Goodreads | Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter dan Pangeran Berdarah Campuran (Book 6)

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Kerstin rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

03/17/08

Read in January, 2006

J.K. Rowling's writing is getting better and better with each Harry Potter book. This is definitely one of the best books in the whole series. And one of my favourites too. So many new angles, new shades to it. Half-Blood Prince could easily stand independently as a story, without even needing to be a part of this saga. It has everything - the hero's journey, hero's romance, mentor's last best teachings and death, ambiguous character who seemigly betrays the hero, the Big Vi...more

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Julie rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

07/22/08

bookshelves: young-adult

Read in July, 2005

Ok, so first of all I was a little disappointed that Hagrid, Luna, and Neville were such minor characters in this book. I was totally convinced that Luna was going to help Harry solve the mystery of the veil that Sirius fell through and that Harry and Sirius would, in some way, reunite. I was really disappointed that this story line was totally ignored. But I have hope that it will return in book 7. I think it is too big of a mystery to leave unsolved. So, yeah, I would have liked to see more of...more

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Jason rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

02/08/08

Read in July, 2005

recommends it for: any Harry Potter fans

As Voldemort and his Death Eaters openly wreak havoc throughout Britain, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has been forced to resign following public outcry over his mishandling the situation. Rufus Scrimgeour succeeds him. At his home in Spinner's End, Severus Snape is sworn to an Unbreakable Vow by Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa. Although her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, distrusts Snape, he agrees to protect Draco during his task assigned by the Dark Lord and complete the mission should he fai...more As Voldemort and his Death Eaters openly wreak havoc throughout Britain, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has been forced to resign following public outcry over his mishandling the situation. Rufus Scrimgeour succeeds him. At his home in Spinner's End, Severus Snape is sworn to an Unbreakable Vow by Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa. Although her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, distrusts Snape, he agrees to protect Draco during his task assigned by the Dark Lord and complete the mission should he fail.

During the summer, Albus Dumbledore enlists Harry Potter's unwitting help to persuade retired professor Horace Slughorn to return to his old Hogwarts post. Harry then spends the remaining holiday at the Burrow with the Weasleys and Hermione. To his family's dismay, Bill Weasley has become engaged to Fleur Delacour, the Beauxbatons champion in the Triwizard Tournament, while Harry realises he is developing romantic feelings for Ginny. Harry, Ron, and Hermione receive their O.W.L. results. To become Aurors, Harry and Ron must take N.E.W.T.-level Potions as a prerequisite, but their grades in the subject are too low for Snape's advanced class, thus ending their career ambitions. While in Diagon Alley, Harry, Ron and Hermione spot Draco Malfoy and follow him. At Borgin & Burkes, a dark magic shop in Knockturn Alley, Malfoy threatens Mr. Borgin about repairing one item and keeping another safe. Suspecting Draco may be a Death Eater, Harry resolves to keep a close watch on him.

As school begins, Snape is unexpectedly announced as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor while Slughorn replaces him as the Potions teacher. Slughorn only requires a minimum "E" grade (Exceeds Expectations) at O.W.L. to take his N.E.W.T.-level Potion classes, making Harry and Ron eligible for the class. Slughorn lends them old Potions textbooks until they buy their own. Harry's copy is marked on the bottom of the back cover, "This book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince". The talented former owner's notes help Harry excel in the class. As a reward, Slughorn gives him a small vial of Felix Felicis, a good luck potion.

Death Eater attacks continue throughout the year and may be linked to events at Hogwarts. On the first Hogsmeade visit, Katie Bell, a Gryffindor student, is seriously injured while carrying a cursed necklace, apparently while under the Imperius Curse. In another incident, Ron accidentally drinks poisoned mead intended for Dumbledore. Harry reacts by administering the Bezoar he had submitted previously as an assignment to Slughorn. Hermione is so distraught over this that she and Ron, who were feuding mostly over Ron dating Lavender Brown and her relationship with Viktor Krum, reconcile; Ron soon breaks up with Lavender. Meanwhile, Harry realises his true feelings for Ginny, although she is now dating Dean Thomas.

