Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is book 6 in the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling. It is a thicker book than the previous books, and it is a lot heavier for sure. The quality of the book itself is excellent. Dust-jacket is very nice. Constructed same as the previous books. Story-wise, things just get more and more interesting that you can't put the book down and don't want to stop until you find out what is next after each page. This is my favorite book of the entire series. It is very dark in some places, but the flashbacks into the past in where we learn so much about Voldemort or Tom Riddle are very interesting and engaging. Danger is everywhere. Everything seems to be at risk, and you just don’t know what will happen next. Nothing seems to be safe anymore. There is also a little romance, but tension as well. It’s a pretty big book. A lot of pages to read. But, I was able to read it over a weekend or so with determination. There are so many plot lines in this book, and the pace does not let up from first page to the last page. There are new twists and turns. I cannot reveal without spoiling. This is definitely an excellent book. I recommend this book for sure. It is priced fairly I think on Amazon. If you have Amazon Prime, the 2-day Free shipping is nice.

Holy crap. After I read "Order of the Phoenix" I stopped the series for about 6 months. That book was dreadful and I wasn't even sure I wanted to keep reading. But I had to, I had come so far. With "Half-blood I read it in a week. I couldn't put it down! From the first freaking page this book was a million times better than the last one and at this point my favorite in the series. Even with having for knowledge because I'm super late to reading the series, I still enjoyed every twist and turn with this book and I'm assuming the movie will upset me like they all have but the book was still delicious. And I don't care what anyone says, I REFUSE to believe that Snape is redeemable. But I guess I'll just have to read "Deathly Hallows" to find out.

The movies are wonderful BUT the Books Are ALWAYS Better! Why? You get the whole story as written by the original author!!! Nothing cut out or story lines Changed Entirely by editors or others who must squeeze and manipulate the ORIGINAL STORIES so as to fill a time slot, or showcase certain (undeserving) actors who wiggle their way into more “air time”...manipulating the original plot lines..It Shows to those of us who know. SO READ THE BOOKS, its like 50% more Harry Potter PLUS “THE REAL, UNDULTERATED, UNTOUCHED STORY. You should buy hard covered books because you WILL want to hand them down to your kids, grandkids, friends, and keep for yourself. These stories deserve re-reading! BUY THE BOOKS, you can get full sets! It is so very worth it and make great gifts for kids or fans of any age. GOOD LUCK, ENJOY!

This is the sixth book in the HP series, and probably one of my FAVOURITES. It is literally PACKED full of information about Tom Riddle and everything else to do with Voldemort, basically. So if you wanna know Tom Riddle's backround story THEN READ THIS BOOK. But your brain might explode if its to small. (mine didn't though). And Harry and Ginny FINALLY get together! But then... tragedy strikes.... DUMBLEDORE is killed by NONE other then SEVRUS SNAPE. IT IS SO DANG SAD. YOU WILL DEFINITELY CRY. RIP. And so the Harry (being stubborn like usual ;) ) says he refuses to go back to Hogwarts if Dumbledore isn't there. He plans to go to Godric Hollow to visit Jame's and Lily's graves and of course Hermione and Ron insist on going with him. AND THEN TONKS AND LUPIN GET ENGAGED AND IT IS SO CUTE!!!!! Also in case your wondering Fleur and Bill's wedding is in the next book. Oh and Bill gets bitten by a werewolf... but don't worry he doesn't turn into one because the wolf who bit him was human at that time. And finally, if you love Harry Potter just as much as I do, I am going to recommend Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger, which is my other FAVE book series. Bye! Thanks for reading!

Despite the fact this is, by far, the longest book of the series, it is one of the best. My favorite is "The Goblet of Fire", but this one rivals that to be sure. Not certain if it was by design, but the maturity of the characters is interesting as they become one year older. For someone of "mature" age, one year means very little. However, the difference between 16 and 17 can be dramatic in terms of attitude, fortitude, and action. With each year, it seems that the voracity of challenges becomes more difficult and traumatic. This book is by far the most of each attribute. It also was a relief since I was less than thrilled with it's predecessor (#5 - "Order of the Phoenix").

Dementors breed!!?? I didn't get THAT out of the movie! And the movie deviates even more from the book than previous movies. But, for this book, I like some of the action sequences and the ending better! Again, I wonder how much JK Rowling participated in the screenwriting. Even so, as in every book I've read that was subsequently made a movie, a great deal is explained as character's thoughts and emotions are described in the text. Motives are not always evident to the viewer in a film scene but the author informs the reader.

Harry Potter and the half-blood prince is an adventure/mystery novel by JK. Rowling. It is a book about o wizard called Harry Potter, who studies at Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry. When Harry receives a mysterious second hand book that used to belong to a boy nicknamed the "half-blood prince", he goes on a dangerous adventure to figure out clues, he discovers true love and learns new things along the way. This book is suitable for children aged 11+ (suitable also for adults) books in reading order: Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban Harry Potter and the goblet of fire Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the half-blood prince Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows Happy reading! :)

J.K. Rowling sure does pull on the heartstrings. The pacing with later books I think tends to drag a bit in the middle, but its always a dramatic finish. I have watched the movies probably three times now compared to reading the books only twice and I appreciate the attention to detail in the books, the fleshed out characters. All of it is better in the books. The motivations of the characters are more clearly understood. I am not sure there is an author out there that can paint a picture of a scene so clearly without bogging down a story in details that don't matter.

Here is where Harry finally has to become a man and shoulder the responciciblity of fighting his enimies to the death if need be. This is a bitter sweet journey into the coming conclusion neither can live while the other survives. Voldemort or Potter it is will worth the read. I have reserved 5 star status to few books. I have read thousands and books and This series i have read 5 or more times. Find out why strat at the beginning and explore the wonderful of magic....

Amazing book. Amazing series. I've seen the movies a hundred times but am only just now getting to the books as an adult. The fact that I'm reading the story after watching the movies does not take away from the incredible world and story and adventure that J.K. has created! Can't wait to read the next and final book... However there is that sadness that comes with knowing the story will end. But I'll still read it. I am hooked for life and will probably reread them 100 times before I die. Thank you J.K. for sharing your immense and incredible imagination with us. You have brought me so much joy, laughter and much more!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is book 6 in the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling. It is a thicker book than the previous books, and it is a lot heavier for sure. The quality of the book itself is excellent. Dust-jacket is very nice. Constructed same as the previous books. Story-wise, things just get more and more interesting that you can't put the book down and don't want to stop until you find out what is next after each page. This is my favorite book of the entire series. It is very dark in some places, but the flashbacks into the past in where we learn so much about Voldemort or Tom Riddle are very interesting and engaging. Danger is everywhere. Everything seems to be at risk, and you just don’t know what will happen next. Nothing seems to be safe anymore. There is also a little romance, but tension as well. It’s a pretty big book. A lot of pages to read. But, I was able to read it over a weekend or so with determination. There are so many plot lines in this book, and the pace does not let up from first page to the last page. There are new twists and turns. I cannot reveal without spoiling. This is definitely an excellent book. I recommend this book for sure. It is priced fairly I think on Amazon. If you have Amazon Prime, the 2-day Free shipping is nice.

Holy crap. After I read "Order of the Phoenix" I stopped the series for about 6 months. That book was dreadful and I wasn't even sure I wanted to keep reading. But I had to, I had come so far. With "Half-blood I read it in a week. I couldn't put it down! From the first freaking page this book was a million times better than the last one and at this point my favorite in the series. Even with having for knowledge because I'm super late to reading the series, I still enjoyed every twist and turn with this book and I'm assuming the movie will upset me like they all have but the book was still delicious. And I don't care what anyone says, I REFUSE to believe that Snape is redeemable. But I guess I'll just have to read "Deathly Hallows" to find out.

The movies are wonderful BUT the Books Are ALWAYS Better! Why? You get the whole story as written by the original author!!! Nothing cut out or story lines Changed Entirely by editors or others who must squeeze and manipulate the ORIGINAL STORIES so as to fill a time slot, or showcase certain (undeserving) actors who wiggle their way into more “air time”...manipulating the original plot lines..It Shows to those of us who know. SO READ THE BOOKS, its like 50% more Harry Potter PLUS “THE REAL, UNDULTERATED, UNTOUCHED STORY. You should buy hard covered books because you WILL want to hand them down to your kids, grandkids, friends, and keep for yourself. These stories deserve re-reading! BUY THE BOOKS, you can get full sets! It is so very worth it and make great gifts for kids or fans of any age. GOOD LUCK, ENJOY!

This is the sixth book in the HP series, and probably one of my FAVOURITES. It is literally PACKED full of information about Tom Riddle and everything else to do with Voldemort, basically. So if you wanna know Tom Riddle's backround story THEN READ THIS BOOK. But your brain might explode if its to small. (mine didn't though). And Harry and Ginny FINALLY get together! But then... tragedy strikes.... DUMBLEDORE is killed by NONE other then SEVRUS SNAPE. IT IS SO DANG SAD. YOU WILL DEFINITELY CRY. RIP. And so the Harry (being stubborn like usual ;) ) says he refuses to go back to Hogwarts if Dumbledore isn't there. He plans to go to Godric Hollow to visit Jame's and Lily's graves and of course Hermione and Ron insist on going with him. AND THEN TONKS AND LUPIN GET ENGAGED AND IT IS SO CUTE!!!!! Also in case your wondering Fleur and Bill's wedding is in the next book. Oh and Bill gets bitten by a werewolf... but don't worry he doesn't turn into one because the wolf who bit him was human at that time. And finally, if you love Harry Potter just as much as I do, I am going to recommend Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger, which is my other FAVE book series. Bye! Thanks for reading!

Despite the fact this is, by far, the longest book of the series, it is one of the best. My favorite is "The Goblet of Fire", but this one rivals that to be sure. Not certain if it was by design, but the maturity of the characters is interesting as they become one year older. For someone of "mature" age, one year means very little. However, the difference between 16 and 17 can be dramatic in terms of attitude, fortitude, and action. With each year, it seems that the voracity of challenges becomes more difficult and traumatic. This book is by far the most of each attribute. It also was a relief since I was less than thrilled with it's predecessor (#5 - "Order of the Phoenix").

Dementors breed!!?? I didn't get THAT out of the movie! And the movie deviates even more from the book than previous movies. But, for this book, I like some of the action sequences and the ending better! Again, I wonder how much JK Rowling participated in the screenwriting. Even so, as in every book I've read that was subsequently made a movie, a great deal is explained as character's thoughts and emotions are described in the text. Motives are not always evident to the viewer in a film scene but the author informs the reader.

Harry Potter and the half-blood prince is an adventure/mystery novel by JK. Rowling. It is a book about o wizard called Harry Potter, who studies at Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry. When Harry receives a mysterious second hand book that used to belong to a boy nicknamed the "half-blood prince", he goes on a dangerous adventure to figure out clues, he discovers true love and learns new things along the way. This book is suitable for children aged 11+ (suitable also for adults) books in reading order: Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban Harry Potter and the goblet of fire Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the half-blood prince Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows Happy reading! :)

J.K. Rowling sure does pull on the heartstrings. The pacing with later books I think tends to drag a bit in the middle, but its always a dramatic finish. I have watched the movies probably three times now compared to reading the books only twice and I appreciate the attention to detail in the books, the fleshed out characters. All of it is better in the books. The motivations of the characters are more clearly understood. I am not sure there is an author out there that can paint a picture of a scene so clearly without bogging down a story in details that don't matter.

Here is where Harry finally has to become a man and shoulder the responciciblity of fighting his enimies to the death if need be. This is a bitter sweet journey into the coming conclusion neither can live while the other survives. Voldemort or Potter it is will worth the read. I have reserved 5 star status to few books. I have read thousands and books and This series i have read 5 or more times. Find out why strat at the beginning and explore the wonderful of magic....

Amazing book. Amazing series. I've seen the movies a hundred times but am only just now getting to the books as an adult. The fact that I'm reading the story after watching the movies does not take away from the incredible world and story and adventure that J.K. has created! Can't wait to read the next and final book... However there is that sadness that comes with knowing the story will end. But I'll still read it. I am hooked for life and will probably reread them 100 times before I die. Thank you J.K. for sharing your immense and incredible imagination with us. You have brought me so much joy, laughter and much more!

As I wrote before: I just love all Harry Potter books, they are very engaging and beautifully written. Plenty of details describing characters and the magical world, which combined with Rowling's sense of humor make these books a masterpiece. I'd say easy to read even for a 4th. Grader, but at the same time people from any age will enjoy them. Please let me put them this way: I first watched the movies and I loved them, then I read the books and now I am disappointed about the movies. There is so much detail, important facts, and character development that the movies don't show which makes reading the books a must. Won't be disappointed about the books.

The Sixth Book is when motivations become clear, alliances are broken, and the risks are higher. Two VERY important plot points happen in this book. One is a huge death toward the end of the book, which I won't spoil for new readers. And the other is the background on Tom Riddle and how he came to be Lord Voldemort. You learn about his birth mother and her terrible family, you learn about Tom Riddle, Sr. and his family, and you learn how Voldemort used Dark Magic to extend his life. All very exciting and new stuff happen in this novel. I didn't really feel the length of this book unlike OOTP. Very good read. Obviously if you have gotten this far in the series you would undoubtedly read this novel, so don't delay and finish this book!

My copy arrived from Amazon before noon on the 16th July, and I finished reading it on the 18th. By the time I'd finished the book, I found nearly 1000 reviews on Amazon. I've spent the last couple of days going through most of the reviews. Is there anything else to write? One aspect that struck me in this 6th book is that, after the death of a prominent character, we join the community of Hogwarts and many others from the world of Magic for the funeral and burial of that personage. This scene was striking in the sense that it is the first time that we (and the characters of course) are allowed to say good-bye to a loved one. There have been many murders through the earlier volumes, and all of these leave their mark, but this funeral makes a difference. We don't hear much of the eulogies, but with Harry, we survey the crowd, recognize the mourners, are surprised by some of those who have come forward to pay respects, and we watch Harry as he goes back in his memory, recalling good times and painful ones. And, like many funerals, this one give courage to the living, specifically to Harry to take responsibility for his life and to move forward with determination. After the shock of the betrayal and murder that we witness with Harry, his deep sense of resolution at the end of the funeral make us realize that -- yes, he will soon be 17 and an adult in the Wizarding world. Many have said that this book is "darker" than the previous books. My sense is that, after the funeral, there is more light than darkness. Yes, Voldemort and his armies are powerful, but there is a new solidarity among those who refuse to cower to darkness. My sense is that we walk away from that funeral with more courage than we would otherwise have had, because we see a new type of calm and determination in Harry even as he mourns. At the end of Book 5, Albus Dumbledore expressed his concern that Harry had been thrust into fighting evil at too tender an age. Prof. Dumbledore, throughout Book 6, has continued to guide and mentor Harry (as the cover art had suggested). Now, at the end of Book 6, we can be confident that, young though he still is, Harry IS ready. Thanks, JK, for bringing us along this far!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling continues the thrilling series that has set the world on fire. Her wonderfully well written books have inspired many disgusted with reading to pick up the book and not stop reading until the last page. Each one in the series has had this ability and The Half Blood Prince is no different. Harry Potter has returned to Hogwarts for his 6th year. After receiving his O.W.L.s, Harry is finally able to pursue the career he has desired as an Auror, fighting against Voldemort and the Dark Arts. With Quidditch, Voldemort's childhood, the romances and mysteries, and a depressing death looming throughout this book, The Half Blood Prince could not have succeeded more in quenching the thirst of Harry Potter fans and leading to the conclusion of the series. With the theme of friendship used thoroughly in The Order of the Phoenix, it was time for Harry to begin his journey and growth from the "boy that survived" to the "man that must face Voldemort" in The Half Blood Prince. His anger has calmed down and his outbursts are nearly something of the past, which keep the reader from cringing as much as they did during The Order of the Phoenix. Harry finally takes leaps and bounds in his character development from an angry teen to a confident man. Ron and Hermione, along with a few of the other characters from the last book like Ginny, Neville, and Luna, take a back seat to Harry in The Half Blood Prince. It's sad to see them left out so much, but I feel they will make a thrilling comeback in the final installment of the series, as per the conclusion. I have never come across a better author than J.K. Rowling at writing cliffhangers. From one chapter the next, from one book to the next, it just comes so natural to her writing style. The reader is left sitting on the edge of his or her seat and ends up willing themselves to continue on despite sleep deprivation, hunger, thirst, or all of the above. Through The Half Blood Prince, we are finally given insight to the last journey Harry must take on his way to his last fight with Voldemort. Who is R.A.B.? Where are the Horcruxes? Who will be the one left standing? I can't wait for the last installment of the series and would recommend this series to any and every one that hates or loves to read. It doesn't matter. My sister hated to read before she got her hands on Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. Now I rarely see her without a book. Everyone enjoy!

