Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6)

Reader reviewed by Zac

In this installment of the Harry Potter series, the troubling past and childhood of Lord Voldemort. Along with the headmaster, Harry embarks on a journey through the life of his lifelong enemy.

There are many secrets that should have been left alone. This is an unforgettable novel that will surprise you in many ways.

Reader reviewed by erica

I just finished "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince " ten minutes ago and I have to say, JK Rowling, THANK YOU.

You have restored (after an unusually slow, but decent nonetheless, fifth offering) the Harry Potter series to the absolute top of the tree.

This, people, is absolutely the best book in the revered Harry Potter series for a number of reasons, the most impressive of which is the pace.

Here is a book that starts as it means to go on - interesting, funny, dark, and absolutely riveting.

Harry's dealings with his peers have matured appropriately - the kids are all sixteen now - and, thankfully, the dark, moody and broody Harry from "Phoenix" is gone, replaced with a more mature version of the Harry we all know and love. The supporting cast - Hermoine, Ron, the clan Weasley, and all the rest - have almost peaked with this penultimate chapter in the Serial. Rowling knows her characters, obviously, and loves them enough to take great care in their development as individual and recognizable people.

The plot - and there will be NO SPOILERS CONTAINED HEREIN!! - bears all the hallmarks of Rowling - tight, beautifully descriptive and with twists and surprises that are understated and unannounced - and all the better for it.

I can't tell you how good this novel actually is. Rowling's Zenith (to date) also proves to be Harry's most worthwhile adventure. Yes, it's darker - actually a little scary in places- but conversely, funnier, more intelligently-told and, all in all, a far more rewarding experience than its more simplistic predecessors, particularly the ultimately chilling "Order of the Phoenix".

Get it now. No questions!!

Reader reviewed by Blair

Harry potter is a young wizard who needs to learn magic at a school in london called hogwarts. When he gets a new potions teacher, he has to borrow a book. But in borrowing this book he finds out a lot of information about his teachers, and the dark lord.

This book was unbelievable. It was so unpredictable. I absolutely loved it. It only took me 2 days to read because I was unable to put the book down. I was so flabbergasted at all of the surprises and twists, I can't wait until the next one comes out. This is a perfect book for anyone wanting to read something interesting.

Reader reviewed by wwegurl

This is another great book by JK Rowling. It tells the story of Harry, Ron, and Hemione at their sixth year at hogwarts. Harry finds out about the past and his future, dumbledore dies which is really sad. this is a really great story and i would recommend that you read this.

Reader reviewed by FlooCrookshanks

Like many other fans of the HP series, I rushed through this in a matter of hours the day it was released. How can this NOT be described as a page-turner?? I admit I found it to be a very slow start, but I was too intrigued by Harry's maturity to find it boring. Plus, good old Ron and his naughty hand-gestures - always good for a laugh.

Before the book was released, everyone was desperate to know who the half-blood prince was - myself included. Once I'd started reading the book, however, I pretty much completely forgot about that altogether; as with all the Harry Potter books, there are constantly hundreds of questions rushing through your mind as you're reading them.

Even more shocking than the identity of the half-blood prince, I found, was Draco Malfoy. Tom Felton aside, I was never particularly interested in Draco outside the world of fan fiction. I assumed he'd always just be the annoying little bully and we'd never find out anything more. We really did get to see a different, deeper, side of him in this book though, and - wow. Very pleasant surprise.

Like in Order of the Phoenix, this book had more of a sense of forboding than the first four (even more so than OOTP, actually) especially with the war in full swing - and with Harry getting more mature, so are his problems.

As always, though, there are many light and uplifting subplots going on amongst the darkness. Ron gets his first snog, Harry gets another stalker, and Luna commentates at the last Quidditch match of the year - just a few of the fun and laughs.

Read it, read it, and read it again; it never loses its spark.

Reader reviewed by Meglyssa

This book was very exciting. There was romance, action, and depressing moments. It was very spine tingling. Some parts were a little scary, but others were just as happy. Even though someone dies, it is one of the best books I have ever read. My favorite part was when Ron was under a spell to love Ramilda Vane and his girlfriend, Lavendar Brown, got jealous.

Reader reviewed by Brenda

Harry Potter Rocks! First of all, Harry Potter is really awesome! Also, the Half Blood Prince is the best one yet! One part I really enjoyed in this book that wasn't in the other five books was the romance that went on. I think Ginny will stay with Harry in the seventh book. Also, I really want Ron and Hermione to become boyfriend and girlfriend! In the book, you can really tell they like each other. Also, the horcruxes really intrigued me. I think Harry might be one of Voldemort's horcruxes. This book is a must read.

Reader reviewed by ben

Harry Potter is in his 6th year at Hogwarts and the Headmaster is acting very different indeed. He takes Harry along with him on a trip over the summer to try and pursuade an old teacher to come back and teach. He also wants Harry to come to his office in the evenings to have privates lessons that go over parts of the Dark Lords life. Among this Harry has a new crush and Ron and Hermione have a newfound relationship. And Harry will lose the only person who made him feel safe even though the Dark Lord was back and be left on his own to fight the Dark Lord.

Reader reviewed by Grace

The sixth book of the Harry Potter series complicates things even more as Harry learns more about Voldemort's past. There's also a lot more romance and flirting, which adds humor to this dark story. I loved the Horcruxes; it was such a creative idea from J.K. Rowling :] I can't wait for the seventh book!

Reader reviewed by Kody Boye


The sixth book. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was well written. The more adult writing in the book captured me, as well as the equal amount of legnth of the book. It was so hard to put down, I finished it in six days. I am a big reader and I wanted to find out who died, but when I did I cried for the person who died. I wont spoil the ending for you readers, so youll have to read it and find out for yourself.