Customer Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Novel, Yet the Darkest Harry Potter Book Thus Far
Comment: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince follows 16-year-old Harry Potter through his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The book is darker than any of the prequels.
The book begins on a serious note. The new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour warns the muggle Prime Minister of Voldemort's return. Voldemort is ready to kill on impulse and should be avoided by both members of the magic community and members of the muggle community. The number one target, of course, is the protagonist, Harry Potter. Harry has survived several former attacks by Voldemort and is prophesied to be the "chosen one" to kill him.
At Hogwarts, life is grimmer than it has ever been. Professor Snape replaces Professor Umbridge as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This was the one job that Dumbledore refused to give him in the past because of his former connections to Lord Voldemort. Snape has gained Dumbledore's trust in recent years and accepts the job. Professor Slughorn, a former teacher at the school, obtains Snape's former position as Potions Teacher. Slughorn is immediately fond like to any student with supreme magical abilities and invites them to his parties. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny are included in this group. In addition, Dumbledore returns to the school with a charred, shrunken hand. He refuses to tell anyone why this has happened. Lastly, Malfoy is bestowed an important task by Lord Voldemort, which Harry overhears in the Hogwarts Express. Harry has no idea what the task is, but is convinced that he needs to stop him by any means possible.
On a lighter note, Harry is enjoying his sixth year at Hogwarts. He finds a used potions book with written in tips and spells on how to make the best potions in the quickest amount of time. The person who previously owned the book, the "Half-Blood Prince" remains an important mystery in the novel. He receives high marks in this class for the first time, sealing his position as Slughorn's favorite student. On the Quidditch team, Harry continues his position as seeker and Ron becomes the new keeper. Harry also begins his first serious relationship with a girl. Also, Dumbledore gives private lessons on Harry on how to defeat the Dark Lord. They continuously use the Pensieve as a means to discover who Lord Voldemort was as a child and how he came to be the evil man that he is now. This is probably the biggest highlight of the school year for Harry.
As usual, J.K. Rowling has written a world-class novel: a mix of action, adventure, romance, and deceit, but has given this novel a scarier twist. The reader can easily decipher the story and follow the characters as they grow emotionally. Instead of solving mysteries set forth by previous novels, this one presents several new questions. What is Malfoy's task? Can Snape be trusted? Why is Dumbledore's hand charred and shrunken? What will learning about Voldemort's childhood do to help Harry defeat him? And, finally, who is the "Half-Blood Prince"? Read this novel to find out the answers to these questions, you will be in for a surprise. I recommend this novel 100%.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An incredible novel
Comment: With every Harry Potter installment, I find myself saying the new installment is my favorite of the series so far. Book 6 is no exception, and I think it is a credit to the author. The hopelessness and despair have increased in order for the readers to feel the plight of the characters. Starting with this book and continuing into the next, the reader feels the despair that afflicts the good wizard community. It has some similarities to World War II Germany. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, even if it was a bit gloomy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Riddled With Riddles About Riddle
Comment: Ms. Rowling has created another well-crafted adventure/mystery to the Harry Potter series. The reader will come to understand why and how Lord Voldemort became the evil, obsessed antagonist of the wizardry world. The author did a fine job of depicting the main teenage characters in an age-appropriate manner. Just like many 16-year-olds of this difficult age, some of Harry's, Ron's, and Hermoine's decisions are completely self-serving, unethical and, dare I say, meanspirited. Also, their puerile mood swings are very convincing and believable. A few new colorful characters are introduced as well as the enmity between Potter/Snape grows deeper and darker. There are smatterings of happy and funny moments, but for the most this book is pretty gloomy. Ms. Rowling has crafted a cliffhanger that easily will propel me into reading the last installment.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Comment: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is the sixth book of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Harry is a more mature character in this book and spends the most time with Dumbledore that he has in any other book. Harry and Dumbledore make progress against Voldemort, but, at the same time, Voldemort seems to be gathering forces and gaining more power. Meanwhile, Harry has other things happening in his life. There are lessons to learn at Hogwarts. The Weasleys become ever more important to Harry's story. There is an interesting change of who is teaching what at Hogwarts. Quidditch continues to be a part of Harry's life. And, personal relationships develop. Meanwhile, However, Harry begins to learn more of Voldemort's past. And, Harry has yet another dangerous adventure. Unfortunately, we then come to the darkest part of the HP stories.
Sorry, that is enough of that. We have left the children's stories behind. Harry must, now, be an adult as he continues to work against Voldemort.
This is an excellent book. However, if you have a young person reading this, be sure to prepare your young person for the possibility of difficulties and dark times for Harry. Personally, I doubt if anyone under 16 should be reading this episode of the Harry Potter series of stories.
Customer Rating:
Summary: AWESOME... AWESOME!
Comment: Great book! I have never devoured a book so fast in my life. Couldn't wait to read each page. For all ages. I'm already reading the last book.
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