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81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
The Star Wars Episode I Equivalent of the Harry Potter novels, 15 Oct 2007
While the proceeding five novels of the Harry Potter sequence had interesting stories in their own right, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE, much like Star Wars Episode I, felt much more like a trailer to upcoming events than an interesting story in its own right.
While EPISODE I was undeniably a train wreck, especially with that travesty of Jar Jar Binks, the movie introduced all the key characters of the new trilogy. EPISODE I's principal function was this introduction, and setting into motion the events that would lead the characters to their ultimate destiny. In this regard, EPISODE I and the sixth Harry Potter are remarkably similar.
Of course, the real difference is Rowling had five full novels before hand, whereas Lucas had only one movie to introduce his new set of characters. While the other books in the series always advanced the overall story's arc, Rowling always managed to have succinct, stand-alone novels that stood remarkably well on their own right. HALF BLOOD PRINCE is very much the exception to the rule in this regard. HALF BLOOD PRINCE is so exposition heavy, setting all the foundation work for the seventh book, that it relegates its own plotline as largely secondary. Let me elaborate.
In the proceeding five novels, each title drove the book's overall plot. In PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, the principal mystery was what was the stone and how to protect it. In the second book, the chamber had been reopened and there was a dangerous basilisk on the prowl. The third (and in my opinion the best), Azkaban's escaped prisoner was the fuel driving the events of that novel. Just as much as GOBLET was about the Triwizard Tournament and ORDER OF THE PHOENIX about the resistance to Voldemort, one would expect this trend to continue with HALF BLOOD PRINCE.
To this book's detriment, that is not the case. While there is certainly some mystery to who this prince is, and who ultimately figures in heavily with the book's climax, HBP is much more about the seventh book than anything else. In the American cover art, you have Dumbledore and Harry looking at the Pevensie, which turns out to be the real meat of the book anyway. HBP is far more about laying the seventh book's final outcome than having anything to do with some half-blood prince.
It is disheartening to say that you could actually excise the entire HBP subplot (a subplot is really all it is), and still have largely the same novel. The same could not be said of any of Rowling's previous work. Of course, the irony in all this is once Harry figures out who the HBP is, he does figure very heavily in the plot, but not because he is a half blood prince. Actually, Harry doesn't even really figure out who he is, but now we're getting into spoiler territory so I will say no more.
As far as the death goes (there are two deaths, but the first no one will care about), it is both devestating and shocking. Without revealing to much, it is both tremendously sad and incredibly strange that she would write out such an important and humanizing character. But following the Joseph Campbell mythological plot line that the hero must face his ultimate nemesis alone, without guidance, the death makes sense.
As for the people saying Rowling was stealing from LORD OF THE RINGS with some of the events in this book, I'd say "Yeah, and? What do you think the dementors are? They're just ring-wraiths tweaked a little bit." Without giving to much away, I think Rowling did quite an interesting job with Voldemort's method to immortality.
Ultimately, all HBP does is build up for the final confrontation with Voldemort in Book VII. No other book in this series is anywhere near as exposition heavy as this installment. While Rowling needs to set up the events for the last book, it would have been nice to have a more self-contained novel than this is, which is what the others are.
