young minds! Maybe people getting ripped off is an act of God...his vengeance brought down on their heads for rewarding this author after she has done so much to bring down our children and our society!
I know that a lot of left wing communist radicals will tell you that the trouble with our children, families and society now days is due to drugs, the high divorce rate, fatherless families, poor parenting skills, poverty and the like. This simply is not so! There are several things wrong; things that are dragging us as a nation down Satans path. Those include:
The teaching of evolution in our schools.
Not allowing school prayer and not allowing bible classes in our public schools.
Allowing our girl children to dress in lurid styles. Pants, cut offs, short skirts, boots, sports wear in public.
Sex education in our schools.
Tattoos and body piercings.
And above all...
Harry Potter!
A recent top secret government study, which was ruthlessly suppressed by the communistic Obama Administration, (Never heard of it huh? Well that just goes to show you how suppressed it was) show beyond a doubt that school children across our great land have been setting up covens all over the place and are practicing magic! Yes, I say MAGIC! They are practicing witchcraft! Have you noticed how the urban chicken population has declined since these books were published? That is because chickens are the number on animal used in their sacrificial rites! Not only are we loosing our children to these unholy teachings, i.e. Harry Potter, but we are also loosing our chickens! These Harry Potter books are at the root of this mass movement. They are teaching our children evil things. (I shudder to think of the final fate of these feathered friends of ours when they fall into the hands of the fiendish kids! Between Harry Potter Cultists and KFC we could find ourselves a chicken-less nation!
Save our children...buy this book and send it via fire to be Pits of Hell where it belongs.
On: 2010-07-19
This set was new and perfect condition. The shipping was also very expedient. Happy, happy customer. On: 2010-07-16
This boxset is fantastic! The only small disappointment I had was that the box was not as sturdy as it looked in the picture... but it still isnt something thats going to fall apart. On: 2010-07-13
I purchased the series so my fifth grader could improve her reading skills by following along with the CDs. I also purchased them because we were going to Canada and would be in the car for 12+ hours. The price was by far the best that I found.
I found the narrators voice to be very annoying at times, especially with certain characters. It was almost too much to listen too with certain characters. When we listened to it in the car, my family were so distracted by some of the narrators voice characters, they couldnt listen to the story and wanted it turned off.
Although, I found that the more I listened to the CDs, the better it got and the more I enjoyed it. He won an Emmy for his work and I can see why, due to all the characters and voices he does. He is very talented, regardless if you like his voices or not. After a couple of books, I found that I really enjoyed the CDs and was able to enjoy the story. They are worth getting if you want to listen to them in the car (as opposed to always watching DVDs in the car). They are also a great tool to help young readers follow along with the books. On: 2010-07-12
The quality of the book is not perfect but it is cheap.. Also this is the American version of the book.. I suggest you buy the English version.. On: 2010-07-01
I have read every Harry Potter book and seen every movie, so you might wonder if listening to these audiobook versions wouldnt be a bit too much Harry for someone like me? Let me assure you, it wasnt. It was a rare treat, because it offered a whole new level of experience of the magical Potter world through the unbelievable voice talents of Jim Dale. After listening to him, I became a huge fan of audiobooks in general, but, frankly, hes very nearly one of a kind for his ability to portray every kind of character imaginable in an extremely convincing way.
If youve never gotten around to reading all the HP books because you think you dont have time, or dont want to carry around a huge heavy book, well, heres your chance to see what all the Potter fuss is about! We all have time for audiobooks, when we are traveling, driving in the car, working out, cleaning the house, or just relaxing. What I do with my CDs is rip them to my computer, then download the files to my tiny little SanDisk Sansa Clip 2 GB MP3 Player. Then anytime, anyplace, I can plug myself in to Jim Dale and Harry Potters world and have a ball. On: 2010-04-29
The books arrived in what looks like a treasure chest, everyone who sees it likes it. I like the fact that the books are kept together for safe keeping just like the treasure they are. On: 2010-04-27
Its a good set of books. My son wanted it and after visiting the local stores and comparing prices I ordered this box from Amazon. It arrived pretty fast and I was impressed, because the price was significantly lower for the absolutely same box. Good deal! On: 2010-04-19
It took long time in being delivered, but it worth it. Very happy with this purchase. Thanks a lot. On: 2010-04-16
was very happy with purchase. My son was glad to get it for his birthday On: 2010-04-08
I DO love my Harry Potter, whether its the books or the movies! I know Im not the only HP fan that hates the wait between the movies, either!
My husband bought this book set of all of Harrys 7 years at Hogwarts, all nice and neatly stored in his Hogwarts trunk, back 3 years ago, after wed seen that latest movie and whilest waiting for the next movie to come out. I started reading at Year One and read all the way through Year Seven, two or three times during that period!
Sometimes reading the book first can make the movie versions a bit boring, but not with HP! Its been great that I can fill in the blanks for my husband when the movies finally come out...and in between each movie release, I again pull out my Hogwarts trunk and unpack my books. Not quite addicted, but thoroughly in love with that world in which Harry lives, I can visit Hogsmead Village, Hogwarts Castle, Little Whinging and London (those parts hidden from Muggle eyes!) and my very favorite travel destination: The Burrow, whenever I want!
Like a between meal snack, I can have a taste of the magical world of Harry Potter at any time!!
Fantastic set.....HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! On: 2010-03-05
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7) i bought this set about a month and a half ago and i loved it i have read it 6 times already since i bought it. granted i have read them before but now i can read them anytime i want because i own them lol. i feel J.K. Rowling is one of the best authors out i feel she compares with Stephen King and Stephine Meyer and James Patterson some of my all time favorite writers i am hoping now that she finished the harry potter series that maybe she will go on to write other things of that sort but if she does i will defiantly go out and by it. On: 2010-03-03
I had purchased all the Harry Potter books for my daughter as she was growing up. When she moved out, she took her books with her so I was looking for a quick replacement for my own shelves. I saw this set and thought it would be good.
The case is okay, I guess, as it is just cardboard but it will work for my purposes. The stories seem to be a shortened version of the stories in the original books but they have all the important information and are good reads. The books, however, are not so good. The first 3 books were fine, but in reading the Goblet of Fire, I am finding several pages were the printing must have run out of ink. At the top of the page the printing is fine but it fades out to nothing by the bottom. I have run into about 5 pages of this in the book so far. I have not finished the book or started the rest of the series so I do not know if it is limited to just this book. If I did not know the story by heart, by reading the other books and having the DVDs, the missing pages would be a problem. On: 2010-03-02
If there ever was a book series that can be read, and reread over and over again, it is the Harry Potter series. I, like many others, have fell in love with this wonderful series and have reread each of the seven magnificent books countless times. At first glance, many people may be skeptical about reading this book because the covers do look like they are directed at a younger reading group. However, this series is enjoyable for anyone who takes pleasure in reading. Harry Potters and his entertaining adventures with his friends will grab any readers attention and keep them wanting more.
Many people seem to be leery about reading a book about magic and fantasy, but that is only a portion of what this book presents. There are themes in this book that children and adults alike can relate to. Themes such as good versus evil, right and wrong, the power of love, death, the importance of friendship, loyalty and courage are just a small list of ideas that are taught in this magical series. These are themes that the everyday person can relate to because everybody has to make choices between right and wrong or loyalty. Everyone goes through the death of a loved one and this series helps readers see how the characters deal with death and the readers can relate to this. This series provides readers with many lessons and themes that are beneficial to the readers and allows them to relate to this series.
Also, the reader is able to see all the characters grow up and mature. Anyone who has went through puberty or who is going through this change can relate to how Harry, Hermione and Ron feel and act at times. There is jealousy, secret crushes and mood swings that make this series seem real, despite all the magic. I have grown up with these characters and have grown to love them. They have made it easier for me to get through my teen years because I knew that I was not the only one going through the changes that I went through and I was able to relate to the character of this series.
And, of course, there is the magic and fantasy. This aspect is the icing on the cake. The magic is what gives the series its uniqueness. There are so many creative and fun ways in which magic is incorporated into this series that the reader will be waiting hopefully for their letter to Hogwarts to arrive.
I would strongly encourage anyone, even those who are skeptical, to read this series. Once you start to read the first book, you wont be able to stop reading until you finish the series. This series is full of adventure, magic, fantasy, friendship, love, evil, and so much more. There are so many lessons to be learned, and adventures to take with Harry and his friends. I do not want to give away any of the finer details of this series because I would hate to give away spoilers, but take my word that you will not regret reading this series.
On: 2010-03-02
This review is intended to help those who have not read many of the HP books, and want to know if the series as a whole is worth it, or for those who enjoy a little stats in their reading :)
Ok, right off the bat, I bought all of these books separately, not as the box set. However, the price for all 7 paperbacks in this set is well worth it, so Im not going to worry about the cardboard packaging that some are complaining about. The entire series for 50 bucks is a steal. Secondly, I have not personally read all 7 books, only the first 3, yet are completely enthralled with them already. And you dont need me to tell you how fun the books are, theres thousands of reviews for each book to peruse. What Id like to do with this review is give a little glimpse into how other readers from forums across the internet rate the HP books from Best to Least Best ;) I was pleasantly surprised to find that readers enjoy the series as a whole, it doesnt peter out or lose its steam after the first couple books. Quite the opposite, actually!
I tabulated ratings from readers who listed the books in order of preference, giving their favorite 7 points, their second favorite 6 points, etc., with the last getting one point. I then counted up the points for each book to come up with an average rating for each.
Here are the ratings that I averaged from worst to best:
7. Sorcerers Stone Yr. 1 (2.84)
6. Chamber of Secrets Yr. 2 (3.15)
5. Goblet of Fire Yr. 4 (3.74)
4. Half-Blood Prince Yr. 6 (4.00)
3. Prisoner of Azkaban Yr. 3 (4.35)
2. Order of the Phoenix Yr. 5 (4.39)
1. Deathly Hallows Yr. 7 (5.52)
Notes: All books were listed as someones LEAST favorite at least once.
All books EXCEPT Sorcerers Stone (7) were listed as someones MOST favorite at least once.
Prisoner of Azkaban (3) and Order of the Phoenix (2) are practically tied for 2nd place, differing by only one point in a hundred!
Sorcerers Stone (7) was picked LEAST favorite by more voters than any other book.
Deathly Hallows (1) and Prisoner of Azkaban (3) tied as MOST favorite by the same number of voters.
Deathly Hallows (1) and Order of the Phoenix (2) tied as 2nd MOST favorite by the same number of voters.
The consensus seems to be that the first 2 books, while good, are the weakest of the series, with books 3-6 all being a general step up in quality, while the clear favorite of the series is book 7, the largest and concluding volume. Statistically, this series only gets better as it goes (in a general sense), and is NOT a series that fails to live up to expectations. I can vouch myself for the fun, if light, introduction to the series in the first 2 books, and the beginning of darker undertones in book 3. I can personally say that I am hooked on this series and look forward to finishing the last 4 volumes in the near future.
I hope this review has been helpful, or at the very least interesting in its approach to reviewing a series thats already been praised more than any other in recent memory that I can think of. Highly recommended!! On: 2010-03-01
Like I said it is Harry Potter. ;) I absolutely LOVE Harry Potter (well, technically Severus Snape, but that is far from the point). I was thrilled to finally get the entire series. It arrived in beautiful condition. I love the packaging. I can not wait to read them again and again. On: 2009-12-28
I did not buy this boxed set on Amazon, I got it at a bookstore and it was way more expensive. I would recommend buying it from Amazon because I have bought other boxed sets through the website; however, be careful with packaging because the boxes can get really messed up! Also, try to buy the paperback versions because the hardbacks are really expensive and they are HUGE so they are hard to hold when you are reading them.
My actual series review goes something like this: JK Rowling is a brilliant author and what she created is a masterpiece. Each book in the series is a great story with something wonderful to offer. They all have a lot going on in the storyline and so they are very hard to put down. To get the full effect of the series, I would wait until you had ample time (for example summer vacation or Christmas break) and read all seven of them in a row. Then, you can really understand the entire story of Harry Potter. Also, I read Harry Potter as a child and then again as an adult and each time was great so it doesnt really matter how old you are.
I definitely recommend the Harry Potter series! Another good series to read (especially if you enjoy HP) is the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. On: 2009-12-28
Bought the set as a birthday gift for my 50+ year old mother. She is thrilled with them. I got them on sale for $50 so that was a great bonus. The books are individually wrapped and the container they come in is pretty sturdy, but its not really anything special as the description leads you on to believe. On: 2009-12-28
It was a wonderful Christmas gift for 9 year old twins. They loved it! On: 2009-12-26
The books I purchased are very good and they were mailed to us on Christmas Day. The service of Amazon is amazing! Thanks a lot. On: 2009-12-24
Product was in good shape but with a few scratches on the bottom. Arrived in a timely way. On: 2009-12-24
Ive been wanting to buy the US editions for a while now, so when I saw this for such a great price (others were offering twice as much; or individually for $AUD30+ per book!) I was finally able to purchase them. As it was the cheapest way to get the entire series, the "trunk" wasnt a necessity for me, but it looks awesome, has a definite "wow" factor and is sturdy and strong enough to maintain the weight of the books. I had it sitting in my living room for a couple of days, and visitors were amazed and enthralled by it, ha.
As for the books: GORGEOUS. The images online dont do them any justice. They look and feel luxurious (the paper quality is fantastic). Theyre kinda scene-stealing from my original (admittedly tattered) UK versions! On: 2009-12-21
After reading many negative reviews about the quality of the "box" that these books come in, I decided to buy this anyway. Buying each of the books individually comes out to a couple of extra dollars, so this was the most cost effective way to purchase all 7 hardcovers (as of December 2009). Youre essentially getting the box free along with the books, and it makes for a nice present. Is the box of superior quality? No. Was I expecting a handcrafted wooden box to be included free of cost with the books? No. People have unrealistic expectations, and I would definitely recommend this as a nice gift as long as you realize that the cardboard box should be recycled at some point while keeping the books. We just gave this as a present to a 14 year old, and found that the packaging added a nice little boost to the overall "wow factor" when opening the present. Think of it as extra wrapping paper that makes for a nice presentation. And remember, it doesnt cost you anything. Once practicality kicks in, and its time for the books to live on a shelf, its easy to break it down and throw it in the recycle bin. If you want a nice wooden box for the books, then be prepared to pay a premium. Its nice for "free". On: 2009-12-21
This product was delivered right on time, and came in excellent condition. Im new to buying things from amazon, but with service like this, Ill be coming back again and again. On: 2009-12-02
The books were still wrapped in the plastic, but the corners of the box are all smashed a little bit. It also didnt come in the box that was in the picture, but the box it came in is easier to put on a bookshelf, so thats good. On: 2009-11-27
Product was as described, my son loves them.
Shipping was quick and delivered without incident.
Would do business again without hesitiation. On: 2009-11-24
Well worth every cent the box looks like a hogwarts chest and very sturdy and the hard cover books are fantastic. A great buy for anyone On: 2009-11-17
I was pleasantly surprised at both the quality of the product and the speed with which it was delivered. Being an international postal delivery it was expected to take up to six weeks and it actually arrived, delivered to my home, in under 14 days.
thank you. On: 2009-11-17
great books, and a great deal for anybody who hasnt already gotten all the books. On: 2009-11-01
When I discovered my niece was a fan of J.K. Rowlings "Harry Potter" series, I began searching for the complete set of books - which I thought would make a wonderful birthday present. However, I soon found that sets at my local bookstores were going to cost approximately $100...and in some cases, much more. I love my niece, but spending that much money on a pre-teen is not what I consider responsible adult behavior.
Imagine my delight when I discovered this set on Amazon - a brand-new, boxed, complete set of all seven "Harry Potter" books in the durable softcover large size! The price was roughly half what the cheapest price was anywhere else, so I took a chance and made the purchase. Within a matter of days, my books had arrived; they were exactly what I was looking for, still sealed not only in their display box, but also in the protective plastic from the publisher.
I highly recommend this product, as well as Amazon for working with this particular seller. On: 2009-10-25
Bought for my wife as a present. I havent read the books but I think they look great in hardback on the bookshelf. My wife really enjoyed them. I cant wait for the movies to finish out so I can buy them in a set. On: 2009-10-18
I dont know what everyone else was expecting but I loved the chest and it has never came apart, NOT once.
It may not be a real chest but seriously, who thought the Harry Potter hardback books in a real wooden chest would only cost $114.07?
The books are brilliant, the packaging is everything I expected it to be, and shipping came fast, even with super saver.
Yes, A+ from me, A++ really. On: 2009-10-17
I am a big fan of the Harry Potter series, so it would be difficult to not give 5 stars to the complete series. The product arrived from Amazon in a timely manner and will be given to my nephew for Christmas. I am sure that he will receive many years of enjoyment from this classic set of books. On: 2009-10-15
Its just what we ordered and a great price. (I only wish the treasure chest was real wood, but for the price I knew it wouldnt be.) It came in a timely manner. I have no complaints! On: 2009-10-08
Need I say more? The package arrived expeditiously and in perfect condition. Thanks say much. On: 2009-09-29
Translated into US-English as the American publisher is scared US children wont understand such a vastly different culture. Very cheap but low quality paperbacks. You get what you pay for. On: 2009-09-29
The boxed set was just as promised. It arrived on the date specified, and the books looked great! Made a great birthday present for our granddaughter!
The price was excellent! Id recommend the product and AMAZON when anyone wants to purchase this type of product. On: 2009-09-28
Im not sure whether I received a different boxset than some of the other reviewers, but I have no problems with the packaging of the set (and I am pretty picky when it comes to the quality). You get all 7 books for just $50. These are the same paperback editions that retail $11-$15 on their own. The box is made of very heavy cardboard(which does not seem flimsy at all), with a pleasant albeit unremarkable design on it. Some reviewers complained that the box fell apart, but I dont understand how it could, unless you purposely disassembled it (well yes, of course it is going to fall apart then), constantly carried the entire boxset around with you, threw it against the wall, or sat on it. You get what you pay for. If you want all 7 paperback editions in a reasonably priced set of good quality, then you should get this boxset; it is a great deal. If you want a glorious eyecatching collectors piece that will look just great sitting on your bookshelf, then dont get this set--quit being so cheap and plunk down $200 for the hardcover set. Many of these reviewers seem to have unreasonable expectations for the money they pay. On: 2009-09-25
What is there to say, its Harry Potter books 1-7. The only bad thing about it is the box is flimsy card board. I gave it as a gift to my girlfriend and she loved it. She has not opened the plastic on the books yet. I think she is going to keep it intact.
On: 2009-09-23
It is for a Christmas gift. Exactly what I needed at a reasonable price/very good price. On: 2009-09-22
I received the product very quickly and in a fantastic shape.
this seller is great, and i know where to get books from now on. Totally recommend it. On: 2009-09-21
The books and box are as expected. It was cheaper to buy the whole set than individual books and it is nice to have the cardboard box to store them in.
The edges of the book binding did get rubbed and loose some color from being carried around so I protect the books a little more now. But they are paper backs so I didnt expect them to handle much abuse.
In general it is a good purchase for anyone wanting to read the whole Harry Potter collection. On: 2009-09-14
If you have any clue as to what Harry Potter is about, then you know that the movies dont do the books justice. Even though Im a huge fan of the movies, I love them all; I knew I was missing something. So after I saw the HBP in theaters I went home and ordered the box set. I was tired of being `out of the loop. Once they arrived it took me about two weeks to read them, my job kept getting in the way, lol. They are awesome! But I dont need to tell you that. The packaging they came in however is not so awesome. Ive seen pizza boxes withstand better delivery. But what can you do when so many people love Harry Potter? For those who do not like the wizarding world or the Potter mania, thats cool, it is not for everyone. But for those who do, you understand, you know. I cant wait for the last two movies to come out, it will be bittersweet. On: 2009-09-13
Rowling certainly has a gift for writing. An enjoyable read, well structured with just the right amount of detail and action to keep the story flowing and the reader entertained. Bravo! On: 2009-08-26
Great product specially for (young??)collectors.
Extra nice touch with the stickers added to be attached on the "trunk" to personalise it.
Looks great in the book shelf or on some sideboard. Also nice to just put the books in the shelf and use the box as storagecontainer.
Would also make a great gift for other HP fans. Doesnt even need wrapping just hand it over as it is with the giftrecievers name on the printed tag on the box lid. On: 2009-08-25
I bought this set, which is a steal of deal, and I am perfectly satisfied with it. The books are in perfect condition and dont appear to be missing any pages or chapters. On: 2009-08-25
It contains whole Harry Potter series.
And It is cheap!
What a wonderful~!! On: 2009-08-24
Everyone whos a Potter fan might own the books from hardback already. If youve waited for the last book in paperback before buying, this set is cool. On: 2009-08-22
I love this set. Its comes in a nice box that allows you to see all the books at once.
Its a great buy. On: 2009-08-12
The books arrived very quickly and at a reasonable price.
