Jul 17, 2005 03:40 PM
1267 Views
(Updated Dec 21, 2005 10:19 PM)
This book doesn't start with HP and Privet Drive - the first clue that it is 'different.' Better? No, but different, definitely. If I had to sum HP and the Half Blood Prince up in one sentence, I would say what my 13 yr old did - If the HP series were a house, the previous books would be rooms, and this one a corridor - it simply serves as a link.
JK drifts along, sprinkling the pages with names and incidents readers of previous books will be familiar with. New readers (if there are any) will be completely lost, so if you have missed any of the other books, I strongly recommend you go read them first.
Snape has an important role to play, as has Draco Malfoy. Voldemort's past is revealed in bits and pieces, and at times one almost feels sorry for the boy he used to be.
Everybody here is supposed to be doing important things, but where are these important things happening, and where is the action and pace one expect from a JK book? There's more half hearted romance here, and more of exchange of saliva than magical acts. It seems like JK wanted to tie up loose ends before she got to the final book, and No.6 is simply that - those loose ends tied up.
So is there anything good about this book? Umm, yes. There is some mystery. OK, ok, plenty of mystery. One just wishes (at too many places) that JK would just hurry up with the plot though. HP is a less angry and more mature, likeable person than he was in book 5, and Ginny shapes up surprisingly well too.
There are too many not so good points in this book; the dumbing down of Hermione and Dumbledore's increasingly irritating helplessness, a rambling plot, stilted language, and laughable attempts at describing teenage romance being among them.
But just when you think that JK has seriously lost it, the old magic kicks in and pulls you along in a mad rush of excitement and intrigue where you're only too eager to join the action and forgive her the 500 odd pages of mediocre prose she put you through.
The end is predictable, but gripping nevertheless, and leaves you with a lump in your throat. If you absolutely must read the book immediately, shell out that hugely ridiculous sum of money just for the last 5 chapters; they alone make it worth the time and money you will spend.
Otherwise, wait for this volume to turn up in your friendly neighbourhood library, and keep your money aside for the last volume. I predict that one will be worth whatever price she chooses to ask for it.
note - spoiler ahead.
I think the mysterious R.A.B. is Rebus A. Black, brother of Sirius :) Let's see what JK's # 7 says.