It's been years since I've read this book and it's still as captivating as when I first received it. SPOILERS! It's infuriating to know there were 8 movies and the origin story of Voldemort was barely mentioned. It's so pivotal to the plot and interesting that honestly it deserves a movie of its own. Books truly are better than the movies.

Harry Potter books are great and the characters are amazingly complex. This book is probably the most heartbreaking because (spoiler) Dumbledore dies for a fake Horcrux. I love the beginning when Harry and Dumbledore go out into the night to find that “flighty temptress, adventure”. We also see more of the story between Tonks and Remus, as well as Fleur and Bill. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Harry Potter or just wants a good book to read.

We decided to review this particular book because the movie by the same name is coming out this week. It should be no secret to anyone who knows Jane and I that we are fans of the entire Harry Potter series. In my view, the best book in the series is the first one, but I have to say that this is probably the second best. There are those who would argue that Goblet of Fire is better, but my impression of that volume is that it's overlong. What I like about Half-Blood Prince is that it presents some humorous romantic entanglements while at the same time offering unexpected surprises and setting you up for the final book in the series. And let me say also that I don't think you should read Half-Blood Prince until you have read the five books that precede it. It's not that you won't understand the story or be absorbed by some of the most well-defined characters in fiction. It's just that following Harry on his journey from day one is far better than meeting him at the age of 16 and then later learning his back story. If you, like me, have already read the entire series, then you have a decision to make. Do you want to re-read the book, so that you can better determine what has been left out of the movie, or do you want to try and forget the book so that you can enjoy the movie on its own terms? I have no recommendation either way, other than to say that books are almsot always better than the films that are made from them and the Harry Potter books are no exception. Jim Herrin [...]

This is the third time I’ve read through this series. I love these books - everyone of them have been exciting and uplifting. The characters are rich in detail and depth. The movies are great but if you want more read the books. This one about the funeral was not in the movie and it was a really moving part of the story.

Another year at Hogwarts for Harry Potter, as he and Dumbledore partake on a path to learn on Lord Voldemort’s origins and his secrecy of immortality, while Draco and Snape lurk in the darkest corners of the wizarding school for the Dark Lord had other plans to wreck our beloved characters with a touch of evil. The wizarding war continues on…

I have to admit that I anxiously awaited this novel for months and was a little put off with the way it starting. It was slow! So much back story that I was reading as quickly as possible to get to the good stuff. Well, i didnt have to wait very long. This was a wonderful story (like there was really any doubt). Rather than a set mission or goal we are able to take the time to learn more about our main characters. The relationships grow between Hermione and Ron, Harry and Genny, and Harry and Dumbledore. They are truely coming into their teen years, with all of the emotional drama that comes with that time...as well as facing the return of Voldemort. Dumbledore decides to confide in Harry as he should have done a long time ago - to tell him what is to come and how to stop it. Draco plays a much larger role that just the school enemy of Harry but as a true threat to the future. I must say the ending was truly shocking for me, I wont give anything away, but I felt almost all the way to the end that the betrayor was just pretending. That he was pretending to take sides, but he was not. I cried all the way to the end and when I finished I was left with an empty feeling. Heres wishing the best of luck to Harry as he takes the next step toward the final battle.

Just like the Deathly Hallows, this book should have been broken into two movies. There was so much left out of the movie. I didn't realize it until I finally read the books. The movies were good, but after reading the books, I realized how disappointing they really are

I had "Harry" on my bookshelf (the first 3 books) for the last several years. I thought I'd collect them for my grandchildren. In April, I picked the first one up and read it and...that was it! I was hooked ! In the last 12 weeks, I've read the entire series. These books are not just for children, and I know that's been said a million times. Adults who love a good fantasy, action, mystery, humor, and all out adventure will love the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling writes such wonderful stories with a little Stephen King, George Martin, ET, Alice in Wonderland, Lord of the Rings, Nancy Drew (Heromine), and the Wizard of Oz all all thrown in the mix. You become apart of Harry's world very quickly and grow to love so many of the characters. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was great book with a shocker of an ending that had the tears flowing down my face (You can't help but cry). Ironically, I found myself chuckling a few years back at all the "crazy" people who would stand in line for hours waiting on the next Harry Potter book. NOW, I'm going to be the first one in line waiting on the 7th and final book :-) I've spent the last two months with Harry on an every day basis. I'm feeling a little lost today; I will definitely miss him ! I definitely recommend this series to the older generation, as well as the young. This series will go down in history ! Excellent writing !

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I opened up this chapter in the series. Leaving off where we did in Book 5 which seemed to be mostly a filler for me, I just wasn't sure where she was going to go with the story and how the half blood prince would play into it. Now Book 6 is also somewhat of a filler, but it had more adventure in it and seemed to go back and forth with reality in the book a little better then 5. The book does a good job evolving the characters while providing more of a backstory. I enjoyed seeing the memories of Voldemort in the pensieve the most I think. Even though it answered a lot of questions, I think it opened up even more. I am really curious to see where this is all going! The last few chapters were intense and I was shocked to find out what happened in them. Well I don't want to spoil the book much more, but I encourage you all to read it. It is a very fast read because you never really want to put it down. This is due to Rowling putting more chapter ending cliffhangers in this book then any other. It also might have to do with the fact that I was so intrigued with the stories of Harry and Voldemort's past. This is tied as my favorite book in the series with Goblet of Fire now!

I came to the HP novels long after I had seen the films multiple times (and loved them), but the novels are a whole new level of amazing. Am reading as slowly as possible to savor this amazing world that Ms Rowling has so ingeniously created.

Certainly there's this much to say for J.K. Rowling: she delivers the goods time and again. "Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince", the penultimate book in the series, lives up to the anticipation and excitement generated around the book-- the whole "who is the half-blood prince?" campaign, two years of anticipation after the stunning ending of the fifth book, and what precious little has been leaked-- chapter titles, a descripiton of a new character and really nothing else-- endless rumors certainly. The book itself-- Harry is 16 now, he's going through your standard puberty problems-- girls, popularity, cliques, classes, temptation to cheat, and so on. He just gets the added pleasure of being the subject of a prophecy, a reluctant celebrity, and someone driven to make a difference in the world (and is in a position to do so). The amazing thing is how much he's grown over the years-- taken in the context of the previous five books, Harry and his classmates have changed quite a bit, developed into rounder, more intriguing characters, expressing a range of emotion and sense of responsibility. One of Rowling's great strengths as a writer is to resist the temptation of making her children and teenagers into miniature adults-- so often this is the case in books about children that have a wide appeal. This is no more clearly illustrated than in her capturing of the sort of overwhelming goofiness and yet importance of dating at this age, how totally meaningless and meaningful relationships can be and are. This is another thing I think a lot of writers really don't grasp when writing for this age group-- just how awkward it all is. Honestly, this quite reminded me of what it was like to be that age and developing crushes and infatuations. The book also starts to solve much of the complex backstory behind the books-- both in terms of understanding the past and of viewing characters as more human. Indeed, one of the unique strengths of this book is that it is the first since the first book (that I can think of as I write this) to present parts of the book not written in a third-person limited omniscient-- that is to say, there are chapters where we're not being told the story with intimate knowledge of Harry's thoughts and feelings, but rather we see some characters without Harry's point of view and injected opinions. Certainly for one less-than-sympathetic character (both in his portrayal in previous books and in this one), the second chapter is a revelation. As a writer, Rowling keeps the book fast paced and quick moving-- there's precious little in the way of narrative not tightly coupled to the central story in some way (which is pretty remarkable as I spent the last two paragraphs talking about the brilliant characterization). The story is starting to wrap up now, and this is setting up the conclusion more directly. There's also not the great bulk of fleshing out characters that we saw in previous books-- think about the dinner scene at Grimmwauld Place in "Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix" or the Hogwarts Express ride in "Harry Potter & the Sorceror's Stone"-- that sort of character building narrative is largely isolated to the first few chapters, supporting the brisk pacing and focus on the main story. The truth is that this is largely unnecessary-- most of the characters already have a backstory from previous books and it takes only a couple sentences to detail an action that further develops the characters. We already understand them. A quick note for parents-- the book's age is recommended for 9-12, but I think I'd read it before passing it on to a kid that young. Harry and his friends have aged over the six books, and as such, their concerns, actions, and emotions have too. In the end, there's one thing I can say to endorse this book more than anything else-- I couldn't put it down, all day, until I finished it. And that for me says it all.

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is the best of the series so far. Harry has come out of the angry funk he was mired in during 'Order of the Phoenix' and is, for the first time, truly ready to begin facing his destiny against Lord Voldemort. He begins receiving private lessons from Professor Dumbledore to explore Voldemort's past and, hopefully, uncover the weakness that will allow him to be defeated. There are none of the pacing problems that plagued 'Order of the Phoenix', and Rowling has clearly come into her own as a writer. With this book she elevates her already classic series to the level of such greats as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is truly amazing how she manages to make each book more mature and timeless as Harry grows up and learns to see the world for what it truly is. Having said that, I will warn parents that Harry Potter is no longer safe territory for the younger set, as Harry experiences the full extent of Voldemort's power in this book, and the finale will most likely be traumatizing to any fan below the young adult level (even more-so than the end of 'Goblet of Fire'). 'Half-Blood Prince' sets itself as the 'Empire Strikes Back' of the Harry Potter series, and stands out as the best because it is not afraid to allow the bad guys to win. A lot of criticism has been bestowed upon this book because it avoids getting tangled up in the front lines of the war on Lord Voldemort. I thought this was very wise on J.K. Rowling's part, and actually lent credence to the plotline. Harry is a teenager, and Chosen One or not his business is at Hogwarts as a student. It is very truthful, because even in times of war life does go on, and I suspect that 'Half-Blood Prince' is merely illustrating that point. Certainly all of us at home can attest to that in times like these. We go to work or school every day, then catch up on the news in Afghanistan (or, more recently, London) in the newspaper or on the television. That is where Rowling's series excels: that, even in a fantastic and improbable setting like Hogwarts, she captures the truth of the real world.

Great book in a great series. With Voldemort's return to power in the previous book it creates an air of tension to the book of what he is going to do next. There is also the fallout of Ron’s and Hermione’s friendship. There is also the fact that there is this major plot device in the form of the Half Blood Prince’s potion book and him realizing he is falling in love with Ginny. Ron also winds up getting a new girlfriend, Lavender Brown, which really makes Hermione jealous. Harry has also been awarded the position of quidditch captain and has to work to keep up with his duties. Though draco seems to be taken long terms being unmarked on the marauders map which causes Harry to become paranoid of what Draco is doing. Eventually sending Dobby and Kreature, his newly acquired house elf, to track him. During this time harry is shown who Voldemort was when he was Tom Riddle by Dumbledore. Even being able to accompany the headmaster on one of his missions to destroy things that are keeping Voldemort from being truly killed. In my opinion, Rolling really did a great job on this book with the rift between Ron and Hermione and Harry's crush on Ginny as well as making the ending fell impactful.

I'm going to try not to give any spoilers here, so my review will most likely be almost as mysterious as Dumbledore at a poker game. But here goes! This 6th book had everything that I've been waiting for, and yet its left me with a dangerous addiction - I NEED the next book! I'm pulling my hair out over what I consider a cliff-hanger ending. If you haven't read the book, I almost recommend you wait for the 7th book before you read it, because its going to destroy the rest of 2005 for you, as well as all of 2006. As with all books I review, I'm going to attempt to write the good things and the "bad" things about it, in an attempt not to fall into the trap of rave-reviewing or simply panning a book as 100% horrible. Good points: 1) Our children are growing up very quickly - I feel like a parent to these kids. Rowling is being very brave, as well as adventurous, in allowing teenagers to be actual teenagers here. 2) This book is marvalously mysterious. You think 1 thing, you think another - you guess at 500 things in a row - and in the end you're wrong-wrong-wrong. The book's over and done with for me and I'm still not sure what to think. 3) Amazing, brave, soul-shocking ending. As always, Rowling doesn't let the reader down with some cheap immitation ending. I can't tell you the ending, but I'll say I liked it. 4) The characters were deep, 5-dimensional and generally more human. This has been the trend all along in the series, and I for one encourage it. 5) There were some genuinely tear-jerking moments in the book, which I haven't encountered anywhere in the series - very new thing! Very much appreciated too. Bad points: 1) I thought the book was too short. I wanted to keep reading - there was a lot more that could have been stuffed in. For example, I would have loved more scenes with Harry and Snape interacting. 2) I think we should have gotten more signs that a certain female would be the love interest of a certain male. This is a minor complaint. 3) I can't really think of anything else... Don't be a mudblood - buy this book!

HBP is deeper, darker(obviously), and both revelatory and question-inspiring. also, the characters mature both physically and mentally, which i liked very much. i wish i knew nothing about the story so that i wouldn't have expected any deaths or stuff like that, but that was okay... like in other HP books, the ending is pretty shocking. and possibly the saddest ending yet, because of the sense of despair it brings with remorse... like many others said, the book did make me cry in the end... but i don't think it was entirely from grief, but more like a mixture of sadness and comfort(from the adamant friendship of the trio and harry's determination). and although terrible things happen and the overall tone is dark(punctuated with romances), rowling's usual sense of humor is there and interactions between characters show different types of love and trust. i'll have to read this book more deeply soon, because i'm sure there are many details that i've missed, just like in the previous books. that's actually another joy of reading harry potter series for me. buy it!!

