Review and Giveaway: Win a Copy of “Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide” from Insight Editions!
MuggleNet has already seen an exclusive look inside one of the latest additions to the Insight Editions portfolio: Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide. Now, our Standards & Procedures Coordinator, Aurelia Lieb, got the chance to experience the real deal in her own hands! Read her review for a sneak peek of this meticulously detailed illustrated title, with famous locations of Hogwarts, as seen in the films.
Front cover of “Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide” from Insight Editions
The book was announced as the first in a new series of large-scale interactive books that explore the iconic locations from the films of the wizarding world. Catered to all ages, it combines a simplistic design with photo stills from the movies. It claims to be packed with behind-the-scenes facts from the films, which I was mildly skeptical about. After all, we Potterheads tend to know a lot about our beloved series, and there is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. So let’s dive in!
“Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide” introduction spread with Hogwarts letter
The introduction to this book comes via a Hogwarts letter that explains to the reader what this book is about and what they can expect on their journey through it. It comes from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, as we are following Harry’s adventures throughout the different locations at Hogwarts over the years.
“Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide” Hogwarts map
Readers are first treated with an illustrated version of J.K. Rowling’s scribbled Hogwarts map, which she created for the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Key landmarks are indicated on this map and give a good impression of where different locations are within the grounds of Hogwarts.
Further into the book, there is a two-part overview of general landmarks within Hogwarts, when we can see them on screen, and why specific designs were chosen. Overall, this comes with a lot of information you might know only if you are a complete Harry Potter movie geek, and even then, you might learn new things! I have been to the Exhibition and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, and I learned new things in this book about our favorite sets.
Following this, we get a tour of different locations at Hogwarts and their relevance in the movies. What makes this so entertaining is that Insight Editions mixes film moments with trivia of how sets, props, and costumes were designed. The infographic style of this book breaks the information into bite-sized chunks, and the sketch art helps to remember movie moments. The occasional photo still from the films further helps to set the scene.
“Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide” Hogwarts classroom spread from Insight Editions
So what is my overall verdict? I can safely assure you that my skepticism has been turned into curiosity and joy that I will be able to go on a tour through the sets within my living room. This book has surpassed my expectations, and I actually learned a lot of new information from it or remembered details from the Studio Tour because of it. If London is a long trip for you and you want to get a better understanding of how the magic was created, this book is for you! If you have been to the Studio Tour but would love to have a detailed book version of your favorite Hogwarts sets with some new information, this book is also for you. And if you are just generally curious about how movies are made and what sort of work went into the creation of the Harry Potter films, this book is most definitely for you.
Want to add Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide to your collection? We have one to give away from our magical partners at Insight Editions. Our contest is open worldwide starting today, September 23, running through October 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Enter through the Rafflecopter below. Winners will be contacted via email after October 7, so make sure to check your junk or spam folders just in case our e-owl goes astray. All winners must respond within 24 hours, or another winner may be chosen.
Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide was provided by Insight Editions. All opinions belong to the reviewer.