Dumbledore privately tutors Harry using his Pensieve to view collected memories about Voldemort's past. Dumbledore speculates that Voldemort splintered his soul into six fragments called Horcruxes to attain immortality, while leaving a seventh piece in his body. Two Horcruxes have been destroyed (Tom Riddle's diary by Harry[HP2:] and Marvolo Gaunt's ring by Dumbledore).

When Harry finds Malfoy sobbing in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, they hurl curses at each other. Harry casts "Sectumsempra" inflicting huge gashes across Malfoy's body. Snape arrives and saves Malfoy. He attempts to re-possess the Half-Blood Prince's Potions book, but Harry hands him "Roonil Wazlib's (a.k.a. Ron's) copy . Harry receives detention, causing him to miss the Quidditch finals. Nonetheless, Gryffindor wins the Cup, and during the victory celebration, Harry's suppressed feelings for Ginny are revealed when he spontaneously kisses her; Ginny has just broken up with Dean Thomas, and she and Harry begin dating.

Harry reports Malfoy's suspicious behaviour to a seemingly unconcerned Dumbledore. He reassures Harry that he trusts Severus in keeping a lookout. Soon after, Harry learns from Professor Trelawney that it was Snape who passed a prophecy to Voldemort that ultimately led to James and Lily Potter's deaths. Enraged, Harry confronts Dumbledore, but he affirms Snape's loyalty. Dumbledore, meanwhile, has located another Horcrux and asks Harry to accompany him in retrieving it. Distrusting Malfoy and Snape, Harry asks Ron, Hermione, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and Ginny to patrol the halls while he and Dumbledore are gone and gives them the remaining Felix Felicis potion for luck. Harry and Dumbledore disapparate to a secret cave. They retrieve the Horcrux (Salazar Slytherin's locket). Dumbledore, however, has been greatly weakened due to the mysterious liquid he had to drink in order to acquire the locket.

Returning to Hogsmeade, Harry and Dumbledore see Lord Voldemort's Dark Mark hovering over Hogwarts. They fly to the Astronomy Tower on borrowed broomsticks and are ambushed by Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore paralyses Harry, who is under his Invisibility Cloak, just before Draco disarms Dumbledore. Draco admits he was behind the school attacks and has helped Death Eaters secretly enter Hogwarts via the pair of Vanishing Cabinets, although Dumbledore discerns that Voldemort has coerced the obviously frightened boy.

As members of the Order, and the few from the DA battle Voldemort's followers in the castle below, Death Eaters appear in the tower and urge Draco to fulfil his mission?killing Dumbledore?but Draco hesitates. Snape arrives and a weakened Dumbledore entreats him with an ambiguous plea; Snape casts Avada Kedavra that hits Dumbledore squarely in the chest. The impact hurls his body over the tower wall. Upon Dumbledore's death, Harry is released from the paralysing spell. Harry pursues Snape and Malfoy as their only way of escape would be to disapparate outside the boundaries of Hogwarts. Malfoy escapes as Snape duels Harry. During the duel, Snape reveals that he is the Half-Blood Prince. Though instructive, the duel was ended by Buckbeak's intervention. Snape disapparates and escapes. Harry recovers the locket from Dumbledore's body, only to discover it is a fake. Inside is a note from someone with the initials R. A. B. who has stolen the real Horcrux.

The school year ends abruptly with Dumbledore's funeral. Professor McGonagall is appointed Hogwarts's interim headmistress and Professor Slughorn replaces Snape as the head of Slytherin House. Hogwarts is rumoured to close down due to the murder of Dumbledore. Harry decides to leave school in search for the remaining Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione vow to accompany him, while Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her from Voldemort. The book concludes as Harry looks forward to Bill and Fleur's wedding and being comforted that "...there was still one last golden day of peace left to enjoy with Ron and Hermione."
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Rebecca rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