Slightly disappointed with Rowling's saga, after the relatively boring and story-fatigued "Order of the Phoenix" (OTP), I was truly excited to read "The Half-Blood Prince" (HBP). This book is a turnaround to what seemed to be, in my opinion, an ever winding story. In HBP, we find a more mature Harry Potter (which was an interesting but frustraing nuance in OTP) in a story with exciting developments: - Dumbledore's sharing with Harry some "memory snapshots" of Voldemort's past - A Potions class for which Harry ends up using a used book full of alternative formulas and tips, signed by a mysterious and anonymous "Half-Blood Prince" - An open-war between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix (and Ministry of Magic) - The infamous Draco Malfoy, with less "scenes", but with a mysterious behaviour that obsesses Potter - Some evolutions in the love scene that put some "spice" into the story I won't get into more details. This is a must, even for those, like myself, that were slightly disappointed with OTP.

Lots of surprises and twists and Rowling still manages to leave us on the edge and wanting more. Did anyone else notice that Rowling left it open for the reader to conclude whether or not the 7th book would actually occur in Harry's 7th year at Hogwarts? Or whether she'd jump ahead a few years in book 7. If she doesn't jump ahead, I got the feeling that book 7 might not be the last. That would be interesting. But how long can she keep it up? The Harry Potter series is quite an amazing phenomenon. I mean, the books are not hugely original but I can't put them down. I really want to know what happens and what the big mystery is. I think we know everything will come out okay for Harry in the end, but how he gets there is the thrill. My major gripe would be (I'm in agreement with another review posted here)...yeah, what happened to Hermoine? Everything that had made her interesting seems to have been shifted to Ginny, who was previously seen only in the background (and yet, it was totally predictable that Harry would finally notice her). Hermoine seems to be the one being pushed into the background. Of all the female characters in the book, next to Professor McGonagall, I'd have to say that Luna Lovejoy and perhaps Moaning Myrtle are the most compelling of the lot. I was also a little thrown by all the exposition in the dialogue. I guess I don't remember so much of the story in past books being "told" versus "shown." That's where the pensieve completely worked for me! That was the best vehicle to move the story along. When Rowling let Dumbledore's "tell" the story to Harry, I often felt that the reading dragged. But, all criticism aside, I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next one. Thank you Ms. Rowling for giving us such a great story - in a world where personal imagination seems to be diminished by the power of the visual image, it is totally incredible to see so many people delving into a series of books. Books! Finally! Wow.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince shows Rowling back to the great form she had in my two favorites of the series, The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire. I was disappointed with book 5, which I thought was bloated and took too long to get to any action that furthered the series. Well, book 6 is all about wrapping up details from the previous books and setting the stage for Harry's final battle with You-Know-Who. I loved being able to watch the development of Voldemort as the most evil wizard who ever lived, and I really enjoyed the romance and jealousy occurring between the teenagers in this round. I'm very curious to see what happens with our young heroes when the story ends. It's not giving anything away to say that I knew which major character was going to die before even cracking the book open, because I agree with Rowling that it makes sense for the overall story arc, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. Like so many other entries into the pop culture arena in the past year or so, this book very much exists of this time, when foreign policy and the war on terror have created a very different mindset for all of us. The paranoia, anxieties, and secrecy that the Wizards are experiencing are not that hard for us to relate to. Rowling is definitely making allusions to current policies -- you can simply substitute "Guantanamo" for "Azkaban" in any number of places. I'm not sure younger readers will get much out of the political subtext, but I'm glad Rowling included it for those of us long out of school. All in all, I really enjoyed this entry, and I feel it created a steam train of momentum that we'll all continue to ride through Harry's final adventures.

So, our family is on a Harry Potter streak and we've been reading a chapter a night now for a few months and when we finished book5, well, it was onto book 6 and Amazon delivered! We have enjoyed every second reading this book, and all the others, as a family! I would recommend this book, and the entire series to anyone who loves a good story, good character development, and good family time!

HP & the Half-Blood Prince is another well-told tale, and we see the main characters being developed in greater depth, and more background being given [about time] about Lord Voldemort's beginnings and motivations. Harry, Ron & Hermione return for their sixth year at Hogwarts...but things have changed...Lord Voldemort's return has finally been acknowledged by the Ministry of Magic, and Cornelius Fudge [the previous minister] has been sacked, replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour, an Auror. There is a new Potions master, Professor Slughorn, and Snape has finally been appointed to the coveted Defense Against the Dark Arts position, to Harry's consternation. This book also finds Harry and his mentor Dumbledore getting closer, and forging a more meaningful friendship...Dumbledore gives Harry private lessons that allows a glimpse into Voldemort's background which is crucial to undertanding You-Know-Who's motivations. Harry, Ron & Hermione experience the pangs of adolescent romance, and this is handled in such a gentle and poignant manner as to appear wholly credible, making the characters very real in our minds. Draco Malfoy, who in previous novels was portrayed as merely an annoying presence, gets more exposure here, and his character turns out to be very important to the plot in this novel. And then of course there is Severus Snape, whose loyalty has been in question from the very beginning - is he merely Dumbledore's loyal assistant, or a Death Eater, or a double agent? These questions are answered in some measure in this book, but the final answer is to be found in Book 7. This is the final book in which much of the action takes place in Hogwarts, and that is sad...in Book 7, Hogwarts is no longer the focus of the story...but I digress. HP & the Half-Blood Prince is filled with great stroytelling, the plot unfolds slowly but surely, and with the various sub-plots, keeps the reader plowing through the pages till the climactic ending. This is a very emotional book, in a sense that the main players experience all sorts of strong feelings - anger, love, passion, hatred, vengeance, grief - all of which make for compelling reading!

Very difficult to put this book down. Found myself returning at every opportunity, lunch time, before dinner and prior to sleeping at night. A suspenseful ending that left me wanting to read more.

Rowling contines Harry's enchanting story in the Half-Blood Prince. The book starts off only two weeks after the end of the Order of the Phoenix, and right from the start, Harry begins a new, closer relationship with Dumbledore. Harry is more mature now; he does not seem so raging or "hormonal" as the Harry of the Goblet of Fire or of the first half of the Order of the Phoenix. And so begins his sixth year at Hogwarts. With Dumbledore as his private tutor, Harry devles into discovering more about Lord Voldemort. Of course, the normal school goings-on continue, with the already started teenage romances continuing down various paths, and what would a Harry Potter book be without the suspected treachery of Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy? The year progresses at a rapid pace only to be slowed down in the final months as examinations draw near, yet again, and Harry joins Dumbledore in a dangerous task. The final showdown, now standard for Rowling, occurs as would be expected, but the results are darker here than even in the Order of the Phoenix. Rowling continues to write Harry's story as she has promised to write, this dark ending included. The issue of whether or not this is still a chidlren's book will surely arise, though as Rowling has said, it is still, though serious, appropriate for children. The ending continues to lay the way for book seven, though I must question, given the ending, whether Rowling is not indeed setting the stage for more than a final, seventh book? She ends with Harry's statement that he will not return to Hogwarts for a final year; he ultimately realizes he must face Voldemort--alone--and so this departure from the seven-year structure of Hogwarts schooling begs the question, will Rowling satisfy us with the triumph of good over evil with the seventh book, or will she continue, having left the door open as she has. Overall, the book continues to meet the standard she has set for Harry and his beloved classmates. We love the characters and we want to know what happens next. The storyline is solid , building from past clues and continuing to leave clues, some of which will not be resolved until Rowling wills it to be so--in the seventh book???--nevertheless, the passion for Harry Potter will be whetted but ultimately not satisfied with this sixth installment. We all want book seven now that we have seen the final(?) battle stage set.

Finally I afforded myself the opportunity to indulge whimsical fantasy and devour the book. The characters, older, wiser perhaps, the secrets, darker and more mysterious. An excellent book but we certainly have strayed from childrens novel in this installment with so many dark themes. I could feel my heart pounding as I neared the end of the book, tears seemed to crawl out of my eyes of their own volition, I wish it had not ended, I wished I could put it down, pick it back up and continue the story, yet, alas rowling has done it again, left us all hanging wishing for more. I truly cannot say enough good things about this series, it did the nearly unfathomable thing of getting me excited about reading. Days at a time lights and possibly a fan are the only things on in the house, videogames are off, tv is off, radio is off. Almost as if the book itself puts a spell on you. This book would make infinately more sense having read the others in the series but do pick it up, a fantastic read...

Dumbledore's dieing Was just as shocking as it was in the movie. It was, as expected, written different in the book than the way it played out in the movie. I think the scene in the movie was written the way it was so as to shorten things up a bit.

Everyone (children and adults) loves a great "good vs. evil" story. I often think that something that everyone raves about just can't be as good as the say, but Harry Potter exceeds the reviews. The incredibly rich detail in all the Harry Potter novels is really the best aspect of the story. JKR creates a whole world that readers can't forget about. There many subplots, but JKR keeps them all straight. While this book is definitely dark, JKR manages to keep many humorous and lighter aspects of the previous books, parts not shown in the movie. This book pulls you in and will not let you go, as it is the cliff-hanger before the finale. It will leave you crazy until you read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I can't tell you how great all the books in this series are, you'll have to read them for yourself. Harry Potter is the new Star Wars, the new Lord of the Rings. It already is a legend.

This book is part of a series (presumably of 7) books making it difficult to adequately review separately. The entire series is chronological. In this book, Harry is approaching his 17th birthday-the time of wizard adulthood. The characters reflect their ages, and thus their maturing processes, during the series. Up to now, Harry has been a child growing into adolescence. Thus, he's been protected in many ways though he's also had extreme trials. But now he's poised to enter adulthood in which he is no longer under another's wings. This book prepares him for that development. It also shows him how his arch enemy developed into "maturity" in a dark manner-unlike his own. Such information may prove invaluable in his future, predicted conflict with Voldemort. As usual, Ms. Rowling laces her novel with humor (I often laughed out loud), mystery (who is the Prince? Who's side is Snape really on?). While her series depicts the archetypal conflict between good and evil, she is far more subtle as well-producing a many-layered tapestry of prose. Even the Dark Lord and Draco Malfoy are shown to have shades of gray - and so does Harry. Things are not as simple as they seem. One wonders if a certain wizard had something special up his sleeve before his "untimely" departure-which doesn't at all seem untimely to me. This was necessary for Harry's development as a protagonist. Is this the Harcrux of the matter? It will be interesting to see how Rowling resolves the dichotomies in book 7 which may or may not be the end of the Harry Potter saga. I suspect from her obvious talents that it will be synergistic rather than merely climax. To my mind the most complex and interesting character is Snape. Finally, we got a bit of his history as well as Tom Riddle's. Snape is enigma incarnate. We also got a better look at Ginny who fills a void in both Harry's life and in the cast-providing teenage girls with a very different paradigm than Hermione. As with the characters, this book is a revelation of the past maturing into the present...as with adolescence, there is a marked qualitative difference in development from that of the past-which is absolutely necessary to achieve adulthood. Ms. Rowling has moved from a great storyteller into a writer of literature-though of a particular niche. But, whether you treasure this development or not, as with the prior HP books, it's a great read. Enjoy!

It's Harry Potter's penultimate year at Hogwarts and things in the wizarding world--and the world of Muggles, for that matter--are not looking good. Voldemort is back and the Death Eaters, the dark wizard's evil minions, have begun claiming victims. Meanwhile, in the relatively safe haven that is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has been installed, the sixth DADA instructor in as many years. And Hogwarts's newest faculty member, a certain Horace Slughorn, seeks to gather Harry--"The Chosen One," as the Daily Prophet is now calling him--into his flock of favorites. Harry, however, is spending his time instead in the company of Hogwarts's headmaster: he and Dumbledore clamber about in other people's memories throughout much of the book--a trick achieved with the use of Dumbledore's handy pensieve. Ron and Hermione, not privy to these adventures, pass their time instead simmering at a slightly higher temperature than usual. The book simmers as well, building slowly, almost quietly, as Rowling plays with readers, making us wonder repeatedly whether we know for certain where her characters' allegiances lie. We find out for certain--or so we must think, anyway--in the dramatic events that unfold toward the book's end, when the identity of the Half-Blood Prince of the book's title is revealed and Rowling's latest read becomes--fans will not be surprised--nearly unputdownable. One can criticize J.K. Rowling's sixth book on a few counts. The author does not throw out very many life preservers to those of us who have not recently read or reread the earlier books in the series, frequently alluding to characters and events from previous installments without reminding us of their significance, which can be confusing. The identity of the Half-Blood Prince, too, once revealed, is not as important as readers are led to expect. And the final chapter of the book, while some of its material is necessary to complete the story, is over-long and makes for an unfortunately dull conclusion. But these are relatively small complaints. After many thousands of pages, Rowling's prose continues very much the same--a kind of straightforward, unaffected writing that gets the story across without slowing things down, a style that has proved unusually accessible to a vast readership. In the six volumes of her oeuvre Rowling has carefully and vividly brought to life a complex, fully realized world, plucked from her imagination, one that will stand on its own and continue to engage the imagination of audiences long after Rowling herself is able to oversee it (much like the universe of Gene Rodenberry's Star Trek in this respect). Her creation of this alternate world, so real to her readers, is, I believe, a remarkable achievement. Reviewed by Debra Hamel, author of Trying Neaira: The True Story of a Courtesan's Scandalous Life in Ancient Greece

Exactly what it states! My daughter enjoyed reading the entire series AFTER watching the movies. After YEARS of trying to convince her that she would love the movies (& her denying me), she gave in. After the movies, her 1ST order of business was reading the books being she’s been a book worm. She got these for Christmas & has them almost done! She stated she is glad she watched the movies before reading the books because the movies left so much out that she would’ve been disappointed if she would’ve done it the opposite.

Rowling had a very difficult task in writing this book....not only does it need to appeal to the younger audience, but also to rather large adult audience that has picked them up as well, of course including those who have grown up reading these books. The last two books rambled greatly and were much in need of stronger editing, but this book both becomes darker while still being much more enjoyable to read than the last. While many praised Rowling for making Harry less "perfect" in Phoenix, what it left us with was a long book with someone who was in a foul mood through most of the book...and constantly in unpleasant circumstances as well. It made for a book that was not very fun to read as a result (the length didn't help) and had an ending that was quite anti-climatic and didn't really tell us anything we hadn't already figured out (death of a major character notwithstanding). Azkaban was, and still is, the best book, and stands on its own as well. Book 6 is not far behind though. It manages to be even darker and more disturbing than the rest of the series in many ways, yet I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading it. I forgot how much I really did like the character of Dumbledore...absent through most of Phoenix. He plays a very active role in this book, with good effect. He is our teacher as well as Harry's and it's handled well so that younger readers can follow it without overly boring adults. There's a lot of interesting character developments, not just for Harry, but for other major characters we thought we knew by now. And the ending is truly emotional for any true fan of the series, one that will stay with you awhile, and sets up for the last book in such a way that fans will debate endlessly what is coming until it is released. This book may not stand on its own as well as some of the earlier books...but as one that gives us a compelling story and leaves us dying for more, it more than meets the mark.

