Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay (Fantastic Beasts The Original Screenplay Series, book 1)

By J.K Rowling

Blurb: 
When Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt's fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone…

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved and internationally bestselling Harry Potter books. Featuring a cast of remarkable characters, this is epic, adventure-packed storytelling at its very best.

Whether an existing fan or new to the wizarding world, this is a perfect addition to any reader's bookshelf.

Review: 
I admit that I never read this screenplay as soon as it was released and I slightly regret that, but I actually bought it while on my honeymoon so I think it's very fitting that I love this book and it was one of the best things I bought, I think on the trip.

The screenplay starts of with Newt entering New York with his case full of magical creatures. To get through passport control he has to switch his case to muggle proof because his niffler is trying to escape. Which I found so cute! Love those little creatures.

Once Newt has passed through passport control he tries to follow directions from the small piece of paper in his hand, but gets distracted by a gathering on the banks steps about strange things happening in New York. This is when we first meet Tina with Mustard on her top lip, and Kowalski heading to the bank to try and get some money to open up his bakery.

At this point in the screen play, you start to realise that Newt isn't that keen on being around other people and isn't sure how to socialise with others. I found this really interesting because it's one of the first times that J.K Rowling has actually portrayed a character in this sort of manner. I felt like I connected to him straight away because I don't think I socialise with new people as well as other people do.

Once the story was in full swing and we had met most of the main characters I couldn't stop reading it. I felt sorry for Tina at times because she was trying to be a good person and help others out that's how she lost her job, and because she noticed that Newt had magical creatures within  the US without a license she was trying to do her job even though she had lost it. Tina's character was quite nervous too but you could see that she only wanted what was best for everyone else, she put other first without thinking.

I loved the adventures of niffler and how he caused quite a lot of mayhem within a short period of time. I really couldn't stopping laughing when he tried to get the tag from the dogs collar and the dog barked.

I thought it was also quite a good story twist that Kowalski and Newt's cases were very similar and that they got mixed up and that is the main cause of all these animals escaping.

Newt was also good at trying to disguise that his creatures had escaped even though there was a lot more bother now that he had arrived in New York,

I felt sorry for Kowalski since he got bit by a Murlap and reacted quite badly to it, but I felt that his character was great and acted like a real no-maj (American term for Muggle). I loved how he tried to connect with Queenie as she was that typical flirtatious character that could wrap men around her little finger.

I also loved reading the scene of when Newt was trying to get the Erumptent back into his case by doing the mating ritual and then for Kowalski to release the mating scent and for the creature to be attracted to him. 

I loved all the characters within this screenplay and felt that they had developed quite well, I didn't dislike any characters. I felt sorry for Credence as he seemed to be getting abused by his foster mother and Graves was forcing him to find the obscurus as soon as possible. 

The actual storyline was really interesting, I enjoyed meeting new magical creatures. I'd totally recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Harry Potter, new adventures, meeting magical creatures, and laughing quite a lot throughout it.

Favourite Characters: Newt

Read: 15/11/18 - 16/11/18

5 stars out of 5

Written by Sammie

Check out Sammie's review of Book 2: Crimes of Grindelwald