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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Frankly I do not like this one. I do not like Slugborn or Felix Felicis or the last trip Dumbledore and Harry take or the ending or Harry’s obsession with Draco or the memories we have to wade through to get the Horcrux lore sorted out. The only good parts of this book are Ginny and the ways Neville and Luna keep showing up.
I gave this book my highest rating of 5 stars (rating scale in bio).
I am doing my first read-through of all the Harry Potter books in order. My last GoodReads review was on The Order of the Phoenix and I stated that so far book #5 was my favorite. After reading the Half-Blood Prince, I now have to rescind that statement and say the book #6 is my favorite. I loved book #5 because of the history that it went into regarding the original members of the Order. And it was written in such a way that made me want to have more background of these characters than what we were given, especially the Marauders. But the main reason why book #6 rose to my top ranking spot was because this book had the least amount of book-to-film similarities. I have seen the movies several times, so as I read the books I am able to identify differences and similarities. Warner Brothers told the same story as Rowling but with significantly less detail and altering so many scenes that reading the book for the first time made me fall in love with the story again as if I were reading this story for the first time.
MILD SPOILERS: (skip to my "End of Spoilers" section to finish my review)
Having only watched the films before this series read-through, I always wondered how the muggle world could coincide, relate, correlate with the wizarding world. But chapter one of this book was so insightful and answered so many questions I have had for years! In particular, the relationship between the Minister of Magic and the British Prime Minister. I really enjoyed that.
The report card from the OWLs exam that the main trio had taken the previous school year was so well written. Reading the anxious feelings of awaiting their grades and them reading through their results made me feel like I was in grade school again. I remember feeling those same feelings when I was their age. And to see this experience written out and given language was very nostalgic for me.
Oh Ginny. Now I understand the love for Ginny in the fandom world. "More Ginny" they cry. And I must fall suite with this perspective. I had always wanted Hermione for Harry from the beginning, but Ginny became much more fitting for the character that Harry becomes. This book is very pivotal for Harry's character arc and I think that introducing Ginny as his love interest was very appropriate.
Look, say what you want about Rowling. But I have the greatest respect for her because she never wastes a sentence, a scene, a word. They all have meaning. Even down to Tonks' patronus in chapter 8 and then reveling its truth in the second to last chapter! Nothing she writes is extra, wasted, or meaningless.
I am a little irritated with Ron. The majority of the book he seemed to be in his own world, worried about girls or apparating, rather than focused on helping his two closest friends (or at least Harry).
Finally, Dumbledore. Knowing his fate at the end of the book already didn't change the fact that I teared up several times within the final few chapters. I did appreciate that in the books his death was a lot more needed for Harry than in the films. By that I mean, in the films Dumbledore's death was just a major loss for everyone including Harry. But in the book, his death actually initiated Harry's quest to fulfill his purpose, the prophecy.
END OF SPOILERS
The Harry Potter books were published when I was in grade school, roughly four years younger than the main character, Harry (from year of publishing, not Harry's actual age in the story). My best friend during this time urged me to read each book as it was published. I vividly remember her carrying in her arms the newest Harry Potter book from class to class which was always on top of her text books. I remember her purchasing the newest Harry Potter release as they were published, her falling in love with it, and then her telling me just enough details to spark curiosity. She was to me what Hermione was to Harry.
Just over twenty years later, just as I mentioned before, I am reading through all of the books. Long overdue, I know. I can imagine my best friend from grade school shaking her head in a gentle disappointment at this, yet smiling because I FINALLY DID IT. Reading and finishing each book allows me to delve into a whirlpool of nostalgia, remembering what school was like for me at the ages of the main trio of this book.
I am excited to introduce this Wizarding World to my children, starting with my eldest son. Even reading these books as a thirty year old who has seen all of the films several times through, my imagination still takes me places in Hogwarts that can only be found within the details in the books. I can only wonder what world my own imagination would have seen if I had read these books as a child when they were being published, having not seen any films. And it is that experience that I cannot wait to share with my kids.
The Harry Potter series seems to be growing in popularity as time progresses. The original readers who were children when these books were published have their own children now. I foresee this series of books becoming a global literary classic.
I am doing my first read-through of all the Harry Potter books in order. My last GoodReads review was on The Order of the Phoenix and I stated that so far book #5 was my favorite. After reading the Half-Blood Prince, I now have to rescind that statement and say the book #6 is my favorite. I loved book #5 because of the history that it went into regarding the original members of the Order. And it was written in such a way that made me want to have more background of these characters than what we were given, especially the Marauders. But the main reason why book #6 rose to my top ranking spot was because this book had the least amount of book-to-film similarities. I have seen the movies several times, so as I read the books I am able to identify differences and similarities. Warner Brothers told the same story as Rowling but with significantly less detail and altering so many scenes that reading the book for the first time made me fall in love with the story again as if I were reading this story for the first time.
MILD SPOILERS: (skip to my "End of Spoilers" section to finish my review)
Having only watched the films before this series read-through, I always wondered how the muggle world could coincide, relate, correlate with the wizarding world. But chapter one of this book was so insightful and answered so many questions I have had for years! In particular, the relationship between the Minister of Magic and the British Prime Minister. I really enjoyed that.