I first found out about the Harry Potter series when looking through one of those book pamphlets that my school gave me full of age appropriate books (I believe I was around 11 at the time). There was a combo of the first three books. I had never heard of them at the time but the pictures and the little blurb about them must have piqued my interest because I promptly ordered them. I immediately fell in love with the series. I ordered the next right when it came out, and the next, and the next(this one). With every release my anticipation for its sequel rose exponentially. When this book arrived (very promptly thanks to the amazon day 1 pre-order) I instantly read it in one full sitting, slept, and then read it again. This book has such twists, turns and cliff hangers that I almost went mad with insanity knowing that there was still one last book and I had to wait and unknown amount of time. The horror! Anyone purchasing these books today won't have to deal with such a wait, for better or worse. Lucky you! I hesitate to recommend ordering one book a year, forcing yourself to wait for the next release. I hesitate because I do not want to be responsible for any child's inevitable insanity.

Amazing book! I love reading about harry and the rest of the magical world! Though this book is a little darker, our characters are a little older and I am enjoying the transition from childhood to adulthood. This book was also tremendously sad in the end, I am very saddened, even though I knew it would happen, it still bothered me. I also see Snape in a much different light in the books. In the movie I liked Snape, I knew he was good, but he is a complete nit in the books lol!

I will not give any spoilers or indulge in 7th-book speculation, but I have just finished reading The Half-Blood Prince and I am awed by Rowling's ability to pull her threads together in ways not guessed. As with any series (Zelazny's Amber Chronicles, Brust's Vlad Taltos novels, Jordan's Wheel of Time, Dunnett's Niccolo & Lymond Chronicles, etc.), there is a tendency among fans to try to outguess the author and we to fall into prediction mode fairly easily when faced with a long time between installments. Rowling's 6th book delivers on some of the armchair predictions we wanted to come true, but where she astounds is in her use of detailed character development to come to conclusions we did not conceive. No major characters, and even few of minor ones, come through Half-Blood Prince unchanged, and yet the seed for those changes is based solidly on the qualities we've seen them display all along. The choice of the major character's death at the end of the book was inspired, happened in a way not at all expected, and yet comes about so inevitably that, as a growth choice for Harry, even a shocked reader like me must admit no death could have occurred, nor in any other way, and had the same effect to set up the ending of Harry Potter's journey. Sheer brilliance. I have enjoyed none of these books more than Half-Blood Prince and the way Rowling leads us through to its conclusion.

J. K. Rowling has done an amazing job of building a fascinating world of magic. The Harry Potter books have become one of the most popular series of all times. These books follow the life of Harry Potter, as he finds out he is a wizard and is accepted to Hogwarts, a school to teach him how to use magic. His greatest struggle is having to deal with "He who must not be named" a wizard who killed Harry's parents, and tried to kill Harry. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is the sixth book in this series. Harry is now in his sixth year at Hogwarts. Harry is learning more about magic. As important, Dumbledore (the Headmaster of Hogwarts) works with Harry to learn more about the life of Lord Voldemort, the wizard who killed Harry's parents. The war between Lord Voldemort, who is leading evil wizards, and the good wizards is escalating as more muggles (those without magic) and those in the magic community are being killed by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. This is largely the backdrop to Harry's life at Hogwarts. We follow his struggles with his classes, a late developing romance, and other events. This is a fun book to read. I read it in one seating, finishing it at 2:20 AM in the morning. It is well written. Unfortunately J. K. Rowling has scattered lots of clues, and it isn't clear just what they all mean. I am sure she has done this purposely, so we have some ideas about the final book, but aren't sure just what will happen. If you have enjoyed the previous Harry Potter books, then read this book.

I just bought Harry Potter and to be honest, the beginning was a little slow, obviously Snape turns out to be bad or is he? Harry is finally taken away from the dursleys, blah blah blah, you dont really get to the meat of the story until about 100 pages in and then it takes another 50-75 to really get the ball rolling. The teenage intrigue and romance are excellent and realistic touches to an otherwise completely unrealistic series, on the surface anyway. As the end approaches, the questions of the book and series are eitehr addressed or alluded too, Will Harry find the courage and ability to kill Voldemort? Will HArry find love, what the hell is bill doing with fleur, Ron and Hermione? an unrequited love returned and finally a death in the family. The ending of this book was perfect, it paved the way for the seventh book and was just so slam bam! that i was emotionally drawn in, masterfully done, I cannot wait until the last book!

Finally I afforded myself the opportunity to indulge whimsical fantasy and devour the book. The characters, older, wiser perhaps, the secrets, darker and more mysterious.

I finished this book last night at 2 am and now I am having Harry withdrawal. What do I do with myself for the next year and a half, possibly two, until the next book comes out? Read them over I guess... Harry is back at Hogwarts after suffering a severe loss and his mind bent on revenge. Hormones are raging, rebellion is rearing its ugly head but Harry is still the most popular sixteen year old in the wizarding world, as a new nickname "the Chosen One" is introduced. The new year brings in yet another new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that has something Harry and Dumbledore want in their efforts to destroy Voldemort. On top of that, Harry has discovered an old Potions textbook owned by the mysterious Half-Blood Prince which promises to make Harry number one in the class much to Hermoine's jealous dismay. It also brings him a new love which fills his teenage heart with insurmountable joy and a tragic loss which will cause his greatest grief yet. JK Rowling has penned yet another fantastic book about Harry proving once again that there will always be new surprises in store and told in ways that never become repetitive or old hat. Because of her talent we find it hard to grow tired of Harry, devotedly following him down his ever darkening path and will sorely miss him once his story reaches its end. She has made him very special to us over the years and will wait with bated breath for the final installment. My only gripe is that I wish it had been longer.

I couldn't wait until i got this book. from the moment i got it ( and it surprised how fast it got to my country) i couldn't put it down. i stayed away from all potter-related sites and posted warning to friends, threatening them with physical harm if they told me anything. it took me less than 24 hours to read it. and i loved it. it's my second favorite potter book. (the first one is PoA) i have read it over and over and over again since i got it. i've dissected it, looking for clues and theorys. i love that is varied. it has angst, and romance, and fluff, and action, everything. and it even has moments for every shipper, which is so cool. it was definitely worth the wait, my money and even the effort it took to convince dad to let me buy something in the internet with his credit card.

Every bit of the story and characters’ development is so much better in the books than the movies. This story provides so much more insight into everyone and everything going on. Nothing wanting. I’m excited for the final adventure.

_There are few more enjoyable ways to spend a summer evening than reading the latest Harry Potter. I know that it made my summer. Of course I knew it would, since I had read the previous five volumes since nearly the very beginning of the series and had never been disappointed once. _I found this installment to be as fresh and interesting as ever. However, the wonderful, unique atmosphere that we associate with Hogwarts is still there. So are all of our old, old friends. Moreover, I was worried that I would have to dig through the rest of the series to refresh my memory on certain references, but the author does a good job of jogging your memory without resorting to footnotes or repetitious retellings. _Plus, there was also at least one good "twist" where she got me- I was absolutely certain that I had figured out who the "Half-Blood Prince" was- and I was wrong. However, unless she has "got" me again I think I know what the last Horcrux is....

I loved this book. I loved the details of the story, especially how Rowling ties in everything from the previous books with this one. I loved seeing the teen's romantic struggles. I love that it's getting a Lord of the Rings feel to it...Harry has a quest and they are in an all out war. However, I have two criticisms. One, this is not a children's book. There is some gore and violence in this that I don't think is appropriate for a young child. A major character dies as well. (Make every effort that you don't find out who dies and who kills this person or it will be truly spoiled.) I don't think this book should be marketed as a children's book because the content is more appropriate for a young adult. My second criticism is that towards the end of the book Rowling refers to the tried and trusty "Superhero formula." The last chapters where Harry contemplates his mission will remind you of every superhero story you've ever heard. The book has kind of a cliffhanger ending. I didn't really expect everything to be wrapped up neatly with the final battle being in the last book, but I did feel somewhat unsatisfied with the way the book ended. However, the ending practically guarentees that you will be wanting to read the last book the moment it comes out!!!

I have read the Half-Blood Prince in the past, but the Harry Potter books never get old. I always seem to, with each reading, pick up on something missed. Highly recommend.

I have always been amazed at how JK Rowlings has been able to take her incredible ideas, wave her magic wand and create her masterpieces. As the story line grows more complex, some mysteries begin to unfold while new mysteries arise. With each turn of the page the reader is submerged into the world of Muggles and Wizards once more. We see that both Muggles and Wizards are now at risk. Voldemort is growing far more powerful and mysteriously the only person who he is afraid of is growing weaker. Harry is steadily realizing that he will have to eventually face Voldemort but how he will kill him is still a looming question. Love interests begin to form but between whom is still a puzzle as well. A new quiditch captain has been named and a new team must be built. A dazzling story that has once again pulled a craving readers mind away from the television to enjoy an adventure written by a true story teller. Once again the true weaver of magic is JK Rowling - bringing to life a story that is enjoyable which teaches us about the importance of friendship and what it means to fight for good no matter what the cost. I just wish I had read it slower.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record I must admit that J.K. Rowling has done it again. With "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," not only has Rowling taken the tale of "the boy who lived" in an entirely new direction, she's managed to do it without sacrificing style or substance. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the youngsters at Hogwarts are now full-fledged teenagers. With "Goblet of Fire" and "Order of the Phoenix," Rowling got the jitters of puberty out of the way for the most part. Now, all of the major characters have settled into their respective attitudes and mannerisms quite comfortably. They have also developed their magical skills as well. **Potential Spoilers** In this tale, Harry receives a very special text book from the new Potions teacher, Slughorn. The book contains "liner notes" (for lack of a better term) that dramatically improve his performance in his Potions class. Expecting him to be the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Harry helps Dumbledore coax Slughorn out of retirement. Instead, a familiar, yet somehow still mysterious, face pops up in that position: Severus Snape. Yep, ol' Snape's dreams of being the D.A.D.A. teacher finally come true in this tale. As the tale unfolds, Harry tries to figure out who the Half-Blood Prince is. He also begins taking private lessons with Dumbledore in which we get to learn of the sinister childhood of Lord Voldemort. Harry also must figure out why Draco Malfoy seems to be up to something, where Dumbledore wanders off to for weeks at a time, who should be on the house Quidditch team that he now captains, AND how to break some news to one of his friends about feelings he has for someone very close to them. We also get to catch up with characters like Lupin, the Weasley clan (even Percy), Fleur, Tonks, the always reliable Hagrid and a slew of other old characters both loved and hated. A few new characters are also thrown into the fray for good measure. **End of Spoilers** It's all done with typical J.K. Rowling flair, and she leaves plenty of gates wide open on the end of this novel that only make the reader hungry for more. There's plenty of action and suspense as was found in "GoF" and OotP," but Rowling leans more toward the mysteriousness of who the Prince really is and what Dumbledore's up to. The action is present, but takes more of a back seat until the climactic finale. As I'm sure many are already aware, there are a couple of BIG surprises at the end of this book that may leave some shaking their heads and others saying that they knew it all along. Either way, Rowling has set the stage marvelously for the conclusion to the story of "the boy who lived." Highly recommended.

This book is one that you will have difficulty putting down. The Harry Potter series continues with this one that says full of adventure following on at the school. You won't be disappointed.

Another great boom in the Harry Potter series. I really enjoyed this read. Soiler alert....Sad ending of course. I'm still surprised how interesting these books arw. Great read for anyone maybe 11 or older...I'm 50 years...and still enjoy the books

I guess it is the adult in me that I love this book the most out of the series. The characters are maturing and I'm finding a lot more to agree with. It doesn't matter how old you are, you need to read this series! I can't say enough what an amazing writer Jo Rowling is. Her imagination is mind-blowing, her characters are loveable, and her style is just fantastic. It blows my mind wondering how she can so easily set herself in the mind-frame of a teenage boy, and make it totally believable. In Book 6, I found myself a little bored with the romantic goings-on of the various characters, but otherwise the action and the story were well worth the seemingly endless pages of snogging. I love everything about Harry's growing character, and would be happy if JKR continued to write about Hogwarts for the next few decades.

Purchased as a birthday present for my eldest niece. This was my favorite book of the HP series, and it was one of the two my sister’s family was missing. My niece was grateful and devoured this and the other I bought for her. I loved being able to contribute to and share in her passion for reading.

these books are fabulous... page-turner after page-turner... what a creative and talented author... can't put these books down... now... off to the final book...

These books continue to grow on me with each read. I'm such a fan that I have all the books the movies and am a member of the Pottermore group as well. I can't get enough of this.

At this point, I've already seen both parts of the movie version of the last book, but in my quest to read all seven volumes of Harry Potter aloud to my daughter before she begins college--I think she was eight when we started--this intrepid reader and critic soldiers on. I wouldn't miss that experience for the world. To paraphrase "Casablanca," we'll always have Hogwarts. (Even if, as is the case, she's read all the books herself many times over, and readily offers trenchant criticism of my oral interpretation.) The sixth and penultimate volume of the series, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (HPTHBP), follows the trend set by the preceding volumes in being more serious and sombre than what's come before. Although some of this is due to tragic plot outcomes, a large part of the darkening mood is occasioned by the psychological examination of the series' villain Voldemort. This is accomplished through visits to the past by the Hogwarts Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, and the hero, Harry Potter, through the use of the magical television of personal memories, the Pensieve, which was introduced in earlier books. (Another way to look at it is as the holodeck on "Star Trek.") In effect what you have, then, is an psychological biography of Voldemort's early years, and J.K. Rowling does a commendable job eliciting pathos and disgust in her readers towards Voldemort's earlier circumstances and acts of violence. A related thread in this book is Harry's attempt to capture a particular memory from Slughorn, a returned professor whom Dumbledore knows is suppressing recollection of what he once taught Voldemort. It takes more than a penny for his thoughts. Most of the action and tragedy is reserved for the book's final pages. By then, one has long been ready for the plot's amusement part ride, and J.K. Rowling does not disappoint. The reader who has managed to avoid the books and movies until now will be the only one who will be surprised at the ending. However that may be, the author paints the scene and its aftermath to move even the aware reader. One aspect that doesn't seem to ring completely true, though, is the way the main characters, gathered in the infirmary after the book's climactic battle, get sidelined by a discussion about marriage. Really? Now? After all that had just happened? All in all, HPTHBP is to my mind the best written volume in this series thus far. It may not be as much fun as HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, with its varied contests, but in this story we get deeply into what makes Voldemort the villain (in a word, Freud) and why it will be so difficult to destroy him (horcruxes). This sets us up for the final battle to come in volume seven.

Incredible. I'm amazed that Rowling is able to keep pace with the levels of creativity and depth set by the first 5 books, but this is just as gripping and satisfying. Obviously leading up to the seventh book, there are more unanswered questions at the end of this book thsn the previous ones. There is also disappointment. The ending is very unexpected and sad. Can't wait to read the seventh. I read all these books years ago. Now I am 30 and re-reading them. They are even better than I remembered. Truly incredible writing. Possibly the best series I've ever read.