There were a few pages that had ink smears making some of the text difficult to read but this was from the printer. On: 2009-08-11
I was reading the reviews here and found myself disturbed by the ratings. Once I dug deeper, I found most of the reviews had to do with a book set, not the audio CDs. If you have never listened to Jim Dale (narrator of all 7 HP books in the U.S.), you are truly missing something. He makes the Harry Potter Series even better. This guy is simply gifted at what he does. On: 2009-08-10
I highly recommend this product for anyone who enjoyed the Harry Potter movies and has not had the time to read the books. I have a 1+ hour drive each way to work every day and find the audio books a great way to enjoy books. Listening to these books has made traffic much less a problem as I sit back and enjoy the tapes. I hope you can find time to enjoy these as well. The movies have been very good but there is still so much more in the books that they are not able to put into the movies. These CD.s are a must
Keith from Attleboro MA. On: 2009-08-07
I was pleased with the price of the set and the speed of delivery. The set was a Scholastic set, the kind available by book order brought home by school kids. A good value.
On: 2009-08-06
I received this box set in a timely manner. The shipping was free and the set was in perfect condition. I have enjoyed it! Good price compared to stores too. On: 2009-08-05
I was anxiously awaiting for the set to be released in paperback so I could own the whole series without spending the $$ on the hardcover set.
The books are great as they ever were. My only issue was once you read a book, the physical copy expands. After reading all 7 it was difficult to fit them back in the box it came in without doing damage to them. That is the only reason I cannot give this product five stars. On: 2009-08-05
I like the books. I did get them all. BUT---they are all very poorly made as far as I am concerned. The paper is very brittle and the bindings are poor. One good read through them could destroy them. When you buy a set, you expect to hold onto it or pass it on to others. I dont think these books would hold up. I am afraid of ruining the binding or ripping a page as I carefully read them. Paper could be so much better. On: 2009-08-04
I have read the first three books and I am underwhelmed. If you want great fantasy for children, try the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis(which are just as good and subtle for adults), the works of Edith Nesbit, or the works of Edgar Eager (beginning with Half Magic). I have to admit that, of the three Ive read, the first one was the best. It was very funny with regard to the descriptions of the Muggle family, the Dirsleys. But there is always a touch of rebellion and plain revenge to the story. The later books are more mysterious, but I say its unfair in a mystery to not give enough subtle clues to make it possible for me to figure it out before I am told the answer by the author. The third book, The Prisoner of Azbakan, was especially frustrating in this regard. I found the second and third books hard to wade through. I dont care about Quiditch and I just didnt care about what happened to Harry and his friends. In the end some new info would FINALLY tell the answers to the mysteries in the book. Rowling is no great author and I consider these books a waste of time--except for the Dirsley parts of the first one. If you want comraderie and adventure, fun and REAL life insights, check out the titles above. You wont regret it! On: 2009-07-29
I received my boxed set today, and I was not too disappointed. The whole package weighs a whopping 19lbs, so its essentially a box of lead. The box that holds the books is cardboard (as expected), and is a little cheaply put together. I didnt buy the set for the pretty box it came in though, and inside the box itself is every book in the series, beautifully printed and bound and covered with their dust covers and all shrink-wrapped together. Being as the books are going directly on my bookshelf, I wasnt too peeved about the box that they came in. I has small string handles that dont seem completely adequate to bear the weight of all the books (Although they worked fine during transportation), and the backing of the top kind of fell apart. The entire thing is a great gift for any child, and Im sure theyll appreciate having a neat box to put the books in (which might encourage them to take more care of their novels than I did at a young age). Im overall pleased with the item, its packaging, and its price. If you dont have the complete set, this is a must-have. On: 2009-07-29
First let me just say that if the people who thought that this chest was going to be made out of wood, and have gold letterings and locks, then they must me blind or stupid. Do you honestly think they would sell said chest for $100-$200. Iam sorry but I know better then that and I know that it would cost more.
This chest and the books I got were absolutely great. Everything came in great condition and there wasnt a scratch on it. The chest is made out of sturdy cardboard in my opinion, and is plenty enough to hold the set. I am, however, afraid from holding the box from the strings on the side, but I dont care.
I absolutely love the whole set and would recommend it to all!!!
Lol, I got this set at $109 brand new and after I bought it, they raised it to $122. Talk about luck!!!! Same thing happened with the Harry Potter 1-5 Limited Edition DVD Set, I got it at $50 and they raised it to $57 after I bought it. Amazing!! :D
On: 2009-07-27
Ive wanted these book for myself for sometime now. I went into a book store and saw this at a distance. I thought it was more than just cardboard. For the price of $195.00 or the price here at Amazon I just bought the books separate. I would have spent 200.00 if the container the books came in were like a real chest but no way!
I got the books on Amazon separately and it was still cheaper to do it this way. I could have got them even cheaper if I bought paperback but seeing them displayed at the bookstore turned me off because they hadnt even left the store and they were destroyed. So I went with hardcover. On: 2009-07-26
Like many HP fans, I too have the hardcover versions [the collectors editions]. As such, Id rather keep those hardcover collectors editions in pristine condition and when I saw this paperback boxed set [I never did get the set which came in the trunk], I felt the PBs would make great reading copies, plus they are so much lighter! This is a value set for the discounted price offered here, so Id highly recommend it to fans and would-be readers. On: 2009-07-25
I did not purchase this (Im broke). I was in Borders and I happened to see one. I had read everywhere they looked terrible, so I expected worse than it actually was. Yes, it was obviously cardboard, and the sides could have been tucked in some how, but it was better than I expected. It was hard card board, and it comes with a plastic clasp, and strings to support them. It does not lock. The books were the original hardback, and if I werent so broke, I would have purchased this. On: 2009-07-25
Having read Deathly Hollows first, and then gone back to read the frist 6, Im in somewhat unique position to judge this series based on every book standing on its own merits, without previous books detracting or benefiting from each other. This is especially true for the last book; while some complain regarding the pase being either too slow or too fast, reading every book as a self-contained book, its is of much better quality than most fantasy books out there. Its clear that Rowlings improved with the writing of each book and while only time will tell how this series ranks among other fantasy series, its steadily becoming thought of as a classic. On: 2009-07-23
So we all know that these are amazing books. The box set is nice, showed up in excellent condition. NO COMPLAINTS! On: 2009-07-20
I, like many other people, used to dislike Harry Potter. I had never actually read the books, but for some reason looked down on Potter fans, thinking them to be a bit off color. I was certain that the whole thing was highly overrated and that it had been blown way out of proportion (like Twilight).
I could not have been more wrong. I finally read the books at the continuous urging of a friend in my junior year of high school, and they have become my favorite books of all time. I have already reread all seven books and stood in line for hours to see the midnight premiere of the newest movie.
When is the last time you have read a book and instantly wanted to pick it up and read it again? It doesnt happen often.
I cant even begin to tell you how incredible these books are. Not only are they very entertaining, but they are filled with the important themes of good vs. evil, the power of love, and the value of good choices. The characters in this book have become part of my life.
If you are at all hesitant to read this series because of its classification as a fantasy series, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Yes, the book is about wizards and magic, but you would be shocked at how quickly the story pulls you in.
I can only ask you to PLEASE read the first book. If you like it, keep reading. If you dont, keep reading. The books get better as they progress, and I feel that the final chapters of the last book are some of the best reading I have ever done.
Also, do not judge these books from the movies. Everybody knows that the book is always better than the movie, and its the same case here. The movies are great, but you need to read the books to fully appreciate whats happening and become a true Potter fan. On: 2009-07-17
I know the title is a little controversial. Yet, I noticed on Amazon that the other sets without the trunk ranged from $90 (used) to $400. I just received this trunk today and really like it. Yes, it is cardboard but I love the luggage look and the inclusion of the stickers.
Let me preface my review with my acceptance of the trunk may come from my excitement from starting to read the books. I can hear the gasps!!! I know, I know. I have watched every single movie within the first week in theater including movie 6 but have not read the books.
For the purchaser, just know the package may not be great but whats in it is!!! I am thinking of just going to an art store and creating a trunk to place my books (putting artistic skills to work). Then it will really be a collectors item. I hope you enjoyed the review. On: 2009-07-15
This is the best book series there will ever be!!!!!!!!!! I love the Harry Potter books so much. Nothing can compare!!! J.K. Rowling is a genius. I cant say enough good things about these books!!!!!
Here are my favorites in order:
1. Deathly Hallows
2. Half-Blood Prince
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Goblet of Fire
5. Sorcerers Stone
6. Chamber of Secrets
7. Order of the Phoenix
But dont get me wrong- I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!! Read them!!!!! :) On: 2009-07-13
I received my order of the Harry Potter Audio books 1-7 exactly as promised. I couldnt be happier. Thank you. On: 2009-07-11
Harry Potter has done the impossible: he has defeated the Dark Lord, Voldemort, an evil wizard of tremendous power. And he did it before he knew how to walk or talk.
Now The Boy Who Lived is ready for his seven-year schooling at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where hell meet new friends and make new enemies on his way to becoming a wizard.
J.K. Rowlings story became an instant global phenomenon, attracting millions of children and adults from every background. Harry Potter has been translated in over 67 languages, and the last four books were the fastest selling books in history. Now, with the paperback release of Deathly Hallows, all seven books are available together in a beautiful box illustrated by Mary GrandPré, who also illustrated the books cover art in the United States.
After the disaster that was the 1-6 box set (where some books were missing pages or even entire chapters), some buyers may feel a bit reluctant to buy this set. After receiving my copies, I checked each book and everything appears in order: the covers are in great shape, the box is in great shape, and all the pages appear to be intact (though I could be wrong; I havent read all seven books just yet). At over $30 off the original price, I would definitely recommend buying this set while this great bargain lasts--I can find this same exact set in stores for over $70. On: 2009-07-10
I ordered this set to complement my hardcovers. I bought and read them all with great anticipation as each was released, but figured having the entire set in paperback would make future readings less cumbersome and more portable for one who is on the go a lot. Plus the price is good. Also, there is nothing wrong with the physical quality of the set I received. I inspected each book and the case closely after reading the first review. All look good! On: 2009-07-09
For JK Rowlings writing style, characters, and plot, of course, I would give this set 5 stars. Unlike the box set of books 1-6, this set does not appear to be missing pages or chapters. Ive only read 4 of the books so far, but the others appear to be complete. Ill update as soon as Ive finished the series.
I considered giving the set less stars because the paperbacks and their box are not as well constructed as I had hoped. The book covers and corners of the box are creased and sloppily glued. I still gave the set 5 stars, though, because it is less expensive than purchasing the paperbacks separately, and it comes with a nifty (though slightly cracked & rumpled) display box.
Having all seven books in a paperback box set is so exciting, that I expect everyone will run right out and buy this set, despite any cosmetic issues I have noted. I hope your set will look better than mine! On: 2009-07-09
Absolutely fantastic. Had priced the single audiobooks out but could not justify the expense at this time. Saw this wonderful deal and could not resist! I feel like I found a treasure. Having a reader like Jim Dale just adds so much -- the kids listen in the car and I get a kick out of watching their faces! On: 2009-06-28
Its nice to get all the books (hardcover) at one go. This makes an especially nice gift for the young aspiring reader.
But do *not* buy this set for the box -- except possibly as "wrapping" for the initial giving. As previous reviewers have pointed out, the container is just a folded cardboard box with stickers on it. The pictures can be a bit deceiving: the dark color makes it look like you are getting something more than just cardboard. But youre not. On: 2009-06-27
We purchased this set of books for our 9 year old granddaughters Birthday. She has not put them down since. She carries the entire set around the house with her, and will not let anybody else touch them. She was thrilled to receive them. The best gift we ever gave her. On: 2009-06-26
Guys, relax. Yeah, the box is made of cardboard, but youre not paying any extra for it. In fact, youre paying $20 less for the set than if you were to buy each book individually, in which case you wouldnt have gotten the box or stickers anyway.
I can sort of understand the frustration for those who bought this set as a collectors item, but your arguments would have made more sense if you had to pay extra for the box. For the rest of us who bought it for the sake of getting all 7 books at once, this set was a smart purchase. On: 2009-06-26
The books are great coudnt of enjoyed them more. The box is cheap and not really worth having. On: 2009-06-23
I wasnt expecting anything more than cardboard for the price. Other boxed sets of books come in a cardboard case. Why should this be any different? Nothing in the description says the case is wooden, and theres no reason it should be wooden. If you want a wooden case for it, have one made yourself.
The books, of course, are fantastic. On: 2009-06-13
The perfect gift for young boys, starting about 8-10 years old. They will enjoy the set and having the "treaure box" they can keep the set together. My grandson was thrilled to receive such a "big boy" present. I will purchase this item again for other special boys. On: 2009-06-01
I purchased this item for my daughters 24th birthday, altho we share it I must admit. We both love to listen to books on our Ipods and every night she listens to one of the books to relax, let down after work, and falls asleep as Jim Dale brings the characters to life. Hoorah for JK Rowling- not only for children but for imaginative people of all ages who would love to have schooled at HogWarts. On: 2009-05-23
I love Harry Potter. The only reason Im not giving this product five stars is that I recently bought the British editions of the books so I could compare. A lot of the wording was changed for the American versions, apparently to make them more comprehensible to American readers. Unfortunately, a lot of the charming quirkiness of the series was lost in the process. Read the books the way the author originally wrote them. On: 2009-05-22
I was very impressed with the product, will keep the books dust free. The price was great also. On: 2009-05-21
The banter between the characters is wonderful. The first time I read the books, I paid attention on how it would impress a young man. Rowling makes Harrys feelings and actions believable and there are things one can learn, such as how bad attitude and "cheek" are improper and good actions are rewarded. As the books progress, one sees how friendships change and that there will be times when you have confrontations with your best of friends and at other times your friends will need your support. The books provide a perspective from both a boys and a girls point of view, to provide a better understanding how the sexes differ and how each needs to compliment them. The Deathly Hollows really deals with personalities and friendships as the fight between Good and Evil comes to its conclusion. Where good gives evil their final chance to change and even then Harry does not do the killing curse but allows Lord Voldermort to go to his own destiny. Its a wonderful series and the chest is a great way to keep the books together, especially, if you dont have room on your bookshelves. On: 2009-05-18
The book arrived in a timely manner (Faster then Expected). And they were in great condition. Would purchase product from this seller again. On: 2009-05-16
Article Arrived Broken, This type of Article for the Money That I spended, Need to be better Pack. Poor Services On: 2009-05-14
Overall I absolutely love this combination. It feels like something that would have come directly out of the Harry Potter Universe. I love that the books are all hard cover and so new and brisk. I know that is what I should have expected but after having all my books for so long it is nice to have a nice new set in such perfect condition. Although this set is a bit pricey for the die hard Harry Potter fans it is a MUST!
In regards to other reviews:
Before adding this to my wish list I read through all of the reviews so I knew what to expect when I got it. I understand that some people were disappointed that this wasnt a "real" chest and was just sturdy Card Board. The Card Board isnt flimsy crappy material, it is pretty sturdy and could stand up to a lot of wear and tear. I am not sure how others are treating the box but personally mine just sits on my book shelf so I dont think it needs to be a real huge heavy duty chest nor do I want to pay the cost to make it a real chest because those are not cheap! I do think you should read the other reviews but as everything on Amazon, take it with a grain of salt.
I would highly recommend this product to any Harry Potter fan.
On: 2009-05-05
The set of books was recieved in perfect shape and in a timely manner. It was a pleasure doing business with Amazon and the British publishers. Thanks On: 2009-04-30
Like most of us readers, I have re-read these books so many times but I still laugh, cry, even dock at same moments and situations in these pages. Then I realized, I have to share a powerful use of these books for me. I re-read them everytime I finish reading a lousy and not so well written story. These books really take that bad taste of those stories out of my system. This how these books are that I am willing to overlook any sort of packaging minor, minor flaw. On: 2009-04-28
Were introducing Harry Potter to our 6 year old - and this is a good way to do it! We listen to the audio books in the car, and then review/continue with the book itself. Sometimes, we even give my 6 year old (who has just started reading...) the book to follow along with the audiobook. On: 2009-04-21
This collectors item was shipped without any packaging and the collectors box was ruined from rough handling during shipping. I was forced to return this item. On: 2009-04-20
IT IS A REALLY NICE SET. IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM ON A TREASURE HUNT. On: 2009-04-16
I have followed the Harry Potter series since the inception. I am a Potter Head!! The packing on this series could use some more thought, but all-in-all, this is one of the greatest Audio book series ever released. It is great, not only reading all the books several times, but now they can be read to me. Thanks J.K. & Jim for a forever classic!! On: 2009-04-06
Bought a set for my grandson and husband. They both love them and will keep them forever. Beautiful set. On: 2009-04-04
This is exactly what my 10 year old grandson wanted. He just finished reading my copies and wanted a set of his own. His 8 year old brother is reading them also! We love these books. On: 2009-03-31
I ordered The Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7 and am totally 100% satisfied
with everything.......from the ease of ordering online , the price , the speed and unbelievably LOW price to internationally ship the box of hard cover books which is actually quite heavy. On: 2009-03-27
Chances are, youve probably seen a hardback book before. Thats what these books are like: paper with words (great words at that) bound in some harder, thicker paper. Ok, the books are good...duh.
What were the creators thinking when they made this box? I could have assembled this thing in 30 minutes with some paint and 3 UPS boxes. The other review talked about a cheap, junky, plastic "latch", if you can call it that, and they were right. Its cheap, junky, and plastic which will break and make you feel angry for spending money on it. Dont be deceived by the photograph, my books dont even fit snugly in the box because it is bending under the weight of the books. Also, dont hold it by the handles because it might tear though the cardboard. I am very sad. I actually was so sad that I had to go out and spend $80 to make my very own velvet lined box with metal hinges and a metal latch with corner guards. Now, MY box rocks. This one stinks. Its in my garage if anyone wants it. Ill sell it for really, really, really cheap.
The books are good and its cheaper than buying them separately. Thats the only redeeming quality. On: 2009-03-25
I love reading and re-reading the Harry Potter series. Id bought the books as they were released for my youngest daughter and have read them all many times. I just decided that I wanted the complete set for myself.
The issues Ive read about with the box.. I can see where some might complain if they were wanting more out of it. I reinforced the corner areas and applied my stickers and am just overjoyed to have my very own set of books at a great buy!!! On: 2009-03-20
So...Im hoping theyll discover this cool boxset in their closet someday when they are able to read. Its something i would totally be excited about when I was young. On: 2009-03-13
The Harry Potter series is the is the must have book of the century! Harry Potter is the best series that I have ever read and will probably BE the best series Ill ever read! Harry is a young boy that discovers on his tenth birthday that he is a wizard. He goes through massive adventures and makes life long friends along the way. This book (written by J.K. Rowling) is the and will be the best series ever! If you think that its "over priced" then youre wrong. This series is under priced. The Harry Potter book is read by adults that should be reading the dictionary! Even though this is a fourth grade reading level this book should be read by every grade. This book is the ruler of classics. This book features conflicts, friendships, comedy, adventure, mystery that will only be solved if you read the whole book. It wouldnt surprise me if a detective had a problem solving this book, and fantasy that makes you wish you didnt live in this world but in theirs because the description is just right so that you can picture it but not get bored. Love is another huge thing in this book. The relationships in this book not only surprise you, but they also change right as you think you know what is going on. After you read this series you will never be able to compare anything to this book. If you read this book, then you will never be able to read another book without feeling left out of excitement! After you read this series then you will never feel disappointed by this series. If you didnt enjoy this book then you have to give it another chance. HARRY POTTER RULES! On: 2009-03-07
Jim Dale has presented Ms. Rowling creations masterfully! Having read all seven books, seen each of the movies several times, I truly did not expect any surprises when I purchased these audio volumes. How wrong I was! It was as if I was experiencing Harrys journey all over again with fresh excitement, laughter, fears and joys! A must buy even for those who are not familiar with the world of audio books.
On: 2009-03-04
SO much better than I thought it was going to be after reading some of the other reviews! It came in perfect condition, the box is sturdier than I expected. This is the perfect gift for any Harry Potter fan. It seems kind of pricey, but you get 7 hardcover books, if purchased seperatly for regular price they would cost around $50 more! On: 2009-02-23
I was disappointed with the box that the books came in didnt realize that it was cardboard. It was still nice to be able to get all books at the same time. On: 2009-02-10
I was very pleased with this product. The packageing was done well and it came without damage. That is always a plus. I do wish the discription would of been a bit more detailed in telling me the case for the books was cardboard, but it was made well. My daughter was extremely pleased with this gift. It brought tears to her eyes. I will most definitely shop amazon again. Thank you. On: 2009-02-02
I was excited to have an interesting box set for the Harry Potter collection. So, when I got the books today in the mail I was utterly disappointed when I open to see that there is no trunk! Not even a fake cardboard box type trunk that everyone seems to be disappointed about. Id have been much happier with that at least. Considering I paid for THAT! Its just all the books in a small cardboard box. No lid, no fake privacy lock, not even stickers! Im so upset... On: 2009-02-01
I ordered these for my daughter and she listens to them constantly. She very satisfied with this item. On: 2009-01-28
This item arrived sooner than i thought, and it was in great shape. The reciever loved the christmas gift. On: 2009-01-25
Hello,
I am a boy, 13 years old, from the Netherlands.
