I will whole-heartedly admit that I am a Harry Potter nut. I know some people will find this cheesy and silly of me, but anyone who has actually read one of the books will admit that they are highly addictive. If you can get past the sheer size of the monsters (and I am talking about the size of the books), then every page is worth the read.
The book finds Harry Potter in his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lord Voldemort (the most evil wizard to ever live) is at large and gathering his Death Eaters and preparing to attack the good wizards and witches of the world. The magic world is in an uproar and everyone is on edge wondering what will happen now that Voldemort has returned. Harry is now the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and on top of dealing with his normal adolescence, he is wondering what the future will hold for him. After losing his godfather - his dead parents’ best friend, Sirius Black - in the last book, Harry is once again an orphan. He is escorted to school by Professor Dumbledore (the headmaster of the school and Harry’s most trusted mentor) and informed of his important role in the coming year. Dumbledore informs him that he will be privately tutoring Harry in the coming year and he should be prepared for the dark times ahead. With some help his trusted friends Ron and Hermione and from an old potions book belonging to the self-proclaimed “Half-Blood Prince”, Harry tries to figure out who is working for Lord Voldemort and who are truly his allies and friends.
As Rowling promised, we lose another major character in this book. The story is unfolding for a huge battle and a very climatic ending to the series. Harry is preparing for the final battle where (somewhat reminiscent of the Matrix) he will find out whether he truly is the “chosen one” meant to fight Lord Voldemort in a final battle.
If you haven’t caught the Harry Potter bug yet – then pick up the paperbacks at the bookstore and start from the beginning now. Rowling has successfully carried the Harry Potter series through six books (this is the sixth in the series) and will end the story with the next book. Her books are well thought out (she will admit that she is a complete stickler for details) and she has created a very intricate tale in a completely fascinating world. These books certainly aren’t just for children.
I can’t say enough good things about the series, and if you are want to escape into another world, then these are the books for you. The Half-Blood Prince is my favorite Harry Potter book to date. It is available at local bookstores, online and at the Nashville Public Library. As a side note, if you enjoy books on tape or CD, this is an excellent set (not to mention Grammy award-winning) to invest in. I have all of them on CD and enjoy listening to them in the car.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Scholastic, 652 pp., $29.99