I saw a newspaper article somewhere that called this one "dark". It could not have been farther from the truth. The 5th book--*that* was dark. This one is fantastic. I laughed hard--and quite often. Albus Dumbledore's wry sense of humor and gift of understatement is such a treat! And that's only one of the sources of humor. Then, when there are troubles in Harry's life, the book doesn't dwell on them so much as motivate you to stand firm with Harry in his vigorous efforts to solve them. A while back, I picked up the Chronicles of Narnia, because it was rumored to be so good. But I found it to be a childrens' book, and never got very far with it. The Potter series, on the other hand, is a morality play. It's getting the same response that Dickens' chapters received as they were published in newspapers of the day, and rightly so. The prose is Dickens brought up to date for a modern reader. But the *themes*--the themes are everything. The power of love. The purity of accepting others, as long as they mean well and aren't out to harm people out of selfishness, vanity, or pride. The importance of being brave. The value placed on doing what's *right*--and recognizing when the "rules" have to be broken to do so. These are powerful themes, both compelling and inspiring. In short, I absolutely cannot *wait* until book 7 comes out. To say that Rowling is "spellbinding" is to engage in a wonderfully appropriate pun--but it comes nowhere near to honoring the master craftsman that she is. I am particularly impressed the way developments in book 5 and 6 were set up in earlier books. Only someone who conceived of the entire series in her head before she started could do that--which is why I found her biography as compelling as her books.

I keep enjoying seeing the contrast between the characters in the movie and the ones in the book. The ones in the book seem much more flawed, more human.

Storyline moved well and more cohesively than previous books. I felt the characters were finally fully developed and realistic relationships introduced. The ending to this book makes me excited to start book seven. Hope i’m not disappointed.

JK Rowling did it again. At first , I was overwhelmed, too many twists and turns. As the story unfolds, clarity comes. Will not get tired of reading these series.

This sixth Hogwarts Yearbook, as they could easily be termed, was brilliant. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione have grown and matured, so has the story - which is what is supposed to happen. I'm thrilled wi' the story thus far, and am anxious for the next installment (might she hurry?!) I never suspected the end, but I was vindicated when my hunch as to the identity of the Half-Blood Prince was validated. Still think he's a bit hinky, but... it makes for invigorating speculation. Harry is admirable, Ron precious, and Hermione a model. Personally, I see no reason for the Vatican to issue a public condemnation of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. Reminds me of The Inquisition, and didn't they issue an apology for that travesty?! At least Harry is motivating children to read and NOT waste away in front of computers or video games, or roam the streets in gangs. There are marvelous moral lessons, and the good should be applauded. No one can deny or decry the mass appeal, and Ms. Rowling certainly deserves the success. What an inspiration! Hats off to Harry!

This book was a fun (albeit dark) read. It is a fitting transition from the teenage angst of Book 5 to the culmination of the series in Book 7. Harry and the other characters live in a magical world full of turmoil, with Death Eaters gaining power and striking fear into the hearts of witches and wizards the world over. While this is going on, the main characters are still at Hogwarts, studying upper-level magical skills, and maturing as people. Dumbledore arms Harry with some knowledge about Lord Voldemort that he will need in the inevitable battle, and the story ends with a flurry of twists and turns that leave the reader wanting to move right into the next book to see how the saga ends.

It's difficult to remember any story I've ever read which could consistently bring me to tears. This one does, every single time.

I enjoyed this read, again. It's a good story. I don't agree with some of the things Harry did but l did enjoy reading it. On to the final chapter.

J.K. has fashioned yet another story that is throughly compelling and entertaining while managing to further the story arc and deepen our usderstanding of its many characters. The regular Harry Potter formula is tinkered with quite a bit in this book and I suspect that's the reason some people have taken issue with the book. Certainly there is a much tigheter focus on character than exploring the magical world this time out. But rest assured that the story is chock full of whimsy, fantasy, excitement and mystery. After reading the first two pages I was sure it was going to be my favorite book yet and the further along I got, the more confident I became of that assumption. By the end and it's shocking revelations I knew it was so. J.K. is an amazing talent and The Half-Blood Prince is her best work yet.

This is at least my fifth reading of this, easily my favorite book of the HP series. I get more out of each book upon every re-read, and this one especially. One of the great joys of the series, and especially of HBP, is the humor JKR manages to thread throughout the story, even as things are sad, or scary, or serious. The tiny references to Harry's burgeoning affection for Ginny, the way Fred and George manage to slip in one-liners even as chaos is erupting around them, it always feels like a gift from the author. This book, maybe more than any of the others, also really takes the time for character development. This is the book where Hermione becomes one of the great female characters in fiction, and where Harry stops being the victim of constant happy accidents and starts making his own choices. Plus it's just a really great mystery story! And ties in so importantly (obviously) with the overarching mythology. I will always remember receiving this book the day it was published (July 2007, right?), a day I had to go to a wedding and also shop for a big dinner party. I hid the book under my seat at the wedding and kept turning the pages behind my ankles, only looking up at the ceremony every page or so. Then I had the book balanced on my shopping cart, blindly tossing vegetables and cans in as fast as I could. When I got home, I finished the rest of the book by 2am, texting with my sister, saying, "I'm on page xxx." We finished within a few minutes of each other, exchanging comments on what sobbing messes we were. Later that week, I was walking to lunch and saw a girl sitting in the sun outside of the bank (where she presumably worked). She had the book in her lap and her head in her hands, obviously on one of the sad, stressful final chapters. I wanted to just go over and give her a hug.

While I found the ending of this 6th Harry Potter episode entirely predictable (yes, predictable), I'll confess that I found myself pacing the floor as I read, unable to get enough of it. I love the development of Tonks, and various other members of the Order of the Phoenix. I also love the development of Harry Pottner himself, who shows maturity beyond his age. This like all the Harry Potter stories is another great addition to children's literature. It outlines a huge battle between good and evil, stands on its own, and continues enough exictement to encourage another 1.6 million people ordering the next installment as soon as preorders are available.

Don't worry, there are no plot spoilers in this review. Why do people insist on doing that, anyway? Knowing what's going to happen in a book is about as appealing as knowing what your Christmas presents are before you open them! It takes away all the fun. As a writer, I thoroughly appreciate the phenomenon of J.K. Rowling's incredible success, and hope to improve with the inspiration she provides. Rowling has shown that reading has not become a lost pastime for today's youth. Television, internet, mp3 players, movies, and video games all stand aside for Harry Potter. She has also given millions of young people the opportunity to prove that they do have the attention span for bigger words and longer books. Those are two great accomplishments in and of themselves. Add to that Rowling's tremendous writing talent, and you get...magic! Once again, J.K. Rowling has outdone herself. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" exceeds expectations with plenty of suspense, peril, and adventure. Humor and romance are mixed in to lighten things up a bit, though the "snogging" was rather overdone. Otherwise, the well-crafted plot swirls and thickens like a cauldronful of perfectly brewed potion, bubbling ever nearer to the brim and threatening to boil over. Some old questions, rumors, and theories dissolve in the process, even as new ones rise to the surface. Many original characters return in the "Half-Blood Prince," including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore, Snape, and Malfoy. Old friends such as Lupin, Ginny, and Tonks reappear, and a few unfamiliar faces are introduced as well. Dumbledore continues to speak for Rowling, most often with regard to observations that are as relevant to our world as they are to Harry's: "Don't you see? Voldemort himself created his worst enemy, just as tyrants everywhere do!" "...the prophecy does not mean you have to do anything! ...You are free to choose your way, quite free to turn your back on the prophecy!" The relationship between Harry and Dumbledore is more fully developed in this book, particularly their mutual loyalty. Harry himself has always been mature for his age, but in the "Half-Blood Prince," we get the definite sense that he has left childhood behind. At 16, Harry has grown into an admirable young man, determined to meet the challenge of taking his place in the war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. This transformation from boy to man underscores the wide appeal of Rowling's books among both children and adults. I have been as involved in the books as my kids (maybe even more so). It's been especially fun discussing this one with them. And I think I've got it all figured out, but I'm not telling. ;0)

Worth your time. If you've only seen the movie, definitely give this a read. Terrific escape. Some parts are not for young kids.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the perfect warm up for the finale of the Harry Potter series. The lines between good and evil become even more clouded and blurry and the Muggle world becomes increasingly threatened by an increasingly brazen Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Rather than being deterred the prophecy seems to have strengthened Voldemort in his quest to destroy Harry Potter. Harry gets his hands of the mysterious book by the Half-Blood Prince and becomes something of a potions master. Meanwhile, Dumbledore begins mysterious meetings with Harry in an effort to better equip Harry for the final battle. There isn't a line between good and evil and you never know who to trust. This is borne out in the final scenes as an iconic figure of Hogwarts falls. Harry Potter has always just seized the reader and never let go until the very last page and leaves the reader clamoring for more. It's as though this spirit slips into your soul and takes control for hours at a time. The mark of a great book is whether you can lose yourself in the main characters or the storyline and drift away from reality. Somehow, Rowling makes the reader believe that Harry Potter and this mysterious world of Hogwarts exists somewhere deep inside them and that's why I believe that the entire Harry Potter franchise has succeeded. I dove into the 7th book with both feet.

You know, Rowling gets a lot of flack for not writing great literature, but then when did a great book have to be great literature? Sure, her plotting can get a bit ham-handed, but that doesn't destract from the overall joy of reading this great book. Moreover, Rowling continues to become a better writer with each successive novel, and that's on display in Half-Blood Prince. Granted, you knew who was going to die in the end -- the writing was written boldy on the wall, so to speak -- but getting there is quite a ride. The danger is ratcheted up like never before, someone turns out to be a traitor, and even though any reader would had to have suspected it, once it happens you're just taken aback. One of the great things about these novels has always been how Rowling writes the main characters. She never forgets, even when danger surrounds them, that these young man and women are still kids. Rowling allows them to make the usual teenage mistakes and mature because of it. And yes, as the author warned us, a main character dies, and if any reader isn't emotional at that death there has to be something wrong with him or her. I eagerly await the final novel in this series. Lord Voldemort has some major payback coming to him.

J.K. Rowling is a fantastic writer. Her Harry Pitter series us the best thing to hit the literary world. The series got a whole generation excited about reading. Now my nieces are excited about the books. This book in the series is a serious turning point in Harry's life and the life of his friends. Voldemort was only an issue until this point. He is now a change in direction in their path. Another must read in the series.

Great stories even after all of these years. So much to offer that Hollywood movies can't. They're like missing friends.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is my favorite book in the Harry Potter series. The story is fast paced and gripping, and the characters become even more complex. While I would highly recommend the entire Harry Potter series, this book in particular has made me appreciate the story even more so. It is rare to experience so many different emotions while reading one book, but this story accomplished that and more!

The book flowed in typical Rowling style. A slower beginning with a very intense ending. I read the chapter headings before I started the book and knew what would happen. "The Phoenix Lament" tells it all, or does it? Was the betrayer a true one? Is it possible that death can be a release and a way to cement a cover? Only book 7 can answer these and many more questions. The romances were so typical of the age of the characters. Yes they were absurd, but so are they always at that age. I loved the different slant each gender took. It was so typical it made me laugh. Harry's breakup with Ginny reminded me of the soldiers going off to Vietnam; soldiers going off to war who break up with their girlfriends, but who secretly hope that they will be true. I was very pleased that the teenaged angst that had been such a large part of OoTP, was missing. It was a bit abrupt (one book to the next) but I was very please to see it go. Great age and wisdom don't always make you right. Youth and idealism, don't always make you right either. This book delves into this and the tragic consequences which can flow when you're wrong. This book made me laugh and cry; remember and ponder the future. Great pieces of literature do that.

I'm a fan of the Harry Potter series. If you're not, then you might not like this one. I advise you to start at the beginning of the series and work your way up, to get the full effect of the story. This one has some particularly interesting twists in store for young Harry Potter, the only wizard known to have survived the Killing Curse and defied Lord Voldemort's wrath. He helps Dumbledore recruit Horace Slughorn, a retired teacher, to return to his old job at Hogwarts (if you remember, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers always leave Hogwarts one way or another at the end of all the previous books so there is an opening at the school). This particular teacher has a memory that could unlock the secret to defeating Voldemort... and Dumbledore needs Harry Potter to convince him to willingly share that memory, because the version he gave Dumbledore was a lie. Meanwhile, Harry is taking potions class unexpectedly (from the previous book, his OWL test scores in potions were supposedly not good enough to get into the advanced potions class) and he borrows a copy of the potions book from the school's supplies. This particular copy has notes on potions and spells scrawled in the margins that are much more useful than the standard text... and the book was apparently once the property of "The Half-blood Prince"... but is this character a friend to Potter and his cause, or is this a foe like Tom Riddle's diary? If you read the whole series, you'll find that the writing style matures as the characters do. Now, on the 6th book, Harry and his friends are facing some truly grown-up decisions and some absolutely monstrous foes. But this book is more along the lines of a detective novel mixed with a psychological thriller than it is a magic-slinging battle against monsters. Well, something like that, if you put it in the context of the Harry Potter universe anyway. I liked this book, even though the ending is quite sad. Also, if you've been following the movies but not the books, there is only one book after this one even though they split it in half for the movies.

The writer incorporated real life in the witchcraft without pointing fingers. Clever!I have read two times. I rarely did. I will also read with my grandson.

I've followed along with the publication of each of the books as an adult without the benefit of saying I was reading them for my children. I've read them all purely for my own enjoyment. Books one and four top the list as favorites. I felt book five was interesting, dark and slow; I was suspicous that perhaps J.K. Rowling had lost her touch. But this book rivals Goblet of Fire as the new favorite. It's thrilling and likely for it's most infamous plot twist, a tad confusing - intentionally so, I'm sure. I now am more than ever anxiously awaiting book seven so I can determine if what I read in this book is in fact what it seems. The plot thickening is understating the turn of events that occur in this installment. Potter fans will be horrified and thrilled once again.

Having read the HBP four times now I would like to add my comments. This book is unique in the series in that with each reading new questions, clues and fine bits of writing come to light. I have read all the books many times, but this particular one is like a really good crossword or anacrostic puzzle with coded clues. The writing keeps getting better. I admire the symbolism--for example in the chapter "A Very Frosty Christmas," Scrimgeour is in the garden trying to recruit Harry, while Harry is focused on a gnome trying to pull a worm from the frozen ground. Rowling's writing is wittier each successive book. When the story is not taking a serious turn, it is full of humor. (For example, Filch has nabbed Malfoy in the corridor after hours and has brought him to Slughorn: "'Professor Slughorn,' wheezed Filch, his jowls aquiver and the maniacal light of mischief-detection in his bulging eyes," what a marvelous image!) Sometimes the descriptive parts are lyrically beautiful (as when poor, drunk Slughorn is extracting his horcrux memory to hand to Harry, p. 491). Has everyone noticed that the Order of the Phoenix has put in place a sort of "witness protection" type program? Dumbledore offers it as a way out to Draco Malfoy and his mother (pp. 591-592). Draco and Narcissa would appear to be dead to Voldemort and the Death Eaters. It leads me to wonder if some other people might appear to be dead who are not. A question: Whose writing annotates Harry's 50-year-old potions book? Not Snape's. Snape has been grading Harry's potions assignments for five years--surely Harry would recognize his teacher's handwriting. Snape has always been the most interesting and complex character throughout the entire series. I am sure we will hear much more of and from him in Book 7. Good! Meanwhile it is fun to conjure up the myriad paths the Seventh plot might take. I am 66 years old and a voracious reader and HP is currently my fiction fave.

I recommend this book to everyone, but you would need to read the other series before this one to understand what’s going on so read those to! These series guide you through exciting adventures with Harry Potter!

