I got the latest in the Potter series Harry Potter and the half blood Prince at 11 am yesterday and finished it in 8 hours FLAT!! My quickest read so far (took 11 hours for the last book).Here’s what I noticed, enjoyed, disliked and questioned:
Characters
What I noticed first was the sudden change in Harry--from the angry teenager in book 5 to the not-no-short-tempered youth in this.Well, I put it off thinking it as a result of Sirius’s death.However, this was the least important of surprises. There seemed to be a really tight bond between Harry and Dumbledore throughout the book-- a little unnatural for we were used to their separation all through book 5. The Order of the Phoenix works more secretly than ever, mention being made only a few times in the entire book. Ron and Hermione remain the same--Ron humorous as always and Hermione at her serious best.The new leads include Rufus Scrimgeour as Minister for Magic, Horace Slughorn, the new teacher at Hogwarts, Craig McLaggen who replaces Ron as Keeper for a Quidditch match, a few Death Eaters and students.
The Plot
Zombies and public snogging, new monsters and new teachers, treachery and trust, potions, promises, and the overwhelming power of love...Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is exciting, fast-paced and fun.But the book is condensed greatly which has resulted in many details being omitted and the story seems to end in NO time. Well, there is considerable lack of surprises when compared to books 4 and 5 but the first chapter, which JKR claims to have thought over for thirteen years has nothing unusual about it.Overall, an average plot, almost predictable with two great SHOCKS -- the death of a very important character and not to mention, the identity of the Half Blood Prince (which seemed pretty obvious to me right from the beginning)
The magic
Dumbledore taking Harry several trips into the Penseive is the best part. Harry learns a few excellent spells from an old book which once belonged to a person who calls himself The Half Blood Prince. The 6th years learn Apparition--the ability to disappear from one place and appear almost instantly at another.Theres not much magic as a greater part of the book deals with Voldemort’s history.
Humour
Abundance of it. Many of us expected it to be dull as Fred and George wouldn’t be at Hogwarts any longer. Well, let me say the description of their jokeshop Weasleys Wizard Wheezes includes few of the best pages in the book. Ron attempts a feeble joke or two here and there and Ginny Weasley turns a clown all of a sudden and Peeves the poltergeist remains unusually quiet.
Romance
As promised, JKR gives a little romance to brighten Harry’s life, but hastily covered. Ron tries to make Hermione jealous by moving around with Lavender Brown and Hermione replies by ditto-ing with McLaggen, but the pair are seen in each others arms in the end. Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour, Malfoy and Parkinson, Tonks and Lupin are the other pairs.
Overall
A very good book but not the best of the series as claimed.Sufficient Quidditch for the sport lovers, gripping thrill in a few places, tragedy and comedy. However, it is overpriced and does not give all the explanation and background of the wizarding world as JKR had promised. Eg : JKR said that the book would tell us what Dudley heard in his Dementor-encounter and also the professions of Harry’s parents--both have been (deliberately) missed out. Most important of all, there is betrayal of trust, despair as the ’wrong’ person is killed and raised eyebrows over Draco Malfoy holding a key role. 3/4 of the book being dedicated to Voldemort’s life and history whereas he making no appearance is pretty ridiculous and extrememly hard to accept. All in all, the book has been the result of haste and definitely not JKR’s best, though worth a read.