(HUMONGO SPOILERS! PROCEED AT OWN RISK) Book 6 review thread

[Darth Schmoe]

SECOND WARNING! THERE'RE GOING TO BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW SO IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS BOOK SPOILED FOR YOU, DO NOT READ ON!
















Right, still with me? Don't say I didn't warn you!
Alright, on with the review.
Just finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and... WOW! Holy fucking shit, if you thought Book 5 was dark, then you're going to be knocked off your feet once you read this! Where to start, where to start... Well, the first thing I dug about this book that we leave the Dursleys in like, no time at all. We barely waste any time in there and head straight back to the Weasleys and the rest of the wizarding world, where all kinds of shit is hitting the fan: as people who have read the other books know, Lord Voldemort (most evil motherfucker on the block) has risen again and in the last book, his cover was finally blown when he tried to obtain the record of a prophecy, that told him that Harry is the One, and only one, with the power to destroy him. So, in Book 6, Voldemort decides to forget about Harry for the moment and gets in a conquering mood. The wizarding world is at full-blown war and, though there's not a lot of action inside the walls of Hogwarts, news of Dementors sucking a load of souls, people enchanted to kill and the dead kinda rising and all that good stuff is rampant. However, even at school (the only place Voldemort didn't dare to attack) it's not safe anymore as assassination attempts occur throughout the year. Voldemort himself gets a surprisingly few amount of screentime, in fact, none at all (in person, that is, as we do find out a lot about his past)! The book's also a little bit more gruesome with Draco kicking Harry in the face when he's down (broken nose and all that), Harry, in return, using a spell that cuts Draco to shit (if people still call this a kid's book after reading that, then I'll smack you: there is blood all over the fucking place in that particular scene!) and Bill (one of Ron's brothers) getting his face completely mutulated by a werewolf (not in werewolf-form! Yes, a man fucking bites him in the face, Hannibal-style!). Another cool bit is a scene of some of Voldy's most trusted servants in which we finally get a true glimpse into the ranks of the Dark Lord's armies and, most importantly, a good glimpse of Snape and his intentions. However, it's the characterization that makes these books stand above 'normal' books: every single character is so deep, real and understandable, that you feel as if they could come right out of the pages. Voldemort's evil is fully explained as well (turns out he was an evil bitch when he was a kid too), which makes it startling to read, as it seems so freakishly comparable to some kids these days, with a couple 'issues', who turn out to become full blown psycho's. On a more happier note, we also finally see a bit more dating and Harry finally gets a girlfriend truly worth his attention. And then there's the final action sequence that happens in every HP book and man, is it sweet! I thought that Dumbledore and Voldemort's one-on-one duel at the end of Book 5 was awesome, but the happenings in these scenes are great, with the story of a kid who finally conveys how sucky serving evil truly is, and finally, J.K. Rowling reveals Snape's loyalty. This term at Hogwarts ends on the crappiest note ever, with hope knocked out of the wizarding population and Harry embracing a extraordinary determination to put an end to all this, something right up there with the fictional hero's of yester-years, such as Frodo and Sam or Luke Skywalker. This book (especially it's ending) is in no way a kid's book anymore, (in fact, it's quite likely that in the next book we won't see the happy, enchanting Hogwarts anymore at all!) as Harry has fully accepted his fate as the One and he's fucking furious. Voldemort - watch yo back! Very pissed off teenage wizard heading your way!

[HedwigX]

10/10 this book is. Even better than PoA, and the darkest of the series. The death is definitely the saddest of the series so far and maybe the saddest in literature I've experienced so far. And right after that, a few pages later, Snape's loyalty is revealed and we find out who the Half Blood Prince is for another two shocks. JKR isn't really being fair lol...

[bob]

I liked it a lot, too. I thought the more human aspects, like Harry and Ginny getting together, Ron and Hermione having a "playing-hard-to-get" championship, and generally the emphasis on friendship made the book a lot better. The plot was one of the stronger ones, not a rip-snorting adventure like "Prisoner of Azkaban", and not as epic as the fourth and fifth books, but very personal, kind of the denouement for many subplots. Totally worked.

