I picked this book up (from my kids) because, while reading reviews of the Twilight Saga, it was constantly being compared (unfairly, in my opinion) to HP. I have seen and LOVED all the HP movies, and consider myself an HP fan, but, this first book is a major disappointment.I was expecting much better writing, more descriptive story telling and better characters. I am not finished with the book yet, and I will finish it, but I am not too sure I will finish the series.To be fair, my 10 year old did tell me it was kinda boring, but he has read it 3 times... maybe I need to introduce him to the rest of my library! It has some fabulous fantasy in it. MUCH better than this.This is the rare case where the movies are FAR superior to the books.