Ive read all the books in Dutch and now Im reading them in English.
This beautiful box contains all 7 books, for a very fair price.
So..... buy it!
On: 2009-01-17
I love the hp books, so I was planning on purchasing this boxset when I first heard of it, just so I would have brand new copies to show my kids, and them to show their kids over the course of time. Harry Potter is timeless and I thought that the "actual trunk" would just add that extra charm to it.
So I went to Barnes and Noble eager, with my little saved up money, ready to buy my first "collectible," or so I called it. I was excited, I had already made space on my furniture to store it, to save it from the hardships of time. As I walked towards the stand, a dim smile lit my face, remembering all the good times I spent reading these books, expecting the memories to get stronger once I saw the boxset. Boy was I dissapointed!
I found myself with a piece of cardboard with two strings attempting to act as handles. A piece of cardboard that reminded me of what I would use to store my old paintbrushes and acrylics... a piece of cardboard that seemed so weak that I was afraid to try to lift it by the handles and get all the books scattered on the stores floor. I felt insulted. I mean, how much do you think it costed the publishers to make this box... one cent? little less or little more, this is just a lack of respect for fans. For one time, I really would wish that the publishers would actually be thinking with their customers in mind rather than their pockets... or both, find some balance. Im horribly dissapointed, I believe Id get more from storing my beloved books in a customized giant tupperware than this joke at a chest.
Lesson? If you purchase this, HP fan, you are just letting the publishers insult you. On: 2009-01-17
I know the packaging may not be the best but now that I have read all 7 books. I can say the books are mindblowing. After all it is all about the fantastic books. I laughed, I cried, I was totally enthralled by book 6 and book 7 I was overwhelmed. This maybe the best box set of all time. On: 2009-01-14
glad it is new could have saved money buying used, was not pleased with the box. thought it might be an inexpensive wood photo finish, but came in cardboard. can save $30.00 buy without the box. On: 2009-01-14
I ordered the Harry Potter Boxset with books 1-7 as a Christmas present. The product shipped right away and was received well before the holiday. It was everything that it was described to be with just one exception....there were supposed to be these creative stickers to decorate the chest with. I say supposed to be because there were no stickers with the delivery. Im still trying to figure out how to get them but other than that I was extremely satisfied. On: 2009-01-11
My 9-year old son was so excited to get this for Christmas. I had already read the first and second, and he the first, so he challenged me to a race to read them. Im staying just one book ahead of him to not discourage him, but keep him engaged. Not only is he enjoying the story, but is improving his reading skills at the same time and learning to treasure good books and take care of his own. Great Gift!! On: 2009-01-10
I have enjoyed all of these books and to hear them come to life is great fun. Jim Dale is very skilled in his narration and the voices he uses make the characters come to life. I definately recommend this series. On: 2009-01-07
My daughter-in-law loved the set of books. I thought the Boxset had a very neat design and added class to the set of books. On: 2009-01-07
If you do not have the Harry Potter series on CD this is the way to buy them. Convenient packaging and best price on line, fast delivery, very satisfied with Amazons performance. On: 2009-01-06
I purchased this box set as a Christmas present. I was concerned about it arriving on time. The worry was needless, as this order came lightening fast!!!! It was just as described. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend purchasing from this seller. I was 100% satisfied. On: 2008-12-28
This series is a very intriguing story about a boy called Harry Potter who finds out he is a wizard. Harry is challenged by many obstacles, but always seems to overcome them. This series is good for 5th graders to all adults. It is science fiction/fantasy, not hard to comprehend. This series has nothing to do with the devil/atheism. If you read this series, you wont stop until the end. On: 2008-12-28
The picture is misleading... It looks like a sturdy box with metal corners and such. All of it is a printed mess on laminated plastic-cardboard like material. Excellent books inside mind you - just crappy presentation and packaging. The imagery of the product are there to mislead you into thinking that a quality chest was created in order to store your books. Obviously the prototype was used and may have been made out of a decent material.
The actual shipment of the object wasnt given much thought. The corners were crushed rather nicely - further detracting from the display. On: 2008-12-26
Scholastic did a great job designing the U.S. editions of the Harry Potter books. The illustrations are outstanding, far better than in the British edition. Unfortunately, the quality of the binding is terrible. Ive had to tape the spines of three of my books, some after just a couple of readings.
If you would like to buy an heirloom set, try the Special Edition set still available at amazon.co.uk. (Sorry, but I cant insert a link.) Its significantly more expensive and you have to pay overseas shipping, but the books have genuine cloth bindings with place marker ribbons and come in a nice, cloth-covered case. By all appearances, they should last a few decades. Im very pleased with my set and plan to buy at least one more set to pass on to my children. I dont think youll be disappointed. On: 2008-12-23
Everything arrived on time. Like everyone stated the case is cardboard and will rip apart in no time. Dont get it wet. On: 2008-12-22
Harry Potter totally rocks. If you are a fan, this is a great collectors chest of all 7 books, of course, if you dont mind hardcovers. I couldnt be happier w/this delivery, everything was new, almost didnt want to open it. This is what started my collection of boxsets. Also, I recommend this to ALL AGES, not just children. On: 2008-12-22
Jim Dale is a terrific reader. I have listened to a different version, read by Stephen Fry, which isnt as good. Id recommend this version to any fan of the series. On: 2008-12-16
This Box set was by far the best value if youre looking to buy all the books. They dont mention, but the package comes with some stickers so you kid can personalize the trunk. On: 2008-12-12
I was very disapointed in this product. It appeared to have a nice chest in which the books could be stored and displayed. The packaging is a throw away, not much better than the cardboard shipping box. Really very sad. The box is essentially a poorly constucted cardboard gift wrap. I am a little ashamed to give this as a gift, as it looks very cheep, somethinging like the disposable box an inexpensive toy would come-in. Really to bad... On: 2008-12-07
I wanted the entire Harry Potter boxed set, and Im pretty happy with this. The only negative is that I was hoping the box would be a bit more sturdy and "nice looking". It is just a cheap cardboard box with graphics/illustrations. But, atleast it has all the hard-cover Harry Potter books which is nice. I would recommend this, but dont think youre getting a "fancy" box/chest. On: 2008-12-07
well i bought this boxset a few months ago , and i love it. i know that most people complain about the fact that the trunk is not made of wood but of carton, which is true as u can see in the pictures. i guess i didnt get dissapointed because i already knew what i was going to get before i bought it. u have to see it this way: it is a little cheaper than buying each book separately ,so u save some money and plus u get this trunk(made of carton but still ,pretty nice)and some stickers(this is the only thing that dissapointed me,i expected cooler stickers, not these that seem to have been drawn by a kid haha).
but in general overview , if you do not have any of the hp books , this is your best choice. On: 2008-12-06
This Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7 is really a treasure. Im very proud to be an owner of JKRowlings complete set of Harry Potter books. The box itself is like a treasure chest and easy to carry it around. On: 2008-11-28
I bought this boxset "from Santa" for my grandson that loves Harry Potter! Although it hasnt been opened yet, I was very pleased with the packeging & presentation as well as to how fast I received the shipment! Stay tuned for my grandsons review after Dec. 25th!! On: 2008-11-24
My son received these as a Christmas present last year and was thrilled to get them.
Its his first "set" of books and he likes that they have their own box. I, personally, would have preferred something a little sturdier, but at least the kid is happy. On: 2008-11-24
I am going to purchase this set despite the shoddy packaging. My grandfather is quite the craftsman and I will have him replicate this "chest" using real wood and metal hinges and clasps. This may be a fun project even for those who are not crafty you may also find a wooden chest or crate that comes close to this that is already assembled at a site like this [...] On: 2008-11-17
Although I had given the first HP book to a nephew the year it was published, I waited to purchase and read the books until (1) my son was old enough and (2) the series was finished and I could get matching hard copies. A friend ordered this for me through her library connections. It took ages to arrive; forunately for me, I had no idea the box was supposed to be wooden, so I was not initially disappointed by that. However, now that weve begun reading them (my son could easily read them himself but I still read to him at bedtime, and its really fun to discover Harrys world along with him), I was stunned and insulted to discover that the prose had been tampered with, dumbed down and Americanized for stupid Yanks. I am an American but I know what a packet of crisps is, and when chips has been substituted for crisps, among other things. So now, having spent over $100 for this set, I am going to have to spend more to get the REAL thing. How disappointing. What on earth were the people at Scholastic thinking?! Moreover, why did JK Rowling allow them to do this? I cannot fathom any reason why perfectly ordinary English should have to be changed. Or is it that we really are that stupid, insular, and arrogant that we cannot even read English from other English speaking countries anymore? I am truly sorry that my son will have to read a watered down, adulterated version of these classic stories. What a letdown. On: 2008-11-03
I was very excited and pleased to be able to purchase this set, as I am a new Harry Potter fan. The "suitcase" the books came in was not up to the quality I expected. The books, however, being the most important , will last a lifetime and I will be able to pass them on to my grandchildren. On: 2008-10-29
im very glad that i pushed through with my order from amazon,being a resident in Asia.i received the product in a very good condition,without a dent on the box!i recommend amazon.com to all of u who reads this review.amazon really takes care not only of your orders but of your satisfaction as well.in fact,i got my order a week before it was scheduled to arrive! thanks amazon! On: 2008-10-23
My daughter and I listen to them. I never tire from it. Jim Dale makes it come alive. They are absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend it. On: 2008-10-23
My daughter and I listened to the HP 1-7 Audio Collection during our cross-country road-trip. It was great! I highly recommend it! On: 2008-10-19
I love reading these books to my grand children. However, the box is not worthy of the books and what not it holds. On: 2008-10-14
This excellent CD collection of the seven Harry Potter books is a must for all Harry Potter fans! Jim Dale does his usual exceptional renditions of all of the characters that brings the story to life. I highly recommend it. On: 2008-09-29
I wish I had known that flimsy cardboard could be photographed so handsomely. I wish I had known that a cheap carboard box, not even as durable as the shipping box, was costing me thirty bucks. I wish I had known what a sucker I could be, and that when after my initial enthusiasm and subsequent reading of other disappointed consumers, that in just 5 minutes after realizing I had probably ordered a disappointment, Amazon already had it "scheduled to be shipped" and so the order could not be cancelled (within 5 minutes!!!??? Wow! Talk about efficient!!), but could be returned at my inconvenience.
I love the HP collection, and had it hit and miss, so I do like having all 7 volumes in a set. But I could make a better box. Hey! You want a real treasure chest for Harry Potter? I can make it happen a lot better than this rip off. On: 2008-09-15
I notice alot of people are complaining about the box that the books are in because its cardboard. Some people can just never be satisfied. So if youre picky and never satisfied than heed those reviews. Im pleased with the box set. It has the hardcover books which fit snuggly inside and as some people said there are stickers in there too, which Ive not used yet because I do not want to waste them. On: 2008-09-07
Just awesome, this collectors edition is a must have for hardcore Harry Potter fans. The box is made of cardboard, which is not my favorite but meh, its beautiful anyways. The books are the hardcover editions, and it comes with a sheet full of stickers to use how ever you want to use them. I personally think that a wooden box would have made it perfect, but lets face it, forests are dying as it is, and I for one dont want the end of the world to be on my consciousness. This is definitely my favorite purchase. On: 2008-09-06
I purchased this for my daughter, an avid fan, who was a little disappointed that the box itself was little more than a flimsy cardboard product. Something more lasting would have been in order. On: 2008-09-06
This is a great boxed set of the Harry Potter books. I had really hoped that the "trunk" would be made out of something more substantive than just cardboard, but after consideration, Id rather have a cardboard trunk with stickers than just a boring cardboard box with a logo on it.
Its a great way to keep all of my Harry Potter volumes together and it looks interesting on the bookshelf! On: 2008-09-05
I live in england but i decided to purchase the american versions of the books as i love the design of the covers and the pictures that head each chapter.
I also liked the design of the box, instead of the box that the english versions come in, which to be honest is quite bland.
I really love this set of harry potter books, the detail of the trunk is great and the stickers that are included in the set to decorate the trunk are brilliant quality.
This would be an amazing gift for any harry potter fan, i have many items in my collection, such as film prop replicas, cards etc. and ive got to say that this is the best item i have in my collection.
I have two young children and it will be a great family heirloom to pass down through the generations, as i know they will love these books as much as i do and the magical atmosphere that they set when you are reading them is truly captivating.
Overall, if you are deliberating on whether or not to buy this item, i think you definitely should because in my opinion it will be one of the best things you could ever buy and it is a great thing to own On: 2008-08-31
How does Jim Dale do it? How does he read the books and make us hear each of the characters almost as they say it in in the movies and as we think of them as we read the books? Impossible to say; however, he does it. We listen to the Harry Potter tapes each time we drive up and back to our weekend house (yes, weve read the books numberous times). Any Harry Potter fan must have these tapes and listen to a master reading them and giving HP fans another great experience. On: 2008-08-28
I was very happy to receive the box with the full collection of Harry Potter. It looks very nice and the books are in good quality. On: 2008-08-17
This set is a fun way to get to know/read all of the Harry Potter books. All of the books are hardcover so they are keepsakes that will last many years. The heavy cardboard "trunk" they come in helps keep them organized and is meant to remind you of Harrys trunk that he takes with him each year he attends, "The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Various stickers having to do with Harry and "Hogwarts" come with the set, allowing you to decorate the "trunk", which I found to be lots of fun. The books when you read them speak for themselves, of course. This book set is perfect for Harry Potter memorabilia collectors.
On: 2008-08-03
I was very happy about receiving all the books in one case, but i was disappointed that the case is made from cardboard. i was under the impression this would be a sturdy box made from some other materials. aside from that disappointment, this is an excellent product. On: 2008-08-02
I love the escape the Harry Potter series allows this middle-aged professional. Rarely one gets to re-capture the magic of childhood and still be enthralled by wonderfully entertaining characters exhalting the values we all want in our lives - friendship, integrity, sacrifice, success, teamwork. I just love the reader, Jim Dales, ability to give each character their own individuality and with such precision over time. Its a LOT of characters to develop and remember. He is truly an artist. A series where each book grows in its depth and character development and have been some of my all time audiobooks. Treat yourself to the series and share them with any one needing to remember the magic of childhood. On: 2008-08-02
Ok so i read the first book before i got this boxset but im so glad i did, these books are amazing and the box it comes with is NOT as bad as people make it sound it is cardboard but so what its pretty cool actully and people say it will brake easy blah blah blah well so long as you dont play with it it should be fine and it looks cool so dont listen to those people with bad ratings because of some box and BUY THIS ITEM you wont regret it...... (i got this for my birthday in april but i was to lazy to post a review lol)
hope this helpt On: 2008-07-29
This was a great set of hardcovered books I was very plesed with them. The box could have been better but you really pay for just the books. On: 2008-07-22
This Harry Potter complete set will be enjoyed by most young Harry Potter fans. The seller could have made it even better by having made available the childs name and chosen address written on the boxs shipping tag done by an experienced calligrapher, and even perfect if each book would have been autographed by the author, with perhaps a special letter from her to the child. Most parents or grandparents would have been willing to shoulder the extra costs of making this item a treasured heirloom for years to come. On: 2008-07-22
This review is for the books, not necessarily the packaging this particular set is sold with.
When the Harry Potter hype first started, I was a little annoyed. I just couldnt understand the big deal. But, of course, I hadnt read any of the books yet. In fact, it wasnt until book five came out that I finally started reading them. I became interested after having seen a portion of the first movie while channel surfing.
Its so obvious it shouldnt be necessary, but as a practicing witch I feel compelled to mention that the "magic" practiced in Harry Potter is not real... obviously. True magick is far more subtle and much less reliant on wands and special ingredients. But make not mistake: The enchantment Harry places on the reader is quite real. It is impossible not to fall in love with Harry, Dumbledore, Hagrid.... all of whom feel so real to me.
Rowlings extensive knowledge of mythology is formidable and the moral lessons woven within the plot make this epic tale a definite read for children and adults of all faiths. It is all about the classic struggle between good and evil, right and wrong. Now we Christians who rail against the books havent read them. The architects of the bible dictates that all witchcraft is evil only because they didnt want any competition. How is a priest walking through a congregation waving a censor filled with burning incense and reciting verses in latin any different than a Pagan burning incense and reciting a spell? Theres no difference. Just that the Christians believe it is their divine right to practice magic and anyone else who does is evil.
Im still in mourning after reading the last of the series. These books were a big part of our lives (mine and my childrens) for several years. If you havent read Harry Potter yet, please do. If youre a parent, please dont deny your children this experience. As time moves on, Harry Potter will be counted among the other classics in literature.
On: 2008-07-20
I believe coming out with a box set was a wonderfull idea and i had been waiting for a boxset. My only problem was that the box the books were in wasnt better quality. I belive they should have made it out of something else other than carbord. On: 2008-07-12
Harry Potter 1- 7 Audio Collection
Jim Dale brings the many characters in Harry Potter to life in an amazingly believable way. I thoroughly enjoyed the books and movies, but the audio collection is for me the most enjoyable way to enjoy the series. On: 2008-07-11
Harry Potter is a phenomenon with witches, warlocks, treachery, flying chickens, and more! Now that youve read all of HP books what can you read that is of the same genre, quality, and passion?? Type in Robert E. Howard in Amazon search and start with The Coming Of Conan The Cimmerian by Del Rey with the first story The Phoenix on the Sword, The Frost-Giants Daughter, The God in the Bowl, and to the last story a full novel called The Devil in Iron. Its beautifully illustrated every few pages by Mark Schultz which adds value and more!
Excerpt on back of book Conan is one of the greatest fictional heroes ever created--a swordsman who cuts a swarth across the lands of the Hyborian Age, facing powerful sorcerers, deadly creatures, and ruthless armies of thieves and reavers.
Collected in this volume, profusely illustrated by artist Mark Schultz, are Howards first 13 Conan stories, appearing in their original versions--in some cases for the first time in more than 70 years--and in order Howard wrote them.
Howard was a true storyteller--one of the first, and certainly among the best, youll find in heroic fantasy. If youve never read him before, youre in for a real treat.
Highly Recommend all of the Del Rey books of REH Conans, Kull, Bran Mak Morn, Solomon Kane, Crimson Shadows, The Best of REH Vol 1 & 2, The Last of the Trunk and Selected Letters of REH Foundation, Blood & Thunder, The Life & Art of REH by Mark Finn, One Who Walked Alone by Novalyne Price, and The Beast from the Abyss about cats -my favorite. Enjoy!! On: 2008-07-11
I bought this set for my brother-in-law and he loved it! Hes a HUGE Harry Potter fan (as am I) and bought them for him as a surprise after I had marred a few of his hardcover books.
They come in a cute trunk. Like I mentioned earlier: perfect for any Muggle! On: 2008-07-09
I love the Harry Potter Series. JK Rowling created a world for me to escape to, and Im thankful for that. Harry Potter is good for the soul. I recomend that you buy this product, however the box is only made of cardboard. So if you already have all 7 books in hardback, you dont really need this. The case will still be fun to display, especially if you have other Harry Potter merchandise. It even comes with stickers! On: 2008-07-08
I think Jim Dale puts so much life into these books. I love listening to them at anytime. I even have my husband listening to them now also. The set is great to have and well worth the cost On: 2008-07-06
I wanted something to keep my kids busy on the long ride to my sisters house. I got the first Harry Potter and was hooked and had to buy all seven. We have listened to them once through and are starting over again. Anytime we get in the car I hear "Harry Potter mom" and I dont have to listen to them fight. It is so much better then letting them watch movies on trips, they have to use their imaginations and I finally got my oldest son to admit the books are so much better than the movies. Even though the movies were great. My kids were 7 and 9 to start and this kept them busy for a six hour trip; five minutes trips to the grocery store; ride home from the babysitters; etc. Not to mention my dad who never even wants to watch the movies because it is kids stuff is so totally hooked. I will be giving my extra book one and two to my nieces for Christmas. On: 2008-07-05
There are spelling mistakes and a very poor printing quality in places.By the time I found these it was too late to return the books(30 days is not enough for one book,let alone seven!).The publishers have been very unhelpful skirting responsibility or being downright rude(one e-mail was blatantly sarcastic!)and have done nothing for me.WHAT ABOUT YOU ,AMAZON,WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?I have yet to bother trying to read the last 2 books.And to think,I was going to pass the set on to my grand daughter! On: 2008-06-26
Books are really nice hardbacks, but sheesh you figured the amount of money you spent to buy them they would put them in a nicer keepsake box instead of a crappy cardboard one. On: 2008-06-24
The box of books arrived swiftly, well packaged with no damage. The collectible Harry Potter trunk is okay, but being printed cardboard, will probably get worn and torn quickly. The clasp is NOT self explanatory (unless, of course your name is Harry). On: 2008-06-19
Jim Dale provides an excellent performance of these delightful books. his voices, while not 100% consistent over time, are nevertheless entertaining and allow one to easily follow which characters are talking and when without involving an entire voice cast. I listen to these books while driving all day for work, and find myself neither distracted nor bored as I follow along in my car. On: 2008-06-18
This is a great value. You get all seven hardcover jacketed books for $122.00 thats only $17.50 each. The box is a nice touch and the stickers let you customized. My only complaint is the box isnt well made. However, it looks good and as long as its only used for display, it should last. If youre a Harry Potter fan, this is a must have. On: 2008-06-05
Its Harry Potter so you already know what to expect here. Hardcover, Unabridged, in a decorated Box. Buy the lot together is like buy 6 get 7th free, pretty decent deal. I enjoy the series. On: 2008-05-29
When my oldest son was young, I had time to read him each of the books in this collection. Those of you with multiple children know that time becomes scarce as your family grows. I really wanted to be able to enjoy these stories with my younger children, but we are so busy. This audio collection is so amazing. Not only can I multi-task while we listen in the evening or driving to activities, but the quality of the cds is fabulous. The performance by Jim Dale is unbelieveable. He has so many voices and maintains the integrity of the character throughout 7 books. My 7 year old keeps jumping ahead of the rest of the family, because he loves them so much. This is an expensive set of books, but it is well worth it. This collection is one that you will read or listen to over and over again, so the investment is worth it, in my opinion. I highly recommend it. On: 2008-05-29
I ordered the audio collection to give as a gift. My only disappointment was that the collection was simply the 7 books shrink-wrapped together. I had hoped that the collection would be housed in some sort of presentation case. On: 2008-05-28
So maybe I was the only person on earth that had not a single one of the Harry Potter books on my shelves, but now thanks to this wonderful set I have all seven, and in hardback!