06/08/08

Read in June, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I don't really know what I think of the beginning, since the first two (clearly important) scenes are done outside Harry's frame of reference. The whole point of the books has been that we're in limited 3rd person POV - we find things out when Harry does. That's been the clearly established rule for 5 books, I don't understand why we're changing it in the 6th. Obviously the point of being an author is that you make the rules, but once you've made your own rules you're supposed to abide by them u...more I don't really know what I think of the beginning, since the first two (clearly important) scenes are done outside Harry's frame of reference. The whole point of the books has been that we're in limited 3rd person POV - we find things out when Harry does. That's been the clearly established rule for 5 books, I don't understand why we're changing it in the 6th. Obviously the point of being an author is that you make the rules, but once you've made your own rules you're supposed to abide by them until you've also created an exception. That can be done more easily with substantive rules - you can have vampires wander around in direct sunlight eating garlic for all I care, if you say why you're doing it. But a style rule that's been clearly established isn't supposed to be broken, unless you need information that CAN'T be conveyed any other way, and I don't see why she couldn't have conveyed the information in those scenes later in the book in the usual way. Okay, yes, it's clearly important that we know about the Unbreakable Vow, but Harry found out about it anyway, so I'm not sure why we had to know about it when we did. The point could have been to introduce Narcissa and use Bellatrix again, but I'm not sure why we care. Or I guess it could have been that we suspect Snape, which would definitely be fun and games, but I'm suspicious of that clearly planted suspicion. My best guess is that we need to know not only THAT Snape made the Unbreakable Vow, but WHAT he vowed to do, and that must have been the most convenient way to do it.

Also, I would like to veto love triangles. I know, I know - we have a bunch of 16 year olds of the two genders in constant close quarters, it would be more shocking if we DIDN'T have triangles. But it's woeful to have to read it for a million billion pages. And Ron really can be a spectacular McAsshat when he wants to. (Lavender? Really? I have nothing against her, but really?) Although I worry about where she's going with Ron and Hermione - they FIGHT. A LOT. And I don't think that would change that much, no matter what happens...it hasn't been the "bickering of unspoken passion" all this time. I think Ron started the snarking of move around Year 4, but Hermione has been thoroughly...Hermione until this year. Also, I kind of like her with Viktor Krum, because it was FUNNY. Although I am surprisingly myself by being a supporter of Harry-Ginny. I heart Ginny and I think she would work well with him. I mean, if it goes bad it will go VERY VERY BAD, as Harry himself as pointed out, but maybe it won't go bad. Maybe there will be ONE THING in this ENTIRE SERIES that doesn't end up going bad.

....Or she could be the one who dies at the end of book 7 WAH VETO.

One disadvantage of being a Johnny (jill?) come lately is that I knew that Dumbledore died, just like I knew that Sirius died, but I managed to block that out with the supreme conviction of someone who believes that the bad ending will have worked itself out by the time she gets there. Unfortunately, it did not, and I am deprived of Dumbledore as I was deprived of Sirius, and yea verily I cried. I cried harder for Sirius than for Dumbledore, though I'm not sure why - probably because why Dumbledore's death wasn't a shock, how it happened was, and I was too busy screaming "WHAT THE F!" at the book to really be emotionally wracked. I had to go back and read it twice just to make sure I really understood what had just happened, because it seemed like there was just no way.

So the end.....W. T. EEEEEEFFFFFFFF. I mean, what WAS that? Was it an Imperious Curse? Was it the consequences of the Unbreakable Vow? Or have Ron and Harry been right all this time? And it's so utterly bizarre because earlier in the book I'd been thinking about how even though Snape doesn't always like it, in the end he does usually seem to do what's right, like when he made Lupin the serum or when he tried to teach Harry Occlumency-whatever, even though he doesn't like it, and that was what had me convinced that Dumbledore was right in trusting him. And I'd thought that maybe if Harry just sucked it up and apologized to Snape and actually tried being polite it might help - like if he'd had sorry for his accidental disemboweling of Malfoy. I mean, yes, Malfoy was trying to use the Cruciatus on him, but I'd been thinking if Harry just manned up and said to Snape, "Professor, I'm sorry I did that," without making excuses, that might make a different. But then after all of that it turns out that HOLY MOTHER OF JESUS HOWARD CHRIST ON A POGO STICK SNAPE BETRAYED THE POTTERS???? and I seriously rethought that idea.