Overall, I give the book three stars, but that is only for this weakness in the plot of the book itself. I must confess I enjoyed this much more than PHOENIX. I remember buying that two years ago, anxious to return to Hogwarts to see familiar faces, old friends, and exciting times. Unfortunately, Harry was extremely moody and pretty much a flat out ass to everyone, and I felt like why did I want to come back to see such petty bickering? I was thrilled to see HBP did not continue this trend, even if it forget to have its own, more-or-less self contained plot.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
The best book so far!, 28 Mar 2006
By A Customer
For once, the critical reception is correct - this is probably the best-written, and best overall, Harry Potter book so far.For the first time, the series truly feels like an epic, one big story. Things suddenly become very clear that were just there unconsciously before. Were you wondering why on earth Riddle's diary was important in Chamber of Secrets? It's all here. Why Ginny Weasley kept one-upping Cho Chang in Order of the Phoenix, and why Harry got a lump in his throat when talking to Ginny in that book? That takes off like a rocket in this one. The series now feels like a saga, one story told over seven chapters, rather than a series of vaguely connected seperate novels. The central theme of this book is choice - who do we choose, and why do we choose them? It's a theme which has been present throughout the series, but really comes to the forefront in this book, and permeates all of the main plots. The backstory on Voldemort is fascinating, and comes at just the right point in the series. We finally learn exactly why Voldemort and Harry are such opposites, and the choices they - and people around them - made to get them to this point. Would Voldemort have become evil had his mother not capitulated, and had survived to raise him? Had he choosen to heed Dumbledore's advice at Hogwarts, let him take him under his wing? Voldemort always had choices, always had a chance to turn back ... but he chose to isolate himself, cut himself off from human warmth and compassion, and love only himself. It cannot be a coincidence that we discover this in the book in which Harry falls in love - the difference between the two is made very explicit. One can love, one cannot. Rowling's device for Voldemort's immortality is wonderful, and demonstrates the pure evil of what somebody would be prepared to do in order to gain immortality. The Snape-Malfoy murder plot is particularly fascinating, since the issue of Snape's loyalty is still left a little ambiguous at the end of the novel. Whether he is working for Voldemort or not at this point, he remains a complex character with mysterious motives, and nobody can predict which way he will go in the next book. Malfoy also, for the first time, becomes a complex characters, with conflicting motives. He is given a choice at the end - Dumbledore or Voldemort? It will be fascinating to see where Rowling takes this in the next book - perhaps Draco isn't just a token bully after all! The death at the end of the book is the most tragic and emotional yet - I dare you not to have a tear in your eye during the final chapter. The romance is an absolute delight - sweet, funny, but very, very realistic. For anyone paying any attention to the foreshadowing in Books 1, 2 and especially 5, Harry and Ginny's romance has been a long time coming, and it has been worth the wait. The way Rowling has structured this romance, where the two have to grow up a lot emotionally before they are READY to fall in love, has been done sensitively, intelligently and realistically. Rowling's device for Harry's feelings - the "monster in the chest" - certainly brings back memories of what it is like to feel that initial rush of falling in love! Her ability to accurately describe the feelings of teenage boys is amazing! Ginny has been a fiesty breath of fresh air in the last two books, and it's great to see her coming into her own here. The romance feels real, and right for teenagers, but it also feels deep - their final scene together in the book is the most romantic thing Rowling has written in her novels, and is truly heart-wrenching. Then there is Ron and Hermione. Quite probably the most obviously hinted-at romance in the history of English literature, they are still crawling towards the inevitable conclusion. Ron has to realise, in this book, that a relationship based purely on lust is not particularly enjoyable. There has been criticism of Hermione's character in this book, but if you have actually paid attention to her character in Books 1-5, and not been influenced by fanfiction or the films and elevated her to Super Logic-Woman, she actually hasn't changed. Hermione is probably the most insecure, and often emotionally unbalanced, character in any of these books. She nearly has a nervous breakdown over her school-work in Book 3, so her reaction to being spurned by the boy she has been in love with for three years seems very real, and certainly in-character. This is the first Harry Potter book to end on a cliffhanger, and what a cliffhanger it is. This is Part 1 of 2 - "to be continued". Will Harry kill Voldemort? Will he survive? Where do Snape's loyalties lie? Will Harry and Ginny be reunited, and Harry allowed the live the happy life he wants? I, for one, can't wait to find out. JK Rowling has been getting better and better each time; if she carries on like this, the completion of this tale might be something very special indeed.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Simplicity, 18 Jul 2005
By A Customer
I have to say, this book will sort the men out from the boys when it comes to Harry Potter fans. With such a huge backstory to complete and many characters to wrap up, The Halfblood Prince will match Order of the Phoenix for narrative power - almost to the book's detriment, as Harry's magical adventures take a backseat to exposition and lengthy conversations.
Halfblood Prince is an odd book - with a dramatic revelation as early as Chapter 2 and several drastic plot points in the first hundred or so pages (with some chilling hints about the coming war) Rowling does an admirable job in raising the Harry Potter experience away from its literature-lite roots.
I do believe that those who hated Order of the Pheonix will hate this book. It has the long conversations, a 600+ page count and to the casual reader, not much happens. To the more seasoned reader, conversations are littered with red herrings, little jokes - references to each of the books in turn. Background characters as far back as Philosopher's Stone suddenly get increased roles, as do regulars such as Ginny Weasley who is rapidly becoming as involving as Harry/Ron/Hermione.
Do I love this book? Yes. Do I reccomend it? Yes.