The quality of the books is a given. All seven volumes in original hardback with original cover art. Whats not to love.
It showed up in the box that it was shipped from at the manufacturer and inside is the collectors chest. Not really much more than a Point of Sale container in my opinion, but a decent effort was put into the art work to make the experience of recieving and opening it fun. I keep my books in the case just for kicks, but it should certainly not be the reason you decide to make this purchase, especially if you already have all the books.
Each book was individually shrink wrapped inside the chest and it also included a fun sticker book that any kid under age 7 is gonna love.
great value, great product, amazing stories (I am only half way through the 1st book, but already in love with the characters)
J.Vaughn On: 2008-05-23
These are the most entertaining and charming books on tape Ive ever listened to. I will listen to them over and over. On: 2008-05-19
Perfect condition and one of the few sets that came with the decorative trunk to hold the books. Great transaction. On: 2008-05-14
Well i like it and it is great my books are safe and they wont get damaged at all. I would tell more then a friend about it. I am gonna order from here again. On: 2008-05-10
I bought the set as a gift - it took a few months to get it to the intended - and when she got to THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, more than 50 pages were missing!! And Amazon wont exchange or return because its past the 30 days....FOR SHAME AMAZON!! On: 2008-05-08
Ive read all the hardback editions, and still, the audio books were wonderful, perfectly embellished & very compelling for the listener & well worth the dollar investment. These Harry Potter audio books are already a treasured addition to my home library! On: 2008-05-05
This box set is so beautiful, I almost feel bad reading the books. You really feel like a wizard with your own trunk. Just open this box and you really feel like youre going to hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry!!! YAY!! On: 2008-04-27
First off, I understand why people are pissed off about this. The box does look like crap. But step back a second and do some math people. Youre acting like you got ripped off. Amazon is offering this set for 122 dollars. That averages to 17.43 a book. Now, considering the cheapest I found the actual books was 16.99 a book (Im sure amazon may have them a bit cheaper now--this was when they were first released mind you), its not like youre paying anything extra. Thats 3.08 extra dollars above buying the books separately. I think a bit of cardboard and a book of stickers certainly makes up for that. Did you actually EXPECT to get a finely crafted solid wood box for 3.08???? Seriously, people. Think just a little bit before you buy and complain. I understand that the pictures may have been misleading, but so are the pictures on the side of burger king. Dont be mad because you were too lazy to go out and LOOK at a 122 dollar investment before you decided to purchase. Dont be mad because you just ASSUMED you were getting something really special for a couple extra bucks. Give it time, Im sure theyll come up with a box thats all wood, with brass handles and one of those massive padlocks where each set has its own unique key, and secret compartments that only open upon the voice code "alohamora" and what not.
But its gonna be a little more than 122 freakin dollars. On: 2008-04-23
I have been collecting Harry Potter since 2000. I love the series. All of the books are so carefully written and carefully set out. The only down-part was *spoiler alert* Mad-Eye Moody didnt get a very good death scene in No. 7. On: 2008-04-20
As an avid fan of the books (my friends and family say Im addicted, but I can stop anytime I want, I swear) I bought the audiobooks to listen to on my twice daily commute of 45 minutes. Jim Dale is simply superb as he brings all of my favorite characters to life with their own unique voices. Now I can take Harry Potter with me wherever I go without having to lug around those bulky books. On: 2008-04-19
We got this for my 11 year old Daughter for Christmas ( 2007 ). She was totally suprised to see all the books in 1 "chest". She is a huge HP fan. Even tho she has read all the books (But book 7 ) She thought this was the tops of all her presents. The Chest is a nice added bonus for storage of the books. My 11 year has really taken good care to not rip or tear up the chest. Im really glad we got this for her. On: 2008-04-19
Fanastic book series. Chest is made of cardboard. The box will last with good care. On: 2008-04-17
As complete Harry Potter geeks, my girlfriend and I decided to buy this box set for a friend, as a birthday present. We KNEW she would immediately get sucked into the adventure and she certainly did.
The box itself is nice looking although it may be a little flimsy, but if handled with care, I dont think it will fall apart in the foreseeable future. Plus, who cares? Its not about the case, its about the books! On: 2008-04-10
If you havent bought books 1-7 yet, regardless if its a cheap cardboard trunk, its still $5 cheaper than buying the books individually. On: 2008-04-09
Take the wonderful musings and writings of JK Rowling, add the fun of Harry Potter and his cohorts, mix it all together and have it read by Jim Dale and you have a sure winner. Even though I had read all 7 of the Potter books at least 3 times, having them "read" to me was just as exciting as reading the books for the first time. If Im not mistaken, Jim Dale won a Grammy for the reading of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - he did all the voices - over 100 of them for that book. But in all the books he not only uses his inflection to tell the story emotionally, but through the use of different voices for different characters, the stories come to life. (The voices of Hagrid, Professor McGonagall and Mundungus Fletcher being my very favorite!)
Although the collection may seem a bit pricey - its worth every single cent. (Especially since once you finish listening to the first book you cant wait to move on to the 2nd...immediately!) On: 2008-04-08
I had to wait a little bit but it came right on time. It was worth it to buy this because in the store it cost a lot more and with free shipping... you cant do better then that. On: 2008-04-07
One of my brothers has one of the books on tape so I knew pretty much what I was buying. I much prefered having this product in CD format. Its great entertainment. Many, many hours of listening pleasure. Ive listened to 5 out of the 7 so far and have found no flaws or defects whatsoever. Im very happy with this purchase. And buying them altogether was a significant cost savings over buying them seperate. I searched for quite some time to find the cheapest prices on this material. Discount stores, tag sales, flea markets, etc... nothing was better than this pricing. On: 2008-03-29
good deal with box although its made of cardboard, but better then the regular set priced at $200 at indigo and with no box! On: 2008-03-28
It goes without saying that the Harry Potter books are great. Everyone knows that so I really cant add much there; however, the special box that the books comes in is what makes the difference with this package.
If I were rating this on just the packaging, I would probably give it 1 or 2 stars at best. But the books are part of the deal so I didnt go that low. My wife got this as a present for me and Im looking forward to sharing these books with my little son one day. In the meantime I had to put it away because he could destroy the whole package in a few minutes. The flimsy lock on the front is a joke.
In conclusion, if you want all the books in the series without fuss this is for you. If you want them in a sturdy, long-lasting case, you might want to look elsewhere.
PATRICK RALEY is the author of the mystery, detective novel entitled "Precedent of Justice". Find out why Publishers Weekly calls him "the next John Grisham." On: 2008-03-25
Wow - what else can I say - the box set is exquisitely presented with all books in beautiful covers and condition - the box is cardboard, and the rope string on either side is very strong. I actually did think that the box was going to be wood, but its still very impressive nonetheless. It also comes with a little activity kit with some harry potter stuff in it.
A good buy for someone wanting a collectors item - I unwrapped my books, which came in a solid plastic wrap around all seven - but if you want to keep them in collectors condition, I would consider keeping them sealed in if you already have other copies of the books. The box is a nice, snug fit around the books, so theres no damage, room for creasing or snagging. An excellent buy. On: 2008-03-22
Very pleased with the quality of the product and the fast delivery. Thank you AmazonHarry Potter Boxset Books 1-7 On: 2008-03-11
I think this is a must have for any young reader. My 8 y/o loves this set because of the trunk. I wish it could have been wood and the latch seems a bit flimsy but it looks good and has stickers that you can decorate it with. On: 2008-03-10
Okay. I was probably expecting too much. After all, we are talking about a set that includes 7 hardcover books for a little over $100. However, the pictures on the web site made the "trunk" look way more substantial than it really is. This case is not worth more than a couple of bucks. So, if you can get the books individually for less, I would. On: 2008-03-10
We were on vacation to Fla when my wife asked if we could listen to a audiobook. I finally said ok... WOW... I was hooked after the first chapter. This was a few years ago in fact it was just after the first book was released. I own all of the books and DVDs. But I love listening to Jim Dale create the Hogwarts experience. On: 2008-03-04
This set looks fantastic, and I love the stickers that come with it.
I couldnt give it 5 stars because unfortunately the artwork on the individual dust covers, while done in wonderful colour and style, is atrocious. On: 2008-03-01
This is a great price for a really nice set of hardcover books. It looks great and will last a long time with good care. On: 2008-02-28
I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the unabridged HP audio books; I pop in the CDs as I work at my desk, on my daily commute, and when I walk the dog. Jim Dale brings each character to life with his wonderful voice. If you loved reading the books, youll enjoy listening to them as well! On: 2008-02-25
The chest was a really great idea; but thank God Amazon had the set for cheaper than retail. I would have truly been irritated if Id paid anything more than what the books could be purchased for individually. The chest is really cute, but not very good quality. Had a FANTASTIC time reading all the books though. I am 35 years old, work a "full-time" job, and still managed to read all 7 books in 3 weeks. I had to! I have 4 nephews and a niece who were bound to let the ending slip. Super stories, sad to see the end. On: 2008-02-22
EXCELLENT OVERALL! The only disappointment was the TRUNK is actually just cardboard. So, theyre charging all of this extra $ for a "cardboard" storage box. Great though! On: 2008-02-16
Super fast shipping during the holiday season brought this product into our home. The item was in perfect condition upon arrival and was just as described.
Would purchase from this seller again! Very happy customer :) On: 2008-02-15
THIS IS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANYONE WHOSE A HARRY POTTER FAN. MY WIFE THANKED ME SO MUCH WHEN I PRESENTED IT TO HER AS A GIFT. AND IT ALSO COMES WITH A COLLECTABLE BOX THAT LOOKS LIKE HARRYS TRUNK IIN THE MOVIE. On: 2008-02-13
The package of almost 8 kilograms contains the complete book set in the style box and also a set of Hogwarts stickers. Everything is of a great quality and it has surprised me to get the set of such a style and magic atmosphere! It is very easy to take out each book from the box, because there is enough space. But not too much for books to move unwillingly. Each book is bound in a cloth and over it, there is a splendid paper cover with a glossy, plastic title. The text inside is perfectly readable. I would like to recommend it to real fans as a brilliant peace of magic into your book-case. On: 2008-02-12
I had eyed the paperback copies of this series (6 of 7 books) but prefer the hardback version which in this case contained all 7. That fact is why I settled on this set. I was disappointed with the cardboard box which is part of the cost of this set. I was really hoping for something to keep my books packed closely together that would last. The publisher really dropped the ball on that as it is one of those times that two versions of the series would have been best. I think they should have put out a cheap version of the box (this one) for those that just want to pick up the books together and a quality box for those that want the whole package. I know I would have gladly paid more for a good display box. Another fact to note is that those looking for first editions will find that Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix is a second edition. Overall though, it is a convenient way to pick up all 7 books and usually cheaper this way. On: 2008-02-11
I first saw the book set at wal-mart and there boxes were all bent and one even had a hole in it. When I got it from amazon the box was in perfect shape. I only have one complaint. The part that acts like the hinge rips when you open it. Once I found this out I have not opened it since. I am just going to have it for show because that was my original plan. And the next time I open it I am just going to open it up enough just to get the books out. not all the way. On: 2008-02-10
This item was beautiful and in great condition. It also arrived much sooner than I expected, which was nice. My only complaint is that one book (book 5) was rather seriously damaged. It looked like a manufacturing fault - like something had gone wrong during binding which caused the cover to buckle. On: 2008-02-09
Im glad that I bought this set, but the chest is flimsy (cardboard). Also, if you are a collector of first editions, then it should help you to know that most if not all of the books are not first edition first printings. Fortunately, I purchased first editions of the books when they were published, so Im using the ones that came in the chest as reading copies and have replaced them with my true first editions. Overall, the set is a nice conversation piece and good storage for my first editions. Just wish the chest was of better quality. I realize it would have cost more, but I would have been willing to bear the cost of a nice wooden chest. On: 2008-02-09
I have been so happy with my boxed set of all 7 Harry Potter books. I read all seven of them in 33 days. It is something that I will keep and pass down to my grandchildren as a collectors item. I was very pleased with the time it took to get them. They were shipped on a Friday and I received them the following Monday. I was very happy with the amount of time it to took for the books to get to me.
A very satisfied costumer.
On: 2008-02-09
I dont know why everyone is making a big fuss over the cardboard trunk. I personally think the cardboard one is beautiful and very durable. I think that the cardboard was a better choice because instead of paying $100 for the set you probably would have had to pay more than double that if it was wooden. All in all it was a great gift and comes highly recommended! On: 2008-02-08
I was really looking forward to this box set as it looks great visually, which is still the case...however, it is a look and dont touch product. I, and probably a lot of other people, would have paid more money to buy something that was better quality. High quality is what you expect from Harry Potter and the people behind this travisty of a cardboard container, have certainly spoilt that aspect of it, as well as missing out on something that could have been better for everybody. The books as you expect are great, but most collectors already have them - people bought this box set for the container and it wasnt worth it, which is a shame, as it was such a good idea that was spoilt to save money or effort. On: 2008-01-28
I loved it, but the trunk is cardboard so its not as sturdy as I had hoped. On: 2008-01-27
The Harry Potter books, 1 through 7, in the boxed set are a lot of fun, especially since the box looks like Harrys scool trunk. On: 2008-01-26
I think this Boxset is awsome!! its really beautiful and the books are hard cover so its much better for reading. The Chest is really nice aswell. The books are in a bigger format than I expected but its more of a bonus than a downside. If youre thinking should I or shouldnt I buy it than the answer is YES YOU SHOULD!!! On: 2008-01-25
I was leary to purchse this with the poor reviews and I do agree with the fact that the trunk is very cheap for the books, but I do like having all 7 books in hardback and the case is nice to keep them in. On: 2008-01-25
The Harry Potter box set came brand new, as promised. One trunk handle was pulled out and not tied, but that was easily fixed. I love the product! On: 2008-01-25
I was very pleased with the product and it was delivered more quickly than I had expected. On: 2008-01-24
My daughters and I have been reading Harry from day one, and living every moment with him. Losing everything after Hurricane Katrina, we pondered on what we could replace. This year we were able to get the complete set, in his suitcase. We felt like we were home when we opened the case and began the journey again. On: 2008-01-24
The books get five stars. The special treasure chest gets NO STARS. Zilch. Period. I was VERY disapointed in the lack of quality of the treasure chest. It was horribly damaged upon delivery. This was a gift and it sucks that the treasure chest is so cheaply constructed.
I would most definitely NOT recommend this product unless it is the only way for a person to spend the least amount of money to buy the entire hardcover set of books. On: 2008-01-23
We were search for the Harry Potter Chest book set, and amazon lead us to this seller. It took over three weeks and an email to the seller to receive the product. It was not what we where expecting. We got the Harry Potter book set NOT the Chest set. When we contacted the seller we where notified that at the very bottom of their description it stated that this was not the chest set. Even though that is what we were searching on amazon for. They said it was amazons fault, and amazon said that is the category the seller posted under. When amazon sent us a notice to review this seller it still comes under the chest set. Who is in the right and who is in the wrong we dont know, just make sure you carefully read this sellers full description prior to purchasing. You may not get what you are expecting! On: 2008-01-23
Bought for my daughter for Christmas and she loved the set. Theyre all tucked nicely in a somewhat sturdy cardboard trunk. Great price for set. I checked other stores. I would recommend the set to everyone who loves Harry Potter. On: 2008-01-22
Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7
Iwas completely satisfied with this purchase. It was just as I expected it to be. On: 2008-01-21
All seven Harry Potter series are slightly over only one hundred dollars. Very cheap! As you know they are very interesting stories. The box is great. On: 2008-01-21
I was thoroughly impressed by Jim Dales interpretation of the Harry Potter series. He has an amazing talent for drawing the audience into the book with his gift for creating character voices. You often forget that you are only listening to a single person reading the book. Highly recommended! On: 2008-01-20
This item is a good present for those who like Harry Potter. Very good looking box + all the books. On: 2008-01-18
Product exactly as described. Good condition, great price. Had problems with shipping. Ordered as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately it was shipped with the product description on the outside of the shipping box. Not only could anyone walking by my house see the box and know what was in it, I was not the first one home from work that night. My girlfriend came home first and picked up the box...it was a gift for her. On: 2008-01-18
Well, I have been saving my $$$.$$ to purchase the ENTIRE collection at one time in hardcover. Imagine my horror when scrolling down the page to look at reviews -- just to make sure that I was truly making the right decision to spend such a large amount of money -- and reading the phrase, "Who killed Albus Dumbledore?" I did not read any of the comments at that link, but the damage was done. I have not had the pleasure of reading the final book. I have borrowed all of the Harry Potter books I have read from my nieces and nephews (ages 7 and 9). I asked them not to reveal the ending to me so I could enjoy the suspense. Both of those kids kept the secret, bless their hearts. My joy and excitement quickly ended because of those four words. At some point, I might be able to buy the box set, but for now I am heartbroken. Also -- thanks for posting the information concerning the poor packaging. I could have handled the disappointment of a cheap cardboard box a lot better than having the ending of the saga revealed. On: 2008-01-18
This was a Christmas present for one of my grand daughters. It arrived in time for Christmas and was as advertized. On: 2008-01-15
This box set was as advertised. Priced out individual books at Target and was more than the boxset without receiving all the extras. On: 2008-01-14
Got my books, they were all in perfect condition. I hadnt yet read the entire series, and neither had my dad, so now were having a blast reading the books. On: 2008-01-14
Though many many many people have been giving bad reviews of this item, I would like to give the opposite.
I live in Australia - and here we get the UK Versions of the books. I purchased this item because I wanted to see what the American version of the books were like. They are fantastic in comparison!! Let me tell you that - not only do you get extra illustrations for each chapter, but the book is bigger and thicker which makes them a lot more attractive.
Though a lot of people dislike the chest - not many have mentioned that though it is cardboard, it is still sturdy. It is only going to fall apart if you jump up and down on it or spend the time to rip it apart.
With the UK edition Box Set (all 7 books) you only get a filmsy slip case, which is far more likely to be destroyed then the cardboard box that comes with the US editions.
Sure - a wooden box would have been preferred - but would you pay an added $50+ for it?
On: 2008-01-13
I found this set a perfect gift. I expect my children to keep them for ever.... On: 2008-01-13
Great presentation and very exciting to open.
Will be appreciated by all and sundry On: 2008-01-12
This is a great set not only because of the great books by Rowling, but the Hogwarts chest is a neat way to store the books and it looks great. On: 2008-01-12
I purchased this a a Christmas gift for my wife. She absolutely loves it. My only concern is that it was to be her "big surprise" gift. Well, that didnt happen. The day it arrived, she met the UPS truck at the door and stamped ALL OVER the outside of the box was HARRY POTTER SPECIAL EDITION BOOK SET. There went that surprise...
Be sure if you purchase it as a gift, to be there when the delivery is made. The packaging is not in anyway subtle as to its contents!! On: 2008-01-12
Bought it a gift. Dont buy this from Amazon if you want it to be a surprise. The dang thing was shipped in a LABELED box marked "Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7"
Well no surprise there.
Offered me a refund of $35.00 Didnt just give it to me. Made me jump through hoops to get it, and the link they sent didnt work anyway.
hey Amazon, you put the FU in FUn gift giving.
On: 2008-01-11
I bought this for myself for Christmas. I received this in 2 days-instead of the predicted 10 days! Its a great way to drive to work or spend a day off from work when its cold and drizzling out. This really helps me escape into harryworld-where I wish I could permanently reside. On: 2008-01-08
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband and was glad that the books inside were bagged to show that it wasnt just tossed in there but the box (make-shift chest) was a slight disappointment.