The only bad thing about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the fact that I will never be able to look at the previous books the same way again. The concluding events of Book Six really change everything - no longer can I talk about Harry Potter and begin sentences with the words "I'll bet..." or "I wouldn't be surprised if..." Some of my hopes and intuitions would seem to be thoroughly dashed now. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but this book left me both eaten up inside and horribly empty at the same time. My suspicions were correct in some regards, but I was thoroughly shocked in places. The ending is just heart-breaking, seemingly ensuring that the seventh and final book will be extremely dark. A large part of the book sort of takes you back to the good old days, though. There are even stretches where Voldemort's shadow seems to fade completely away momentarily. There's a new teacher to get to know, a new dimension to the studies of our sixth year heroes, and, of course, Quidditch matches to be played. The half-blood prince worked out much differently than I had envisioned, adding yet another air of mystery over the year's proceedings. Then there's Malfoy, whose changed manner and mysterious doings harbor no good whatsoever - he's no longer the Malfoy we've known before now. Then there is, of course, that whole teenaged thing, as the relationships in this book take center stage. Ron and Hermione, of course, argue a lot - but it goes much further than ever before this year. As for Harry's burgeoning love life, things finally go in the direction I always wanted them to go (and I loved the subtle way in which Rowling nursed it along) - but, of course, all bets are off with the momentous changes that take place in the end. I just have so many questions now, as it seems hard to believe that what happened did actually happen in the way it happened, and it seems like it should never have happened at all. Alas, I can not go into more detail here, though. Book Seven will be unlike any that have come before (and this book itself was quite different in that Harry doesn't even appear until page 38). Enjoy the first 550 pages of this one, as these pages feature the last days of anything approaching innocence in this magical world we all love so much. The ending may well leave you in tears; you may not even feel like the same person after you finish it. I don't consider Book Six quite as strong as Book Five, but, at the same time, I think it proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that J.K. Rowling is the best writer of our generation.

The tears begin here for me and won't stop until the end. Probably my least favorite of the series but powerful nonetheless

The plot was wonderful! By far my favorite Harry Potter book. I made me laugh and cry. Wouldn’t change a single word. My applause to J.K. Rowling for finding a way to make Harry Potter even more awesome!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

The first thing that I would have a great time to be in your life of me remember to bring you the most part time to rite now and it is not the first person who have time for a call from my phone was dead and then I would be great!and I would be great!and I would be great!and I would be great!and I would be great!and I would be great!and I would be great!and I would be great!

I will keep this review spoiler free, as I am writing it only 1.5 days after the book has been published. I'd like to suggest that other reviewers do the same. First, let's get it out of the way: yes, this may be the best one yet. I say may because the level that JKR has set for herself is so very, very high. Books 4 and 5 ended in a breathless rush that had chills running up and down my arms, my hands wringing, and my mind reeling. This one, however, if possible pushed me forward. I haven't cried over a book in years, not since I read "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon van Auken (read it, BTW). I cried over this one. The book begins differently than I had come to expect from JKR. The change was somewhat refreshing, as we did not spend the first 30 pages in Privet Drive. We did get another amusing look at the Dursleys, including some commentary on their child raising skills, but things don't lag here, as they did at the beginning of HP5. They speed quickly on to Hogwarts, where the plot becomes as dark and convoluted as any of them yet. The first 400 pages of the book rock along much like the first 400 pages of the others. Good story. Nice to move along some of the plot lines that we've been arguing about. Fantastic humor--much of it laugh out loud. Then the last 200 pages come along like a firestorm, and take control. At one point, I had to put the book down and walk around my apartment, I was so distressed. And I had not gotten to the distressing part. Pathos. Wonder. Humor. Sorrow. This book ends so marvelously, so horribly, I cannot endure the wait for another one. Run out. Get this. It is splendid.

One more to go! This one was great. Liked it a lot more than the previous book. A lot of fun action and Wizarding. Great read.

Being a spoiler queen since the tender age of fifteen, I know what it's like going into a book, television series, or movie and knowing what's going to happen. For me, those things don't ruin a plot, it simply leaves me hanging on my seat wondering 'when's it going to happen?' That wasn't the case with "The Half-Blood Prince" for me. Perhaps the date snuck up on me and I didn't have the chance to get my spoilers read, or perhaps a part of me just wanted to not know. Whatever the case, at every turn over the course of the past 24-hours, I found my jaw dropping and my mind trying to wrap what was happening to our Golden Trio. From the get-go in the office of the Muggle Prime Minister, we are flung into a fast moving story that takes the reader from murders of Order Members and inexplicable chaos in London, to Snape's residence outside of Hogwarts, bizarre family unions at the Burrow, a hardly recognizable Diagon Alley, a whirlwind year at Hogwarts, countless Pensieves in Dumbledore's office, a cave over looking an ocean, and finally ending with the (almost) traditional good-byes at the end. Underused characters in previous books, such as Katie Bell, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, Zacharias Smith, and a few new names thrown into the growing mix, are utilized in this book to bring new depth to the plot. But don't think that Rowling neglects her precious recognizable characters. No, we see plenty of the Weasleys (including a house call to the Burrow from Percy), the Gryffindor and Slytherin feud, the professors of Hogwarts, and of course the Golden Trio themselves, Harry, Hermione and Ron who find themselves fully emerced in the hormonal woes of being sixteen. All in all, "The Half-Blood Prince" was a joy to read. By the last one hundred pages, I found myself racing toward the end, my cheeks damp with tears and my mouth hanging open in utter astonishment. Perhaps I didn't pick up on Rowling's subtle hints throughout the book as some other reviewers did... but I did not see these things coming, as you will soon discover as you read. In the end, I was glad that I had not been spoiled by finding too many things out before hand. And as for the concluding book... well, 2007 can't come fast enough.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is another amazing Harry Potter novel. JK Rowling did an excellent job of keeping things interesting the whole time and adding onto the story. I was especially impressed at how she let the reader know that the times were dark, but it wasn't dreary the whole time. The last three or four chapters are probably the most moving of any of her books so far. I truly felt like I was feeling Harry's sorrow. Even though I couldn't recommend this book to a young child (it's too dark and mature in my opinion), I think it is a wonderful continuation of the HP story.

Wow! Just wow. I didn't think the story could get any better.. I was wrong. Excellent read. As usual. Hats off!

Fabulous from the first page onward! Rowling has a gift in being able to create and portray an extraordinary alternative society of magic, which is compelling to read and is written in a manner which is appealing to adults as well as children. She includes and understands the angsts of being a teenager, conveying situations which transcend whether you're at Hogwarts or a Muggle school, and does so in a way that does not interfere with the larger issues at hand. Her use of humor ranges from subtle to satiric, and her characters' use of persuasive conversation is a joy to read. This book builds on the preceding ones, and it is highly recommended they be read first to appreciate and follow the current situations, motives, and references.

First of all, I am still trying to come to terms with the ending-I just finished reading it. I think it was clever of Ms. Rowling to warn people that someone dear to Harry will die, because it was still a shock when it happened. I heard myself thinking, 'I can't believe she did that!'. Or, like what I thought from the 5th book, maybe it was just a mistake, and the person will still show up in the next book. That being said, here are the things I noticed was different this time. Harry was not as angry as before. It seems that Harry has learned to control his temper, or Ms. Rowling probably got a lot of complaints about how hot-headed and how almost unlikeable she made Harry in the 5th book. And Harry's got a new girl! I had an idea all along who it was going to be, but since I don't have proof that I was right all along, I will just bask in my own cleverness in silence (he-he!). I am just glad that it seemed, at least for the most part, Harry was not as miserable the whole time he is in school than from his 5th year. He deserves some happiness, after all that has happened to him. A lot of love is in the air in this book. There are some things revealed by Ms. Rowling, as explained mainly by Dumbledore-which I think he overexplained in some parts, which made it somewhat confusing. For one, I am not satisfied with the reason given why Dumbledore trusted Snape. First of all, the reason wasn't confirmed by Dumbledore (I won't say who but you can take a guess), so I don't really believe it. Once you read it, you'll understand what I mean. Maybe the real reason will be revealed in the last, the 7th book. I didn't feel as much 'urgency' in this book than the 5th-maybe because we all know the enemies, Voldemort and the Death Eaters are back and we already know they are killing people. It feels more like the matter of who is going to be left behind. Or maybe because the 5th book was more "evil", with Dolores Umbridge and all. Finally, I again am satisfied to know (although like previously, I have no proof)that I was right in guessing the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. It just seemed logical to me who it will be. Hint: don't look too far. I am sure everybody will enjoy this latest installment of Ms. Rowling's work. This book has began to wrap up the Potter saga. Harry has been handed more knowledge on what he is supposed to do. And I am sure everyone is anticipating, and dreading to see it all come to an end in the 7th book. I give all of Ms Rowling's books 5 stars, but if I were to choose which one is my favorite, I would put this as either my 2nd or 3rd. My first pick is the Prisoner of Azkaban. Then either this or the Order of the Phoenix will be my second fave.

Got this as the next installment of the Harry Potter series for our granddaughter's birthday. She was so excited to get this book that she was not really interested in any of her other presents and wanted to start reading this until her mom said she had to finish the other Harry Potter book she was reading before she could start reading this one. She was thrilled to get this book.

The sixth and penultimate book in the series, Harry finds himself joining together with Dumbledore to figure out a way to bring Voldemort down. This book continues to be darker than the one before, with Harry learning more about how Tom Riddle turned into Lord Voldemort. This book is wonderful, without sparing the reader from harsh truths and how life isn't always easy or fair. Rowling writes Harry as a true human being, with faults and flaws as well as courage and bravery. Relationships are even more fleshed out, with love relationships being brought out more than ever before.

Always a mystery, full of excitement and intrigue. Each chapter makes you want to keep reading because you just have to know what's going to happen next.

We bought these for my step son who is finally old enough to read them. He absolutely loved them! J.K. Rowling is a fantastic author and really made these characters come to life. It was fun to watch my step son read the books and develop his own relationship with each of the characters and to see his reactions as the story unfolds. Book 6 is one of my favorites in the series. It's surprise twist at the end was unexpected and made me cry but really helped to set the tone for the final book and ending of this story. It's definitely worth reading!

...this book will drive the point home. The Harry Potter series is not merely children's fiction... no more than Lord of the Rings is merely a fantasy tale. This is full fledged literature. Stephen King's blurb on the book said as much, and I've been thinking that since I finished book 4. I am a recent Potter devotee, I read the series about six months before this book came out. I watched all the hype unfold around book five and thought "for a kid's book?" And with that rather close-minded outlook I went about my business... until I found a first edition of "The Philosopher's Stone" that somehow found it's way into my Mom's house in Tennessee. That book, I thought was a delightful (I choose my words carefully) romp... every bit worthy young reader's fiction. I picked up the second book in paperback and had similar thoughts, but found that the character development increased very much. Already long story short, and already over-long point at it's crux... these books and characters age with the readers who grow up with them. And for those of us who went through these ages already, we glean even more understanding. Rowling has matured the books with the age of their characters. And she has done it brilliantly. These books are geared toward young readers AT THE START, but that is because she knows that young people grow up, and as they do they crave more and more creative plots, and more creative and intriguing characters. The books increase in complexity, density (in a good way), sheer brilliance as they go on. Each book is essentially five times better than the last. As amazing as a claim that is... it's true. Find out if you havn't by now! With the Half-Blood Prince I wasn't expecting much more than the first half of the finish of this (hopefully not the only in this world's) series. I got that and much more. (as I mentioned I will give NO MAJOR spoilers, indeed they may not come as spoilers at all) Character development within this rich world is at it's finest here since it has been in Goblet of Fire (my favorite). We get not only MUCH greater insight into Dumbledore... but into how Lord Voldemort came to be. We get into Voldemort's mind, and we find out how and why we ticks. We see some very clevar development for (What I guessed since book 2) what the main character's love interests would be. Though many see it coming, it's because we've watched the relationships unfold. That part isn't meant to shock us. Truly this is Harry Potter's last youthful romp I'm afraid... he does a lot of maturing in this book, and rightfully so, he faces more dangers and challenges than ever... and not even in the most obvious forms. Along the way a character we are meant to mistrust from the beginning, but somehow trust all along shows his true color... at least we think so. And one we've hated since the beginning shows his... and it's shocking as well. Rowling at this point, like all genius authors, uses what you know about her and her books against you. She layers the usual form of her book with extra layers that you have to read VERY deeply to understand. The narrative can literally, somehow impossibly, let you know what is REALLY going on without ever putting it on the page. You can FEEL what is going on before being told, sometimes you are proven right, sometimes wrong... and sometimes even more right that you first imagined. To all of those complaining that Rowling is drawing the series out, I say that she's planned on seven books from the start, and you've known that all along... if you were expecting book six to be the end, and seven to be the prologue, you've not been paying attention to her style. After seeing what the author pulled off in each concurrent book, upping the ante, the class, and sheer brilliance in each and every narrative and story... I'm fully confident in saying that I KNOW that book seven will do just as each other book before it has done... it will only get better. I'm ready NOW to pre-order book seven by God... and I'm quite sure that Rowling wouldn't even have begun it yet! (The only other authors who can claim that of me are Neil Gaiman and Dan Simmons) The only bad thing about this book is finishing it and realizing that there is only one more book to go... I do not want this story to end, but I cannot wait to see how it will finally wrap up. Especially after this thrilling volume. It becomes more painful with each reading of each book to know that it just has to end. to J.K. Rowling... welcome to the list of legendary authors... you are truly one of the greats now, and the books that you've written will live on as long as there are people to read them. Here's hoping you don't stop with book seven. And here's to you, one of the greatest authors of my time. It is my honor to read your works. And as for the review summary... Well I'll just say that the prose is fluid, and the story runs and winds like a swiss watch. It would be a shame for ANYONE to miss out on this book. Do yourself a favor if you've not yet fallen into the Harry Potter series... buy them all. I'll be passing them along my family. True literature is so hard to come by, but Rowling makes it seem like it comes effortlessly. Five out of Five stars... and if there was a higher rating, I'd give it that.

This one is my favorite out of the whole series. It is so interesting and you dive deep into Voldemort's past and learn much more about the characters. These are great books one of my absolute favorite series! They are so captivating, these books are for any age! I would recommend reading the books before seeing the movies of course you get more out of it! J.K. Rowling is so clever the books is very original and well thought out. Over the series you really get to know the characters and she does a great job keeping you interested in the books!

