Review - Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince
If Harry Potter is not your thing, I suppose you should skip this post now. If you haven’t read the book and plan on doing so, I also suggest you skip this post as it will be one very large *Spoiler* for you.
My overall impression of the book was that it was very good. Certainly not my favorite, but very good nonetheless. Gone are the days and the excitement of the enchanted new Wizarding world which Harry was exploring in his earlier books. This book, although it had many moments of light-heartedness and humor, was generally a more dark and somber read. The ending, was pretty much just downright depressing. My worse fears were confirmed as Dumbledore ended up being murdered.
I would also say, in typical J.K. Rowling style, she answered a whole slew of questions from this book as well as previous ones. The problem is, she left us with just as many, if not more, unanswered questions. She has a lot of work to do in the final book-7 to put all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together. I would not be surprised if the last book is thicker than the Webster’s Dictionary.
Many parts in the book ended up being predictable to me. For example, about halfway thru, I guessed that Snape would turn out to be the Half Blood Prince. I also ended up predicting Harry would fall for Ginny and that came to pass. I expected Ron and Hermoine to FINALLY get together, but apparently, they are both still too chicken to make a move and are content with trying to make one another jealous.
One thing did become clear to me by reading this book. After finding out the prophecy in the Order Of The Phoenix, that he, Harry would have to be the one to do away with the Dark Lord… I had assumed that Harry was going to have to go through some serious Advanced Wizarding training to bring his skills to the point to rival Lord Voldemort’s. Early on in this book, my suspicions seemed to be confirmed when Dumbledore told Harry he was going to be giving him private lessons. Those lessons, however, turned out to be nothing more than a History of Voldemort. The glorious end sequence battle involving blazing wands and spectacular spell-casting I had envisioned seems less likely than ever now. Harry, as it turns out, doesn’t seem to be on the same level of “Great Wizarding Skills” as Dumbledore and Voldemort. His special ability is eluded to as a “Force” within him… I think Dumbledore termed it love. How this will play out, I haven’t a clue.
Some parts of the book I really enjoyed…
1.) The Goblets of mead knocking persistently on the Dursley’s heads.. That was funny!
2.) Harry & Ginny having their first kiss in front of the whole of Gryffindor in the common room.
3.) The entire sequence with Felix Felicis. I thought it was a clever idea & well written.
4.) The Weasley Family’s torment of Fleur D’elacore… nicknaming her Phlegm. However, in the end, Fleur demonstrates her strength of character and is finally accepted by them.
And on a very last note… I don’t buy into the theory that Snape is Mr. Evil. The clues being dropped all along add up to him being a pretty big hero in the end. There are too many for me to enumerate just now, but I’d certainly be happy to debate anyone who disagrees!
Well, I just finished the very sad story when I realized where the book was heading I had to go slow I just didnt want to face the death of one of the best characters in the whole series. And I totally agree with you on the next book it is going to have to be a BIG read to get all of the unanswered questions out in the open and I like you enjoyed the part with the Dursleys as well. J.K. Rowlings is the best and I will also be sad to read the last one as well. BTW did you mention where you got the cool book light??
Take care, Stephanie
Comment by Stephanie — July 21, 2005 @ 5:48 pm
Ooop’s! Sorry Stephanie, I just realized you asked that once before. The booklight, initially I had it on my Amazon Wishlist. I love to keep a wishlight cuz I constantly have family members asking me what I want for the gift giving times of the year so I direct them to that URL. I ended up seeing it at the bookstore in the Mall. I think it was Waldenbooks. This was the day before the book was released. So… two places I know for sure that had it, Amazon & Waldenbooks.
Just out of curiosity, what’s your take on Snape being evil? Are you buying in to the theory that he’s actually been on Voldemort’s side?
Comment by Night Owl — July 21, 2005 @ 11:34 pm
YAY!!!!! I found it!!!!! LOL!!!! I knew with some guidence I could find it thanks so much for all your help. Now for Harry, I would have doubts about Snape but he killed Dumbledore you cant really get around that unless it could come out that Snape had put some type of curse on him that made him appear dead to keep him safe??? that could be an interesting twist??? I know I cried through the whole chapter and the funeral my husband came home an thought someone I knew had actually died!!! Its amazing how she brought these charactures to life for us to get to know and love isnt it?? I put my comments on Wendys sight as far as how I felt on the religous points on this subject. Glad to hear your birthday was a good one and hope there are many more to come. Stephanie
Comment by Stephanie — July 26, 2005 @ 4:45 pm
Here is what I think Stephanie…
I think, in the end, Snape will turn out to be a good guy. The hints from Rowling that I’ve picked up are…
1.) Dumbledore trusted snape completely… For reasons that he would never reveal to anyone, but it definately was an implicit trust. Not just the “Giving someone the benefit of the doubt” trust. I don’t think Dumbledore could have been hoodwinked that easily.
