Aug 16, 2005 03:53 PM
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(Updated Aug 16, 2005 04:12 PM)
Finally , after a hell of waiting the sixth book of the series ''HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE'' has arrived. A LOT was expected from this book. Does this book fairs enough on the very high expectations ? Lets see...
INTRODUCTION
World of Harry Potter is the magical world. Harry Potter – the boy (or should I say ‘teen’) wizard is studying at a school called ‘Hogwarts’ where magical education is provided. His best friends include Ronald Weasely and Hermione Granger. ‘Albus Dumbeldore’ is the headmaster of the school. Harry’s parents have been murdered by the so-called darkest wizard of all time ‘Lord Voldemort’ (the villain off course). Harry is in his sixth year now at Hogwarts and he had already encountered many dangerous adventures.
CHARACTERS
# Harry Potter – hero of the novel
# Ronald Weasely – Harry’s friend
# Hermione Granger – Harry’s friend
# Ginny Weasely – Ron’s sister and Harry’s friend
# Draco Malfoy – Co-student (Harry’s rival)
# Albus Dumbeldore – Headmaster of the Hogwarts
# Severus Snape – ‘Potions’ teacher
# Prof. Slughorn – New ‘Potions’ teacher
# Lord Voldemort – the Villain (Tom Morvolo Riddle)
PLOT
Harry’s sixth year starts once again with many interesting incidents. Harry has got a new teacher (Prof. Horace Slughorn) for potions this year. Interestingly, Snape is teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts this year. From the very beginning, Harry doubts that Draco Malfoy is a Death-Eater. Prof. Dumbeldore tells him that he will be giving secret lessons to him this year. Harry was both amazed and excited by this. Classes begin in full swing. Sixth Year students also starts learning ‘Apparition’ (to disappear and move from one place to another) from a ministry instructor. In his potions class, Harry finds an old potions book in which he finds many side-notes etc. (Off course written by its previous owner). Harry finds these side notes very useful, as they are short-cut alternatives to make potions; he also finds various new spells (all invented by the owner). With the help of this book, Harry impresses his new teacher very much (he even overcomes Hermione in the class). Later, Harry finds out that this book belonged to the person called ‘The Half-Blood Prince’. Harry wonders about him and instead of Hermione’s constant warnings keeps on using the book.
On the other hand, in his lessons with Dumbeldore Harry sees Lord Voldemort’s (Tom Riddle) past in the ‘pensieve’. Dumbeldore asks Harry to get a memory from Prof. Slughorn, which is very important to know about Voldemort’s past. Harry gets that memory and then they find out about ‘Horcruxes’ (from the memory). They find out that Voldemort has divided his soul in seven parts (though seventh part is in his own body) and has hidden the six parts in various objects (these objects are called Horcruxes). Out of these six parts, one part has been destroyed by Harry himself (Tom Riddle’s diary) and one part has been destroyed by Dumbeldore.
Meanwhile, classes are going on as usual. Ginny Weasely is Harry’s new love interest. Ron and Hermione come close too (though in a very strange way). Harry has been made Quidditch captain this year. Harry is keeping an eye on Malfoy but could not find satisfactory things about him.
Later, Harry and Dumbeldore, goes to find and destroy the fourth horcrux. They find it and Dumbeldore keeps the ‘locket’ (the horcrux) in his pocket. Dumbelodre gets injured and weakened (as he drinks a dangerous potion). Harry brings him back to the castle. Upon returning, they see the ‘Dark-Mark’ above the castle. They rush towards the castle. In the Great Hall, they see Draco Malfoy. Harry is under his invisibility cloak, so Malfoy cannot see him. Moreover, Malfoy disarms Dumbeldore (by Expelliarms charm). Dumbeldore make Harry stupefy (even without his wand) to save him. Then, more death-eaters come. And, then there is the final battle. (There are many surprises and secrets here, I will not kill your joy of reading by telling them …)
the REVIEW
Merits
J.K. Rowling has once again proved her metal as a genius storyteller. Her imagination is spellbinding. Once you take this book in your hands, you just feel glued to it, until you finish it. So, Summarizing the merits of the book…
Brilliant story-content. (Once again)
Fabulous and gripping story telling.
Keeps you ‘on the toes’ throughout the book.
Many secrets revealed and many new generated. (Off course for the next book)
Demerits
Though the book is excellent but according to me it has few demerits too …
Does not match the sky-high expectations.
Climax could have been more interesting.
Physical absence of Lord Voldemort … kuch jamaa nahin yaar !
Harry did not put the expected fight in the end.
Price of the book. (a solid Rs. 800+)
ETCETERA
Its DARKER this time. (as expected)
Its more romantic .
Its funny too, at times.
One person dies. (I will not spoil your excitation by telling this)
Hint Neither Voldemort nor Harry is Half-Blood Prince ;)
CONCLUSION
All'n all ; this book a more than worth a reading. I enjoyed it immensely and so can you...