There are really very few superlatives one can justifiably use in describing "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Rowling's literary treasure is unique among modern phenomena in that it manages to deliver on the months and even years of hype that is built into each novel by the contemporary publishing machine. To be sure, it will be described by the reviewers as 'triumphant', 'dazzling', and even 'devastating', and deservedly so. But what most who delve into the story will find is a marked change of theme and tone of the story: gone are the fanciful spells and whimsical bouts of underage magic, and raised in their stead are dark intentions and gruesome histories, wicked betrayals and a terrible, horrible murder. In short, as Harry has matured, so have the stories, and Rowling is all too adept at making sure that we understand that the 'magic' of the wizarding world is not simply about enchanted objects, flying brooms, and unicorns. It is also about tolerance, humility, and above all racism, for that really is the underlying theme of the books, each one propounding it deeper that Death Eaters view the 'magical' race as the superior race, and non-magical (or Muggle) peoples can be used, abused, and exterminated at will. It would be very easy to rewrite the novels substituting the words 'Nazi' or 'White-Supremacist' or 'Pick-Your-Favorite-Genocidal-Bigot' in place of 'Death-Eater.' The book also matures sexually, and one finds as they read it that there are not only hints at Harry's burgeoning sexuality, but also Ron's and Hermione's. In particular, one finds frank appraisals of adult sexual themes in the story of Voldemort's mother, Merope. We are told that she was tortured by her merciless father and brother, that it was a common family practice for the women of the family to be wed to their closest relatives (as close to incest as is truly possible) and there is also one particularly telling moment when the term 'slut' appears in the story. There is even a good dose of sexual blackmail that occurs in one of the story's flashbacks. Granted, these are fairly adult themes and terms employed by Rowling, but they are never used unwontedly and show--in classic story telling style--the hellacious conditions which literally gave birth to Lord Voldemort. Surely, there will be those who decry the inclusion of such themes in a 'children's' series, but Rowling remains true to her characters and maintains the integrity of the conflict at hand. One of the lasting achievments of Rowling's writing is that she has helped diminish the barrier between 'children's literature' and 'Literature'. She has shown, for the sixth time now, that they are not mutually exclusive. The most consequential development in the sixth installment is the murder of a major, MAJOR character, one whose loss weighs far heavier than those any sustained by Harry thus far, including his godfather Sirius Black. Some of the reviewers have remarked that they saw the murder being foreshadowed early on with hints from the previous book indicating this character would fall. I, however, found it impossible to believe that it actually could happen, and was both shocked and horrified and in complete disbelief when it did happen. In fact, I was so sure that this character could not be killed that I thought they would 'come back' by the end of the book and prove that they were in fact indestructible. It is to Rowling's credit as a writer and her expert development of the character's relationship with Harry that I both screamed and cried when the character was killed. For me, the murder of this character was tantamount to the murder of Harry Potter himself. It is therefore with great anticipation, and also great trepidation and sadness, that the final chapter of this saga is awaited. Whatever the outcome, Rowling will surely not disappoint.

5 is still my favorite. But the last chapter perfectly captured grief in the most striking and beautiful way for me. I really do love how these books differ so much from the movies and I'm eating my words when I used to say there was no point in reading the books since I've seen the movies. I couldn't believe that the books were that different but they really are. They're a treat. They go into incredible detail and you really understand the characters and the motives and emotions so much better by reading the books. God. I'm not ready for it to end but onto book 7....

** spoiler alert ** What a fantastic book as always. I should have expected Dumbledore‘s death. I’ve seen bits and pieces of the movie so it should’ve been etched in my memory. But listening to the description was heart-wrenching and made me cry. I look forward to and also dread because it can't be the end of my universe, reading the next book.

I don't know if I want to say it's the best in the series, but it is so awesome. She keeps you guessing through the entire book and there is great adventure and excitement. Also heart breaking, but keeps you hooked. All of her series did that for me, but this is not as depressing as her last. By that I mean that Order of the Phoenix was a darker more depressing book throughout. This one holds a lot of excitement and adventure and with many questions awaiting the next in the series. I wasn't too keen on that, but it is a series. I don't look forward to the end of the series.

I am surprised that people are complaining that it is not for young children anymore - you should have figured that out by book 4! Apart from the characters' love-lives, which was a little annoying, "Half Blood Prince" ties up several loose ends, confirms our suspicions about many important characters, and of course, not surprisingly, kills off a major character. There is a lot of death and injury, but that was to be expected - that's war. This book is darker, so there is obviously less to laugh about. All in all a thoroughly good ride and I'll be awaiting the climax.

I was so excited when I received my book from Amazon at noon on Saturday. I have never been disappointed with a Harry Potter book and this one was no exception. This sixth book, actually, was the best one I've read, so far. This story begins much differently than the others. There are two separate scenes before we meet Harry again at the Dursley's. Rowling sets the stage for a more somber, more serious story with less comic relief than in past novels. I'll skip the plotline. It is a wonderful book, though. And, by the end of the story, Harry is an adult-- if not by age, than by experience. He realizes what he must do and gains a sense of maturity and determination he hasn't had in the past. I am definitely looking forward to book seven, the final chapter.

I love the Harry Potter books! They are a nice escape from everyday life. I mean this takes place in the wizarding world with magic, where memos fly from one floor to the other, and people get around using floo powder!! Take it for what is meant to be. I spent a couple of weeks reading HBP because I savored every word and even re-read chapters because I wanted it to last and last. It was funny, exciting, and Ginny is my favorite character in this book. She has really evolved into a bright, confident young lady and so funny and to the point! Just my two cents, I don't believe that the death at the end of the book is really a death. We'll have to see in the next book.

I always enjoy the books because the give more depth into the journey of Harry and all of his friends.

Reaching the final words and chapters of this great story! It’s only gotten better and better! Can’t wait for the final book!

I'm a married 45 year old mother of a daughter and want to tell those who think these books are for tweens and teens only, are wrong! I recommend the Baby Boomer generation read these with books with your kids. It's been a bonding experience for my daughter, husband and myself! I really don't want to reveal too much so I won't give any details except to say many things will become more clear and some will shock you. For me, this was the most emotional book J.K. has written and I had tears rolling down my cheeks! J.K Rowling's imagination and ability to make the reader feel for her characters boggles my mind! When the series ends, I will truly be sad..

This is a much darker, more mature book. By the end, schoolyard pranks are playing a backseat and the gang learns what it means to put friendship and loyalty ahead of everything else. Harry, Ron and Hermione are growing up before our eyes. This book grabbed hold and did not let up. It is more than just a kid's book (for anyone who has been living in a cave these last few years). It deals with human emotions and the trials of growing up. That's what makes it such a great story... it's more than magic, witchcraft and wizardry...

Although some questions were answered in this book, much was left to be disclosed. The details and descriptions were amazing throughout and I was drawn into the events with eager anticipation. I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading this book but do not want to share them so as to avoid giving away any details. I am enjoying the series and have one more book to finish. Can't wait!!

I can never say enough about the quality of this author's writing in her Harry Potter books. Each book I read, I am tossed into the wonderland of suspense and it is very difficult to put the book down. The young man's personality and character never stray from her first book as he ages and learns about the world, fighting to make things right. Loved it.

I agree with the view that we have much more character development. At last. And I concur in the view that this is no longer the sweet, innocent tale of the first two or three books. No longer is it merely Dudders getting a bit of come-upance to Harry's delight. Things have got down and dirty. One of the reviewers finds the romance aspects to have no history. Yet that is not the way that I have read the series. Actually, I've been rather annoyed at what I saw as JKR's mal-portrayal of early-teen sexual/emotional fumblings. Harry was 11 or 12 until now, when he is 16 working on 17. The romance aspect seemed to me to fall into place as I had expected. It is true, we see little of the entertaining, day-to-day life at Hogwarts. Still, how many more or better hexes or potions are there to hold the reader's interest? I suppose that is quite arguable on both sides. For a wizard, 17 equals adulthood (witches, too, I presume). Thus Harry needs to become an adult, even though JKR, along with all of us over-40s, realize that 17 year olds (or 18 or 25) still have a lot to learn, both intellectually and emotionally. Harry is not 17 going on 40. He's just a plain 17. Actually, he's not quite 17, given this book, like its predecessors, ends at the beginning of summer, before Harry's birthday. Wrapping up Harry's war with Voldemort in the next book, which I presume is the plan, is going to have a note of unreality to it (within the universe in which Harry lives). Or it is going to cover more than one year. Harry still has lots to learn to be able to do all that he has set out to do. He doesn't seem to know all the counter-curses and counter-jinxes that the not-so-loyal opposition knows, and he certainly lacks the emotional discipline needed to see it through successfully. Were it up for voting, I'd vote to send Harry off to Wizards college, maybe even grad school. Let him gain maturity and a wee bit of wisdom. Of all, I may have enjoyed this the most, or nearly so. That is a most remarkable feat for JKR. She has produced a series of books which, in contrast to most (the Dune series, for example), has not gone stale by the time we get to the third book. But, for me four and five were a bit off the cutting edge of one, two and six. I suppose it will be another 18 or 24 months before we get to find out how Harry triumphs over Voldemort -- though surely it will not be in a permanent manner. After all, banishing evil from the world is a task unending. I shall be sad to come to the end of the H.Potter series. I have enjoyed it immensely. But it will be interesting to see where JKR's imagination takes us next. :-)

This is more about Snape than about Harry, and leaves us even more confused about what he's up to. 5 stars because it's up to the high standards of the series, not anything particular about the story. It's as suspenseful as ever. We'll just have to hang in there until the series hopefully comes to a satisfying conclusion.

What else can I say that hasn't already been said? I've loved the movies for a long time so it was time for me to read the books. Now before I get scoffed at for being a movie fan before a book fan let me explain why I prefer it this way: I get to enjoy the whole movies without feeling like anything is missing. Then I got to read the books and learn SO MUCH more! Ok, I do wish Peeves had been included in the movies. Haha

I can not believe this is the book that the movie was made from. How can they leave so much out. This seems to be the most amazing and heart breaking of all the books. I'm just so happy to have decided to read the books. I still love the movies but it's like reading a new story after each one.

I've read this book over and over and it ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes. I love it! And recommend it to all that enjoy Harry Potter books

This is so far in my opinion the best Harry Potter book, together with the number 3, after the rumbles that the fifth one was, it was really refreshing to see a Harry more focused and centered, the history goes with no annoying moments, and it was one of the quickest to read so far. OK, more in detail then: The conflicts between the characters remain, which is great, the bad characters begin to give light that there is something else in them besides the urge to be opposite of being good, an common error in children's books these days, the duality good vs evil, in this book, you see persons with no choice having to do wrong, despite their wishes, a knowledge much harder to grasp for 11-years old, a book for the fans that kept growing. I haven't read the 7 yet, and am going to keep it at bay for some time, but must say that the ending is really forcing me to find out how the seventh one starts. Bottom Line: Great Book, between the 2 best of the Series, great history, great ending, prepare for something shocking, Harry much more mature, Just the title, that has some connection to the book, but to me felt more like the name of a Chapter of instead the name of the book, but go wonder. In the end it certainly made more sense, but still, not enough. Enjoy a great read.

Books are all good would recommend to anyone young or old. I have already read them once and doing it again.

The depiction of snapes character is perfect in this story. Dark... sneaky... hates potter. But loved his mother. It must have been hard to spend as much time with Harry as he didin this story and then show intentional betrayal in the eyes of his mother. I love this book because it is so close to how I would have been if I were in snapes situation. Also... dumbedore isn't perfect and finally he is shown helpless. Not that I'm against him but it sure was a fascinating twist in the end.

Wow the half blood Prince had a lot of drama. So Good. Time to finish the series. Come on harry.

This narrator is awesome! I’ve read the Harry Potter series many times but got the audio versions to listen to on my long daily commute. I was worried that it might not be the same experience in audio form but the narrator is so fabulous that you truly feel that you are at Hogwarts! Get an audible subscription and get the whole series. Totally worth it.

I probably used the same title on the review for Order of the Phoenix, but I don’t care. The sentiment remains the same. These books are amazing. The big reveal and conclusion were emotional yet enjoyable. I love all of the characters. I’m moving right along to the Deathly Hallows now.

Family member loved it! Priced right and it was very well packaged.

Fast paced a real page turner this book never grows old. Multiple reads and still discovering new things. Good for kids 8 and up who understand about loss.

This book sets up very well what must come in the last book. I read this book as slowly as I could, trying to put off as long as possible the ending chapters. As I got closer to the end of the book I started reading faster and faster. Then when I finished I backed up and re-read the last few chapters again (twice). I then got in a huge argument with my daughter over what 'really' happened in the last few pages of the book. In my opinion the last part of this book is setting up some really cool stuff that will happen in book seven. There is just too much history associated with the various characters to take at face value what happened to them in the last chapters of this book. And I have a theory about what 'really' happened and it has to do with the fact that Harry is still a young and inexperienced wizard who will be facing a very experienced older Voldermort in book seven.

Along with thousands (upon thousands) of fellow Harry Potter fanatics, I gallavanted about my local Borders book store all afternoon on the 15th, waiting until the clock struck twelve and my long wait would be over. And yes, if you're wondering, it was definitely worth the wait. Upon receiving my copy, I locked myself in a quiet room with my book and did not emerge until I finished eight hours later. I was, however, interrupted several times by my eight year old cousin wanting to know whether I was okay...He seemed quite alarmed by the screams, shouting, hysterical laughing, and sobs. And that's what the book is about: jaw-dropping moments, girlish squeals {men--you know you did it too}, and tears because your gut lets you know the ending from the very beginning despite your hearts saying no, no, NO! On second reading it's even better because you can search through the pages for subtle clues Jo always hides within her novels. And the moments of hilarity and shock don't lessen any. One of her best, perhaps the best, by far...despite what some in the fandom might say.

I bought the sixth Harry Potter book here in Latvia and devoured it. I will not say anything about the story line, as I'm sure lots of readers are still working their way through the book, but I would like to make a few observations. First of all, J.K. Rowling deserves every one of the billion or so pounds that she has earned from the Potter franchise -- she has turned into an absolutely brilliant writer, and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" bears this out. Second, I will not be alone in passionately waiting for the seventh book, but also passionately fearing it, because then the story will be over. I would imagine that Ms Rowling cannot complete the seventh book by Christmas this year, although that would be nice, but I can't wait for it to arrive. It is likely to be dark and magnificent, because although this sixth book answers a number of questions and resolves a number of mysteries from the previous series, it also leaves several fundamental issues unresolved. Again I say -- can't wait to find out what happens next. And finally -- Alan Rickman needs to be careful and not get run over by a bus, because I will eagerly await his performance of Severus Snape in the sixth film. Won't say another word about why, but I will. J.K. Rowling, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you -- absolutely brilliant, and lord, what will we Muggles do when you have finished the story?

As someone who had ignored the whole "Harry Potter" fever that enveloped the literary world years ago, I fell in love with the magical movies. Now I'm reading the novels and finding out thing and filling in gaps I never knew. Its great to suddenly understand why X did this, or Q did that! For instance, in the movies I always wondered why Kreacher was in Sirius' house and why he was so awful! In the books you get more insight.

I have all of the Harry Potter books in hardback format but was looking to add them to my Kindle. Finally was able to do that! These books are fabulous and make me wish that I would have had something like this to read growing up. I've read & re-read these books multiple times. Always a pleasure to go back and spend time in Harry's world!

