Yes, this a lot like Harry. I would say it was a cross between the Harry Potter series and the Charlie Bone series. But yet even though it IS similar to both, its has its uniqueness and enough new creative aspects for me to say it was a darn good read. I found it very exciting, and I couldn't put it down. The story is very visual, the characters were well developed and very likeable. I am very much anticipating book two and cant wait to contine the story. So what if if it's like Harry, we all loved Harry right? I found it riveting, adventurous, scary, sweet...just wonderful. Don't pass this up! ( )

Every year on the anniversary of his mother’s disappearance Max and his father visit the Art Institute of Chicago. Only this year Max’s life undergoes a dramatic change after a tapestry comes to life under his gaze. He suddenly finds himself accepted into the Rowan Academy, a secret and definitely Hogwarts-like school for children of magical abilities. Though not particularly gifted in more common magical abilities Max does find himself possessing the ability to amplify his own physical capabilities. As he hones this magical ability Max must face his destiny as a leader in the struggle against the evil Astaroth. So this first book was very Harry Potter like, but really there are a ton of book out there that are Harry Potter like (even before Harry Potter!). It wasn't the best book I had ever read, and I didn't love the characters; but it was interesting and I could see kids liking it who enjoy Fantasy novels that have the poor boy becoming great. The second book really stood out in this series, so you really have to read this first book in order to enjoy the second one. ( )

Reviewed by Voracious Reader for TeensReadToo.com

Max McDaniels always spends one day a year at the Art Institute. This year, from the moment he enters, something strange happens.

He finds himself in a roped-off room staring at a strange tapestry. Soon weird and wonderful things begin to happen to him as Max finds out about a magical school called Rowan Academy. Before long, his awe fades away into concern as he finds out that attending this school might be harder than he thought.

To top it off, kids who are also meant to attend the school are disappearing from all over the world at an alarming rate. A new sense of peril erupts around Rowan Academy and Max finds himself pulled into a world of secrets and danger....

In THE HOUND OF ROWAN, Henry Neff elegantly weaves a story full of adventure and fantasy and pulls readers into a magical, startling world. All in all, this is a good book to just curl up with on the couch and relax. The reader will almost immediately find themselves enraptured and completely caught up in Max's world. ( )

This book was okay. Very derivative of Harry Potter, but with some fun and interesting things of its own. I tried to get my 9-year-old Harry Potter obsessed daughter to read it though, and she said she "didn't understand it." It will be interesting to see what other kids think of it.

If you can overlook the fact that this book revolves around a young boy who unexpectedly discovers that he has special magic abilities and ends up at a secret boarding school with other "Potentials" with various talents. That said school has a unique game (Euclidean soccer), is inhabited by strange and magical creatures, has its own town (with a magical sweetshop), and reshapes itself to the needs of its occupants, it's not a bad story, albeit incredibly derivative (can you say Harry Potter?)

There are a few - minor - differences from the Potter books - the Potentials don't use wands or staffs. Max has a living parent (who's a Muggle - sorry, a regular, untalented person). And the mythos of the story seems to be based a bit more in Irish folktales than its inspiration. Oh, and it's set, at least for the most part, in the United States.

But aside from those details, it's pretty obvious where the author took his inspiration from. And unfortunately, although it's readable, it's too easy to draw comparisons. Too bad. ( )