A review by kierscrivener
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

5.0

"The last and greatest of his protectors had died, and he was more alone than he had ever been.”

I adored this novel amidst all its tragedy and change or maybe because of it.

I always loved this one best and I was not disappointed. J. K. Rowling does such a remarkable job of immersing one into the wizarding world and characters. It feels so full of life and fleshed out, even in its darkest moments. There is no surprise that this series changed fiction and storytelling.

I loved that many of the tropes are subverted for instance Harry's suspicion of Malfoy and Snape that so often Harry's suspicion had been a red herring and Ron and Hermione don't entertain his obsessive theories.

I just loved this book so much even though it is the first time reading it. Even with the grief it makes my heart hurt and tells the story of growing and my heart aches that we must all grow up and face the dark realities (despite that I am an adult). The moments when you realize that Harry did not get to play his last quidditch match and the last one he played he was knocked out by his own player. That he will never graduate. That all his protectors are gone. That in the end Malfoy is labelled and we are left with Crabbe and Goyle sitting lonely on a bench. That everything is not right.

I love Tonks, I liked the emergence of Fleur, I liked that Hermione and Ron's feelings were growing (though frustrated that once again the friendss stopped talking to each other) and even liked Ginny and Harry.

I especially loved going into Voldermort/Tom Riddle's memory. I think it is important to understand a villain but even recognize that Voldermort was twisted from childhood.

I was surprised how little Snape and Hagrid played in this novel considering their much larger roles in previous books even Neville and Luna played smaller roles. Though glad to once again have Dumbledore in the limelight.

I thoroughly adored this novel.

“Dumbledore's man through and through, aren't you Potter?"
"Yeah I am," said Harry. "Glad we straightened that out.”


"There was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we? We're with you whatever happens.”-Hermione
What a fantastic example of friendship.

“Dumbledore will only leave from Hogwarts when there are none loyal to him!”
Dumbledore himself became a myth, larger than life man that loomed as protection for Harry. He was an icon that Rowling crafted from dust.


“I enjoyed the meetings, too. It was like having friends.” -Luna Lovegood
Oh my precious girl. I loved that she is such a spirited girl and that Harry took her.

“Voldemort himself created his worst enemy, just as tyrants everywhere do! Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to be one who rises against them and strikes back!”