JK ROWLING promised that this latest instalment, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, would be pivotal in the series of seven books, and she doesn't disappoint.
After the riddles and mysteries which have been set before fans in the previous five books, readers finally get some answers.
The book begins by showing us a dramatically altered wizarding world - there have been big changes at the Ministry for Magic, and Voldemort is powerful enough to come out into the open again, surrounded by his followers.
It's a return to a world we've only heard described before - deaths, fear, mistrust, which is even affecting the Muggle, or non-magical, world.
We're also introduced to terrible new elements of the dark arts, including Inferi, corpses bewitched to do a dark wizard's bidding, as well as the evil secret which enabled Voldemort to survive when the curse designed to kill Harry rebounded.
Yet at the same time, the atmosphere isn't as utterly dark as book five - war may finally have arrived, but everyone knows Harry has been telling the truth, and even better, he becomes much closer to Dumbledore.
And unlike the poisonous atmosphere at Hogwarts in The Order Of The Phoenix, Harry's time at school is more enjoyable too - at least partly because of the mysterious half-blood Prince of the title, although when that mystery is finally solved, it's overshadowed by other events.
Comedy
Romance is on the horizon again - although unsurprisingly not with Cho - helped along by Harry's new reputation as the 'Chosen One', and Ron finally discovers girls in this book too, providing plenty of comedy moments. Inevitably the course of teenage love never runs smooth.
This time some of the major characters take more of a backseat but others take centre stage in their place - especially new character Horace Slughorn, who begins teaching at Hogwarts, and who manages to be a mix of charm and superficiality, weak good intentions plus genuine wizarding skill and powers.
Draco Malfoy also has more to do - no longer simply the two-dimensional figure he's been in previous books, he becomes more than just Harry's nemesis at school.
Most interestingly, Snape also plays a much bigger part in this book - always a shadowy figure, he finally steps into the spotlight. In past books, he has been walking a tightrope, convincing each side he is committed to them.
Both Dumbledore and Voldemort trust him - but only one can be correct. For much of the book, the reader is left in the dark to decide for themselves, but by the end of the book this mystery is solved for good.
Characters
As Rowling has revealed, there will be more deaths in the final books, including major characters, and by the end of the Half-Blood Prince, Harry is dealt a devastating blow when he loses yet another person who is dear to him.
It's shorter than book five, but Rowling packs the pages with information and a lot of the book is dedicated to setting the scene for the final showdown in book seven.
Less action-packed than the earlier books, it's concerned more with explanation than events, although as usual the pace quickens to the breathless finale.
Ending on a darker note, all certainties are swept away by the last page, and the final chapter of Harry's story could prove to be very different.
For fans it'll be just as hard to wait for, especially in the knowledge that the story is nearly over. But in the meantime, book six is proving as magical as ever. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
I am eagerly awaiting to buy this book and i hope it is as good as the previous 5.
Thanks
umm... it looks ok....
This book is much darker and somber than the other books.
It has alot to do with romance but it is still a wonderfull Harry Potter book. This book may not be suitable for children that are sensitive about death. As the story progreses Harry's attiute toward thigs changes in many ways. All-in-All this is a Marvalous Harry Potter book to fans and newcomers alike
Disagree with some of that review. Still no definitive answers re Snape's loyalties. We don't know what Dumbledore was asking of him in that important moment near the end of the book - so we can't know whether he was ignoring or responding to a request.
Couldn't put it down. It arrived at my down on 8am Sat morning didn't stop reading till 1pm the next day!!
I read this book non stop this weekend.
I liked it and the writing was excellent as usual but it has left more questions than answers and seems almost unfinished. Book 7 will be even more eagerly awaited than this one.
I finished it last night. At the end when the victim says "Severus...please" I believe that Snape was carrying out a pre-arranged agreement with him. Maybe Snape had to finish him off because he was turning into an inferi or something. Anyway I predict that Snape is a goodie after all
A great review that sums up the novel nicely.
I finished this book yesterday and I think its fantastic!! Nice to see Dumbledore explaining so much more to Harry now. I think for most readers it will be a relief to the frustration in the previous books as we find out a LOT more about Voldemort. Alhtough now I have finished I cant wait for number 7 as this is probably the most open ended ending of all the books and although we might think we find out certain things about certain charactors, we could be completely wrong!
Very nice review. Thanks. But I'm not sure that the Snape mystery is solved for good. Without spoiling it for those who haven't read it yet, Yes, there is certainly new evidence which seems to show his true colours, but JKR has shown us a tendency for dramatic reversals. The good often turn out to be bad, and the bad good. I would not be surprised if there is one more twist to this story. (And there will most certainly be another twist for Malfoy.)
The 6th book was as amazing as its 5 predecessors, but I have to say I was glad to finally get some answers, although I am a little upset with Rowling for making me cry while reading it...but I guess I will get over it.
I think that this book was awsome. I know a few people who thought the 5th book was sad because of the deaths in it but it's nothing compared to this one. I was in complete aw when I saw the death in this book, completely shocked. And I think that Snape is WAY evil. Theres convincing people such as Malfoys mother and cousin that he is evil and then there's being evil. As soon as he made the Unbreakable Vow I knew nothing good could come of it and I thought Snape HAS to be on Lord Voldemorts side because whatever he had to do it wasn't good. This one is SOOOOOO sad. :(
I have gone through the book and your reviews and they are quite apt for the book. The spirit of the book has been beautifully captured. I would only differ about one thing - Snape going over to Voldemart!!
If you read the book carefully it does not appear Snape has shifted loyalties.
Dumbledore was already dying and he wanted Snape to prove his loyalties to Voldemart beyond reproach. It was on his request that Snape killed him.
Snape saved a lot of students by asking all death eaters to leave Hogwarts.
Even while having his fight in the end with Harry he was trying to teach him by telling him to silently curse and concentrate more. He also delibrately left the Potions book for Harry Potter.
Please confirm back.
I'm very exciting to read this book, because I'm very like a magical world of Harry Potter. Certainly, the book 6 will be fantastic and we will reval many secret. The secret not clear inside other book. In short, I'm the fan of JK.Rowling and Harry Potter!!
PS: Scuse me, my English is bad, because I'm french girl.
I couldn't put this next installment down, as usual. But I must disagree on Snape. I do not believe that the mystery of his loyaty has been made clear. With Harry turning 17 and reaching adulthood in the wizard world, Dumbledore could no longer protect him, now the only one standing between him and Voldemort is Snape. Snape did not allow the Death Eaters to harm Harry, he instructed Harry to use non-verbal curses, and when he yelled, "Don't call me coward!" I thought of Dumbledore's orders to Harry to do what ever he asked no matter what...
Did Dumbledore give Snape the same orders? Now Snape is the only one standing between Harry and Voldemort......we shall see......
I attended the midnight opening of Waterstones on Deansgate for this book, although I had absolutely no interest in it whatsoever. I remain indifferent, and not sure what to say, except to note that "she doesn't dissapoint" is weak English.
I believe that the issue of Snape is not yet closed, even though he has taken actions to prove he is evil, I think there is something deeper to it, the way Dumbledore said 'Severus please', just didn't seem right.
The book is absolutely brilliant, in fact all of them are, and i can't wait till the sixth book comes out i hope it will be as exciting as all the rest!
i thought the book was amazing. I was a bit upset when read what happened to Dumbledore. I THINK THE NEXT BOOK WILL BE EVEN BETTER BECAUSE HARRY WILL BE IB THE OUTSIDE WORLD. tHIS BOOK WASNT QUITE AS DARK AS SOME OF THE OTHERS BUT IT DID HAVE its dark bits. i think the bit about the horcruxes was a good bit of imagination but the best bit was the bit when the were getting the necklace and the bit at the end because it told you what harry will now do and the future of the skool. I LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
unfortunately i have to disagree, like the last two books Rowling fails to live up to the standards she set herself in the first three. Not at all as amusing or subtle, it ambles along not really going anywhere until the very end where were rushed into a rather unbelievable situation. there seems to be no real character development. Although i'm pleased snape finally breaks out of his shell as he must be one of the most interesting charcters in the series.
I am extremely happy with this book and feel that JKR has done a great job to be able to sustain the interest in the series yet again. I cant imagine having to wait for the finale for 2 years more.
It is a better book than order of the phoenix where Harry was more immature and troubled.
As far as Snape is concerned, I refuse to believe that Dumbledore was fooled and when he begs Snape he is actually asking him to kill him. May be he was dying anyway because of his amaged arm and wanted Snape to remain in Voldemots good books. In any case he would have prob died for his cause just like the others of the order and Snape acted bravely by excecuting the order. Voldermort can no longer distrust him and will confide in a powerful wizard like Snape more and more.
I finshed the book the day it came out but didnt have access to the net otherwise i would have commented sooner. I was also very upset about the death of Dumbledore, but i didn't cry, i was too shocked. I also believe that there is more to the Snape plot; i mean he was basically giving harry a lesson as he was being chased "blocked again, again and again, until you learn to keep your mouth shut an dyour mind closed..." And there was definitely something fishy about the whole way Dumbledore said "Severus...please..." - this was surely pre-arranged. But on the other hand, Snape had to save his own skin due to the Unbreakable Vow. Changing to "R.A.B" - i think that's Sirius' brother Regulus Black, just dunno wot that "A" stands for. I think Harry will find all locations of Horcruxes and find the same note in last book and will just have to destroy Nagini and Voldemort. Changing subject to Harry and Ginny I think Rowling took that whole "Voldemort could try to get to me through you" from Spiderman, and hopefully their love won't be eternally lost. Disappointed not to see anything re the subject of the Black Veil. Post back.
I had my thoughts on Snape set, but reading some of the reviews my beliefs have slightly changed. He MIGHT still be loyal to Dumbledore,but it's still highly questionable. What I couldn't help wondering was whether went back for the pensive he and Dumbledore used to review parts of Voldemort's past.It would make since seeing as how Harry would surely still have some use for it in his quest to destroy Voldemort.
I finished the book too... and I agree that it was great! The book was very suspenceful and a lot was revealed. I can't wait for the 7th book to come out! I just with that the series didn't have to end. :(
This review is right on the money. . . balanced, fair, and not too revealing. It's easy to trash anything that is successful. Thanks for an objective review that provides good insight, tempting revelations, but doesn't give away the goodies.