Just don't go into it with your hopes up.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
First class storytelling - My how Harry has grown., 10 May 2007
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is faster-paced, more intriguing and more mysterious that all its predecessors - out of this world. Where in previous Harry Potter books J.K. Rowling has had one primary storyline with slight deviations here and there to mix up the mood, this sixth adventure finds our young hero juggling various different storylines, all expertly interweaved by the author. Whilst the dastardly Draco Malfoy seems to be up to no good, Harry is summoned to Dumbledore to take trips into the pensieve to discover more about his arch-enemy Voldemort (these bits are marvelous, I might add). Whilst Harry battles the new-found feelings he has for one particular young lady (hilarious moments), he is intrigued to learn more from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince whose potions book Harry stumbles upon. With attacks left, right and centre and the culprit all too wily to be caught, Harry and his friends have no time to relax and neither does the reader - it is a non-stop rollercoaster ride that I never wanted to end.
It is truly spectacular - from start to finish this will have you on tenterhooks, with bits to make the reader gape in horror, groan in pity, sigh in relief, breakdown in hilarity, weep in happiness and outright cry in sorrow. J.K. Rowling has truly outdone herself - the only question is, can Deathly Hallows be better - it would be hard-pressed to be, I can tell you that.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
Darker, deeper, and full of plot twists, 17 Jul 2005
By A Customer
It was always going to be hard for JK Rowling to live up to all the hype surrounding the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but I think that she has managed it. Darker than the earlier episodes, the sixth book nevertheless has many humorous moments and plenty of Rowling's brilliant one-liners.Many of the problems suffered by book five were avoided here. The pacing is much better, without any sense of dragging or redundancy. If anything, the detail is a little sparse, rather than overdone. The plot is also kept in sight at all times, with Harry receiving instruction from Dumbledore as the major plotline, and shifty behaviour from his old enemy Draco Malfoy as the secondary line. As with Order of the Phoenix, there is a strong ending, including a couple of blinding plot twists that have left fans astounded. While the major character death isn't a complete surprise, the circumstances surrounding it and the consequences are - not to mention the identity of the Half-Blood Prince! Some characters introduced in earlier books here are rather neglected, probably felt most accutely as this story is plot-driven while the previous installment was much more character-driven. There are a few new characters, including a new teacher who is one of Rowling's most interesting creations. Maybe the best thing about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for me is the number of answers given to some of the series' most puzzling mysteries. While Order of the Phoenix promised answers but didn't deliver, this story is much more satisfying, whilst still leaving plenty to puzzle over before the next book. While there is plenty of humour in this story - the Quidditch commentary by dreamy Luna Lovegood being a particular highlight - there are also references to much darker happenings, including several deaths and injuries. The final climax has a high emotional impact and hankies may well be needed! Inevitably, some critics will knock the book, and some fans will be disappointed by some plot developments not panning out as they expected. But this stands out to me as one of the best installments in the Harry Potter series, and I would highly recommend it to readers of all ages from ten upwards.
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82 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
Tantalising, dark and shocking, 16 Jul 2005
J K Rowling's increases the pace considerably in the Half-Blood Prince. Containing less background history than Order of the Phoenix, this story is action packed. It clearly maps out the terms for the final confrontation which will occur in the next book. The ending is more tantalising than ever, as we are left with a clear idea of what the final book will entail.This book is the most adult yet, in terms of violence, the teenagers' love lives and the overarching themes. There is more consideration of the grey areas between good and evil, the world of politics and the fallability of human nature.