I read this one in two days, and I am re-reading it already, to savor Rowling's language and story. Harry's character has developed into an intelligent, astute, more mature young man. I have truly enjoyed watching Rowling create Harry - starting as the naive boy in Book 1, evolving slowly into the hero he is in Book 6 (and will likely be in Book 7). Many Amazon reviewers have said that this is the weakest of the series, due to lack of plot and character development. I must disagree. Let me explain: PLOT: The plot - and there is plot - revolves around getting to know Tom Riddle. Rowling gives us much-needed background on Voldemort. She sacrifices magic classes and the like to develop the enemy's personality. We haven't known much about Voldemort until now - and this was the perfect time to give us (and Harry) the information. Harry is more mature now and can handle it, and as we see the story through Harry's eyes, it was naturally the perfect time for us to get to know He Who Must Not Be Named. Besides, giving the reader this information in Book 6 sets up the final book nicely. Additionally, we move through this school year at a fast pace - all the while, laughing at dialogue, yelling at Snape (and Ron), and crying at the end. There truly is no lack of plot whatsoever. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Many have said that there is no character development. Well, if possible, the character development in this book is even stronger than the story. Harry is no longer screaming at everyone, thus showing his maturity. Rowling accurately -and sensitively- shows the young wizards moving well into adolescence as well. (Ron acts like a dolt at times- and so does Hermione. Harry, too.) Draco has become a much more round, dynamic character. Who knew he could cry? And Dumbledore is suddenly much more human. We truly get to know and love Dumbledore in this one. He is a great role model for Harry - and for the rest of us, I think. Rowling has also shown the strong friendship between Ron, Hermione, and Harry in this one. There is an unbreakable bond between them that is absolutely touching. My only complaints would be that 1) there is a dramatic change in Snape. Or, maybe I always saw it coming. I'm torn on this one; and 2) some areas of the story feel rushed (e.g., the cave scene). I eagerly await the final book of the series. I only hope it's longer than this one, in order to answer all of my questions, and to completely develop and finish the story.

Love it, the books are better than the movies. But I love the movies as well. The additional content in the book connect the dots that the movies were missing.

While not as gregariously overflowing with spare information as its two predecessors (GOF, OOP) nor its sucessor (TDH), HP&THBP is a winner mainly for the deliciously wicked look back through Dumbledore's Pensieve into the evolution of Tom Riddle from disturbed school boy to Hogwarts' head charmer to power-mad Lord Voldemort. When we see young Riddle alone in an orphanage, he is not so unlike young Harry Potter, although his cruel fate in life led him to use his unknown and uncontrolled abilities to spite and hurt others, while Harry, perhaps imbibed by his parents' strong upbringing and mother's power of love, only releases his powers in times of stress. Seeing Riddle's first interaction with Dumbledore is power stuff, as is his fateful conversation with Prof. Slugthorn about the use of Horcruxes. But most intriguing (and most disappointing to not see in the film version of this novel) is Riddle's return to the castle he long called home, and Dumbledore's skillful handling of the situation. Their verbal sparring - likely the last time one saw the other before their fateful battle at the Ministry of Magic near the conclusion of OOP, is every bit as tense without a single spell being cast.

This is the darkest of the six books so far. Friendship and loyalties are put to the ultimate test. A major character meets a tragic death. This is a trend that started in the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and will very likely continue with the final book. Dumbledore takes Harry to Voldemort's past to help him understand why and how Voldemort aka Tom Riddle became the most powerful and feared wizard. The book's length is between Azkaban and Goblet, but it is enough to tell the necessary information that is needed heading into the final book. There is also a surprise in who is the next DADA teacher. Hint: It's someone who has wanted the job for many years. This book will whet your appetite for the return trip to Hogwarts for the final time.

This book went so much farther into detail than the movie; in all the best ways. There are so many scenes cut that I loved!

Loved it as much as the first 5 books. Kept me on the edge of my seat.

I had never read this when everyone else did. This series surprised me in that it was "so dark." Since kids were reading this, I was blown away. I passed these books on to a friend.

I used to buy paperbacks, but with work locations changing, it's better to get the Kindle version and read it on your free time on your smartphone.

Just last night I finished Book 6. It was well-written with plenty of suspense and I had a very hard time putting it down! It is interesting to note the growth of the characters; the author has done a superb job in allowing them to mature over the years. I was shocked by the tragic occurrence toward the end of the book and it just leaves me looking forward to Book 7. Do we have to wait a few years? I hope not! Congratulations to JK Rowling for another success in the series. May she continue to enjoy what she does for fans all over the world.

Now I have to read the next book in the series. That's what happens when you get the first one free.....only this series of books was worth it . It will be very boring when I'm finished.

I ordered my last 4 harry potter books from Amazon.com. I paid for overnight shipping on the first on and it arrived the day before the supposed release date so while all those people who were standing in lines at midnight to buy it in the big cities I was half way through with my fiance', we being both disabled this was a great treat for us. First having it early made us feel like we were getting insider treatment, second of all it was deliverwed to our front door so we did not have to have someone pick up our mail or something bizarre like the post office delivery. The 4th and 5tyh books same great service, we werer definately ok with paying the extra to get it from amazon a day early instead ogf having to go to our local book store the actual release day and pick it up. we live in a small community so no huge lines or anything like that. Lots of religious freaks in our area. This year we were all stoked slept early in the day all set to recieve the book and read it first night, but the delivery man from UPS did not come when he usually does so we had to wait until 7pm, they always say they can be late as that with other packages we have ordered from other suppliers and have gotten them late. So at 7:23PM I called UPS and expressed my concern. I was told by them that this year amazon was shipping out the books to local USPS stations and that they would have them deleivered by 6pm on the 16th. This is not what we grew to expect as service from Amazon and UPS and if we had been notified of said problem I would have gone in and bought it at 8am on the 16th when the book store opens in our area with our care taker as he has children too. A Waste of Money and a wasted night, all the disappointment and hurt feelings in the household. It was the worst experience with Amazon to date that I have experienced. If they are going to do it this way next book, I will buy local and possibly consider finding another online supplier that will not break tradition on service that I for obvious reasons have come to expect. I complained and even though I was told I would have a response within 24 hours, because they had no phone numbers for me to call, I wonder why they have that policy. anyway I still have not gotten a response and it has been 5 days now since I wrote, where they could have responded, though I guess 3 if you count only traditional business days, but way longer then the within 24 hours I was told in print. Michael and Family

Harry Potter finds the potions textbook he is given to be a fantastic help in mastering the subject in which he has here-to-fore had only middling success! Then, when he witnesses the killing of Professor Dumbledore by Professor Snape, he also finds out that the book which has been such a great help to him in potions once belonged to Snape, he decides to hide it rather than being found guilty of using it.

I didn't want to read any of these when they came out due to the hype. Now I understand the hype.

AWESOME!!! I love reading. I love reading about Harry Potter and his friends and their adventures. Unfortunately, I can't always take a hardback book with me. I have read this story in the hardcover copy but had to leave it at home when I traveled. With the paperback copy I gladly take it with me and I don't have to wait so long to continue reading. So, when Harry and his pals are in a jam I can take the book with me and not have to wait to discover if anyone dies.

While getting down to the last few pages I had to stop reading......and download the 7th book!!! So just like all the others as soon as I finish one I start the next. Which is what I’m doing right now.

I was so looking forward to the release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," that I was willing to spend almost two hours traveling home on public transportation from the bookstore, just so that I could pick up my own copy at the stroke of midnight. Getting home at 2:30 in the morning didn't bother me; in my mind, it was just more time to read. To me, the extra effort was well worth the wait. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is easily the best book of the series, and deserves every bit of critical acclaim it has received. I found myself unwilling, even unable, to stop reading this book, and finished it in less than twenty-four hours. A riveting tale of good versus evil, this latest "Harry Potter" book shows our hero battling not only Lord Voldemort and his followers, but also his own preconceptions of love and pity, the two qualities identified by Albus Dumbledore as Harry's strengths at the end of Book Five. In the end, Harry's ability to empathize with his enemies truly show a maturity beyond his years, proving that he has truly grown from a child into a young man. My only disappointment, if you will, came at the end of the book. While I won't give away any of the story's secrets, the death of one of the story's central characters has left me both saddened and disheartened, and I'm sure many other readers will react similarly. Younger readers may be especially prone to dejection, as this book does NOT end on a particularly positive note. As I've read these books, I'd never doubted that Harry, as the hero, eventually would defeat Voldemort. After reading this book, however, I'm left to wonder whether good will truly triumph over evil in Book Seven.

This book starts off slow but begins to heat up after you get a few chapters. It left me wanting more. She did a great job. I can't wait for the next book. I wish J.K. Rowling wasn't going to quit this series with the seventh book. It would be interesting to see what she would come up with for Harry past Hogwarts, if he makes it that far. Then, that is the question. What has she got in store for Harry in the next book? With the way she has written the previous books, we are sure to have a great read.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is unique among the "Harry Potter" series. While the whole of the series has been at its core a coming-of-age tale, it has been set in a world of fantasy, with J.K Rowling emphasizing the fantasy element. "The Half-Blood Prince" is a reversal, concentrating on Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they find themselves on the cusp of 17, the age of majority in the wizard-world. The plot of the novel is tailored more toward growing pains than toward the war against Lord Voldemort. However, Rowling never lets the reader forget that the pain Harry endures is directly tied to fighting the good fight. At the beginning of the novel, set just weeks after the end of "The Order of the Phoenix," Harry is still struggling with the death of Sirius Black, his godfather, while aware of the war that has begun in earnest in the wizard world, a war that has spilled over into the Muggle world. However, Harry soon learns he has little time to grieve, as he is quickly collected by Dumbledore, discovers he passed many of his OWLs, is appointed captain of Gryffindor's quidditch team, and begins certain lessons with Dumbledore himself. He also discovers an old textbook in his Potions class, full of spells and charms written by a previous owner simply known as "The Half-Blood Prince," and quickly gains a great deal of skill in Potions. On the personal level, it becomes clear to Harry (as it has been clear to the reader since about book 3) that Ron and Hermione have feelings for each other, as Ron begins a relationship with a fellow student, much to Hermione's chagrin and to Harry's discomfort as he's caught in the middle. However, Harry himself soon realizes that his feelings for Ron's sister, Ginny, may be more that of a surrogate older brother. Complicating things further, Harry is suspicious of the behavior of Draco Malfoy, his old enemy, suspicions shared by few. But most importantly, during his studies with Dumbledore, Harry finally learns the origins of Lord Voldemort, and why he and Voldemort are locked in a death-course that only one can survive. Rowling has substantially progressed as a writer. While all the books have been enjoyable and involving, there is a great-deal of emotional depth here. For example, the reader is hit with the sudden realization that we have effectively watched Harry grow up, and that at the end of this novel, Harry is effectively an adult. Ron and Hermione have begun to figure out that their feel more than mere friendship for each other, and it makes the reader smile. Most surprisingly, Rowling actually brings a level of sympathy to her series most overt villains, Draco Malfoy. Malfoy, the snotty little bigoted aristocrat child, is in many ways a pawn, bread to be a snot, and forced into a destiny that he has no real heart to fulfill. The main emotional impact of this novel is the death of an important character to the series. It's an open secret by now, I'm sure, but I won't say the name. I should add that the circumstances of that character's death are such that Rowling could undo it quite plausibly. The overall story arc of the conflict between Harry and Voldemort is advanced very little. We have Voldemort's back story, and the means by which Harry will (presumably) destroy Voldemort in the next book. Indeed, a better title for this novel would have been "Harry Potter and the Legend of Voldemort" or something like that. The identity of the Half-Blood Prince is never particularly tantalizing, and the revelation of that figure's real identity is basically an anticlimax. It may be resolved in a more satisfactory way in the next book. My initial worry when reading this book is that Rowling was simply killing time before bringing the series to its conclusion. But, as I was reading, I came to suspect that Rowling was deliberately taking a break from her overall story. In doing so, she brought a new depth of character and emotion to the series, and has created a greater tension for the final novel, wherein Harry, Ron, and Hermione have more than their lives to lose. Thus, Rowling has done something perhaps more adult than she has done before, and the series will greatly benefit from it.

I liked all the books but this one isn't favorite

Of course I loved the book. I am a (very) adult muggle who has followed HP since the beginning. Overall, I like Ms Rowling's attention to detail and the richness of the surroundings. In that aspect I think she is very like Dickens. Her writing makes a very rich book, and this is the richest of all. I felt a great WHOMP at the end. I wanted to read more. Immediately! What a powerful ending! Ms. Rowling: Please stay healthy and get that next book out FAST!! I would say that adults may want to make a quick read of the book before handing it to younger readers. Here, Rowling's style is so easy to read (a big plus!) younger readers will be able to read it, but might be in over their heads. One mother and daughter I know of has the mother read it first so she and her daughter can talk over some of the darker parts. Another observation I would have for critics who question "witchcraft" or other attitudes in Harry Potter they claim they don't like, I would say that they are all acting as though the Harry Potter series are the only books they will ever read. Books by C.S. Lewis, and even Dickens (for the more persistent), Dahl, all the classics--even the Bible-- should go into the tapestry of childhood and young adulthood. Harry Potter will be among the brightest threads in this tapestry.

OUTSTANDING! I have to say, I was a little disappointed with the fifth book, but this one made up for it...and then some. I couldn't put it down and read it from start to finish in one sitting! It moved so quickly. I was finished before I knew it! Only one thing seemed out of place. All the making out! I had to remind myself that they are sixteen and seventeen now. But it still seemed a little unnecessary. Can't wait for the next one!

This book brings the Harry Potter characters into a new kind of maturity. The characters are all working in secrecy and doing heir best to spread truth even though it's hard. Harry seems quite sensible considering everything that's happened to him this far, but it's only going to get worse before it gets better. So much more fulfilling than the movie,but it gives the movie a newness for myself going back to watch it again.

The latest installment of the Potter series is just as tightly written as its predecessors! I sat down with the book in the afternoon to "get through a few chapters" and finally finished it around 3am. It's not the happiest book I ever read, but no one ever promised that good literature might not be a tad painful. Toward the end of the book, I almost started to complain about how pig-headed Harry is becoming, when I looked at my own 16 yr old. Then I thought back on how I used to be... J K Rowlings definitely got it right :) Only one more book to go... I can't begin to imagine how she will wrap it all up. But I am already looking forward to it. Bottom line: as usual an excellent book. A little more somber in places than her previous books, but still a heart grabber and a page turner! C. S. Lewis would be proud.

I love everything about this book! It's amazing to see how powerful Dumbledore is. I really enjoy seeing how strong Hermione is too!

This book evidenced the developing author with intriguing story line. Sections of this book seemed to fall flat until you saw just beyond the corner and realized—ah, she’s taking me to a different place! Excellent!

This book really sets the stage for the finale. It's great how J.k can take you from pure happiness to absolute sadness with a few scrachs of her quill. She is an absolute genius and really knows how to tell a story and set the mood and stage for an epic adventure. That's what this series is, it's an adventure.

This was just wonderfull plain and simple all your books are awesome you are a genius so good I cany describe how good all your books are

The granddaughter enjoyed this classic.

Rowling's Harry Potter series have become classics. No matter where the inspiration came from to create the series, it is well worthwhile to add the entire collection to one's library. She often 'bends' the rules of writing and gets away with it skillfully. I find it interesting that her books are in the 'Children's' section of our library as opposed to 'Young adults', or 'Fiction'. Maybe that's a message for the child in all of us.

In this book J.K. Rowling has returned to her old form. Unlike The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince moves along at a good pace. It finally tells the reader how Voldemort went an orphan to the greatest force for evil the world of Harry Potter has ever seen. It nicely the course that Harry must take to finally defeat his arch-enemy. It also leaves some questions that make the reader look forward to the final installment. J.K. Rowling at her best.