Title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic 2006
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: 652
Rating: 5 / 5 stars
Reading Challenges: HP
How I Got It: Own it! (in pretty hardcover no less)
This one is a reread for me. It’s been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that’s what, eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it’s been awhile.
Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.
Book fun:
Favorite scene:
- Every one of the memories of Tom Riddle. They are so illuminating. I really wish they included them in the movie…
- The opening scene between the Minister of Magic and the Prime Minister. It’s a great opening sequence showing the interaction between the magical and muggle world. Another thing I really wish they would have put in the movie.
Favorite character(s):
- Narcissa Black Malfoy — Even though she’s only in it for one actual scene, I love her. I especially love the contrast between her and her sister Bellatrix.
- Ron and Hermione — Their whole will-they or won’t-they is fascinating. I just adore them. And I especially love the scene in the hospital.
Other odds and ends:
- I forgot how angry Harry is in this movie… Teenage angst is a bit much.
- There’s a whole passage on pages 180-181 comparing Harry and Snape. As much as Harry doesn’t want to admit it, they are very similar.
- Slughorn is a great side character.
Movie fun- Ron and Hermione’s fight with the birds — I love the emotional vulnerability in this scene. It just works.
- Slughorn Christmas Party — Between Hermione avoiding Cormac and Harry wanting Ginny, this is a great scene of teenage hormones. Plus it just looks pretty.
- The book’s opening sequence. Unfortunately they change to one (Harry in the tube station) that doesn’t really make a lot of sense. However I did love the destruction of the bridge and Diagon Alley. It’s mentioned in the book, but to see the raw power from the Death Eaters is just terrifying.
- Harry and Ginny’s kiss in front of the entire Gryffindor common room. The small kiss in the room of requirement just doesn’t really work.
- In the books, I love Ginny Weasley. She’s a great mix of Fred and George and Mrs. Weasley. I understand why Harry likes her. Yet, in the movies, she’s more of a wet blanket. The movies rob her of all the interesting aspects of her personalty. Very sad change of character from books to movies…
- I loved loved loved watching Draco’s transformation from arrogant elitist to broken little boy. It makes his realization of what’s right and wrong that much better. Tom Felton really gave him a haunted look in most of the scenes.
- Attack on the Burrow — WHY!?!?! It’s just completely wrong…
Wading Through the Ocean of Life 
4 responses to “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling”