Potter-mania again !!

The Harry Potter wave swept across the world again as the sixth installment of the seven-book series was released with much fanfare and hype on the 16th. I travelled from Bangalore to Chennai 15th night and as I was travelling by bus from the Koyambedu bus stand in Chennai to my house, I saw a long queue outside Landmark. I deposited my luggage at home and rushed back to collect my copy of the book which I had pre-ordered.

It was my intention to read the book right through that day but my little nephew kept me occupied a lot of time. So I could finish the book only late evening yesterday. My judgement on the book follows !

** BEWARE OF SPOILERS **
The story starts with a rather unexpected twist and proceeds to take a few turns there on. Harry spends most of his holidays at the Burrows while Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters start spreading havoc and destruction all around. The scene later shifts to Hogwarts where things get a little different. A new teacher arrives - for Potions. Snape gets his DADA at last ! Harry starts excelling in potions with help from a "friend". Dumbledore introduces Harry to Voldemort - his life as a Hogwarts student, his growth as the Dark Lord. Then the rather dark and bleak climax.

Thats a very bare review. Now for opinions. How is the book ? Very good. Much better certainly than the previous installment of the book which I did not like at all. There was much more focus here and the twists were much more palpable. Harry's character also reverts to being the likable hero of books 1 through 4. In book 5, he came across more as a moody, head-strong fellow. Rowling apparently decided that that was not the Harry she wanted to persist with.

The romances were messed up badly. I almost got the feeling that Rowling had bowed to the popular demands the vocal groups all around. And it was not Ron and Hermione who cemented their romance in this book though there is little doubt now that they will end up together. They spend most of their time causing the other to burn with jealousy. As this is one of the ships I support, I hope Rowling gets them together with much greater sensitivity than she does here with... well - you will know.

The climax was ok - better than OotP but worse than all others in the series. The death would not come as any great surprise. What was a little disturbing though was the way he was killed, and the person who kills him. But well, I think this is all as per the big plan laid down by Dumbledore.

I think thats all I have for now. My father has picked up the book now and maybe I will give it another read after some time. As of now, my rating is 4 on a scale of 5 - to put things in perspective :

Philosopher's stone - 4.6
Chamber of secrets - 4.9
Prisoner of Azkaban - 4.7
Goblet of fire - 4.4
Order of the phoenix - 3
Half blood prince - 4

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