New Harry Potter Box Set: Good or Bad?

Recently, Bloomsbury-publisher of the Harry Potter series-announced that they would released a three book box set in fall 2012.

Now, of course,  Potterheads everywhere went nuts. With the book series finished in 2007 and the movies series finished just last summer, we’re dying to keep the magic alive with some new releases, anticipation and excitement. Pottermore had its moments: I loved getting a wand, getting sorted and learning some extra information, especially the McGonagall back story. But lets get real, after an insanely long beta period and only Philosopher/Sorcerer’s Stone available, Pottermore turned out to be kind of a disappointment.

So the announcement of a three book box set kind of got people excited. Potter fans have been dying for an encyclopedia (put on hold indefinitely), Hogwarts: A History, A History of Magic and other books found in the HP universe.

I, on the other hand, did not get my hopes up. Let’s face it. JKR has been working on all that extra stuff for Pottermore (when the heck are we going to see more?!) and she is putting out a new novel in September. I just don’t see her having the time to write anything else.

And of course, I ended up being right. Bloomsbury announced just a few days ago that this box set was to include: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Its a special edition box set, first time they are all available in hardback, etc.

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And while I am most likely going to be purchasing this because, its insanely hard to deny, I’m a Harry Potter addict and I need anything that has the boy wizard on it, I’m not really excited about it. Straight up, I already own all three of these. Most Potterheads own all three of these. I’m all for special editions and releasing but does anyone else think, maybe its just too soon? It seems more like they’re trying to capitalize on the fame and popularity of Harry Potter at this exact moment.

A lot of people thought the split of the last book into a two part movie was for profit only. Now, I genuinely believed that Deathly Hallows was split into two parts for integrity to the novel, not to make money. I do believe this. I didn’t at first but after seeing both parts, I do actually think that. Both movies were done so well and are so enjoyable. And I am impressed at how much it seemed to follow the book, especially the dialogue.

Now, however, I’m feeling a little bit apprehensive. Just because I love Harry Potter and want to buy everything HP related in sight doesn’t mean I want to be taken advantage of.

It makes me think of the insanely expensive, super special limited edition movie box set coming out in September. 31 discs, hand numbered and yours for only 350 dollars, you’d expect something extraordinary. Something worth waiting for.

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It definitely LOOKS cool. However, it only has the extended edition of the first two movies and the digital copies are through Ultraviolet, a website that requires a membership and a site that I’m not too fond of. All the extras do sound exciting but the fact is, I want all extended editions of ALL THE MOVIES, not just some.

As far as I see it, Harry Potter will never go away. Its a book that has literally changed the lives of so many people, and it definitely has for me. I will literally grab anything new that is Harry Potter that comes my way. On the other hand, I’m not going to keep buying stuff just because its boxed different and called “limited” and “special”.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am going to buy that three book box set.

That insanely priced movie box set? Yeah, probably not. College kids don’t make that much money, especially when they’re saving for cars haha.

What do you guys think? Is Bloomsbury just giving us something to get excited for, trying to get these awesome companion books out and available to everyone? Or are they just trying to make some money by releasing books that are already pretty easily bought?

3 thoughts on “New Harry Potter Box Set: Good or Bad?

  1. J.J. Zwirn (@bazinGEEKgirl) says:

    I think that the best way they could have marketed this was to have it available at say the new park when it opens up in 2014/15. That would have not only made it a special edition but one only available through the park. More coveted that way, I think.

  2. Jon says:

    oh yes the beta that never really ends haha i havent been on that site in forever. I obviously wont be buying the book set though haha

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