Harry Potter Review! (as printed previously in The Northeastern)
From beginning to end, the latest installment of the Harry Potter series is filled with excitement, mystery and laughter.
The sixth of seven books was released Saturday, July 16. Fans across the world gathered at bookstores to collect their copy and begin poring over the first paragraphs. J.K. Rowling, the author of the acclaimed children's series, writes a compelling story about the main character's sixth year at the magical school of Hogwarts.
As Harry has grown, so has Rowling's writing with its ability to connect with readers.
Despite 30 chapters and 652 pages, this book is a quick read, making it accessible to readers of different levels. Although the series began as a children's fantasy, the story has transcended age, with each installment growing in the level of difficulty of readability and maturity of subject matter. This allows college students to enjoy Rowling's story.
(For those who have not read the book yet, beware - some spoilers lie ahead.)
Although mention has been made in previous books of how the magical community deals with the non-magical, or "muggle," society, this novel directly addresses the issue. The first chapter begins with the introduction of the "muggle" minister of ENgland. This scene offers a connection to reality with a humorous twist and the introduction of new characters. It is also the perfect way to recap the existing situation from the previous novel.
This book contains several events that fans have come to expect, including a trip to Diagon Alley, Quidditch matches and the introduction of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Each of the main characters, Harry and his two best friends, Ron and Hermione, focus on thier personal lives, and romance plays an important role in the development of their personalities.
Harry and his classmates find themselves immersed in difficult classes this schoolyear, including harder levels of typical lessons and workshops on apparating. They also learn more about growing up, including making decisions about future careers.
Throughout the day-to-day activities of the students, Harry must also face learning more about his past and the similarities to the past of Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents when he was 1 year old. It also becomes apparent in the novel that the war against Voldemort is not going well. Casualties are mentioned throughout the book with the appearance that no success has been made in capturing followers of Voldemort, or Death Eaters.
This novel derives its title from an important figure in the book, the self-proclaimed Half-Blood Prince. In discovering this character, Harry learns much while facing danger. Rowling, as usual, builds the suspense of finding out who this person is and does not fail her audience with this shocking twist.
(Spoilers will not appear in the rest of this article.)
Unlike the most previous book, Harry seems more mature and whines much less. This creates a lighter feeling in the book, despite the ongoing battle between good and evil. Yet, it is Harry's personality that leads the book and its characters into the story that Rowling has written.
Rowling has mastered mixing the realities of the regular world and the intiruge of the fantasy world. It is believable becuase of what the characters experience and how they react. Despite the strangeness of any situation they are put in, the characters remain normal, with their personality mirroring that of average children their age.
Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is a strong theme, lying underneath all of the stories of each book. What sets this apart from normal stories is its clear emphasis that love is what separates these two.
Rowling has outdone herself in this latest part of the seven book series. Both fans of the series and those who have never read the book will enjoy it, and leave the book with the feeling that anything is possible.
The sixth of seven books was released Saturday, July 16. Fans across the world gathered at bookstores to collect their copy and begin poring over the first paragraphs. J.K. Rowling, the author of the acclaimed children's series, writes a compelling story about the main character's sixth year at the magical school of Hogwarts.
As Harry has grown, so has Rowling's writing with its ability to connect with readers.
Despite 30 chapters and 652 pages, this book is a quick read, making it accessible to readers of different levels. Although the series began as a children's fantasy, the story has transcended age, with each installment growing in the level of difficulty of readability and maturity of subject matter. This allows college students to enjoy Rowling's story.
(For those who have not read the book yet, beware - some spoilers lie ahead.)
Although mention has been made in previous books of how the magical community deals with the non-magical, or "muggle," society, this novel directly addresses the issue. The first chapter begins with the introduction of the "muggle" minister of ENgland. This scene offers a connection to reality with a humorous twist and the introduction of new characters. It is also the perfect way to recap the existing situation from the previous novel.
This book contains several events that fans have come to expect, including a trip to Diagon Alley, Quidditch matches and the introduction of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Each of the main characters, Harry and his two best friends, Ron and Hermione, focus on thier personal lives, and romance plays an important role in the development of their personalities.
Harry and his classmates find themselves immersed in difficult classes this schoolyear, including harder levels of typical lessons and workshops on apparating. They also learn more about growing up, including making decisions about future careers.
Throughout the day-to-day activities of the students, Harry must also face learning more about his past and the similarities to the past of Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents when he was 1 year old. It also becomes apparent in the novel that the war against Voldemort is not going well. Casualties are mentioned throughout the book with the appearance that no success has been made in capturing followers of Voldemort, or Death Eaters.
This novel derives its title from an important figure in the book, the self-proclaimed Half-Blood Prince. In discovering this character, Harry learns much while facing danger. Rowling, as usual, builds the suspense of finding out who this person is and does not fail her audience with this shocking twist.
(Spoilers will not appear in the rest of this article.)
Unlike the most previous book, Harry seems more mature and whines much less. This creates a lighter feeling in the book, despite the ongoing battle between good and evil. Yet, it is Harry's personality that leads the book and its characters into the story that Rowling has written.
Rowling has mastered mixing the realities of the regular world and the intiruge of the fantasy world. It is believable becuase of what the characters experience and how they react. Despite the strangeness of any situation they are put in, the characters remain normal, with their personality mirroring that of average children their age.
Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is a strong theme, lying underneath all of the stories of each book. What sets this apart from normal stories is its clear emphasis that love is what separates these two.
Rowling has outdone herself in this latest part of the seven book series. Both fans of the series and those who have never read the book will enjoy it, and leave the book with the feeling that anything is possible.
posted by Sarah Elizabeth @ 1:16 PM
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