The plastic clasps that hold the lid closed was ripped off of the lid so the chest doesnt close.
Fortunately, my husband isnt a kid so he didnt make a fuss over that but i still wished it was better attached... after all it is a gift... but i guess its whats inside that matters... On: 2008-01-07
I bought this product as a gift, i wasnt expecting much from it exept all 7 harry potter books. When i recieved the package my first reaction was wow!!! its much larger than what i had percieved after seeing the images. Each book was in exellent condition and the box was a marvelous surprise. Looking for the harry potter book collection or just a really good gift, than this is the item to get. On: 2008-01-07
Books were good condition, but came in a cardboard box and not the wooden one as advertised. VERY VERY VERY disappointing. I suggest buying the books elsewhere and either forget the nice collectible wood box or build one... ridiculous and a sham. On: 2008-01-07
Recieved Item promptly after payment... came 5 days later.
Could not be happier. On: 2008-01-07
I love the hard back book set. This is something I have been waiting for. The box is not the greatest quality (dont pick it up by the string handles). It made a good heavy Christmas gift. On: 2008-01-07
When it arrived we were amazed at the quality and the beauty of the books and packaging.,My daughter is 26 and a school teacher,she thought it was fantastic and loving every page she reads.Also its a masterpiece in the home as the chest is beautiful.She has it on display.Harry Potter fans looking for a beautiful gift set you cant go past this one. On: 2008-01-07
The Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7 was priced fairly and the items came in a timely manner and were exactly as advertised. We enjoyed the look of the box set and will display it in our library. On: 2008-01-07
Loved the idea but was very disappointed with the chest. For the price youd think it would be more sturdy so it could be a collectors item. On: 2008-01-07
I purchased the Harry Potter boxed set for my brother in-law for Christmas, not only did he love it, but my daughter and daughter in-law both want one. In fact, my daughter in-law stated it was the best gift ever !!. The box that it came in is what made it look special.
loved it. On: 2008-01-06
This was not the chest/case we saw in the initial promotion for the collection. We were very disappointed when it arrived. I was expecting a faux leather or faux wood, but cardboard and plastic? It doesnt even look good from across the room, let alone the 5 feet away that some suggest. On: 2008-01-04
I believe this item came and was very nicely done. It was a great price. I would never have been able to get 7 hard cover books for this price and quality. I did read some of the other review and I am somewhat confused at what they were expecting....real wood? Really? I would not have wanted to pay shipping on that and the books were heavy enough on their own. Plus wood splinters. A box would be a normal mode of packaging and they made the box presentable. Mine was a gift and they loved it and I have to admit I had wished I could have ordered one for myself and I will as soon as I can. It is something I can treasure for years to come. On: 2008-01-03
The chest that these books came in is actually very nice quality. All the bad reviews about it are overly exaggerated. In fact, its quite fun and looks like a wizards trunk! All its being used for is storage, so it serves its purpose just fine. Besides, Im paying for the books, not the packaging it comes in. I didnt want to spend a fortune, and Im sure it would have raised the price much higher if they had done something more elaborate. This chest will look so nice on my shelf! On: 2008-01-02
A WONDERFUL BOOK SET ALONG WITH A SET CASE THAT BARNES & NOBLE THEMSELVES DONT HAVE AND CHEAPER PRICE! I KNOW!!! On: 2008-01-02
This is a nice display item with a very realistic looking box from 5 feet away. The truth is, the box, although thick and sturdy looking, is not sturdy enough for the weight of the books. The side handles can NOT be used to pick up the box when the books are in it. I knew this when I purchased the set from the earlier reviews and all in all am happy with the set and its "display" value.
A good wooden box would add cost to the item, but would be well worth it and I would have paid the price if it were available. On: 2008-01-01
My daughter loved this item, it will give her monthes of reading pleasure. She was so surprised! The only drawback was that it was delivered in a box that said Harry Potter Books on the outside! Luckily I was the one home when the delivery was made. I can tell you that I was upstet about that! On: 2007-12-31
Though the price is nice, the packaging is not. Very flimsy and low quality. Plastic latch will break easily if not careful. The books themselves are wrapped, but the box will deteriorate after time if it is not treated well. Would have been five stars if not for the packaging. On: 2007-12-31
The H Potter books are excellent. It is just most unfortunate that publisher chose such a cheap and tacky way to preserve and show the collection. Cmon now....cardboard. I paid the price willingly but a note to the publisher, I would have paid even a higher price for more class! On: 2007-12-31
As with most customers, we love the books and are disappointed with the cardboard box they came in. A simple wooden box would not have been to much trouble to use. Im a detail kind of person and those little extras mean alot. Especially when its something you plan to keep for a very long time. On: 2007-12-30
Product arrived within the time frame given in good condition as promised. Highly recommended seller. On: 2007-12-29
This is a great set! I was a little worried about the trunk after reading the reviews, but I bought it anyway thinking that it was a great deal just for the books alone!
It turns out that although you do have to be somewhat careful with the trunk, it is quite adorable! It also comes with really cute stickers that you can decorate your trunk with.
I would recommend it, even if you just wanted the books! For the price, I dont understand how all the other reviewers expected so much more. 5 stars all the way! On: 2007-12-29
Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7
I purchased this set for my grandson. It is beautiful and he loves it. It is delightfully presented in a trunk-style gift box.. a great gift for any HP fan! Amazon service is terrific. On: 2007-12-29
This was a birthday present for my nephew who loves Harry Potter; he loves this set. On: 2007-12-29
My teenage son loved receiving this. GREAT PRICE for all 7 hardbacks! Yes the container is cardboard but so what, it doesnt claim to be wood or plastic. He loves the books and the packaging. I love the price. On: 2007-12-28
It was actually a gift for christmas, But I had to give something else because this did not arrive at all. On: 2007-12-28
nice for h.p. fans to have all the books collected in a nice box (not made in wood, mind you). the box is well done and creates quite an atmosphere of magic. the printings of the books are very nice to read. the books themselves are simply fantastic (as anyone whos been reading h.p. books knows).
only one thing: in the box there should be also "quidditch through the ages" and "fantastic beasts and where to find them". just to complete! On: 2007-12-28
I bought the Harry Potter boxed set as a gift for my granddaughter. She was delighted with it. On: 2007-12-28
I purchased this book set as a Christmas gift for my niece who is a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. I agree with some of the prior reviewers who commented on the cheapness of the packaging, but overall I am happy with the purchase and my niece was elated. I dont think she really cared about the packaging - its all about the books. On: 2007-12-28
My daughter, age 9, is up to the 5th book in the Harry Potter series, and had been wanting the whole collection for some time. She was elated on Christmas morning to see her very own Harry Potter trunk, with the whole set. The books are hardback and lovely, and now my husband can get started on reading the series. She also enjoyed the House crest stickers, which she put on various family members (she gave her baby sister Hufflepuff, for example) and her trunk. Very cute collection. On: 2007-12-27
Before you buy this set, know why you want it. If your primary interest is in an affordable set of HP books in hard cover, this is your deal.
If you are are looking for that exciting collectible...... well, not so much.
The argument is not about the books themselves (there is no question that they are fabulous.) It is about *this* set.
I was disappointed. For the price, I didnt really expect more than cardboard, but I DID expect better cardboard and hardware that was not plastic. Even a childs cardboard jewelry box has a clasp made of metal.
I received this set as a gift and I will keep it and love it for the thoughtfulness and generosity of my son. If I had bought it for myself, however, I would return it. On: 2007-12-27
Though the box was cardboard, the books were verry nice and were delivered in a timely mannor. On: 2007-12-27
I am an adult who wanted to finally get the entire Harry Potter set, now that the series has been completed. I got this for Christmas and I dont see why people are so upset over the packaging. Yes, its cardboard, but it is solidly constructed and sturdy enough to support the weight of a very heavy set of books. The trunk arrived well packaged in another double-walled box, so everything was well protected and book collectors will appreciate the good condition that the books arrive in. There is a plastic "lock" on the box to keep it closed, and thin rope handles on either side, and of course some printing on the box to maintain the "trunk" appearance. There are some rather cheesy stickers inside that you can decorate the trunk with, but it looks fine without them. The books are actually in another box insert in the trunk, so if you want to display the books by themselves on a shelf without the trunk, you can simply take the insert out and stand up the books that way.
If you are a looking for a complete set of hardbound Harry Potter books, that are certain to arrive in good condition, and have a box that will keep them in good condition, you will not be disappointed. On: 2007-12-27
I advance ordered the book set when I first learned of its offering during the late Spring. This was for my daughter who is an avid Potter fan (she had previously purchased all the books first as paperbacks and then later as hard cover versions). I wanted to give her a special collectors complete set from the publisher and thought when ordering that it was to come in a substantial wooden packaging. I gave it to her for her birthday unopened. When she opened it, I was disappointed to find that the special packaging was merely printed cardboard folded into a double-thick box. I was expecting more myself, but my daughter was happy to have a complete set of new books. On: 2007-12-26
Its my fault for not reading the description more carefully -- I was so excited to give this to my daughter for Christmas that I overlooked the fact that the box was cardboard and not wood. Its an incredibly cheap cardboard box, at that. It was a huge disappointment.
This would have been so much better if it was made out of wood, and could be a true heirloom.
We already had at least two copies of each book, but I bought this with the idea that it would be something my daughter could keep forever and pass along to her kids. Not so. The cardboard will start to tear and separate just as a result of removing the books from time to time. On: 2007-12-26
I was very pleased with the product that I received. Great deal and excellent time on delivery. Thank you On: 2007-12-25
As stated previously, the books in this collection deserve 5 stars each. I have to wonder what they were thinking when the final decision was made that this pitiful "trunk" was just dandy to house such a phenominal collection of books. I can just see it falling apart over a period of years. Take a look at the "trunk" used for the DVD collection of the first five Harry Potter films. That trunk at least has a real metal latch and is NOT made of cardboard. The publishers should keep in mind that their are plenty die-hard fans that are willing to pay the extra cash for a quality collectible. Forget it! Ill hold out for a swanky collecors set of books worth a heftier price tag (one of these days you know there will be another and better set to shell out the bug bucks for). On: 2007-12-23
My daughter is 10 and she reads a lot. So she expressed interest in Harry Potter series and this set is the best value for money if you think about North American complete series hardcover editions sold by Amazon (.com and .ca).
Yes, chest is cardboard, but it is as good as cardboard chest can be, and children can care less whether it is "wooden", "genuine" or whatever. They would value the "chest from Hogwarts" part. On: 2007-12-21
I bought this as a gift and liked it so much that I bought a second set. On: 2007-12-21
GIFT WARNING!! The brown shipping box that this item is delivered in says on the outside - HARRY POTTER BOX SET 1-7, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER... So a word of advice, if you buy this for a gift, have it shipped to yourself or somewhere they wont see it so you can wrap it later. (-1 star)
The books are great. Having all the hardcover editions in a collectible box set is what every fan craves. But this? This is box set is just embarrassing to display. It would have been better if it was just a normal box set cover, but to add a cheap lock and cheeky packaging? (-1 star)
Other than that, the hardcover books are still nice to display on the bookshelf by themselves. I recommend this for any fan of the series, as long as you know what you are getting ahead of time. On: 2007-12-18
I absolutely love these books. I started reading them several years ago, not really expecting much, and it was a wonderful surprise to discover such endearing beautiful books. I immediately became hooked and a BIG Potter fan.
Since, back when I started reading these books, I didnt even know if I would like them, I bought paperback editions in different languages. As I got hooked and discovered the Scholastic editions, I thought about buying the complete collection on the English Scholastic Hardcover edition (once the 7th and final book came out) and re-read all of the books again.
This is why this boxed set became an ideal option for me. I really wasnt expecting much on the packaging, although I admit that the packaging gives much to be desired. It is poor quality cardboard. Im sure I will dispose of it very soon.
I give this collection 4 stars.... 5 stars for the books minus 1 star for the packaging. (sorry) On: 2007-12-15
Two words... EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING!!!
I bought three sets with the intention of giving them to my adult children as keepsakes for their children. One of the "boxes" was damaged in shipment because the "box" is so cheaply made. There is no wood involved, just cardboard with a wallpaper-type wood design covering it.
These things will fall apart long before my grandchildren are old enough to enjoy them.
Two more words... RIP OFF! On: 2007-12-13
OK, why all the moaning? I just received this item yesterday for my birthday and I was pleased as punch about it. Yes, the trunk the books come in is made out of cardboard rather than a fine elder box, lined with dragon hide with a 24 K gold locking mechanism. So bloody what?
As I see it ... this item is a set of seven hardcover books. These books make up one of the finest pieces of story telling for this generation. By my calculations, theres roughly 3600 pages of text. At $200 thats a good price. Discounted down to $116 is a shockingly good deal.
So why the complaining?
If you already have all the books then sure, this is not a purchase that makes sense for you. On the other hand, if you dont yet have these books in your posession, then Id have a hard time naming a better deal out there right now. Ive read the series seven times now, in both the american and british versions, love the story to pieces ... but have been primarily grabbing them from the library. $116 of my good wifes money and voila! I now own the set. A good story, good gift, Im happy.
And someday, I hope that a full set will be put out with beautiful leather binding, gold leaf on the pages, all that ... a 20th anniversary set or something like that ... I would totally snatch that up. But for now, this will do just fine, Ill more than get my moneys worth out of it.
How about we focus on the actual books themselves, all you who toss out one star? Yes, lets do that. As for me, I dont really look at these as seven seperate books. (Just like Kill Bill vols. 1 and 2 really arent two seperate movies.) In my mind, this is one giant tome, one great story, a five star experience from beginning to end. And if I ever meet Ms. Rowling, I will simply say thanks. On: 2007-12-12
My grandson had been wanting this so I couldnt resist getting it for him for Christmas. He is going to love it. The seller was easy to work with, had reasonable shipping and good communication. On: 2007-12-12
Our children loved the our Harry Potter books to pieces literally. They have been read so many times they fell apart, So when we saw the chance to replace them in hardcover boxset we jumped at it. The boxset was good value and the books have taken pride of place on our bookshelf BUT the case was a disappointment. It certainly looks better in photos then in person.We are still very happy with our purchase and would reccomend. On: 2007-12-12
Habia leido varias reviews que decian que era una caja de carton muy berreta, pero me arriesgue a comprarla para mi novio y la verdad que esta muy linda. No es un "cofre" de verdad obviamente, pero es resistente, a los que se les rompio no debieron haberla tratado con mucho cuidado que digamos. Estoy muy satisfecha con la compra y la edicion de los libros es bellisima. On: 2007-12-11
Books are wonderful. Packaging was nice. However, I was told it was a "complete set" and the map was missing. I was highly dissappointed. On: 2007-12-11
First of all, let me start out by clarifying that I cannot say enough wonderful things about the seven books in the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowlings books are among the greatest childrens novels ever written, and if you dont already own the entire series in hardcover, then this boxed set is definitely a good deal. However, if youre looking for a snazzy collectible item, you are in for a major disappointment.
When I first learned that a gift set of all the hardcover Harry Potter books was being released, I was thrilled. Even though I already own all of the books from this series in hardcover, the idea of owning a collectible gift set was very appealing to me, and I was more than willing to shell out extra money for something nice. Unfortunately, though, the quality of the packaging of this set is incredibly shabby. The seven beautiful books are lined up side by side in a flimsy cardboard box with a cheap plastic lock glued to one side. Its terrible! I think the publisher really missed the mark with this one. So many fans would pay top dollar for a beautiful Harry Potter gift set, but why would anyone want to invest in something that looks so crappy?
A lot of other reviewers have remarked that people shouldnt be grumbling over the packaging. I disagree. Boxed sets in general are supposed to be special. Look at all the fancy book and DVD boxed sets available on the market at any given time. People are paying for the books or movies themselves, but theyre also paying for the presentation.
Overall, if youre just looking to buy a complete set of the books, you cant go wrong with this affordable gift set. However, if youre looking for a collectors item, pass this one up. Im so glad I saw this gift set in person before I ordered it for myself...there is no way Im buying it now. On: 2007-12-10
After having read other reviews on this collection and its disappointing "cardboard trunk", I STILL decided to make the purchase. As expected, the trunk held true to the other reviews, CHEAP. With that said, Im still very happy with this set! I purchased this set for my son and I dont think you can beat this deal. If you purchased these books individually, youd pay alot more and not have ANY kind of storage box to keep the set together. I DO recommend this purchase for anyone wishing to have an affordable, complete boxset of the Harry Potter series. On: 2007-12-09
This is a Christmas gift for one of our sons. He has read and loved all of the Potter books and wanted this boxed set for Christmas. On: 2007-12-08
It doesnt matter if youre eight or eighty (or anywhere in between), a trip to whimsey with Harry Potter wont hurt a bit - may, in fact, put a smile where there is all too often a line of concern with just the struggle of living from day to day. That being said, sometimes we all need a break from our usual reading choices to either appreciate them more or to adjust them for the better. Theres a lot of reading material out there thats best described as needing some serious effort at improvement in order to be classed as junk. But, theres also a lot of literature, too. I think at the very least, the Harry Potter series may open a few minds to venture into the classics. Wouldnt that be a treat?
Jack On: 2007-12-08
I was very pleased with the expedient shipping time. The product was exactly what I ordered and it arrived in perfect condition. On: 2007-12-06
The book pack I purchased (twice) for gifts was beautifully presented and of course the books are fantastic. J K Rowlings is now a household name and hr books are world famous. This collection is a must for people who love reading but also for those who love to have a beautiful treasure to keep for generations to come. On: 2007-12-06
I had read all of the Harry Potter books borrowing them from friends because I wanted to wait until the series was complete, so I could buy the inevitable box set. I have no complaints about the books themselves. They are the nice hardback volumes I expected. Of course, the books themselves are also a wonderful collection of stories that I highly recommend to anyone who likes magical tales. My complaint is with the box itself. It is made of cardboard and plastic. It will take quite a bit of care to keep it looking nice for any length of time. If this is purchased for any but the most fastidious child to keep in his/her room, I would expect the box to be in tatters within a few months. I suppose that for the price I shouldnt have expected more, but I am not sure it there is any point to buying the box set other than its value as a collectible item. On: 2007-12-06
Considering this thing has all 7 books, its a must have if you have yet to read any of the books, and like the movies. All of them are hardcover which is very nice. Although the box it comes in is just cardboard, its still nicely done. It just seemed to be wood from the picture. So beware if you think youre getting a wooden box. On: 2007-12-03
This was the best price I have found for this book set! Amazon made it so easy to shop on their website. I just love Amazon! On: 2007-12-03
I had not bought any of the Harry Potter books yet because I was waiting for a final set. The price is usually cheaper than buying them all separately and I was hoping for some kind of collectors casing. The "chest" really isnt of collector quality. It is adequate enough to hold the books but will need to be treated with care in order for it not to be ruined. The reason I still gave this item 3 stars is because of the price that I paid ~ $115. At that price this is still a good deal for the books and its like you get the box for free. However, it is definitely not worth the MSRP price. If you just want the books and can get it at that price then go for it. But, if you are a true Harry Potter fan and want a collectors set I would hold out for something better. On: 2007-12-02
Excellent packaging and the books are hard covers with larger print and better graphics. This is far easier to read than the soft covers and most of the books are 1st Editions Hard covers. Great to have a complete set with embossed jackets. Has the poor american phonetic spelling but we can tolerate this, as its a bit of fun identifying the mispelt words.