And then...and then after ALL of that, has he really been still working for Voldemort this ENTIRE TIME? I mean, I'd wondered if everyone circling you for all those years going Dumbledore trusts you but we don't and we just want to make that VERY VERY CLEAR could eventually crack you, and then--wha--wha--what?

And Dumbledore DIED FOR A FAKE HORCRUX AND WHO THE FUDGE IS R.A.B.??

My brain has just waved a tiny white flag and crawled into the corner to cry. Dear J.K. Rowling: please cease and desist phunking with my heart.
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Aloysius rated it:

(review of isbn 0439784549)

07/15/07

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: Popular Fantasy Geeks

I was first introduced to Harry Potter in a Children’s Lit class in college. I had resisted this popular phenomenon until I was forced to pick it up for a grade, and Book 1 was short enough that I could read it in the course of 2 hours. I have to admit I wasn’t impressed to any extent, nor did I dislike the experience, but I was critical on grounds of its being derivative, even if reading the first led to reading the second. After all, if I was bored and looking for something light, I could ...more I was first introduced to Harry Potter in a Children’s Lit class in college. I had resisted this popular phenomenon until I was forced to pick it up for a grade, and Book 1 was short enough that I could read it in the course of 2 hours. I have to admit I wasn’t impressed to any extent, nor did I dislike the experience, but I was critical on grounds of its being derivative, even if reading the first led to reading the second. After all, if I was bored and looking for something light, I could do worse than a fantasy about a child wizard who fights evil with his friends. But it was really the third book, with its increasing darkness, that took me in and made me a fan.

With a movie coming out for Order of Phoenix and Deathly Hallows on the horizon, I decided I would reread Half-Blood Prince. I figured it would take four sittings, of course, with its 600 pages, but time does fly when reading this one, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this is my favorite so far. What I wouldn’t have been willing to admit in college that I’m perfectly comfortable saying now is that J.K. Rowling is a fantastic storyteller; she writes with great clarity, wit, and humor; and she’s created a cast of loveable characters with whom most people, due to the common experience of growing up, can relate closely.

That said, the reason for my preference for the 6th book is that it’s the most emotionally rich in the series. Here we get the backstory of Voldemort (*spoiler alert*) through a series of flashbacks (coming in HP by way of magically extracted memories), and in this way, we come to understand the villain’s similarities and differences with our hero. After all, the villain has to have reasons for committing heinous acts, and until now, we don’t know what these are.

Voldemort is from a once-powerful wizard family reduced to poverty that lives in a dilapidated hovel on the edge of a small town, wary of outsiders, and their main point of pride is their pure blood, the lineage having cross-bred for generations so as not to pollute the line. Voldemort’s mother lives with her father and brother and yearns for the love of a nonmagical man (“muggle” in this world) and when her father and brother are arrested, she uses the opportunity to bewitch her beloved and run off. She ends up pregnant, the man deserts her, and she dies while giving birth to her half-wizard, half-muggle son, thus making him an orphan (like Harry).

(Faulkner anyone?)

But whereas Harry comes to Hogwarts and befriends Ron and Hermione creating unity and strength through positive emotions, Voldemort, when growing in the orphanage shuns other children, torturing them at times (without the awareness of adults) and stealing their possessions. What fuels him is his hatred of his beginnings, his mother’s weakness at having died like a common person despite being a witch, and the “muggle” blood inherited from his father. Over the course of his time at Hogwarts, Voldemort, charming as only evil can be, learns to win over people as a means to an end and disguise his insidious purposes, but he never befriends anyone. He moves, through his hatred, further away from many of the emotions that drive Harry, namely the desire to protect the people he loves and avenge his parents’ death.