My only real beef is in Harry's last exchange with Ginny. He says they can't be together because he has to do what he's doing alone, and Voldemort will kill who he's close to, but then he turns around and says hey, Ron and Hermione, you guys come, too. Rowling obviously just doesn't want a big part for Ginny in the seventh book, but that's a sloppy way to do it.

The idea of leaving the school for the seventh one is great, also. The kids will be 17, able to use magic on their own, with no restrictions...I think it's gonna be a lot of fun. Hopefully Rowling still updates us Fred, George, Ginny, Bill, and Fleur...the Weasley family is a lot of fun.

[bowieee]

Originally posted by bob


My only real beef is in Harry's last exchange with Ginny. He says they can't be together because he has to do what he's doing alone, and Voldemort will kill who he's close to, but then he turns around and says hey, Ron and Hermione, you guys come, too. Rowling obviously just doesn't want a big part for Ginny in the seventh book, but that's a sloppy way to do it.

.

I have to disagree with you on that count. Ginny realized she had to let him go while Ron and Hermoine both refused to do no such thing. Harry was reluctant for them to come but they pretty much stated that they earned the right to stand by his side from all the chaos they've been through the last 6 years. GInny was a relationship that just recently formed and was easier to break than the two who have been glued to his hip since the first year.

[bob]

Well, Harry's reason for leaving Ginny is that Voldemort will come after the people Harry loves, but if his bond with Ron and Hermione is even stronger, isn't he putting himself at an even larger risk?


THEORIZING ALERT!!!!

To be honest, I think the reason Rowling did it is because Harry will die in the next one, and she wants Ron and Hermione to grieve in each others arms and have that special bond of knowing the whole situation...and if Ginny was there, it'd just be strange.

Even if that's completely wrong, I still think it's sloppy.

[Khrys]

I never was for the Ginny+Harry relationship, so i was left quite satisfied.

9/10.

Must read for any die-hard Potter fan. While the 5th book dragged, I felt that the 6th book could have done with a few chapters more. Very good, very riveting. The first few chapters lagged, but don't give up! You'll be justly rewarded.

16 is the year for raging hormones! We see relationships popping up here and there...blahblahblah, blahblahblah, and JK does her very best putting humour into it. Not her glory moments, but still quite note-worthy.

The death is very very sad. It can actually bring tears to one's faces. Sometimes you really wonder whether you ARE obsessed with the book! When I read it, I felt as if something had died inside me.

The book is very dark. In fact, after reading a few of the comments about Harry dying, I'm wondering about its possibility. Remember; this book is adored worldwide by kids, young kids, some of them 7 at the least. I don't think it would be okay for her to kill off the protagonist. It would give the kids a wrong idea of good and evil. I can just see those parents complaining. I think two versions of the book would be ideal, with alternate endings (if Harry IS to die).

I'm equally saddened about JK's decision to remove Harry, Ron and Hermione from Hogwarts. I always thought what made the Harry Potter series was JK's ability with vivd characters, wonderful adventures within the school's boundaries (and outside, if you count Hogsmeade), acompanied with the usual light-heartedness and humour. With the 7th book, we might as well say 'bye-bye' to Hogwarts! I have faith she can make it just as lively and wonderful, but it'll be as dark as ever, and perhaps not as much fun. So she knows what she's saying when she stated that she'd 'dread' the writing of the 7th book! I'll certainly dread reading it. The end to an excellent series.

[Vong]

Just finished reading it...lots of surprises that got to me.
I loved the ending with Snape really letting Harry have it...after years of teaching Harry and always taking his lip with mild vengeance, we REALLY see how much Snape hates Harry.

I really liked the thing between Harry and Ginny, though it was a shame it didn't go on longer. I was almost certain by the end of the book though, that we would see some Ron and Hermione "snogging", but at least it was a big step when Ron said "I love you Hermione".

My biggest beef of the book was Dumbledore's death. It was a huge twist, like Sirius's death; you never really see it coming. I really wish Dumbledore did more in lines of DEFENDING HIMSELF against the Death Eaters...or even when Snape finally came running up and killed him without thinking.

As for the next book, I can see it starting at Bill and Fleur's wedding, with Harry, Ron and Hermione leaving afterwards to begin their search for the 5 other Horcruxs. I think Rowling will place the DA (Dumbledore's Army) in the next book.

