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adam10001's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jjjohnson1622's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites! The plot, pacing, characters, and tone are perfect.
cynka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
authorcagray's review against another edition
4.0
Listened again in English and then to each chapter in Spanish. It's a great way to brush up on a language. This might be my least favorite of the HP books, though... mostly because it's just so sad.
____
This is in many ways just as fabulous as the last two, but I think I did like "Order of the Phoenix" a bit better. Mostly this is because 1) this one wasn't nearly as funny, as the plot is decidedly dark and serious by this point, and 2) the ending is just devastating. Unavoidable, I get that -- it had to happen. But devastating nonetheless.
It's also not totally clear to me why the mental connection between Harry and Voldemort took a temporary hiatus for most of this book. Dumbledore steered clear of Harry for almost all of Book 5 because he didn't want Voldemort to realize how close their relationship was, and attempt to get at him through Harry. I think the implication was supposed to be that after Voldemort lied and manipulated Harry to get him to the ministry by pretending he had Sirius, Voldemort wouldn't bother to try to use the connection anymore, and that was why he was using Occlumancy against Harry. But the connection is renewed in Book 7, for no apparent reason. Still, I guess there was enough going on in Book 6 without that added complication. Dumbledore's private lessons with Harry needed to center on learning as much as they could about Voldemort's past, and there wouldn't have been time to try to keep Voldemort out also. The Pensieve is a very clever way to incorporate back story necessary to the plot, without dry recitation... we get to see Voldemort as the child Tom Riddle, and the young Voldemort before he became the most feared wizard the world had ever known--before he had lost his powers trying to kill Harry.
I must say I don't care that much for the way the romance is written between Ginny and Harry -- or between Ron and Hermione, for that matter. Maybe that's because it's told from the perspective of a boy who isn't in touch with his own feelings most of the time, but it almost feels like a drawing in crayon: hard lines, crude and abrupt emotions. The nuances of all other relationships seem far more believable. But this takes up so little of the book that it doesn't matter all that much -- it's just a notable exception, I think.
And even with all the darkness going on in the wizarding world this far in, there's still time for Quidditch matches, side obsessions, and amusing episodes. I hate stories that end sad, but I can still love this one because it's not over yet. There is still redemption to come!
____
This is in many ways just as fabulous as the last two, but I think I did like "Order of the Phoenix" a bit better. Mostly this is because 1) this one wasn't nearly as funny, as the plot is decidedly dark and serious by this point, and 2) the ending is just devastating. Unavoidable, I get that -- it had to happen. But devastating nonetheless.
It's also not totally clear to me why the mental connection between Harry and Voldemort took a temporary hiatus for most of this book. Dumbledore steered clear of Harry for almost all of Book 5 because he didn't want Voldemort to realize how close their relationship was, and attempt to get at him through Harry. I think the implication was supposed to be that after Voldemort lied and manipulated Harry to get him to the ministry by pretending he had Sirius, Voldemort wouldn't bother to try to use the connection anymore, and that was why he was using Occlumancy against Harry. But the connection is renewed in Book 7, for no apparent reason. Still, I guess there was enough going on in Book 6 without that added complication. Dumbledore's private lessons with Harry needed to center on learning as much as they could about Voldemort's past, and there wouldn't have been time to try to keep Voldemort out also. The Pensieve is a very clever way to incorporate back story necessary to the plot, without dry recitation... we get to see Voldemort as the child Tom Riddle, and the young Voldemort before he became the most feared wizard the world had ever known--before he had lost his powers trying to kill Harry.
I must say I don't care that much for the way the romance is written between Ginny and Harry -- or between Ron and Hermione, for that matter. Maybe that's because it's told from the perspective of a boy who isn't in touch with his own feelings most of the time, but it almost feels like a drawing in crayon: hard lines, crude and abrupt emotions. The nuances of all other relationships seem far more believable. But this takes up so little of the book that it doesn't matter all that much -- it's just a notable exception, I think.
And even with all the darkness going on in the wizarding world this far in, there's still time for Quidditch matches, side obsessions, and amusing episodes. I hate stories that end sad, but I can still love this one because it's not over yet. There is still redemption to come!
yunooooo's review against another edition
5.0
I have absolutely no word to describe my feeling. Pain beyond pain.
Can't believe I still cried after seeing it coming
Can't believe I still cried after seeing it coming
pankaplan's review against another edition
5.0
Po slaboučké pětce byl šestý díl neuvěřitelná nádhera. Celou dobu jsem čekal, kdy ta slavná válka s Voldemortem propukne, zdálo se být ticho před bouří. A pak to přišlo... Posledních pár kapitol jsem měl oči navrch hlavy a žasl nad každým dalším výjevem. Několik linií příběhu, které excelentně gradují v posledních cca 70 - 80 stránkách... Uch! Sice to stále nepřekonalo trojku (Azkaban je pořád mým nejoblíbenějším dílem), ale vrátilo to sérii grády.
bibliotea's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why, but my copy of the Half-Blood Prince feels and smells really good.
Ahem, anyway.
Another spectacular book. In the aftermath of the last book, with everyone throwing around theories of Harry being the Chosen One, Harry manages to keep a pretty level head. Considering everything he's been through, it's just... wow. I just still feel so sorry for him because he's just lost his godfather and everyone in the Order is so busy that no one really has the time to talk to him. (That is one small thing I would change if I could - I wish Remus had been closer to Harry in this book. I understand he has his own mission etc, but he was a friend of James too. I don't understand why, just because Sirius was named godfather, he had to be the only one really close and looking out for Harry a lot? Remus met Harry first and, in my opinion, should have been trying just as hard to look after him and make him feel loved.)
I cried while reading this book. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. I can't believe we're getting so close to the end. I feel so much for Harry and the others.
Also I really love Fleur. And I'm actually really annoyed with how people treat her in the books? She is so brave, I mean, English is her second language, she came over to learn it more and to be with the man she fell in love with, and then the family of her fiance keeps on picking on her? If it was me I'd be like, "Hey, Bill, can we just elope? They don't like me. Come to France."
Please read it if you haven't.
Ahem, anyway.
Another spectacular book. In the aftermath of the last book, with everyone throwing around theories of Harry being the Chosen One, Harry manages to keep a pretty level head. Considering everything he's been through, it's just... wow. I just still feel so sorry for him because he's just lost his godfather and everyone in the Order is so busy that no one really has the time to talk to him. (That is one small thing I would change if I could - I wish Remus had been closer to Harry in this book. I understand he has his own mission etc, but he was a friend of James too. I don't understand why, just because Sirius was named godfather, he had to be the only one really close and looking out for Harry a lot? Remus met Harry first and, in my opinion, should have been trying just as hard to look after him and make him feel loved.)
I cried while reading this book. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. I can't believe we're getting so close to the end. I feel so much for Harry and the others.
Also I really love Fleur. And I'm actually really annoyed with how people treat her in the books? She is so brave, I mean, English is her second language, she came over to learn it more and to be with the man she fell in love with, and then the family of her fiance keeps on picking on her? If it was me I'd be like, "Hey, Bill, can we just elope? They don't like me. Come to France."
Please read it if you haven't.