Book: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling
Krishna
The earlier book, Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix has been reviewed earlier.
It is impossible to discuss a Harry Potter book without referring to the earlier works in the series, as this series is one that ties into so many places at once, and so I will. Of course, I am not going to give away the ending of this one!
For those of you, like me, who were wondering why Harry Potter did almost nothing at all in the fifth book, the sixth book provides some answers. I will stop at that, as further discussion on this will give away some of the suspense
in the book.
This book continues with Harry Potter and he enters the sixth year. The book takes off almost in the beginning, with the unusual visit of Dumbledore himself to Dursley’s apartment to pick up Harry.
It is, in my view, far better than most of her earlier books, and I would go so far as to say that this is probably her best after the Goblets of Fire. Some new characters are introduced, but they are minor players, and the major roles have been assigned to the people whom we know so well by now.
It is darker than most of her earlier books and is also more ‘grown up’. As the kids grow older (Harry is seventeen now) romance begins to play a big role in the trio’s life (Ron, Harry and Hermione all are in love). Quiddich has been relegated to sidelines and there are some phenominal new items added (Horcruxes for example and the identity of the Half Blood Prince).
It is almost amazing how she ties many of the things neatly not just to tying up the loose ends in this book but into a lot of the earlier books (Book Two figures prominently) as well. This is a wonderfully planned series.
The only surprise is that Harry now is universally recognized as the good guy, unlike all of his earlier books where everything he did and said was viewed with suspicion.
As my daughter, who is a huge fan, points out, even relatively new characters (Rufus Scrimgoer for instance) has been mentioned in earlier books. And the motorbike Hagrid brings baby Potter from was borrowed from one Sirius Black, who does not appear until Volume 3. This is amazing linkage for any author.
The decription of the place where Dumbledore and Harry travel together is eerie and very well done. The suspense is taut and the ending leaves you breathless.
Of course, J. K. Rowling had created enormous speculation saying that one of the characters will die, and the identity of this person was a matter of intense speculation until the book release. I would have never guessed who it is!
More than this will give away too much and so I stop, but not before awarding this one a 8/10.
A ripping good read!
— Krishna