Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) by J.K. Rowling Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
Book Review: Build-up
Summary: 4 Stars
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by itself is a very good novel. When compared to its predecessor "Order of the Phoenix" and the last installment "Deathly Hallows", it doesn't quite measure up. The sixth book of the series is largely a build-up to transition to the final stand-off in the seventh book, but it seems like there is just a little too much talking and not enough classic Harry Potter action. I guess this was a pretty necessary transition, however, as it does set up the conclusion of the series very nicely. I suggest that if you have not read this book yet to make sure that you have the seventh book handy as you are going to want to continue on as soon as you finish this one.Book Review: Great book just like the rest.
Summary: 5 Stars
Like all the books before its a great work. My entire family (that can read) has read every book (my wife and I listen to them on cd). My 5 yr old has been harry potter for the past 3 years for holloween.Book Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
This audio book was SO much fun to listen to! Jim Dale is truly an amazing actor, and this audio book is great fun to listen to for any age! One day, when I was sick and at home, I listened to it for hours on end, and it never got me bored as most things do. I recommend it for everyone!Book Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Arsed Plot
Summary: 3 Stars
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (year 6 at Hogwarts) is, unfortunately, the low-point of the series in my opinion. It pains me to say so, as there are some important developments in the story, but it is definitely the weakest book overall. Some reasons why:
First of all, the content of the story can basically be broken down into three main parts: exploring Voldemort's past, introducing the horcrux concept, and the ending sequence involving Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy, and Snape (with a couple of events leading up to it). Besides that, it's mostly Harry "cheating" using a marked-up potions manual, and a whole lot of "romantic" shenanigans between the students. The whole "Half-blood Prince" storyline is both unnecessary and distracting, as is the issue of the new teacher, Slughorn. A lot of the book feels like an ill-advised attempt to make *something* happen in the sixth year, just so that the overall series would fit into the "obligatory" seven-year time line; it could all have happened in a few weeks just as easily as an entire year.
So, laying aside the fact that the whole book is mostly a "set up" for book 7, rather than a story unto itself, there are a couple of things about it that I really like. Both revolve around the development of ambiguously evil characters. First, and most prominently, is the development of Severus Snape, who has always been one of Harry's least favorite people. He also happens to be, in my opinion, one of the most intriguing characters in the entire series. From the beginning of the book (well, the second chapter), we are already faced with the question of where Snape's true loyalties lie, and by the end, we have some drastic "surprises" that illuminate the issue. Although his story is not fully told until book 7, this story is where his character really starts coming to the forefront.
The other part of the story that I really like is the story of Draco Malfoy. Throughout the series, he has been little more than the snotty, prejudiced bully who irritates Harry and his friends, but I always suspected and hoped that he would have an important role to play in the end. This book is really when we learn what Draco Malfoy is all about, although it does take a little reading between the lines at times. His scene with Dumbledore at the top of the astronomy tower is the finest moment in the book, and it is rather sad to me that this is, for all practical purposes, the end of Draco's story (his involvement in book 7 is largely perfunctory). I think that J.K. Rowling missed a fantastic opportunity by not giving Draco a larger role in the conclusion of the story. More on this in my review of book 7.
Overall, as I've said, this is definitely the weakest book in the Harry Potter series. You could read only from Chapter 23 to the end and not miss out on anything critical, and get the best of the book besides. Well... Chapter 1 is a good bit of fun, but the middle of the book is mostly a load of waffle, worth reading if you (like me) don't want to miss out on any of the details, but irrelevant to the outcome of the story as a whole.
Book Review: A reasonable must have
Summary: 5 Stars
Unlike the complete letdown of the last book in the series this one keeps your attention throughout it. It also sticks to the story line quite well unlike as I said the next book doesn't in it's review.