In general a great cost effective set of quality books for children who have not read the series. On: 2007-12-02
I was disappointed that this cool-looking trunk is actually cardboard with a flimsy plastic latch. For over one hundred dollars, youd expect at least balsa wood or some other cheap wood, but not cardboard! I threw my "trunk" away. The books inside are the exact hardbacks you find on the shelves, but buying them this way saves you a lot of money! On: 2007-12-01
Yes, when I first looked at the listing, the picture showed a box of much better quality. But, even after the real box was revealed, I still ordered it. Why? Because its still the least expensive way to get all 7 books in hardback!! Also, the book covers are made of very heavy duty paper and very nicely bound. Im still glad that I purchased the set!! On: 2007-12-01
I LOVE Harry Potter and the books. For this Chistmas I want to have the box set, but all of the reviews say that the box is made of cardboard. Im not sure if thats true, but when I get the set and see that it is true, than Im going to make my own box. I could measure the perimeter of the books together and ask my Dad to get the supplies and we could make our own Harry Potter trunk to put the books in. So it wont be a rip off to get the set! On: 2007-11-29
I was very pleased with this set. My boys love Harry Potter and now they have all seven hardcover books in one case to keep for later. The case is nice, cardboard, but sturdy, for storage of the books. On: 2007-11-26
I purchased this box set for my Muggle and I know she is going to love it! All of her HPs have been read numerous times and some have become tattered. I anticipate this will be her favorite gift. Any fan would be delighted to add this to their collection. On: 2007-11-26
This is such a sad excuse for a collectors chest. In fact a cardboard box with visibly ugly edges. When I first read the description it was written as a wooden box which is why I ordered it and figured I was getting a great deal for pre-ordering. Not the case. I would have been more than happy to pay more for a nicely done box even if it were just a sturdier cardboard made well that looked better. The box looks great if you neglect the corners all together and dont plan on using the handles at all. It should have been covered with some sort of edging and made a bit better. I was pretty sad to get such a disappointing product. I am still excited however to read the books. On: 2007-11-26
This isnt about the books - it is about the so-called chest. It is horrible. Flim-flam at its worst! UPDATE: I recognize that many comments are directed at the overall cost of the books (about $17 each), then that is what the marketing and advertising plan should have addressed, but they didnt they marketed the chest. Besides most of us already own the books in hardback; some of us were thinking of future generations to enjoy these fun books - so I still say the consumer was bamboozled! Where was Ralph Nader and Consumer Reports when you need them. On: 2007-11-26
Everybody complains about the poor packaging. What are you expecting?! Youre already getting the 7 books which retail (the last 4 at least) at 30 a piece. That right there pays for the books alone. This is the cheapest price by far I have found and that includes Barnes and Noble,....WHERE I WORK. If you are really that upset about the packaging, 1, dont buy it, or 2, ask a handy man to make you an actual chest. On: 2007-11-26
UNBELIEVABLY BAD BOX for such a collectible set of books. I never ever imagined the pictured box would be a mere cardboard trunk. Sides dont really hold together well. Printing is muddy. Cord handles flimsy. Corner "hardware" is merely illustrated, not real. And it has the worst plastic latch I have ever seen. I returned it immediately. On: 2007-11-24
Like others reviewing this set, Ill admit that the packaging is less than desirable. The cardboard box was a big disappointment. Beyond that, this is an incredible buy. Add up the cost of these books individually and youll spend around $200 easy. If you want the Harry Potter series cheap, go for this. If you want pretty packaging, pick up the British version and pay nearly $400. On: 2007-11-24
Just like every other reviewer I was disappointed with the cardboard "Pirates Chest". I bought the set as a gift and now Im embarrassed by the packaging. Still, the price isnt bad for the entire set of books. On: 2007-11-24
I know everyone is really upset they didnt get a wooden trunk with metal embellishments, a keyed lock, a lifetime supply of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and a puppy. But really folks...if you seriously thought it would be that you should have questioned the price. Wood and metal and handcraftmanship are significanly more in the money department.
Its cardboard, it comes with stickers instead of a puppy, but most important of all: The Books Are Hardbacks. Finding any of the Harry Potter books in hardback, in good condition, is nigh-impossible once theyve gone paperback. And when you consider Amazons discounted price, you are getting a mega-screaming deal.
And you know what? I like the cardboard trunk. It looks good on my coffee tables shelf. I think its a cute bit of marketting and a good offer to the fans as their last chance to get the hardbacks new and pristine. On: 2007-11-22
this product was what I wanted and also was cheaper than other places I had searched.. On: 2007-11-21
Its the best price for the 7 books (Hard cover). Books are really good and stylish. The box, however, its made with cheap material. It looks very nice though.
Bottom line, if you are purchasing this set just for the books, it is your best bet. If you are purchasing this for the case, you will be a little dissapointed, not for the looks but for the material. On: 2007-11-21
I have recently receive my Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7. I have to say that the trunk as all may know is made of cheap capboard. If you dont have the seven books of this amazing story, and you really want to have them you should buy it. But if you are buying the boxset only for the trunk you then will be very angry because the trunk is awful. The books all come in a good state and the stickers are amazing. On: 2007-11-21
I love the idea of putting the books in a Hogwarts trunk. The stickers to decorate it was like icing on top. The price was reasonable! Thats less than $20 per hard back book! What better way to store your Harry Potter books? On: 2007-11-21
I think this is a really great way to keep your favorite Harry Potter Books. The only thing I was surprised at, is that the box is cardboard and not a real suitcase, which would of been better. But still I love it. There is also a set of stickers inculded to decorate the box as you like. On: 2007-11-20
I bought this for my kids for Christmas. Had it delivered of course...The outside of the shipping box says "Harry Potter Boxed Set 1-7" in HUGE letters along the sides. Totally ruined that surprise.
Not concerned about the cardboard, as that it says right in the description that it is cardboard. I am just so upset that they had to ship it with the description on the box. On: 2007-11-15
If youre like me and didnt appreciate until recently how well written and adult themed the Harry Potter books are, this set is an economical way to get your own copy of the entire series (so you dont have to borrow from the kids). The books are printed on high quality paper stock with good bindings, and original dust jackets and illustrations. They will lie on my shelf next to my leather bound "Lord of the Rings" set. This set is also a great gift for a child who was too young to appreciate the series when it originally came out, particularly if you want to send the lesson on how much richer the reading experience is compared to the movie.
However, if you are looking for collectors value, dont waste your money. The "box" is cheezy cardboard, and while the books are marked "first edition" the lowest number on the publishers page is 07, so they dont have value as first printing first editions.
I thought it was good value for 7 original quality hardbacks. Keep the books for your library and give the chest to the kids.
On: 2007-11-15
I love it!!!! Perfect for collects such as myself or just as Christmas gifts for the family.....Excellent buy and price. On: 2007-11-15
I know its about the books but I was kind of disappointed in the chest. On: 2007-11-14
What a wonderful gift set for the Harry Potter fanatic, like my daughter. She has a full set of books, some paperback, some hardcover,which she has read several times. She wanted a full set that was fresh and new without their bindings cracked. This "trunk" of books is really neat! Amazon.com has the best price that Ive found. I cannot wait to see my daughters eyes when she opens this gift on Christmas morning. By the way, she is 31 years old. On: 2007-11-13
I wanted to emphasize what other reviewers have said about the "chest." It is very poorly made. I saw this set in Borders (thankfully I hadnt bought it). The chest really is flimsy, folded cardboard that wont hold up to being handled much, or to holding the heavy books enclosed in it. I lifted the set in the store and the chest seams bowed open! The picture on Amazon is much better than real life. Im not expecting wood, but this could have been made of hardened, bonded leather. If you just want a set of HP hardcover books, this might be worth it but Id check the individual hardcover prices to be sure youre getting the best deal.
The books, of course, are phenomenal. On: 2007-11-12
Loved the books, didnt care about the cardboard box
Mad as hell that book four is missing 31 pages (pages 675-706 are no in the book while pages 643-674 are repeated)
On: 2007-11-12
This exceeded my expectations. A must for any Potter fan!! The trunk that it comes in makes it extra fun. I already owned all the books, but I just had to have this. On: 2007-11-11
These books are a good read for any age. Each book has a story that reinforces the value of friendship, honor, and love. Wonderful books. I wish J.K. Rowling would continue with this series. The cardboard chest is sturdy and is excellent for storing the series of books. On: 2007-11-11
Yes, anyone who bought this item got quite a reasonable deal in the end considering how much one would pay for each book individually, but I think for most of us, the whole appeal of the product is that it was a special collectable boxset of all 7 books - something that we all knew would be brought out eventually, and something that many of us have been waiting for (I have held off buying any of the previous books waiting for an item such as this).
The fact is, that while the books are of course excellent no matter what theyre packaged in, if I wanted just the books I would have bought them already - I wanted something a bit special, as Im sure many others did, and all my waiting got me was a very cheap looking cardboard box, which will probably be thrown out after putting the books on the shelf. Is this really the best possible complete set of Harry Potter books? Perhaps its a marketing ploy, and in a year the actual wooden box will be brought out and well all be looking at our unfortunate cardboard box thinking hmmmm.
In the end, Ive got the books for a reasonable price, so Im happy. But if it was the aim of the publishing company to disappoint Potter fans who had been waiting for that special item, then theyve succeeded admirably. On: 2007-11-10
The books are fine, but youd expect a wooden case, the box is actually cheap cardboard, and not very good cardboard at that! On: 2007-11-09
Beautiful set of great books, the box trunk is just cardboard and falls apart easily, excellent idea with extremely poor craftsmanship...a little disappointing... good gift set! On: 2007-11-08
Ordered this as a christmas present and am very impressed with the whole package; cant say much more as the books themselves are fantastic. On: 2007-11-07
Come one people, do the math. Ok, so in the reviews you see that the box is cheap. Ok, you know that now. But still, all SEVEN hardback books for just over $100 when if you were to buy each one separately they would be just over $130, that is a bargain, no matter what condition the cheap box is in!! On: 2007-11-05
The price that youre paying here people is for the ENTIRE run of the Potter books in hardback. Count them, ALL SEVEN. Anyone who honestly expects that the packaging is actually going to make a difference here is living in la-la land. What are you going to do with them once you get them? Leave them in a box? Or do what was meant with books with dust covers as nice as these and put them on a shelf for display? I think the box is fine for what it is. But I tell you what. Go out and buy these hardback books one by one and see how much they cost. Complaining about the box? Gimme a break. On: 2007-11-05
Very very sad... Love the wonderful books but cant believe what a lame excuse for a display chest they used. Cheap cardboard... very tacky... On: 2007-11-05
I could have bought the books for $30 less and had them this summer... Instead I waited until this cheap piece of ... I did not expect an cedar chest or anything of that nature, but cardboard?!? Really I guess I had an extra few bucks to toss down the toilet, dont you?!? On: 2007-11-04
Though I had this item on my wish list here at Amazon for the longest time, I decided to be patient and wait for it to be in the local bookstores before purchasing it. It was worth my patience, as the packaging for this so-called Collectors Boxset of Harry Potter books, years 1-7 is really rubbish! The trunk that houses the books is made of thick cardboard that does not seem sturdy enough, and the worst feature in my opinion is the cheap plastic clasp that locks the trunk!
There are so many other ways this packaging could have been made better...and Im sure if the manufacturers has upped the quality factor, consumers would have been prepared to shell out more money for a quality wooden box, instead of something cheap-looking and flimsy that is not even worth being hyped as a collectors set. Very disappointing indeed. On: 2007-11-04
I am not alone in thinking that the display box is a complete waste of time. I was expecting something more sturdy then cardboard, and maybe with a metal clasp/lock. Is that too much to ask? The books are shrink wrapped, and the whole package came in a fairly good protective shipping box. The display box was nothing more then a dissappointment though. On: 2007-11-03
5 stars, got mine in awsome condition. well of course it is heavy there is 7 full stories in this case, I dont know why they came out with the 6 book series know they have to buy 7 and keep it next to the box. I might be doing it if they come out with a part 8. that will be terrable, dont they have a harry potter book shelf? On: 2007-11-03
This is an excellent collectors edition at an exceptional price!!! (I got it at $115.00)
While it may be hard to find the first editions; this is a wonderful way to have all 7 books, in the same format and protected in a custom size box to help protect from shelf damage, mold, mildew, etc.
A perfect gift to put aside for your children, or yourself, that is sure to appreciate in value in the years to come.
Now, I just have to get J.K. Rowling to autograph them and Ill be all set.
On: 2007-11-01
People get "collectors sets" for the extras and pretty packaging. Yes, the books are amazing, but the "pretty box" is junk with a cheep plastic latch. I saw this here months ago and was just miserable because I was too broke to buy it. It looked so cool in the picture that I almost went ahead and put it on my credit card. Boy am I glad I didnt! The other day I saw they had it at Borders so I had to go and see and...
CARDBOARD?!
Like other people I didnt expect it to be stained hardwood, but did it have to be this chintzy, flimsy cardboard? It has all the durability and quality of a Happy Meal box and the display pic has clearly been digitally altered. Bad form, Amazon and Rowling! I so wont be buying this piece of junk. Just buy the books. On: 2007-10-31
Im laughing at those who say the trunk was listed on Amazon as a wooden trunk! Because it certainly was not listed that way.
Buy this set for the books inside! And...we should be rating this set on the books...not the trunk/box!
If youre looking to own all of the books in the Harry Potter series, this is by far the best deal youre going to find. The "cardboard" trunk is a fun added bonus.
If you want a high quality wooden box...go find and buy one. Youre certainly going to pay a few $$$! People are funny...some want something for nothing. Amazon already has this set priced as a steal! Technically youre getting a couple books for free here! On: 2007-10-30
The only reason Im keeping this is because I refused to purchase the books on my own until a collectors edition came out [can you imagine the wait!], and it seems to be cheaper to buy the set than to buy each separately.
However there is no excuse for the packaging. It upsets me so much I consider sending it back. Cheap cardboard, cheap box. McDonalds packages their Big Macs better than this. On: 2007-10-30
I originally gave this 5 stars for the price, in spite of the cheap cardboard trunk, but due to the publishers and Amazons poor quality control, I must give this a lower rating. Book 4 has a section of duplicate pages where missing pages should be, and Book 7 has creased pages with blurred print. Amazon will not replace individual books within the set, so I must take all 18 lbs to UPS and make arrangements to be home for another UPS delivery. On: 2007-10-30
The people who were surprised that this is a card board box need to relax. Aside from the fact that it says in the product description that its a cardboard box, its $120 for SEVEN HARDCOVER BOOKS. This is a great deal just to get all seven books in hardcover. Did someone honestly think theyd get a solid wooden box for that price? Seriously?
Return it if you dont like it, but please use just a LITTLE intelligence the next time you order something. On: 2007-10-29
I have never written a product review before, but the utter stupidity that went into the production and marketing of this boxset has forced me to take the plunge. I was literally incredulous and actually offended when I opened the package to see what lay inside. I doubt the box is worth 10 cents, and its already falling apart. I feel like I have been robbed, just plain robbed. On: 2007-10-29
If you are buying this to collect, to store unopened because you think the case will make it valuable someday, or because you already own all the books and just need this because it is so cool, or to ah... maybe collect.... then you will be dissapointed - the case is only cardboard. Personally, I do not understand all of the negative reviews. Of course it is cardboard. Does anybody really need to "Collect" these books? They are just books. Books are for reading.
Not owning any of the books, and having waited until this set came out for the express purpose of having all of the books in one set, I have no complaints. The cardboard box is quite sturdy and does the job. The books are good quality, of course. The cardboard exterior box will not detract from the reading experience. Finally, the price is good. As for the cardboard case, who cares!
If you are buying this set simply for collecting purposes of any kind, and already own most or all of the books, I would kindly suggest you take some time to re-think what you could do with $120 hard earned dollars. On: 2007-10-29
I ordered this for my daughters 9th birthday. I am so glad I did. She loved the trunk it came in. I am happy I got the hardback books. She has seen most of the movies and has started reading the books. I am excited that she has found something she enjoys reading. On: 2007-10-28
The books are wonderful. Since I only own book one in paperback and book four in hardcover this was a relatively inexpensive way to get all of the books, and in hardcovers no less!
Id have to say that the big problem everyone has with the box isnt that its a rip off so much as... it wasnt what they were expecting. When you see something nice in your minds eye.. and it doesnt turn out that way, it leads to a great deal of disappointment, even if getting the books is wonderful. I know I was disappointed. I really was expecting more.
But, I got my books and for that Im satisfied. On: 2007-10-28
Im surprised at the negative reviews on this boxset. I think it was a great purchase. The books are hardcover and look great. The box may be cardboard and the latch plastic but overall the presentation is lovely, and it makes a nice talking point on the bookshelf. The coloured stickers fancy up the trunk (box) to your own liking. It looses a point because the latch is fiddly and took me a little bit to actually work out how to open. Overall I really like it and think it is a nice way to keep the books together. On: 2007-10-28
We actually found this box set in the store (the mega super chain we all love to hate, yet continue to shop there ... you know the one.)
The "trunk" is average grade cardboard and the "lock" is flimsy decorative plastic. The box, on a whole, is kinda shabby. One accidental drop and this trunk is going to be permanently damaged.
While its really fantastic that theyve put together an entire box set of the books, I think people would have been willing to pay the price for a better quality set. I would have. Im really glad Im not the one who paid $100+ for it. I hope that when they finish all the movies and put them into a box set its of better quality than the book set. If youre a mega fan, grab it while you can. If youre not that crazy about owning all the Potter goodies, skip this. On: 2007-10-28
I bought this set as a college graduation present for my daughter. It was a very good deal on the books themselves: I had bought my set one at a time for about $30 each, so this was less than half that price. She was a little disoppointed that the chest was so flimsy, but mostly that several of the dustcovers were wrinkled and torn. We are bibliophiles in my family, and we treat books with careful respect, and we have books that are decades old that are in better shape than these came new. I offered to trade dustcovers with her, as mine are in much better shape even after being read many times by many people, but she didnt want to do that. On: 2007-10-28
Having seen this item months ago, i ordered it straight away as the pictures
looked fantastic and i genuinely thought that i was getting a wooden box, so
i was just a little disappointed when it arrived and it had been made out of
cardboard. This set is not available in Northern Ireland and i thought it
would be cool to have it as our box sets only come in a thin card surround.
I hope that the publishers eventually bring out a proper wooden box of good quality which will be in keeping with what we all were expecting to get and then i can pass this box set to my children and i can look forward to receiving a properly made WOODEN box set. On: 2007-10-27
The box I received is FAR, FAR, very FAR from being what I saw on the picture displayed in Amazon. I would MOST CERTAINLY NOT buy this for a child younger than 12 for it would most certainly not hold together for long. The picture/comment from B. Philip (Scotland) is right on.
I bought it for decoration purposes in my personnal library and I must admit that Im not sure I still want to put this in display.
Whoever designed that mockery of a trunk could at least manage to put the joints in the back instead of the front... On: 2007-10-26
Arrived today.
First of all I will say I have seen the films, but only decided to read the books this year. After being given a paperback I read it and loved it, and decided I would read them all.
So the hardbacks cost 50$ AUD each in Australia (thats 45$ usd at current exchange rate). The math is simple enough $50 x 7 = 350$. Thankfully this box set retails for 275$ in Australian book stores. This makes it value purchase if your wanting all 7 books (all with matching covers no less). Now this is where it gets good , amazon sold this for $116.99 usd + 11.98 postage to Australia which is about what 3 of hardbacks cost here. 7 books! for the price of 3 and they even came in a box to store them in.
I cant wait to read them. The books themselves seem very high quality compared to other hardbacks I own. I do feel bad for the people that bought this for the wrong reasons. All i know is got the complete set of books for well under half the price of buying them in Australia seperately (The paperbacks would have costed me the same price here as this set). I highly recommend this to anyone who wants the set in hardbacks its a bargain.
If you allready own all 7 hardbacks then I would not recommend buying this just for the box.
Buy it for the books. On: 2007-10-25
I live in India. My Sister and I are big fan of HP. We both received a gift set of seven books from our parents, a UK edition by Bloomsbury and a US edition by Scholastic. Both reached me in 4 days and 5 days respectively. I must say I liked the UK edition for the Front and Back covers and the language nonetheless, though I admit the US edition is bigger, much better pages, and higher overall quality. I had previously read the UK edition from library, which had the best page quality and I had expected this to be of same quality, but Instead I got that in US edition! also the paper trunk is a good thing to have.
Though I am, had been and will be a big fan of HP, and I like both the editions. These are the best gifts we had since years. On: 2007-10-25
the box look very very fake in real life unlike in the picture.. still a good buy.. On: 2007-10-25
I am very disappointed with the cheap cardboard box. For some reaon I expected a little more quality. I question how durable this boxed set will be. Had I understood how tacky the box would be, it would not have been purchased. On: 2007-10-25
I dont understand how people could have expected a wooden box. The hardcover boxed set of books 1-6 sells for over $100. For just a little bit more you are getting book #7 and a fun case to keep them in plus a book of sticker. This is a great way to get or give the complete set and
the price is reasonable. On: 2007-10-25
i ordered the "incredible" set (incredible being used quite loosely) for my birthday and expecpted a wooden box with all seven hard cover books. The books came and i even got stickers but the thing is this isnt what i ordered. they did say wooden and man i remember reading something about it is comingwith a key as well which i am not making up because someone else told me they remembered reading that as well. is this false representation? yes. if i wanted the books i saw a set for 50 bucks but of course it didnt come with the box, which might i say is probably made out of the material they make packing peanuts out of. ive used toothpicks sturdier than this and i am dissapointed but the books are the important part. but id just like to say thanks amazon for the plastic hatch and toothpick dispenser On: 2007-10-25
At $20/book its not a horrible deal for hardback copies of some of the most beloved books of our time.
A far as the packaging, all of the other reviews are dead on... its nothing more than a cheap cardboard box with ropes as handles and a plastic latch for security. Realizing that these books are supposed to be geared for children I might expect a 8-10 year old to be satisfied but for anyone older this is a real joke and an insult to us all.
I returned mine for a refund since we already own all of the books. Better luck next time. On: 2007-10-25
I bought this from Borders, in person. Im sort of embarrassed about that, considering the cheesy quality of the packaging, but I wanted to have the full seven books, and I like that they are sealed to keep them in mint condition. When I first saw this product on Amazon.com, I thought it would be an actual box. You know, with wood. But, nope. The cardboard may have once been a tree - or at least near one, but this is not quality craftsmanship. There is already a dent in the top of mine! You are paying for the books... consider the corrugated cardboard to be a nice storage container with fun print on it. This is the perfect thing for a pre-teen, but not the quality that a serious adult fan would appreciate. On: 2007-10-25
Im slightly confused why this box is getting such bad reviews. Youre buying all seven Harry Potter hardcovers in a fun box, regardless of the boxs construction. This set was what I expected.
Let me start out by saying that the material, the books themselves, need no introduction. This set includes the million-seller hardcovers you could find in any used bookstore: these definitely arent rare books, and youre definitely NOT getting a collectors item, as these boxsets can be found in any bookstore. There is, however, a more expensive first edition box set (at almost three times the cost) that may end up being a collectors item.
That being said, I was delighted with the box. In contrast to all the bad reviews, the box is decently detailed and includes decals to affix to the outside. It is cardboard, but has a relatively sturdy inner box to lend support (as it does contain a few thousand pages of story).
As for the books themselves, they are the original hardcovers in all their Potter-fanatic glory. Admittedly, the only book in the series I purchased prior to this set was book 7; the first 6 I listened to Jim Dales excellent audiobook reading. Youre getting all seven hardcover books for less than $17 a piece (at this writing) brand new, which is a pretty good deal, given that theyre incredibly imaginative books.
The books themselves are nice hardcovers: colorful dust jackets with thick, nicely printed paper. As I mentioned, these are most likely the same hardcovers you could get anywhere; someone else may be more of an expert at print quality than I am.
And, as a bonus, you get a pretty cute little box to keep the books together. Id say its a pretty good deal for a set of well-bound hardcover books in a box. On: 2007-10-24
I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and when I preordered this set back in July, I couldnt wait for it to come out on September 18th. Then the date got changed to October 16th. I thought, "Hey thats fine. I can wait." But what did I wait for? I mean I could have already purchase the other 6 books (since I already owned book 7) and made my own "Collectors Box" out of real wood. I am disappointed in this Items description, and the fact that the pictures were edited to show a nicer trunk box. What they should have said was "cheapily made cardboard trunk box." Dont waiste your money on this set if you are wanting the "Collectors Box!" On: 2007-10-24
DO NOT ORDER THIS PRODUCT FOR CHRISTMAS!!! This product is delivered in a box with HARRY POTTER plastered entirely over 2 sides, impossible to hide. This was to be a Christmas surprise for my children. Now, Christmas is ruined for them!!! On: 2007-10-24
I partly agree with most of the folks here. I do believe that anyone expecting a wooden box set for this low price was expecting too much. If the set had been in a wooden trunk it would have cost too much for most people to buy. This being said, I m glad they made it a little cheaper so more could afford this cool set. All in all I am very pleased. Knowing that it wasnt possibly going to be wooden, I am happy with the set. I wanted the books in hard cover, and the trunk like box was a cool extra. If you are looking for a classic adult collectible, then I wouldnt buy this. If you love the books and would like something kind of cool to keep them in, then buy them. On: 2007-10-24
As I am new to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, I did not have any of the books. Once I was hooked I knew I wanted my own set. I began pricing all of the books in hardcover form. When I saw this set I quickly realized it was the best deal around. And in a wooden box to boot!! When it arrived today, I really had to hide my disgust and disappointment at the cheap and flimsy cardboard box. After reading the reviews I realized that I was duped, along with everyone else. This box arrived with a tear at the corner from shipping and I have no confidence it will hold up to normal use. My only consolation is that I received an Amazon Reward Certificate for $25.00 that I applied to this purchase, thus spending under $100.00. Sadly, I wasted a perfectly lovely Amazon Reward Certificate on a falsely advertised book set.
This travesty really deserves a free replacement box or a partial refund. On: 2007-10-24
Okay, Ive seen several less than satisfactory reviews about the Harry Potter box set, so Ill throw in my 2 cents. First, yes the picture of the box set on the Amazon website does give the impression that there is a high-quality box included with the set of books. But think about it, if there were a high-quality box included with the set of books, wouldnt the box set be somewhere around $300? Yes it would and you all know it-- for hard-bound books and a wooden box with metal (not necessarily brass but something close) clasp? Most definitely. So really weve paid for the books, all seven in the series which is what I, personally, was after in the first place. I did not want to buy each book separately, but the whole set so that I could enjoy reading one book after the other without interruption. The fact that the books are all hard-bound is a bonus! And I could care less about the dodgy cardboard chest the sets come in; Im a happy camper!
So I apologize to those of you who thought they you would receive more than you did. Rejoice in the fact that you have these books, and regardless of the cardboard chest, youve paid an adequate price for them (if you pre-ordered, that is)! On: 2007-10-24
First off the Harry Potter books are great and is the reason this gets 2 stars, Id give it 5 stars but this isnt just about the books. The box is just a cheap plain and simple painted cardboard box. On: 2007-10-24
This trunk set is exactly what you should expect if you gave any real thought to the price and description. It is sturdy cardboard put together to look like an old trunk. A very creative idea and a very nice set. In addition you receive a free book of stickers. This is 7 hardcover books that you are paying $120 for. Do you really think that they are going to offer an expensive wooden box with lock and key? That is absurd. It may happen in the future, but it will cost a lot more. On: 2007-10-24
Okay, I actually work in a bookstore, so I knew what these were before they were shipped out. However, I had already placed the order here since they were actually cheaper than what my store was selling them for. When I placed the order, the description DID actually say the books were coming in a WOODEN BOX which was mostly why I reserved a set. Of course, I also wanted a complete set of the hard back books all together. But as Ive read in other reviews, it is VERY disappointing (and cheap on the publishers side) to give CARDBOARD boxes like this! So, if you want the whole set of HP books in hard back, Id suggest just buying them seperatly. Its probably cheaper and you wont have to look at a rather crummy looking cardboard chest. On: 2007-10-24
Like the others, I know for a fact that the pre release description was a WOODEN box. As I bought the books as gift, the receipient will not share my disappointment and will love the books and probably throw the box away in the other Christmas wrapping trash. This is the first time I recall a deceptive description from Amazon, and I am very disappointed by it. On: 2007-10-24
I totally expected the "chest" to be made out of cardboard. I expected it to not be an expensive piece of artwork. I expected to get 7 books, some related stickers and a case to put them in.
I got exactly what I expected. And I couldnt be happier.
Applying for the amazon visa (and getting $30 off of this purchase) made this buy an excellent one! On: 2007-10-24
Sigh. I am very disappointed. I saw this item online back in the summer and I waited and waited for it. I know it said that it was in a wooden box/chest. I did expect a wooden box. I didnt expect a fine hardwood, but I did expect wood not cardboard. As for the price argument, again, I thought it was wood since it was almost $200! Granted Amazon offers everything on sale, but for that high price, yes, I did think it was wood. I do think it was false advertizing. On: 2007-10-24
This is a very cheap and sleazy way to sell something by pretending that it is something special and delivering something that is not special at all. The impression is that you are recieving a collector caliber box set, specially crafted and assembled. Instead you get a glorified cardboard box. Yes, you get the books. You do not get anything more than that - wait, you now get to have the very common place feeling of getting ripped off once again. Thanks for being a part of this Amazon. You have lost my business, but better to find out now than later. On: 2007-10-24
Like many others, I clearly recall the pre-order advertisement stating that this was a wooden box. Obviously, it is not. It is cheap cardboard not worthy of starting a decent fire. I had the books in hardcover long before this atrocity arrived at my door and had I known that the company would switch the promised product with this rubbish, obviously I would never have ordered it. What truly infuriates me is that this was supposed to be a birthday present for a beloved friend of mine. As it stands, I wouldnt give the box to her cat for its litter.
(The books are quite nice, the one star relates only to the box.) On: 2007-10-24
Regardless the fact that the price for the 7 books alone is worth the purchase, I was nevertheless unsatisfied. I purchased this collection a while back for my gf as a gift for her bday that is coming up soon. I am quite unwilling and discouraged to tell her that now she has two sets of Harry Potter books and a cardboard box. On: 2007-10-24
I have not yet read any of the HP books but I am a big HP movie fan and finally decided to get the books. I know the movies are never as good as the books so I was really excited when I saw this set for such a small price. I just got my set today and was not disappointed. I read all the reviews when the set was released and was worried that the box would be wrapping paper, its not. I wouldnt trust my toddler with this but if stored well it makes a great storage box and its nice to look at. If you purchase this, expect the box to be a bonus not the feature item. If you dont already own the set, I recommend you buy this. Im very pleased with this product. On: 2007-10-23
We can hardly believe that we had our son wait in eager anticipation for 3 months for this HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT of a product. Why didnt you advertise it as The 7 Harry Potter Books in a Flimsy Cardboard Box? Having this item appear like a trunk in the advertising is so incredibly misleading. The box is seriously a thin piece of cardboard with printing on it. And forget about the lock and key idea...do not waste your time thinking youre getting any more than the 7 books here. What a downer. On: 2007-10-23
I concur with previous reviewers... Cardboard?!?
What a rip off.
On: 2007-10-23
I dont understand how people thought this was supposed to be a wooden box. It is a decorative slip case that houses all seven books. I love it and wouldnt think of returning it. It is definalty sturdy enough as a collective item. People need to quit over reacting. On: 2007-10-23
The series is a great series of books, theres nothing to deny to this fact. The fact it has lived on so long, created such a following, sold so many books... heck theyre even basing part of a theme park to the world of Potter. So in no ways is my review based against the series itself.
This "Collector" set gives you all 7 books in hardback print. GREAT! But what would be a great set without a special container or other keepsake. With the Lord of the Rings set, you received 2 very nice bookends that complemented the series. One can assume with the Wheel of Time series end close at hand (unfortunately) that there will be a collectors set released then for those that enjoyed the series. Many book and DVD series at least give their loyal fans that buy into the collectors sets something of great satisfaction.
Yet this cardboard box gives little to be satisfied about. I purchased this set under the guise that I would be receiving something that I could cherish and enjoy, while I passed on my reading set of these books to my twin boys. Yet now all I have are 2 sets of hardback books, some sticks, and a cardboard box.
It leads to question... is this the publishing label of the Harry Potter franchise that made this call? We see this come out and now theres a "Limited Edition" of the DVDs coming out in December that comes with "Special Trunk Packaging", bookmarks, and collectible cards. Whos to say those will be of any quality or if they will be on level with this... box.
Perhaps I may buy the "Collectors Edition" of the movies when all 7 are released. Doubtful after this... as I will probably just round out the rest of my collection with the remaining DVDs that have not been released.
Disappointing does not describe what has been sold to me. This is no "Collectors" edition, merely all 7 books in hardback with a cardboard box. On: 2007-10-23
Like the many other reviewers, I eagerly awaited this special set, only to be disappointed by the flimsy cheap looking box. I do NOT recommend anyone ordering this product. The hardbound books are great, but the box is a dud. On: 2007-10-23
This is clearly not a review for the books as they are fantastic. This is for the cheap cardboard box they arrived in. I read many reviews that lash out on customers who "expected too much" and I guess I am one of them. What the 5 star reviewers dont understand is that this box set was represented as a collectors item and many people who bought this item bought it for this reason and not necessarily for the books that they/we already have. For someone who does not own any of the books I agree that this is a very good deal but for the rest of the people who are interested in a collection item this is simply the worst purchase you will make (or already did).
Very disappointing.
On: 2007-10-23
I was totally disappointed in this set. When I pre-ordered back in July the product description stated that the set would come in a decorative wooden box. That was one of the reasons I ordered it. Imagine my surprise when my set finally arrived and the "decorative wooden box" turned out to be tacky cardboard and plastic. False advertising I would say.
If I had not waited so long (the promise date was originally at the end of August and was extended to October)for this book set I would return with out a second thought. I probably will think twice before I order anything from Amazon again. Pretty sad really as I have ordered many books over the years from you and have never been disappointed. Your customer quality control is slipping.
Kathryn Roman - Very upset customer On: 2007-10-23
First of all, I would like to thank everybody who wrote such horrible reviews about the box. You lowered my expectations to the point where, when my set finally arrived, I was thrilled. I was expecting total garbage from what Ive read here, and was really starting to regret my pre-order.... but my set arrived today and its really not that bad at all. Yes, I admit, I was hoping for something better...I always knew it was going to be cardboard of some kind but I was hoping for some nice textured cardboard, something like the Lord of the Rings DVDs came in. It is just regular corrugated cardboard (decently sturdy so far) printed to resemble a trunk. Pretty creative in my opinion. The books, of course, are fantastic. This set is well worth the money for the books alone, and the "trunk" (box) is neat, if not high quality. If you do not have the books in hardcover yet, buy this set. If you are thinking of purchasing this "collection" for the box, just wait until they sell a seperate wooden box at a ridiculous price... we all know its going to happen. On: 2007-10-23
The package is very disappointing. From the stock photo you get the impression that this is a hight quality product. Unfortunately its not. Its just the regular hardcover books inside badly crafted cardboard box. On: 2007-10-23
I pre-ordered this collector edition of Harry Potter not because of the well-written books but the wooden box. It turns out that the box is just merely made of cheap cardboard. Loosely bound, easily damaged, lousy looking. Will get rid of this in local auction site ASAP.
Better avoid this. On: 2007-10-22
The books are fabulous, but since this is a Collectors edition Boxed Set, I am very disapointed in the box itself, which looks fabulous in the picture but is just plain cardboard and has a faded look (not brightly colored as in the picture). I already have the books, I wanted to have this as a display unit. Very disapointing.
On: 2007-10-22
I have been a huge fan for years, but this is terribly disappointing! I was expecting better packaging, not a beautiful wooden trunk, but something better, this JUST A CARDBOARD BOX!!! Maybe a leather-like covering to the box, a lock that isnt cheap plastic and difficult to open, for instance I have a "Lord of the Rings" book in a box that is a good example . . . just anything. They sent us Book 7 in packaging addressed to muggles, when I saw this I thought it WAS the packaging, NOT THE ACTUAL TRUNK. I figured that it would be better quality considering the expense and the fact that loyal fans have waited years for this box-set. These books have made millions upon millions of dollars in profit, this is crazy. I never return things, but I might return this. If enough of us officially complain, do you think theres any chance theyll tell us that this was all a big mistake, this is just a temporary trunk and theyll be sending us the real one soon? On: 2007-10-22
More than money spent, its the 4 month wait on this box which is the most disappointing & frustating part of this. Why did I have to wait all the time for this cheap cardboard stuff to get the Harry Potter books...
Obviously it was a fraud / scam showing a different product image and forgetting to mention anything about its construction material / quality.
Still very upset on the how my excitment & wait got busted in getting this probably the most sub-standard collector edition I have ever seen for any product.
On: 2007-10-22
We pre-ordered this as soon as it was available. I give the low rating to the Package or boxset. The books are all hardbacks like the ones previously available and are finely made. The chest is a cardbaord box with a junky plastic clasp that is really hard to close, and heavy string for handles.
We had higher expectations than just a colored cardbaord box. We expected a CHEST! Not a cardboard box, but a CHEST, a TRUNK, a FOOTLOCKER, or SOMETHING! The box is only slightly nicer than the brown one it came in. I feel ripped off. We are thinking about returning it. There must be a better "Box Set".
I would get this for the fine books and throw the box (or chest as they call it) away. On: 2007-10-22
I was VERY disappointed to break into the box that Ive had on preorder for months and months to find a cheaply constructed cardboard box with my books inside. The shrink wrap doesnt even completely cover my books so there is a large gap in the plastic, therefore my books are only mildly protected against, dust and aging. I was glad to see that the box inside the box is removable, however due to the poor/cheap construction of the "collectors" box, I was concerned about trying to put the secondary box back inside, as it may split the seams of the outer box. In addition, the "hinge" if you can call it that, is nothing but a fold in the construction of the outer box, which means that you really cant open/close it too many times before it begins to crack and split, itself. The plastic clasp, as previously mentioned by another guest, was indeed cheaply made, and not easily opened the first time. I, too, almost broke it trying to open it and you must also pay close attention when reclasping it, as it doesnt line up well on its own. I am very disappointed in the presentation of the set. I am very glad to have the whole series in hardback, that was the reason that I ordered this set, but to pay such a price for this set, and to wait for it for months and months, only to be disappointed when it finally arrived...I expected better quality and value for something considered to be a collectors set. I suppose Ive learned my lesson, regretfully. On: 2007-10-22
For anyone looking to purchase the entire Harry Potter collection, this is an incredible bargain! Imagine, the entire set of Harry Potter novels - in hardcover, no less - not shoved into the mere cardboard sleeve that most other boxed sets are housed in, but placed in a creative cardboard box meant to look like a trunk!
Right now, Amazon is selling this entire collection of books for $116.99 - thats just $16.71 per HARDCOVERED book. That means you can get each and every Harry Potter novel for less than what you would pay if you were to purchase them separately. AND, as a bonus, theyre housed in a cardboard "trunk" with a little plastic "privacy lock."
Anyone who thought this mere $116.99 set was going to be housed in a wooden trunk decorated with gold studs, bound with leather, and lined with the finest velvet, probably also expected it to be delivered by owls.
Basically, if youre like me and want to own and read the entire collection of Harry Potter novels in hardcover for an excellent price, buy this set. If you already have the entire collection and were thinking of shelling out another 117 bucks for a trunk to put them in, just go to a consignment shop, buy an antique case, put your books inside and slap a padlock on it. Presto! On: 2007-10-22
Ive read all the Harry Potter books numerous times, but never bought them because I was holding out for a set like this one . . . or rather, what this one was advertised to be! I wasnt expecting something massive and heavy-duty, but I was expecting real wood and maybe a little bit of fabric on the inside. The box is just cardboard and while it looks okay now, I can only imagine what its going to look like in a couple of months after I open and close it to take a book out or put a book back in!
The books, naturally, are fantastic both physically and literarily, but the box definitely brings down the rating. Im disappointed about the box because if I had known it was going to be cardboard, I would have held out for a leather bound set, but, knowing me, Ill probably just keep this set and "beef up" the box! After all, my mom taught me plenty of "arts and crafts!" On: 2007-10-22
I was a little upset when I saw the cardboard box. But I got over quickly. Because its a completed set in a special made box and its "Harry Potter". On: 2007-10-22
I was going to get this as a gift to me so I could have a full set of the Harry Potter books kept nicely tucked away. However, I had the chance to examine this box set at the local bookstore and I was definitely disappointed. I would rather spend a little more money, and actually get something of value instead of a cardboard box.
I also agree with a previous reviewer, if the point of getting a box set is to have a perserved set of books - why put the additional items inside the shrink wrapping.
I am going to hold off and not get this set. I am hoping that perhaps the poor reviews will be heard and the company will put out a "delux" version with a decent box that is worth the money and a suitable home for these awesome books. On: 2007-10-22
Its breathe taking! I think the box is fantastic. Really yes its cardboard but its great. I didnt know what I was expecting to get book wise because I live in Canada. Ive always wanted to have the American version as well as the Canadian also, and when I saw the complete books 1-7 I had to have it. And wow the books are huge compared to the Canadian ones, just massive. But they are gorgeous.
I think everyone should buy this boxset. Even though it is CARDBOARD its still a great way to store all seven books. I wasnt disappointed at all. On: 2007-10-21
Oh how longingly I gazed upon the pictures of this boxed set since it was first announced! But alas--when I finally came face to face with the long-awaited item this week--it was clearly an "ear wax" moment. Initially, when I saw the craptastic cardboard box in the back of my bookstore, I assumed it was just a cheap display of promotional materials announcing the arrival of long-anticipated deluxe Hogwarts school trunk. The idea that this could possibly be the actual boxed set seemed ludicrous, at best. I was soon embarrassed to see a customer struggle to carry out the three sets she had pre-ordered (still packed inside the unopened outer shipping boxes). Sadly, I imagine, they will be returned to our store shortly. I hope that Scholastic will receive enough customer backlash to consider doing a generous recall/redesign of the box. The very least they could do would be to make it out of leatherette coated particle board, for goodness sake--and trim it with the brass corners and latches one expects to find on an old school trunk! Yes, alas, I fear the bitter taste of ear wax will remain on my palate for quite a long time, as I imagine those sets will be sitting on the shelf of my store, virtually unsellable, for eons. On: 2007-10-21
I agree with about everyone else, I got this as a gift for a true Harry Potter fan and was very disgusted with the cheapness of the box and lock. The books were in great condition but that was about it. As much money as these books and movies have made I would think they could of done a little bit better. On: 2007-10-21
The only reason this item was granted even one star was because the books are so, completely, enchantingly, AMAZING. That said, this cardboard plastic-ish suitcase thing theyre enclosed in is TERRIBLE. It is the cheapest, poorest quality, boxset-like thing ever to be sold. Im so dissapointed in it that I could cry. Judging from the picture, I though it was an actual mini suitcase enscribed with gold writting. God, I think I need glasses. On: 2007-10-21
If you are looking only to have a complete set of hard cover books for the series, then this is the product for you.. IF, however, you were looking for something nice to keep your books in and put on display, then I would not waste my money here. I bought this thinking it would be a nice box but when it arrived I was sorely disappointed. As mentioned in other reviews, the "privacy lock" is no more than a cheap plastic latch. The construction is very poor; the inner box doesnt even fit snugly in the outer box. The outside of the box, again is poorly designed, at the very least they should have made the front where the "lock" is, presentable. When looked at from the front you are looking at the corrugated edge of cardboard on either side instead of a nice smooth corner. As for the sturdy handles, they are not even rope, seems more like yarn. I sent this back the very next day after receiving it and asked for my money back. I hope this review helps you and gives you a more clear idea of what you are buying. On: 2007-10-21
I truly cant understand how people expected a wooden box for $115. There are numerous discussions stating the box is made of cardboard - so why are people so surprised and disappointed. Yes, it would have been great is the box was made of wood, but the price would reflect that. As for myself, I didnt have any of the books prior to this collection so this box set was a great buy! The box will protect the books, which is my greatest concern.