With Dumbledore’s help in exploring Voldemort’s past, Harry begins to understand that he’s come to be where he is through the choices he’s made, that his greatest strengths are an alliance with his friends, and that this might hold the key to destroying his enemy, a fact that’s made all the more poignant when Dumbledore, in an all-out assault on Hogwarts by Voldemort’s Death Eaters, is killed at the end. The stakes are higher than before, the action and pace increase as the conclusion draws near, and things are looking darker than ever, which is the setup that any fan wants when the end is looming and it leaves us with the question: How will our hero prevail?...less

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Christine rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

08/05/08

bookshelves: young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

As the final installments of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series come to a close it is curious to look back and see just how far these remarkable tales have come. Following young Harry Potter, the boy who lived, from his humble beginnings in his uncle’s house to fining out his destiny and what greatness lies ahead. Fans have been taken on an intense rollercoaster. One that has thrown readers into suspense and shock along with sadness and occasional joy. This six of a seven part series is no ...more As the final installments of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series come to a close it is curious to look back and see just how far these remarkable tales have come. Following young Harry Potter, the boy who lived, from his humble beginnings in his uncle’s house to fining out his destiny and what greatness lies ahead. Fans have been taken on an intense rollercoaster. One that has thrown readers into suspense and shock along with sadness and occasional joy. This six of a seven part series is no acceptation and one could argue the best of Rowling’s works yet.

Coming from what seemed like Rowling’s low point, book five, this novel did not have the highest expectations. However, “The Half Blooded Prince” proved to be a perfect mix of the sparkle and delight that filled the first four books yet has stepped up the magic and the mystery to whole new levels. Not only have the characters matured but so has Rowling and her world of Witchcraft. The magic is darker, the secrets are deeper and they all unravel beautifully to keep the pages turning.

To me, it becomes easy to see the best qualities of this book by examining the worst qualities of it’s predecessor. Book 5, “Order of the Phoenix” was long awaited for three years yet was quickly forgotten. The 870 page novel seemed to have a lot of pages just to fill pages and was not an enjoyable read. True, it had some amazing qualities and was core to the overall development of Potter and his journey but once again, not enjoyable. No one wants to read a book were nothing goes right for the protagonist ever! Potter’s situation goes from horrible to worse. The ending is even depressing and the likable characters seem to be loosing with no hope in sight.

Now, in contrast, the little things Rowling changed from the past novel were enough to bring it from worst to best. First off, as most people noticed, this book is MUCH smaller that the last two (maybe she’s not going for the world record after all). Although most fans are disappointed at first with a mere 652, it turns out to be a brilliant alteration. The story goes quickly and there is enough material to keep one interested throughout the pages. Next, for once, things seems to be going well for our little hero. Harry’s got the grades, the friends, and even the girlfriend and what would seem to be Harry’s worst nightmare, Snape’s new position, could have been much, much worse.

With all this being noted, we have not reached the truly remarkable aspect of the novel. That which brings it to a clear contestant for being Rowling’s magnificence: the plot. Now in the sixth year at Hogwarts, there is little magic that the students cannot perform and even less of the Dark Arts that Harry and his friends have not encountered. The magic is deep and compelling and the range of the mystery grows to satisfying new levels. Beginning the story with a look back on Harry’s O.W.L.S the reader is reminded of just how skilled Harry truly is in the Dark arts and foreshadows a relatively good year in school.

Quick to draw interest Rowling begins with Harry’s adventures with Dumbledore, the two greatest wizards of all time, signifying what will stretch over the entire novel and ultimately be it’s core. Even chapter two brings in an unexpected twist when a friend becomes a foe and the questions along with the suspicions grow from there. Now, not to give away too much it is without a doubt the ending that will leave the readers clenched until the final installment. Although the shocking ending of book five was commendable, it pales in comparison to what we see and learn now….

As it was said, the magic is deeper and the plot thicker. Now the once harmless yet incredibly annoying Draco Malfoy has followed In his father’s footsteps and all that Harry once knew and trusted would crumble at his feet.