The mood is increasingly dark and resolute, though there are still some brilliant comedy moments that had me laughing out loud. Finally, I found this book shocking. Many of the mysteries hinted at in the previous books are finally laid bare. I won't say what the revelations are, but they do include much more about the prophesy, whether Ron or Harry will end up with Hermione and of course the identity of the half blood prince. Overall I thought this book was fantastic. Even though it may rule out some well argued theories about various characters and relationships, I cannot imagine that any fan will be disappointed.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
brill book, 13 Jan 2008
Harry's sixth year in school is filled with problems and adventures. There Snape is the Defence against Dark Arts teacher and the Potions teacher has something important that is needed by Harry. Slughorn is very impressed by Harry's potion making and rewards him with a lucky potion. He has parties for good students which to every single one Harry and Hermione are invited but not Ron. The guests can bring along a friend but Harry has more important things to do with Professor Dumbledore including seeing and visiting the past of Voldermort and trying to trace the Seven Horcruxes. Fleur (Beauxbatons champion) and Bill (Ron's brother) get engaged and they start planning the wedding. Near the end of the book, someone who is much unexpected and trusted kills Dumbledore. But who? Read the book to find out! Rating: 10
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25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
Pretty much the best yet, 18 Jul 2005
Whatever J.K.Rowling had written in this book would have been greeted with adoration: Harry Potter has ceased to be a character and has become a phenomenon, an experience and a multi-million pound industry. Such is the hype that it took a good 7 hours of solid reading on the morning of the release of the Half-Blood Prince to remind me why Rowling has attained such celebrity: after the sometimes flabby and loosely plotted Order of the Phoenix, this is Harry Potter at its best. An enveloping read for all ages, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sustains its sharpness, pace and vividness through to the end.Harry, Hermione and Ron are at Hogwarts, and Voldemort is back. With the end of the Order of the Phoenix ringing in our ears, it is unsurprising that book 6 takes on a much darker colour than any of its predecessors. Harry and friends are growing up, which means not only the obligatory adolescent romantic sparring but also a move towards greater emotional maturity. Hagrid and Fred and George, relied upon for comic relief, have become increasingly background characters: there are fewer laugh-out-loud moments, and less Quidditch. There is a sense that the students are turning into adults, with the consequent decisions to make: particularly, Draco Malfoy's role as petty menace and bully is becoming altogether more sinister. The Inferi (no spoilers!) have filled the chilling niche left by the Dementors. There has been a new injection of horror and suspense, and there is the feeling throughout that a happy ending may not be forthcoming. This is Rowling writing at her best. There is the characteristically uncluttered but enormously effective description, the beautifully imagined magical universe and the uniquely natural dialogue. We get more complex picutres of the adult personalities involved, and an answer to several vital questions. (Why didn't Voldemort die when his curse backfired on trying to kill Harry?, for example.) And then there is the new mystery: the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. In a way, he (or she??) seems to play a relatively small part in the book, until the identity is revealed and then it becomes clear that all the books have owed a lot to this person and their decisions. Overall, as the plot thunders towards a death (which is less publicised but far more significant than those that have ended the last two books), you get the sense that everything is coming together: rigorous plotting and a great deal of fictional history are beginning to unravel themselves into a climax. This, the penultimate book, finishes with few definitive answers but a direction is established; and as with the other books (Sirius Black crops up from Book 1, for example), the way is littered with clues. This is a supremely confident offerring, which leaves us in no doubt that there is a destination to which we are drawing nearer. But what has made the Harry Potter books such an enormous success is their sheer readability. I read this book in a morning without putting it down, and it still holds the same power to engage as the Philosopher's Stone did when I was eight. Inevitably Potter-mania has hyped up these books more than they can ever deliver: but nevertheless, the Half-Blood Prince kept me engrossed for a very enjoyable morning. For children and adults alike, that's the real magic.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Quite dark, but still a cracking yarn, 6 Feb 2007
It took me a while to finally pick this up and read it, but finished it in a weekend. Whatever you think of Harry Potter, Hogwarts or JK Rowling; any book that can be read enjoyably in such a short space of time must be doing something right.
What I liked is that Harry and his friends have grown up with his readers and he is now going through the same growing pains as them. I also liked how the book became much darker than the others and was less high jinks and more hard decisions - for all the characters.
My only criticism of this book is that it felt like a prologue for the next. There was no huge 'set piece' that the others had and, character wise, it felt a bit barren with the lack of some of my favorite characters from the series.
This, however, does not detract from the excellent story telling (evident in all the Harry Potters) and one can finish this book in a weekend without ever being bored. After reading this you really want to know what happens next and want to have some loose ends tied up. I do hope that the next (the 7th, I believe) is not the last and that JK Rowling uses her talents as a novelist to either continue Harry Potter's adventures or flesh out Hogwarts history.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
To buy or not to buy?, 28 Jul 2005
So you read books 1 to 4 and loved them?
You didn't enjoy Book 5 and are unsure whether or not the series is going to fizzle out as a damp squib (pardon the pun)?
You don't want to find out the plot but want help making a decision? Then read on without fear...
JK starts the book at a cracking pace with characters new and old. Watch out for Chapter 2 - now who do we believe? The pace is maintained throughout with twists and turns aplenty. Additionally, links are made to events in all previous books - she is a very clever writer. I couldn't put it down; a welcome return to form after the relative letdown of book 5. Also, a truly amazing ending. You simply have to read this book.
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