Hard disclaimer: I do not agree with or support J.K. Rowling's transphobic views and the only reason I am rereading this series is so I can read my physical copies before I sell them. I encourage people who are looking for Harry Potter-like stories to avoid supporting Rowling and instead check out Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend or Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. (I hear the Septimus Heap series is also great but I have not read it yet.)

I didn't realize how dull the first half of this book was, but the second half had such a great payoff that I think that this is one of my favorite Harry Potter books. A lot of great worldbuilding here, mainly owing to the variety of interesting magical concepts introduced. Great character work and relationships are established. Overall this improves upon the cozy feel of the first book while raising the stakes and heightening the wonder.