All in all one may walk away pail when finished with the book but Rowling ties in a satisfaction of the necessity of her shocking events. She foreshadows what is to come in book seven and ties together the maturity and growth her protagonist has endured all in preparation of his final and sure to be greatest adventure yet… ...less

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Kate rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

01/26/08

recommends it for: EVERYONE!

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling is one amazing book. I was slightly pissed that it was only 652 pgs and the last book was over 800 pgs. I guess I'll have to get over it. I did hear that she has already begun writing Book 7. The book was fantastic. The way that the beginning starts with a character that isn't Harry, which I believe hasn't happened since Book 1, and then Chapter 2, yummy. Plus does anyone remember that in Book 3 Dumbledore tells Harry that beca...more Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling is one amazing book. I was slightly pissed that it was only 652 pgs and the last book was over 800 pgs. I guess I'll have to get over it. I did hear that she has already begun writing Book 7. The book was fantastic. The way that the beginning starts with a character that isn't Harry, which I believe hasn't happened since Book 1, and then Chapter 2, yummy. Plus does anyone remember that in Book 3 Dumbledore tells Harry that because he saved Wormtail's life even though he escaped and went back to Lord Voldemort that now Wormtail is indebt to him... do you think that she will bring that up in book 7? Anyhow, I loved Chapter 2. Who else knew that Snape was guilty from day 1... you know, deep down. But when Snape says that Dumbledore's weakness is that he has to believe that everyone has good in them... oooo that was so great, and then J.K. doesn't really feature him throughout the whole book. I did notice that there is a loss of presence from Hagrid, Snape as I mentioned earlier, other teachers. Of course Rowling does this. Ron, Harry and Hermione are getting older it is a natural age progression for them to have seperated themselves from the adults that they have previously looked up to so much. Everyone is just in the background. Mainly it was just Harry and his friends and then Dumbledore... which is why the ending is such a shocker, you get close to good ol' Albus and then Snape shows his true colors, finally. The beginning is so great because from straight off Harry and Dumbledore are much more involved with eachother and you get to really see the funky sweet bizarre and brave person that Albus is. If you are an avid Harry Potter fan than you know that we have seen a glimpse of this quirky brilliant man in past books, the passwords to his office alone, not many wizards keep up on names of candy in the Muggle community, at least that is what I am guessing. So Dumbledore died... well in retrospect it makes sense. But I must say that at first it wrecked me and I'm still sad. Yup, I cried like a baby for most of the end of the book.
Everything about Lord Voldemort is fascinating. The character is so richly evil. The past, the detail, so yummy, I ate it up. Delectable (I like food and I have the munchies. ) He isn't featured either, just indirectly. Lord Voldemort never makes a present personal appearance. Just the possibility of it though. One of my favorite scenes is when he comes back to Hogwarts to speak with Dumbledore so he can get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, and then we find out that there hasn't been a teacher in that position for over a year since he turned him down. GREAT INFO. The Horcruxes were amazing also... so cool. Great imagination she has (Yoda talk).
The new Professor for Potions, Slughorn, great character. Also a good twist. So that Harry could take Potions and become an Auror. LOVE Albus Dumbledore. The first Potions class that they have when they smell the Love Potion and Harry smells that smell I knew that it was Ginny. I'm surprised that after they get together he ends it for her safety, freaking over protective males, and predictable. I admire her character for not fighting with him about it, and allowing it. I love Ron and Hermione. Of course they go with him, what would book 7 be like if the 3 of them weren't together? AWFUL... plus the two of them have to fall in love. No Duh.
The two of them throughout the whole book are hilarious. Secretly in love with eachother, and it is possible that Ron isn't entirely aware of his feelings for her. So funny with Lavender Brown... what a skank. Totally annoying as a girlfriend too. It is great that Harry takes Luna Lovegood to the Slug Club Party but the best part of that whole scene is Hermione running away from that doof McLaggen with messed up hair because he pinned her under the mistletoe. Neville isn't really featured either. The book is so interesting. SO GOOD. Really well done. I laughed out loud a lot.
I want some Felix Felicis. Sounds GREAT.
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Fred D rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