For those who dont like it just return it. Or if its damage just exchange it.
On: 2007-10-20
Theres no question that the contents of the books inside this so-called chest are of the highest order. The entire Harry Potter epic was ingenious, brilliant, engaging, and encouraged hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of young readers to read when they might have rather played with their Xbox.
But this is about the packaging, and the packaging is just horrid.
I wasnt expecting something that was as heavy and substantial as, say, a pirates chest, but I certainly was hoping that the box was more sturdy than a few flaps of cardboard rather cheaply assembled, and easily DISassembled.
I bought this so that I would have a full set of unread hardcovers with the original artwork, for the sake of posterity. In one of the worst marketing decisions Ive seen regarding the Harry Potter series, the publishers thought it would be a good idea to include the extras (decals and whatnot - things Im not interested in) shrink wrapped with the books. To get at them, you have to tear the shrink wrap, and thus compromise the books over time (a long period of time, and admittedly not much would be compromised).
Also, the clasp on the box was cheap plastic. Horrible. I almost broke it when undoing it. Is a metal clasp too much to ask for? Apparently it is.
Im not completely dissatisfied with the purchase, because the books are phenomenal. I would have purchased a compilation of all seven books at some point, but I wish I had waited until they offered such a product without the sadly and unfortunately shoddy "chest". When I bought this product, I absolutely, 100% was buying the packaging, and the packaging was dismal. On: 2007-10-20
I was hoping that the box set would atleast be decent enough to be called as a collectible. Sadly, the final "box" looked nowhere close to the original advertized item. The only silver lining here was that I landed up getting a good deal on the books. My final price came out be $111.14. I had preordered this book about a month ago on Amazon. However, when I checked out the site on October 7, 2007, it said that orders placed at that time would have an additional 5% discount. So, I canceled my previous order and preordered it again to get the discount. So much for the preorder price guarantee! On: 2007-10-20
I saw this when I was going to order the 7th book. I thought it looked like a cool collecters edition and thought it worth waiting two months to get the 7th book. I have not received mine yet but I saw some at a bookstore today. Two of the "Boxed" sets were broken, the handles had ripped the cardboard. I wanted to cancel my order, but it had already shipped. Wait to see if they will do something nicer to store them in. Ask how a "privacy lock" works on a cardboard box? On: 2007-10-20
Of course, everyone who loves this series probably already owns all of the books and even in hardback form. So, how about for a few dollars more, offering the trunk in a classier material than cardboard!? Even a plastic would have been nicer or how about a thin veneer? I am disappointed and wish I had waited to order this set before I read the reviews. We already have the whole set and now we have 2 sets and a cardboard box. Boo On: 2007-10-20
I agree with everyone who has written a review saying that this boxed set was VERY misleading in presentation. This is a given. The publishers should have made a stronger cardboard box, included felt in the lining of the box, and should have downright made the box out of wood or leather. This incredible seven book series deserves the highest quality of workmanship and we, as the loyal fans, deserve the best offer and the finest quality of product. We deserve the publishers respect, as well. They should be ashamed of themselves.
If you are buying this set because you already have the books and want to get newer versions of them and are focusing moreso on the collectors box to house all of the books and keep them pristine, I recommend that you DO NOT buy this particular set. It is in no way up to standard and the box is very misleading as a "collectors" item.
However, if you are like me and this is your first set of these books and want a fabulous deal on all seven of the hardcover books, which averages out to $17.00 a book, then you might want to think twice.
Here is what I am doing with the cardboard box that they give you. I took out the inner cardboard box that the books are already placed in and I am housing the books inside of there on my bookshelf. The main portion of the box (or trunk) I am using to house all of my Harry Potter DVDs and any other collectables I might have so that they are all kept together in one place. The stickers that they give you can be used on all four corners to cover the gaps of the cardboard that they didnt do themselves. You could put all four house stickers on each corner side.
So, if you want this set solely as a collectors item, dont get it. Wait for another version to come out. If you are mainly focusing on the great deal on the hardcover books and not the box, you might want to go ahead with this offer. On: 2007-10-20
I have to agree with everyone else about the cheap box. Very disappointing. But I have a different question. Did everyones books fit tightly in the box? Mine were squeezed in very tight, because I had an extra book 2! 8 books came with mine. Im just wondering, if everyones fit that tightly with only 7 books, should I go through every book searching for missing pages? Thanks, On: 2007-10-20
I am very disappointed also thought the trunk was wood and sturdy I believe they should send a different truck to all people who fell for this and bought these boxsets. On: 2007-10-19
As a collector of fine books, I was amazed that there was going to be a collectors Harry Potter Boxset in a WOODEN box that would average to apx. $17 a book - I thought the low price was a reward for early orders. When my much awaited "collectors item" arrived - I was shocked that the "wooden" box was actually a very cheap paper/plastic box that Barbie wouldnt be caught dead with! Shame on the publishers for this shoddy treatment of what once was an excellent product! Fool me once, but never again. Refund, please! On: 2007-10-19
Ive been a major fan of the HP series for many years, and never acquired any of the books in hopes that they would release all of the hardcovers in a set. When I saw back in July that this set was being released I was thrilled. I just received it today, and have already filled out the return form to Amazon. I am HIGHLY disappointed. I am in the Graphics industry, and we would NEVER package something as precious as the novels themselves in something as shoddy as this faux woodgrain file box. Maybe if the publisher receives enough of these back (at $120 each), theyll get the hint. Just watch, six months from now theyll produce a REAL wooden box.... Avoid this!!! On: 2007-10-19
Same books as the $40 set but they come in a CHEAP carboard trunk. The handles are thin rope, not sturdy as the ad claims. The privacy lock is cheap plastic. They make the box look like it is a quality velvet lined wood trunk (and for an extra $80 you would think thats what your getting)and I fell for it, please dont make the same mistake. On: 2007-10-19
I ordered this set in May because it was advertised as a collectors set,that came in a wooden trunk such as those the Hogwarts Students use. I did NOT expect a tooled wood and leather trunk with real brass corners and hinges, but I certain expected more that what I got. Cheap cardboard with an almost faded look, lackluster brown and black diamond lining (Wheres the brightly colored lining from in the picture?), with the corners gapped open (No corner plates, like the ad shows?) and thin stringy handles that want to rip the card board when you use them.
Im not in a generous mood today. Im not a cheap person, but the reason I bought the set was for the trunk. I already HAD the books, so basically I was willing to pay 117.00 for flimsy cheap carboard that looks nothing like what was advertised back in may. On: 2007-10-19
Ive never felt compelled to write a review before, but I had to after receiving my Harry Potter "Box" set. I put box in quotes because its not a box at all but cheap cardboard! What a ripoff! The picture clearly intends to portray it as a wooden box. It appears that either Amazon or Scholastic made an effort to conceal the fact that it wasnt wooden at all. Im sure everyone purchased this item to receive the nice wooden crate, well dont waste your time! I have no complaint about the books, theyre great. The false advertising in this picture is disgusting though! On: 2007-10-19
Mind you, I have never read a single HP book, but since most of my friends give rave reviews and comment, together seeing a good boxset is sold on amazon.com, I was thinking, "let me give it a try."
Well, I give it a 5-star rating for getting all 7 books. Each book costs only about $17. It is indeed a good deal.
But... the cardboard... Im sorry, but I believe the publisher has already made enough money off from the HPs readers, cant they sell something decent instead of putting everything in a cardboard box? such a shortfall of high expectation. Unless publisher stated ahead of time about the cheap material of the trunk, then I guess there shouldnt be any complains from us.
So, its a 5-star for the price for the books, but a nil-star rating for the deceptive marketing trick. All in all, what you pay is really what you get :) On: 2007-10-18
Do I wish this was a wooden trunk with gold-plated hardware and a leather interior? Sure I do! Did I think that for one minute seeing the price (which averages out to about $17 per HARDBACK BOOK) that I would be getting a wooden trunk? HECK NO! Gimme a break. Sure, its a cheap cardboard container (with a few nicely printed stickers thrown in as a bonus) and I would have loved something better, but anyone who expected what some of these reviewers are writing obviously dont shop very much! So I give it a 5 star on the nice hardback editions and probably a 1 or 2 on the quality of the boxed set...but again, its about what I expected. On: 2007-10-18
I could have sworn the original description listed a wooden box. Amazons description still says "strong handles"; the actual cardboard box has thread for handles.
Dont waist your money on this "gift set".
On: 2007-10-18
The set contains all 7 of the books in hardcover editions. The books are set in a cardboard case with an addition cardboard insert that holds around 10 stickers of the various places and houses in the books to stick on the box or elsewhere. The set is wrapped in plastic wrap and placed within the cardboard chest, which looks nice but is of rather cheap quality; the lining in the lid pops out when opened, the hinge rips apart very easily, and the "lock" is a simple plastic latch. However, at $117 online, its a very good price, and if you refrained from buying the books until they were all released, as I did, its even better than buying all the books seperately, which would go to $120-140 total. So if you havent yet bought any of the books, or you have more than half that need to be replaced, this is a great buy. But if you already have most or all of the books, or are thinking of getting this for the box, then you should just look for what you need elsewhere. And Ill say again: the box is not worth it. On: 2007-10-18
Note- Books are great this is NOT a review of the books-
This is the absolute worst box set I have ever seen. I like many others ordered this product thinking a real wooden box or something that would be remotely similar to the advertisement picture.
What we got however was a CARDBOARD BOX, and not even a quality made cardboard box. If you blew on this thing hard enough it would probably fall apart.
Do yourself a favor and dont buy this pathetic product. We bought ours as a nice decorative display piece. What we got however I would be embarassed to show other people. We returned ours.
I would give this product a negative 5 stars if the option was available, sadly it is not. On: 2007-10-18
I expected the case to be made of wood and be alot nicer than it really is. It is made of flimsy cardboard and plastic!!! I am glad that I am not the only one that thinks this! On: 2007-10-18
When I saw this package advertised in July I thought it would be perfect to keep and never read. I already have all seven books and from reading them I have slightly damaged them. The box looked fantastic online. The reall product however was pathetic! Mine is dented from delivery and ofcourse not worth a dime! How could they ever think to call this a collectors item? I honestly feel I should have gone and bought new hard cover copies and put them away in my own box. The older books are cheaper now that the newer books are out and I would have saved, if not a lot of money, some. I like many others bought the collection for the box. Which looks only slightly like the picture advertised. On: 2007-10-18
I too was disappointed in my set. I thought it would be wood but when I opened it and saw the cardboard box I immediatly got on Amazon to get a return started. I wonder how many others are doing the same thing On: 2007-10-18
When I ordered this it very specifically said a wood case. This is cardboard. I am going to ask for a refund. On: 2007-10-18
As soon as I saw the cheap cardboard box that these wonderful books had been packaged in, I knew to check Amazon to see if others were as disappointed as I am. I love the Harry Potter books. I already have all seven books in hardback and bought this set because of the supposed "collectors" box that could be a wonderful way to store the books. I wasnt expecting wood for the price I bought it for, but the trunk could have made of another material that would be more sturdy and stand up to some amount of time, wear, and tear. Now I have two sets of hardbound books, and cant decide whether to just throw the trunk away, the reason I made this purchase, or just be bummed every time I see it sitting there. The company that made this "collectors" set should be ashamed of themselves for putting such wonderful books in such a crappy box. On: 2007-10-18
I read all the reviews...and yes I am disapointed that the box is cardboard and is cheaper beyond all belief....but what I cant believe is that some of you were expecting WOOD yes acutal wood...I knew that wasnt going to happen...I was hoping for pressboard and maybe some plastic "metal moulding" on the sides....but yeah the box is a huge disappointment...and I did notice that the description on amazon changed after the product shipped...how sad it that....oh well....live and learn...still makes me mad On: 2007-10-18
OK here it is, my wife already owns three complete sets of Harry Potter. My family and I love the Harry Potter books and movies. So I wanted to provide her with something that she would charish and save for years to come. So I thought purchasing this bookset with an authentic looking Harry Potter book case "WHAT APPEARED TO BE REAL WOOD!!" would have been great. I am deeply upset that the box is made of cardboard. If I had known this, I would not have purchased this set and would have made a box. I cannot find where the company has misled us in writing, but clearly the photo makes the box look like real wood. The company should make this right and either purchase wood chests or have them made. On: 2007-10-18
I was extremely disappointed when I received this so-called collectors version yesterday, especially after having been waiting for this whole set for about 3 months. This box is no more than a low quality cardboard, extremely cheap looking, and tearing on the edges already when I picked it from the UPS box. I wont mind paying extra money for a decent looking collectors version. I just dont understand whether the publisher has their marketing department, or quality control division, after they got so much money from the huge success of Harry Porter. On: 2007-10-18
So I got my Harry Potter box set today and Im satisfied. YES, its a cardboard trunk, but I bought it mainly because I dont have the books in hardcover. The trunk serves it purpose by being strong enough to hold all seven books. There were no dents or damages to either the books and/or the trunk. The trunk is basically a giant slip case for the books. If you already have all seven books in hardcover, then dont waste your money. Why people would assume for a CHILDRENS series they would get a wooden trunk is beyond me. They dont even give such a luxury to adult series. If youre truly unsure on whether or not you want the set, dont read those unjust one star reviews. Go to your local bookstore and look at it and decide whether or not it s worth the money.
On: 2007-10-18
The promotional picture of this set is completely misleading. The books come in a cheap cardboard box that doesnt look at all like the one pictured except in the most distant sense. Its promoted as "collectible trunk-like box with sturdy handles and privacy lock"... in reality, its a flimsy cardboard box with a couple of shoe strings for handles. This is a total rip off, and the company should be ashamed of lying so blatantly in their promotion. On: 2007-10-18
When you look in the kids/young adult section of the book store, you usually tend to see very cheap and obscure money-making book series that have no end and no originality (Deltora Quest, Series of Unfortunate Events, Pendragon, etc.). But if you continue down the aisle, youll find Harry Potter, a very original book series that starts as a kids series, but grows over time into an adults novel.
J.K. Rowling, the author, has done a fantastic job of pre-planning the entire series and juggles the countles sidestories very well, each with their share of mysteries and engaging plot twists. Very unlike the usual young adult author that will play with an idea or storyline, but never really resolves.
J.K. Rowling also has very well been able to reflect the world around Harry based on his age: in book 1, when Harry is 11, he goes on a happy adventure in which he discovers a magical world and stops a villains plans along the way. Harry and the books mature over time together, so that by book 7, when Harry is 17, he is in hiding from the most evil force known to wizardkind, who has won the war and his evil is law; meanwhile, Harry is enduring pain and suffering while watching others dying around him, desperately fighting for a better tomorrow.
Overall, this is an almost flawless and engaging series that makes it right up there with the likes of Tolkien and Bradbury.
On: 2007-10-17
What are the publishers thinking about producing a low grade cardboard trunk to store some great books in, whats more J K Rowling has put her name to it. Maybe the should produce a proper collectors trunk and send it out to everyone who has bought this set as an apology. They need to do something as the trunk that is supplied is very tacky. On: 2007-10-17
Like everyone here, I believed the books are great. But I felt dupped by the fact that this set came in a cheap cardboard box. The shipping box it came in, which even identified the contents with a prominent Harry Potter Logo as the full boxed set, was far sturdier than the actual box the books came in! When I reserved this set, I too thought the box pictured would be a hard, sturdy wooden box with felt interior. Boy, was I wrong! You need to handle it gently otherwise you might tear the box or yank out the weak rope attached to its side. I am still going to enjoy the books though. Im just going to store them on my bookshelf or find a real steamer trunk to put them in, instead of that flimsy box! On: 2007-10-17
I was really excited about this set as I had books 1-6 in paperback and wanted to have the whole set in hardcover. True, this set did wind up cheaper than buying the books seperately, but I am still VERY disappointed. I was not expecting some magestic hardwood trunk, but at the very least I expected sturdy cardboard or paperboard, well covered with some form of covering to make it LOOK like a trunk. The corners of this "trunk" look like your average file box, and they are already tearing. All Ive done is take the plastic off the books! Seriously, people who have purchased this set deserve an apology, and a sturdy replacement box, free of charge. Just buy the books by themselves, build your own box, (or put all your books in a file box and let a 5 year old "decorate" it for you and youll have something compareable to this set.) On: 2007-10-17
The way my package came wrapped in a large box, with 2 folded cardboard supports, I would have expected a special, quality trunk (even if made of cardboard). The online picture is deceiving, the trunk really looked colorful and attractive; but I am sad to say, it is neither attractive or colorful. The publisher should have just mailed the books directly in the "trunk" (which is nothing more than a glorified cardboard shipping box) and saved the planet from more overpackaging!!!!! The books, of course, are fabulous! I also hope the publisher will send out a replacement trunk worthy of such an important set of books. On: 2007-10-17
The books of course are great. The packaging - cardboard - is worthless. The picture advertising this collectors set makes it look like a wooden, felt lined box.
Instead of waiting 3 months to get this set I could have gone to the a local bookstore and just bought all the hardback books and been much more satisfied.
:p On: 2007-10-17
While the books themselves are fine the collectors case and "lock" they describe are cheaply made, and, as everyone else mentions, made of cardboard. For a collectors item I was expecting a little bit more; its definitely a disappointment. On: 2007-10-17
My sentiments follow the others. I pulled the set out of the shipping box and just stared at the lame cardboard packaging. Seriously, what were they thinking? On: 2007-10-17
I thought that it is a very nice set. However, I also have waited until this last book, before purchasing the set as hardback. The books are beautiful; and THE BOX IS JUST OKAY. If you had to purchase the books separately (new); you would pay just as much (or more). THE BOX COULD HAVE BEEN NICER, but it is fine for the price. It would have cost much more, if it was made of wood. All in all, it is a nice COMPLETE set of hardback Harry Potter books. I like the set, however if I already owned the set of hardback books; I wouldnt have bought this set too. It is a nice way to store & protect the set; and would make a wonderful gift for a young Harry Potter fan.
2/22/2008 Again, I need to emphasize that I would not have bought this set FOR THE BOX. IF you are buying it for THE BOX, you might be disappointed; more likely. I bought this set for the BOOKS that it contained; and am VERY pleased with the set. On: 2007-10-17
Im quite bummed about the box like most others seem to be. I honestly was buying it to have a collectors type of item, which only the box could have succeeded in creating. The books are fine, but the box is cardboard and in my case; very dented cardboard. On: 2007-10-17
I expected a nice pseudo wood box, but it is just a cheap and crappy looking cardboard box.
Very disappointing. On: 2007-10-17
I thought this was suppose to be a collectors box set. Imagine my dismay when the box turned out to be made of cardboard! A nice wooden box with red felt on the inside and a decent lock would have made this perfect. If you own the books already skip this box set. On: 2007-10-17
This packaging is horribly cheap looking and feeling... because it is cheap, nothing more than cardboard and a plastic privacy lock. Junk. On: 2007-10-17
The books of course are fantastic. The packaging is a horrible card board box. Just get the books. On: 2007-10-17
Amazon has this originally listed at $195 but marked down because the awesome customer that chooses to shop with Amazon deserve it. The discount aside, what do we get?
We have all 7 Potter books in this package. My first shock was noticing the tear on two of the books spines. This, on top of a packaging that looks like a homeless man with a marker was hired to design really dumbfounds me. Where was the value here again? Why did I not buy the books individually three months ago when this was announced and carefully picked my copies sans the "Will work for food" box myself?
What a waste of time and money. On: 2007-10-16
I am a big Harry Potter fan and am no less than thrilled to pieces to finally own the complete set of books. (and in hardback no less) The books in this collectors set are the same books (content, artwork, cover and all) that have been sold before individually.
Yet Im somewhat disappointed, if not slightly disillusioned that the "special collectors case" was a huge letdown. Given the obvious fact that Harry is huge worldwide, it would had behooved the publishers to do right by this commemorative set and make the case out of engineered wood (at the very least!) Instead they opted for the cheaper route and decided to make it out of... drum roll please.... CARDBOARD!
I dunno, maybe I was expecting to much?! (sigh...) 5 stars for Harry & minus one for the presentation... On: 2007-09-09
What an awesome product! If for some bizarre reason you dont own the magical world that is Harry Potter, then this is the product for you. All seven books are included for less then they would cost if they were purchased seperately. The fact that theyre hardcover and the case are extra bonuses. A perfect gift for Harrys fans everwhere!
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