I also agree with bob in his theory. Rowling has crossed alot of boundaries in children's fiction, but she will no doubtedly cross the cardinal rule in all children's books; and that is killing off the main character. I can see Harry dying in the next book. Either him, or Ron or Hermione. One of them has to go.

Unforunately the anticipation is killing me in waiting for the next and last book. I think it will no doubt be another 2-3 years before it is released. Well, at least we'll have 2 great movies to look forward to....Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix (in 2007)!

[chinton]

Why arent more people replying to this topic I just finsihed the book and after I embarressingly wiped some tears from my eyes I just had to come on to see who else thought this was a great book. While not an action packed book I think this was her mos t mature book to date. The relationships between all the characters were handled so well. Rowlings writing is only getting more and more mature. This was a completely absorbing book and it was great to finally find out all the many secrets.

But WOW what an ending. I even knew what was coming but it was still an amazing devastating ending.

Also as far as what you guys said Im glad the final book wont concern Hogwarts. I can see why considering the ending of this book. Rowling has finally stripped away everything that makes Hogwarts a safe place in Harry's mind. Now its no different than anything else.

Also I have to also agree about breaking the Cardinal Rule. If Harry doesnt go I have no doubt it will be either Ron or Hermoine. Although really are these childrens books anymore. I mean yes t echnically they are but in theme and plot developement in this book I think we have fully left the realm of childrens books.

[Dom Shady]

SPOILERS!!!!


















Great, Great Book! Probably the best so far in the series. I was horrified with the death of Dumbledore and the aftermath was very sad indeed. Rowling did a great job in conveying Harry's feelings after "the Death" and i really felt for him. It was great how Harry was chasing the Snape furiously afterwards through the school and trying to fight him out of fury. I thought that was very realistic and it adds another dimension to the Harry Potter persona. As for the death itself, I think there is more to it than meets the eye. I think Dumbledore was pleading with Snape to kill him(not to spare his life) for several reasons.

1)Snape is more important to the success of Harry killing Voldemort. That is evident already because of the potions book that brought Harry so much success throughout the year. He learned so much through that book because of the Half-Blood Prince and it is revealed that Snape is the Half-Blood Prince. He even gives Harry a subtle pointer near the end when Harry is angrily trying to maim or kill him. After blocking all of Harry's spells, Snape says something along the lines of "Blocked, blocked, and blocked again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind clear." He knows Harry will need that information in order to kill Voldemort.

2)Dumbledore's death is the final catalyst that Harry needs to take accept his fate as Voldemort's equal and accept the twisted and dark path before him. Dumbledore was trying to tell Harry that he does not have to do anything just because the prophecy says so. He will do it because he wants to. Harry realized that what Dumbledore was telling him was that its the difference between being dragged into a battle to the death and walking in proud with your head held high. With this death, Harry realises that nothing else stands between him and Voldemort. He has no more protection after all the people who cared about him died while protecting him. He wants revenge and now REALLY wants to vanquish the Dark Lord.

It is very interesting how Harry Potter is maturing. I even found it amazing how he talked to people, especially Rufus Scrimegour(the Minister of Magic). The next and final book is going to be epic I can just imagine how long it will be. Also, I have a hunch that Harry is a horcrux or has a horcrux inside of him, that could be the reason behind his connection to Voldemort. This opens the possibility of the potential for Harry's death in the final book. I hope that doesn't happen but we'll just have to see what J.K. Rowling has in store for us.

10/10

[Nachokoolaid]

Now I just can't wait for what I predicted from book 1. (Don't think I'm crazy), but I've been saying that I think Snape is essentually a good guy. Don't beleive me?


Possible Spoilers for Book 7 ....





I think Dumbledore had all this trust in him for a reason. I think that's why Dumbledore froze Harry at the showdown. He knew Harry would try to stop Snape. Dumbledore knew that the only way for Snape to be cemented as trusted in Voldemort's eyes was to have him kill him. He knew that Voldemort would never trust anyone, but this would definitely be persuasive. Plus, Dumbledore knew the prophecy. He knew he couldn't get close to Voldemort. He knew he couldn't stop him, so this was his contribution. He knew that by giving his own life, he'd be able to put a man on the inside that would be able to aid Harry (the last person we'd expect) when the time came for Harry and Voldemort's showdown.