The report card from the OWLs exam that the main trio had taken the previous school year was so well written. Reading the anxious feelings of awaiting their grades and them reading through their results made me feel like I was in grade school again. I remember feeling those same feelings when I was their age. And to see this experience written out and given language was very nostalgic for me.
Oh Ginny. Now I understand the love for Ginny in the fandom world. "More Ginny" they cry. And I must fall suite with this perspective. I had always wanted Hermione for Harry from the beginning, but Ginny became much more fitting for the character that Harry becomes. This book is very pivotal for Harry's character arc and I think that introducing Ginny as his love interest was very appropriate.
Look, say what you want about Rowling. But I have the greatest respect for her because she never wastes a sentence, a scene, a word. They all have meaning. Even down to Tonks' patronus in chapter 8 and then reveling its truth in the second to last chapter! Nothing she writes is extra, wasted, or meaningless.
I am a little irritated with Ron. The majority of the book he seemed to be in his own world, worried about girls or apparating, rather than focused on helping his two closest friends (or at least Harry).
Finally, Dumbledore. Knowing his fate at the end of the book already didn't change the fact that I teared up several times within the final few chapters. I did appreciate that in the books his death was a lot more needed for Harry than in the films. By that I mean, in the films Dumbledore's death was just a major loss for everyone including Harry. But in the book, his death actually initiated Harry's quest to fulfill his purpose, the prophecy.
END OF SPOILERS
The Harry Potter books were published when I was in grade school, roughly four years younger than the main character, Harry (from year of publishing, not Harry's actual age in the story). My best friend during this time urged me to read each book as it was published. I vividly remember her carrying in her arms the newest Harry Potter book from class to class which was always on top of her text books. I remember her purchasing the newest Harry Potter release as they were published, her falling in love with it, and then her telling me just enough details to spark curiosity. She was to me what Hermione was to Harry.
Just over twenty years later, just as I mentioned before, I am reading through all of the books. Long overdue, I know. I can imagine my best friend from grade school shaking her head in a gentle disappointment at this, yet smiling because I FINALLY DID IT. Reading and finishing each book allows me to delve into a whirlpool of nostalgia, remembering what school was like for me at the ages of the main trio of this book.
I am excited to introduce this Wizarding World to my children, starting with my eldest son. Even reading these books as a thirty year old who has seen all of the films several times through, my imagination still takes me places in Hogwarts that can only be found within the details in the books. I can only wonder what world my own imagination would have seen if I had read these books as a child when they were being published, having not seen any films. And it is that experience that I cannot wait to share with my kids.
The Harry Potter series seems to be growing in popularity as time progresses. The original readers who were children when these books were published have their own children now. I foresee this series of books becoming a global literary classic.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars
While this book has less going on I like that we get to see more of the everyday life at hogwarts. There’s so many moments in the series where Harry doesn’t notice things or he’s not the brightest but with Malfoy this kid turned into a whole ass Ravenclaw. Lastly The last 50 or so pages are so good and sad. I don’t like Dumbledore for the way he treated Harry sometimes, but you can’t deny he didn’t do good for so many others.
While this book has less going on I like that we get to see more of the everyday life at hogwarts. There’s so many moments in the series where Harry doesn’t notice things or he’s not the brightest but with Malfoy this kid turned into a whole ass Ravenclaw. Lastly The last 50 or so pages are so good and sad. I don’t like Dumbledore for the way he treated Harry sometimes, but you can’t deny he didn’t do good for so many others.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Random thoughts:
What a suspicious Harry we have here! Stalking Malfoy and even questioning Dumbledore about Snape. Wow Slytherin=suspicion. IT is quite amusing.
The story brings in a lot of history. I enjoyed the lessons with Dumbledore Harry has.
And we get to meet a new character. Slughorn. What an arrogant, pompous.... *blows raspberry*
The ending! Oh that ending! I wanted to fling by book across the room the first time I read it. Luckily I was emotionally prepared the second time. Readers beware if you haven't read this yet.
2023-Audiobook. I want to give some good credit to Jim Dale for his great job on voices. Dumbledore especially, catching the different ages for his tone and emotions. But honestly, he does great for most of the characters. Truly a favorite narrator. Did I ever notice how Snape's neighborhood was abandoned, boarded up? Wonder why... Fleur's comment toward the end of this book had me so proud of her, and then in the same speak, she had me burst out laughing. A much alleviated moment in the somber feel of everything else happening.
What a suspicious Harry we have here! Stalking Malfoy and even questioning Dumbledore about Snape. Wow Slytherin=suspicion. IT is quite amusing.
The story brings in a lot of history. I enjoyed the lessons with Dumbledore Harry has.
And we get to meet a new character. Slughorn. What an arrogant, pompous.... *blows raspberry*
The ending! Oh that ending! I wanted to fling by book across the room the first time I read it. Luckily I was emotionally prepared the second time. Readers beware if you haven't read this yet.
2023-Audiobook. I want to give some good credit to Jim Dale for his great job on voices. Dumbledore especially, catching the different ages for his tone and emotions. But honestly, he does great for most of the characters. Truly a favorite narrator. Did I ever notice how Snape's neighborhood was abandoned, boarded up? Wonder why... Fleur's comment toward the end of this book had me so proud of her, and then in the same speak, she had me burst out laughing. A much alleviated moment in the somber feel of everything else happening.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated