Customer Reviews

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Gift Edition

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Orphaned as a baby and subsequently raised (in the loosest possible terms) by his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, Harry's early years were thoroughly miserable. Although he had been told his parents had been killed in a car crash, in reality they were murdered by an evil wizard called Voldemort. Harry, however, somehow survived this attack and Voldemort subsequently disappeared for many years. Tracked down by an apparent giant called Hagrid on his eleventh birthday, Harry discovered he was a wizard and has since been attending Hogwarts - a very prestigious school for training young witches and wizards. The school's headmaster Albus Dumbledore, considered by many to be the greatest wizard of modern times, has become something of a role model to Harry. His time has Hogwarts has provided also him with some of the happiest moments of his life : he has made friends for the first time (Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Hagrid being the most notable) and has become the Seeker on Gryffindor's Quidditch team. (Gryffindor is Harry's house, while Quidditch is the most popular wizard sport). Unfortunately, it has also become apparent that Voldemort's disappearance was only temporary, and his desire to kill Harry has not lessened. Furthermore, some of his key followers are also at Hogwarts. Professor Snape, the Potions teacher who has picked on Harry from the day he arrived, was a noted Death Eater. Draco Malfoy, Harry's arch-nemesis among the student body, is the son of another noted Death Eater...who, thanks to Harry, is now in prison.

The Order of the Phoenix is a secret society formed by Dumbledore to lead the fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Snape, despite being a former Death Eater, has also been admitted - although Harry believes this is a mistake, Dumbledore is convinced Snape has fully turned his back on his former master. However, as "The Half-Blood Prince" opens it appears that Harry's fears may be correct. Snape meets with Draco Malfoy's mother, Narcissa, and aunt, Bellatrix - both Death Eaters - in a small and dirty house in London. Although he may be working undercover for Dumbledore, the details of this meeting suggest he may actually be working undercover for Voldemort. It also becomes apparent that Voldemort, angry that Lucius failed in his mission at the end of "The Order of the Phoenix", has given Draco a very dangerous assignment.

Harry's ambition after leaving school is to be an Auror and, to be selected for this position, he needs to have done well at NEWT Level in Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions. While Harry has always excelled in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Snape has made it clear he will not accept anyone into his NEWT-level Potions class who hasn't achieved the top grade at OWL Level. When Harry's OWL results come through, it seems his dream is over : while he's done well in Potions, he hasn't achieved the top grade. However, on returning to Hogwarts, he finds that Snape has been appointed the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher while the new Potions teacher, Horace Slughorn is more than happy to accept him into the Potions class. Since he hadn't bought any books for the Potions course in Diagon Alley, Slughorn lends Harry an old copy of the textbook from the classroom's store. It puts Harry at an immediate advantage over his classmates, thanks to some very helpful notes made by its previous owner...someone who called himself the 'Half-Blood Prince'.

Dumbledore has decided to give Harry some additional 'classes' this year, where he learns more about Voldemort's past. However, they're not very regular as Dumbledore seems to be spending a lot of time away from Hogwarts. Furthermore, Dumbledore seems to have had a difficult summer as he arrives back at school with a very badly burned hand. He also has in his possession a ring that once belonged to Salazar Slytherin and his heir - Lord Voldemort.

With "The Half-Blood Prince", J.K Rowling has written another excellent book - although quite dark in places, it's very enjoyable and is very easily read. I was particularly looking forward to seeing how Harry's rivalry with Malfoy would intensify and I wasn't let down. What did surprise me, though, was how Draco coped with his task - and I'm now very curious to see what he'll get up to in the next book. (The same goes for Snape - for some reason, I'm not entirely sure he's all he appears to be - and I have a feeling that Mundungus Fletcher's brief appearance in this book might yet prove significant). The only disappointment was that Luna and Neville didn't feature more. If you're new to Harry Potter, I would recommend reading the series in order - this is the sixth book in the series and it picks up on certain events from the previous instalments. However, that shouldn't be too much of a burden, as the previous books are also very enjoyable !

JK Rowling's 6th book has sat on my desk for over two years. I bought it the day it came out in 2005 and tried reading the first chapter, but it never caught my attention. Now, July 2007, Harry Potter craze again, I attempted a second time. Again, the first chapter was unappealing, but I forced myself to get past it. As the plot thickens, I could no longer hold the book down. However, I definately found it to be a let down that Rowling exposed so much in chapter 2 about Snape and Bellatrix. It did set the tone for the book, but it also made it terribly predictable. Good thing for her wonderful narrative to keep me interested and the continual trips into the penseive. The unfortunate ending was a little too predictable for me, otherwise well written as usual!

I had hoped the 6th book would close several doors, but it only opened the plot up for new ideas and hopefully a spectacular end to the series.

Lord Voldemort is alive and the wizard community is in an uproar. The Death Eaters evil deeds are spreading beyond the wizard world and threatening the muggle world. Dementors are everywhere draining all light, hope, and happiness. All the while plots abound (Is Harry really "The Chosen One'?), danger is around every corner (has Draco become a Death Eater?), and Harry, Ron, and Hermione still have to decide on what course to take for their N.E.W.T's (Nasty Exhausting Wizarding Tests). Ah, to be a 16 year old wizard. Author JK Rowling has once again weaved a riveting adventure that's suspenseful, gripping, and imaginative. A darker book in an increasngly dark series (there's another death that effects Harry deeply), but Potter fans will undoubtedly read it from cover to cover, over and over again, while waiting for the grand finale. I know I will. :) Other suggested reading: "The Chronicles of Narnia" by CS Lewis and "GAAK" by Darryl Hughes. Both wonderful all age adventures.

Most amazing reading. This book is better than the movie (of the same name) Can't wait for the conclusion coming Soon I hope!!!.

Good book,excellent service and n one the less cheap price.
If I could,I would ad another star to the five stars I already gave.

Thanks,
Ray.

Loved this book. The whole series was great. Much better then the movies. I will keep this series for my kids to read when they're old enough.

Harry Potter's war meets the Muggle world. Battles, carnage, deaths, abductions, betrayals, oaths and politics are all fodder for this volume. None of this is surprising since Voldemort is moving openly and clearly with his attacks on the magical and non-magical populace. Soon, very soon, our heroes will be front and centre in this conflict. For Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling presents the necessary backstory for understanding for what will happen next.

J.K. starts here with various chapters, all beautifully done, to give us perspectives on the situation. The British Prime Minister informs us of the story from a Muggle view, with a bit of a wink and a nod to the readers. Switching gears to Snape becoming embroiled in a conspiracy of some nefarious kind, and capping it all off with Dumbledore being gentlemanly, this is a very auspicious beginning.

In fact, my cheers for Dumbledore were loud and exhilarating when he makes his first appearance. Cordial, nice, and unflappable, he strides to be as inclusive with the Dursley's as possible while settling certain matters with Harry. These attempts are in vain. His frustrations finally win out, and in a grand display of concise pinpointed logic with emotions partially letting out, he does what everyone has been waiting for. He tells off the Dursley's. Book after book of unrelenting abuse and hardship is finally repugnated by a wise beneficial authority figure. Don't we all wish for this kind of salvation? That the horrid people in our lives will be ultimately facing the repercussions for their actions? J.K. had built to this long wished for moment, and it does not disappoint.

All this momentum eventually leads Harry back to Hogwarts, where twin missions consume his time and thoughts. The pursuit of the evil Draco and whatever plan he is enacting is a plot that dwells in the background until the massive ending. This storyline takes a necessary backseat to one of the primary focuses of this book and his other mission, the telling of the tale of Tom Riddle. J.K. does a wise and brave move here, an attempt to humanize the vile creature once known as Tom. Saddled with a twisted family tree and the pain of being estranged from everyone, Tom wishes to repair his past and remake himself into something different. But instead of choosing a path of love and hope, he plunges into control and domination. The warning signs are present and ignored by all but one. And that one, the esteemed Dumbledore, still carries the guilt over his inaction all that time ago.

These sessions of learning lead to the double pronged ending. In one instance, the beloved Dumbledore dies in a climatic showdown which contains extremely valuable plot points for the future. In the other instance, the DA shows its mettle with Ginny leading the charge to defend Hogwarts from an invasion of Death Eaters. Not surprised by this turn of events, because Ginny has propelled himself to the forefront in so many ways. Once she stopped being starry eyed at the boy who lived she found her true self, a determined warrior of great skill. This progression is so natural and complete it shows us yet again how J.K. really did have it all planned out.

With Prince we see so many ideas and thoughts come to fruition. More is still to happen, with emotions to resolve, secrets to reveal, and lies to retort. The end is near...

Scoopriches

I am an avid reader, and a fan of Harry Potter since the release of the very first book. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I couldn't let myself put it down! Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the others have all grown and matured, and the chemistry between the characters is refreshing. The situations dealt with in this novel are darker and more intriguing. J.K Rowling did not disappoint, and added another masterpiece to the collection of Harry Potter novels! It is a novel for children, teenagers, and adults alike. I love the Harry Potter series, and love this newest installment equally. I definitely recommend this one!

The only bad thing about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the fact that I will never be able to look at the previous books the same way again. The concluding events of Book Six really change everything - no longer can I talk about Harry Potter and begin sentences with the words "I'll bet..." or "I wouldn't be surprised if..." Some of my hopes and intuitions would seem to be thoroughly dashed now. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but this book left me both eaten up inside and horribly empty at the same time. My suspicions were correct in some regards, but I was thoroughly shocked in places. The ending is just heart-breaking, seemingly ensuring that the seventh and final book will be extremely dark.

A large part of the book sort of takes you back to the good old days, though. There are even stretches where Voldemort's shadow seems to fade completely away momentarily. There's a new teacher to get to know, a new dimension to the studies of our sixth year heroes, and, of course, Quidditch matches to be played. The half-blood prince worked out much differently than I had envisioned, adding yet another air of mystery over the year's proceedings. Then there's Malfoy, whose changed manner and mysterious doings harbor no good whatsoever - he's no longer the Malfoy we've known before now. Then there is, of course, that whole teenaged thing, as the relationships in this book take center stage. Ron and Hermione, of course, argue a lot - but it goes much further than ever before this year. As for Harry's burgeoning love life, things finally go in the direction I always wanted them to go (and I loved the subtle way in which Rowling nursed it along) - but, of course, all bets are off with the momentous changes that take place in the end.

I just have so many questions now, as it seems hard to believe that what happened did actually happen in the way it happened, and it seems like it should never have happened at all. Alas, I can not go into more detail here, though. Book Seven will be unlike any that have come before (and this book itself was quite different in that Harry doesn't even appear until page 38). Enjoy the first 550 pages of this one, as these pages feature the last days of anything approaching innocence in this magical world we all love so much. The ending may well leave you in tears; you may not even feel like the same person after you finish it. I don't consider Book Six quite as strong as Book Five, but, at the same time, I think it proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that J.K. Rowling is the best writer of our generation.

Note: There are no spoilers in this review (unlike some others here)

The Good

*Shorter than the last one
*Even Better than the last one
*More of what you loved about all of them

The Bad

*Shorter than the last one
*The darkening of the series may disappoint some who miss the light and fluffy books from early on
*The next book is reportedly years away from release

Just like Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling's powers and confidence increase with each book. At the rate she's going, the series finale should take our breath away.

Her writing is better than ever - not many authors could write several multi-page monologues for different characters in the same book and have them all razor-sharp. I don't know if she's learning from her work with screenwriter Steve Kloves or what, but whatever it is she's doing to build her chops, I hope she continues. She is a modern-day Roald Dahl.

Because Ms. Rowling broke her trend of making each book much larger than the one before it, the latest installment in the series is a bit tighter. This is a mixed blessing though - while the book is undoubtedly better for it, it still leaves less of it to enjoy.

Yes, I know that some will regret the increasingly darkening atmosphere of the series and wonder if it is really a book for children anymore but I think they're missing the point. Even though this is a fantasy series, it is about real life issues like life, death, love, honor, greed, lust for power, etc... and some of these are very dark. The werewolf character who has developed a taste for the flesh of children is creepy indeed.

However, like Dahl who must surely be one of main inspirations, Rowling manages to make the evils of the world just fantastical enough to be the most effective. Any more realistic and the books would lose their metaphorical power. Any less realistic and they would become silly fluff. Rowling walks the razor-edge with poise and grace.