2.) Hagrid said he saw Dumbledore and Snape arguing about something. He said that Snape was telling Dumbledore that he didn’t want to go through with something. It is my theory that Dumbledore was telling Snape that he would have to Kill him in the end. Dumbledore foresaw what was coming and knew that Snape had made the unbreakable vow with Narcissa, In the end Malfoy would not be able to do it, so Snape had to.
3.) While Dumbledore and Harry were in the cave retrieving the Horcrux… Dumbledore hinted several times that Harry’s life was more important than his own.
4.) When Snape approached Dumbledore at the top of the tower surrounded by Death Eaters… Dumbledore was saying … “Please Severus”… I think a lot of people took that as Dumbledore was begging for help. However, that’s just not in Dumbledore’s character to beg for help. I took it to mean he was begging Snape to do what they had previously discussed and be the one to kill him.
5.) Right before Snape killed Dumbledore, his facial expression was a mix of revulsion and hate. Most people would take that to represent his “True” feelings for Dumbledore. I took it as an expression of his feelings towards what he was about to do… Kill Dumbledore.
6.) Snape had many opportunites to Kill Harry during the chase from Hogwarts. Instead, he actually protected Harry from several close calls, telling his Fellow Death Eaters to “Leave Him for the Dark Lord”. Even at the end of the chase when Harry was rapid firing spells at Snape… he simply blocked them and it almost seemed to me he was giving Harry a lesson of sorts. He made a comment along the lines of… “Blocked and Blocked again Potter until you learn to keep your mind and your mouth shut!”
As for the Theory that Dumbledore could actually still be alive…. I don’t think so because….
1.) His portrait appeared on the wall with the rest of the deceased Hogwarts headmasters.
2.) Fawks the Phoenix was doing his mournful call… because he knew his owner was dead.
The last book will be so very interesting I know. This is gonna be one long wait!
Comment by Night Owl — July 26, 2005 @ 11:22 pm
WOW, When you put it like that it sure does make sense and your right about Dumbledore he was very proud and he did have some type of bond with Snape that was never discussed and your right with the fact that this will be a VERY long wait when do you think maybe 2007?
I dont think that I will be able to take it I am waiting now for my son to finish the book so I can reread this one..LOL!!! And I was also hoping that the cry of the Phoenix and the funeral was all apart of the plan and Dombledore could still be alive somewhere he was one of my favorites so kind and wise isn’t it amazing how Ms Rowlings brought these charactures to life?? amazing stories I wish some of these fanatics would just read the books this goes along with the old saying “You cant judge a book by its cover” Have a good one, Stephanie
Comment by Stephanie — July 27, 2005 @ 8:30 pm
Well, I have heard that JK Rowling will not even start on Book-7 till the end of this year. I know once she finishes, it’s gonna take several months to print up the 20 million copies that will sell. You’re probably right… 2007… maybe 2008.
I’ve got my Audio CD’s now and am able to get through an hour or so each day that I work during my commute. I’m up to the part now where Harry is at his first Potions lesson and is in receipt of “The Half Blood Prince’s” old textbook. The book is so much better on AUDIO CD because Jim Dale is such an awesome reader. He settles arguments between my wife and me over how to pronounce certain words or names i.e… Rufus Scrimgeour.
About how Rowling brings to life these characters. I can relate sooo much to all the School Environment happenings. The peer pressure, the social atmosphere, the schoolgirl/boy “crushes”, pressure of exams, homework, thoughts, feelings, and emotions young minds have not learned to deal with. To me, all the insight and detail she places into her books is just as exciting as the extravagant battles with DeathEaters and such. She’s created all the unique personalites… The Weasley twins being the practical jokers of the school, Neville & Luna being the clumsy nerdy types, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle the school bullies. Cho Chang, the Popular Pretty Girl. Teachers like Snape that everyone hates, and ones like Flitwick whom everyone seems to love. She has even got it down to the 1st Years (Freshmen) being all nervous and unsure of themselves to the upperclassmen (Seniors)confident and forceful. Yes, Rowling has a unique gift of making the Hogwarts atmosphere come alive.
Heck, sometimes when I read certain excerpts, I find myself traveling down memory lane back to my own days at school and relating to her characters on a personal level!
Yeah, I doubt many Harry Potter critics even made an effort to read them. I’ve got a feeling most of them are just against it on the premise of Witches, Wizards, Werewolves, Spells, Potions, & all that other “DARK” Magic they perceive!
TTYL!
Comment by Night Owl — July 27, 2005 @ 10:19 pm