06/07/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in March, 2008

recommends it for: Anyone

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!! The Half-Blood Prince was easily the best book in the series up to this point. It kept me riveted. This book is right up there among the best fantasy I've ever read. Rowling has finally earned a place in my mind among the best fantasy writers. I know, I came to that realization kind-of late, but this was the first book of hers that really blew me away. It was fascinating to see the scope of the story expand and long-time mysteries be illuminated. In any great fictional ...more WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!! The Half-Blood Prince was easily the best book in the series up to this point. It kept me riveted. This book is right up there among the best fantasy I've ever read. Rowling has finally earned a place in my mind among the best fantasy writers. I know, I came to that realization kind-of late, but this was the first book of hers that really blew me away. It was fascinating to see the scope of the story expand and long-time mysteries be illuminated. In any great fictional story, the scope of the story expands as the story arc progresses. That was definitely the case with this book. The scope of the story expanded, and your knowledge of what's going on greatly increased. Everything that happened up to this point is seen in a larger context.

Now that the Ministry is convinced that Voldemort is back, the real war against Voldemort has begun. People are dying every day. Has Snape betrayed the Order of the Phoenix? The book gets off to a suspenseful start. Then Dumbledore decides to give Harry private lessons, and each lesson is fascinating as they use the pensieve to explore memories of different people to try to figure out Voldemort's origins, motives, and plans. Voldemort gives Harry an assignment to collect a memory from Professor Slughorn, one of the new teachers on the staff, that holds the key to understanding Voldemort's plans. Harry obtains the memory, and from that point forward I could not put the book down. Each chapter from that point on was riveting. Each one contained incredible, amazing events that expanded the scope of the story arc and expanded your understanding of what was happening. The chapter on on 'horcruxes' in particular blew me away. Finally we know how Voldemort achieved immortality! Now it was clear what had to be done to defeat him! It changed everything. That chapter changed and defined the course of the rest of the series. Later, Dumbledore took Harry on a mission to destroy one of the horcruxes, and the account of that excursion was brilliant. I was totally riveted. It was so descriptive, so suspenseful. Upon their return to Hogwarts, they discovered that the school had been infiltrated by Death Eaters, and a full-blown battle erupted. Again, it was so suspenseful, I could not put the book down.

Somehow I knew that Dumbledore had to die. Harry had been under Dumbledore's tutelage and protection throughout the whole series. I could see why Dumbledore dying was necessary for Potter's further growth and development. It sets things up so that Potter will have to face Voldemort one last time in the last book, alone, totally unaided. It had to be that way. One thing worries me though. Is Harry ready? After all, he hasn't completed his education and training. Harry was no match for Snape in their duel at the end of Half-Blood Prince. He still has a lot to learn. How can he ever track down and destroy 4 horcruxes, and then destroy Voldemort, all by himself? This is by-far the largest task he's ever had to face, and seems too much for him. Well, we'll just have to see, shall we?

P.S.: Am I the only one that has a reasonable guess as to who R.A.B. stands for? Without having read Deathly Hollows or knowing anything about how things actually turn out, I think I have it figured out. Think about it: Who in the entire series do we know with a last name that begins with a B? Well of course, there's the Black family. Now there are lots of Blacks, but who among the Blacks has a first name beginning with an R, who opposed Voldemort? Of course! Sirius's brother Regulus! Who else could it possibly be? Regulus stole the horcrux, and soon after Voldemort killed him. It all makes sense. Why hasn't anybody else figured it out? Remember, this is just a theory. I haven't read Deathly Hallows and I know nothing about how things actually turn out. I'll have to read on and see if I'm right....less

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Carmen rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

10/22/07

Read in January, 2006

recommends it for: Everyone

What stands out in book 6:

* The introduction of the Horcrux.
* Molly Weasley asking Arthur Weasley about his "dearest ambition." Rowling has always been great at revealing little intriguing bits about her characters at a time, and Arthur’s answer "to find out how airplanes stay up" reminds us about his obsession with Muggles.
* Harry's private lessons with Dumbledore, and more time spent with the fascinating and dangerous pensieve, arguably one of Rowling’s most in...more What stands out in book 6:

* The introduction of the Horcrux.
* Molly Weasley asking Arthur Weasley about his "dearest ambition." Rowling has always been great at revealing little intriguing bits about her characters at a time, and Arthur’s answer "to find out how airplanes stay up" reminds us about his obsession with Muggles.
* Harry's private lessons with Dumbledore, and more time spent with the fascinating and dangerous pensieve, arguably one of Rowling’s most ingenious inventions.
* Fred and George Weasley’s Joke Shop, and the slogan: "Why Are You Worrying About You-Know-Who? You Should Be Worrying About U-NO-POO--the Constipation Sensation That's Gripping the Nation!"
* Luna's Quidditch commentary. Rowling created scores of Luna Lovegood fans with hilarious and bizarre commentary from the most unlikely Quidditch commentator.
* The effects of Felix Felicis.
* We get a fascinating view of the history of Tom Riddle.
* The major question of the book: Whose side is Snape really on?

Amazon Review:
The long-awaited, eagerly anticipated, arguably over-hyped Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has arrived, and the question on the minds of kids, adults, fans, and skeptics alike is, "Is it worth the hype?" The answer, luckily, is simple: yep. A magnificent spectacle more than worth the price of admission, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will blow you away. However, given that so much has gone into protecting the secrets of the book (including armored trucks and injunctions), don't expect any spoilers in this review. It's much more fun not knowing what's coming--and in the case of Rowling's delicious sixth book, you don't want to know. Just sit tight, despite the earth-shattering revelations that will have your head in your hands as you hope the words will rearrange themselves into a different story. But take one warning to heart: do not open Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince until you have first found a secluded spot, safe from curious eyes, where you can tuck in for a good long read. Because once you start, you won't stop until you reach the very last page.
A darker book than any in the series thus far with a level of sophistication belying its genre, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince moves the series into murkier waters and marks the arrival of Rowling onto the adult literary scene. While she has long been praised for her cleverness and wit, the strength of Book 6 lies in her subtle development of key characters, as well as her carefully nuanced depiction of a community at war. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, no one and nothing is safe, including preconceived notions of good and evil and of right and wrong. With each book in her increasingly remarkable series, fans have nervously watched J.K. Rowling raise the stakes; gone are the simple delights of butterbeer and enchanted candy, and days when the worst ailment could be cured by a bite of chocolate. A series that began as a colorful lark full of magic and discovery has become a dark and deadly war zone. But this should not come as a shock to loyal readers. Rowling readied fans with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by killing off popular characters and engaging the young students in battle. Still, there is an unexpected bleakness from the start of Book 6 that casts a mean shadow over Quidditch games, silly flirtations, and mountains of homework. Ready or not, the tremendous ending of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will leave stunned fans wondering what great and terrible events await in Book 7 if this sinister darkness is meant to light the way.
...less

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Msmeemee rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

05/15/07

bookshelves: fairy-tales

recommends it for: muggles

SPOILER ALERT: do not read if you haven't read the book yet!!!

jk rowling spins out another awesome chapter of harry potter adventures. i just finished reading it and i'm feening for more.

i read a couple of other reviews and some people were disappointed in the lack of action this book had. i'd have to disagree. while there was significantly less adventures than the previous books, rowling still managed to maintain an aura of mystery. some questions that were running through my mind as i ...more

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Crazy Uncle Ryan rated it:

(review of isbn 0439785960)

05/06/08

bookshelves: books-that-rock

Read in July, 2005

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

As we pick up the thread of this epic tale which is my Harry Potter experience nearly two years had passed since the release of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” The world has been told the name of the sixth book and I, like every other Harry Potter fan, am making my predictions as to who the Half-Blood Prince is. I also got a jpg of the cover and wondered what Harry and Dumbledore were looking at.

By this time I had met a lovely young lady who was also a big Harry Potter f...more

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter dan Pangeran Berdarah Campuran (Book 6)

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