Now, Snape won't kill Voldemort, but he will help Harry when the time comes. Go a read all the books again. Especially the closing scenes of Book 6. Snape could have killed Harry just as easily in those last bits before he apparates many times, but he doesn't. He knows all the spells that Harry is throwing at him, but he just sort of avoids them. He does enough to ensure that Harry will seek out Voldemort with even more hatred now. Rowling has worked hard to make this the big shock of Book 7, and I hope she comes through with it. Snape remaining as a bad guy is too boring and she would have wasted a golden opportunity to make a much more interesting character (in Snape). For someone that Harry hates so much (and readers as well right now) help Harry and save him in his time of need would probably be the most shocking event in the entire series (especially since we know of the hatred with Harry's parents and Snape from book 3, etc). Plus, Snape would essentially be giving his own life as well, because Voldemort would prbably kill him (depending on how the final showdown goes down), or he would be breaking the unbreakable vow, and securing his death. Interesting stuff.




End possible spoilers...

What do you guys think?

[Watur2Phunk]

Snape said to leave him the dark lord wants him...

THEORIES about Snape anybody?

A. Just a damn good Occlumence and threw Dumbledore a curve ball, which I doubt because Harry has always predicted things... to be wrong, and he thought Snape was evil the entire book.

B. He is secretly a death eater using a Polyjuice Potion pretending to be Snape (ehhh)

C. He is under the imperius curse, which is likely to me.

D. He is so loyal to the job that Dumbledore gave him as a double agent that he killed Dumbledore just so he would not loose his cover.

E. Dumbledore knew his old age was coming and had a plan with Snape for him to kill him and from Harry so that it would cause a turning point in Harry's life to seek out Voldemort and save the wizarding world.

F. Is a retarded asshole who gave into peer pressure.

[inglourious basterd]

Originally posted by bob
Well, Harry's reason for leaving Ginny is that Voldemort will come after the people Harry loves, but if his bond with Ron and Hermione is even stronger, isn't he putting himself at an even larger risk?.

I found this statement interesting so I reread the last few pages again. I just wanted to note something: Harry didn't want either Hermoine, Ron, or Ginny to come along with him. It said that he "was counting on undertaking this most dangerous journey alone".

Hermoine responded by telling Harry had told them the exact same thing in the past. Ron stated that he would be by his side unconditionally.

Interestingly enough, Harry never explicitly responds to this. In my opinion, the issue of fighting alongside of his friends will continue to be an unresolved issue throughout book 7. Presumably, Ron and Hermoine will be chillling with Harry at Dursley's place over the summer and that they will be going to Bill and Fleur's wedding. Other than that, I dont know whether Harry is absolutely sold on fighting side by side with Hermoine and Ron (although I won't be surprised if they will or if they get hurt/captured in book 7).

[inglourious basterd]

Originally posted by Nachokoolaid


Possible Spoilers for Book 7 ....

I think Dumbledore had all this trust in him for a reason. I think that's why Dumbledore froze Harry at the showdown. He knew Harry would try to stop Snape. Dumbledore knew that the only way for Snape to be cemented as trusted in Voldemort's eyes was to have him kill him. He knew that Voldemort would never trust anyone, but this would definitely be persuasive. Plus, Dumbledore knew the prophecy. He knew he couldn't get close to Voldemort. He knew he couldn't stop him, so this was his contribution. He knew that by giving his own life, he'd be able to put a man on the inside that would be able to aid Harry (the last person we'd expect) when the time came for Harry and Voldemort's showdown.


Very interesting hypothesis.

Its not a spoiler. It is simply a speculation thats backed up with literary evidence. We will see whether or not it happens when the next book comes out.

Maybe you should create another thread with this as the topic header. Part of the reason this forum is dead is because people aren't posting threads with original ideas such as this. I have my thoughts regarding this hypothesis, but I wont post it in this thread (hint).

[inglourious basterd]

He even gives Harry a subtle pointer near the end when Harry is angrily trying to maim or kill him. After blocking all of Harry's spells, Snape says something along the lines of "Blocked, blocked, and blocked again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind clear." He knows Harry will need that information in order to kill Voldemort.

I don't agree. I believe that this is something that Snape tried to teach his class in Hogwarts. If you remember correctly, in the defense of the dark arts classes, one of the priorities were to create spells without uttering a single word.