Book info

• Title Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Author J. K. Rowling
• Year 2005
• Genre Fantasy

When Dumbledore arrives at Privet Drive one summer night to collect Harry Potter, his wand hand is blackened and shrivelled, but he does not reveal why. Secrets and suspicion are spreading through the wizarding world, and Hogwarts itself is not safe. Harry is convinced that Malfoy bears the Dark Mark: there is a Death Eater amongst them. Harry will need powerful magic and true friends as he explores Voldemort's darkest secrets, and Dumbledore prepares him to face his destiny...

Thoughts

I couldn’t remember much about this one from my first read through. Obviously the ending stands out in my mind, but I didn’t even remember how it happened so it wasn’t until we were back on the top of the tower that I started to get an inkling this might be the moment.

I’m fascinated by how this book is crafted. It’s almost the calm between two storms, with a brief scuffle of action at the end. We’re into the sixth book now, so we know all there is to know about the lessons at Hogwarts. This time we’re interested in the new lessons with Dumbledore, rather than the school curriculum. It’s filling in all the details and backstory that we need to know before the final installment hits.

We also get to see the flip side of some characters, with Snape doing his deed, and Malfoy showing his true colours (or lack of them). Relationships chop and change as Ron and Hermione finally stop snapping at each other, and Harry wins and loses a dream girl. The setup is all there, the situation couldn’t seem any more dire, but our trio are still as strong as ever.

Just one more outing to go and the adventure is over again!

Rating: 4 / 5