(A) 86% | Extraordinary
Notes: A relationshippy respite, it’s Sturm und Drang defogging: all lovesick woe, observing foes, and problematic snogging.

*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary:

Progress updates:

06/24/2020 - 3%

(1) The Muggle Prime Minister would have been John Major.
- No wonder he lost the 1997 election in a landslide.
- Likely fictional, though, as Major wasn't elected to power, and his predecessor wasn't male.
(2) Fudge: "Is a man alive if he can't be killed? I don't really understand it, and Dumbledore won't explain properly."
- Well, horcruxes are forbidden knowledge.

06/25/2020 - 6%

(1) "A threadbare sofa, an old armchair, and a rickety table stood grouped together in a pool of dim light cast by a candle-filled lamp."
- How vampire-chic.
- Snape's house could use a woman's touch.
(2) "In her fury [Bellatrix] looked slightly mad."
- I guess she's always in her "fury" then.
(3) I never hear of wizard divorces... perhaps they make unbreakable vows?

06/26/2020 - 9%

(1) "Rufus Scrimgeour ... has succeeded Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. The appointment has largely been greeted with enthusiasm."
- Appointment? By who? There doesn't appear to be any wizarding monarch or anything.
(2) J.K. Rowling does love giving animal descriptions to antagonists: Scrimgeour is "lionlike," Petunia has a "horsey face," Vernon has "piggy eyes," etc.

06/27/2020 - 13%

(1) We're introduced to the idea of inferi, which are essentially zombies. The lack of a full-blown zombie chase is one of the series' big missed opportunities.
(2) "The wandlight sparkled on [Slughorn's] shiny pate, his prominent eyes, his enormous, silver, walruslike mustache ..."
- Again with the animal descriptors.
(3) Gwenog Jones must be the Welshest name ever.

06/28/2020 - 17%

Harry and Ginny be like, "I shouldn't have been so happy about that hug."

(1) Two weeks since last book and Hermione's already at the Burrow when Harry arrives? Poor Hermione's parents.
(2) "Hermione flashed a warning look at Ron, and Ron changed tack at top speed."
- Already giving each other married couple signals.
(3) Hermione: "I know I failed everything!"

06/29/2020 - 20%

(1) Fred to Ginny: "Moving through boyfriends a bit fast, aren't you?"
- Well, one per year's not so fast. Though, compared to the other Weasleys, I suppose.
(2) '"Our Decoy Detonators are just walking off the shelves, look," said Fred, pointing at a number of weird-looking black hooter-type objects.'
- I presume "hooter" means something different in British English.

06/30/2020 - 23%

(1) '"She has let 'erself go, zat Tonks," Fleur mused.'
- Sounds like Fleur's finally cottoned onto Molly and Ginny's cunning plan to get Bill to dump her for Tonks.
(2) In the books, Luna's Spectrespecs are a kind of snake oil novelty. In the film they actually work! Film Luna is treated as more of an eccentric than the books, where she's sort of a lovable gullible.

07/01/2020 - 26%

Ginny be like: "Get a room you two."

(1) It's a mark of Ron and Hermione's closeness that she's comfortable enough to hit him repeatedly with a book, and he's comfortable enough to let her.
(2) Nearly Headless Nick: "I would rather die than betray [Harry's] trust."
Ron: "That's not saying much, seeing as you're already dead."
- Ron again with the common sense.

07/02/2020 - 29%

Finally! Book-accurate bushy hair!

(1) Snape: "We are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter."
Harry: "Yes."
Snape: "Yes, sir."
Harry: "There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor."
- New levels of reckless sass.
(2) Harry smells something flowery in the love potion. Just 10 pages later, Harry smells something flowery and turns to see Ginny.
- Not exactly subtle.

07/03/2020 - 33%

(1) The House of Gaunt has a very Craster's Keep vibe to it.
(2) Merope seems right out of a Jane Austen novel.
(3) Dumbledore: "The Gaunts [were] noted for a vein of instability and violence that flourished through the generations due to their habit of marrying their own cousins."
- Not so different than European royals, then... and a fair bit better than Egyptians.

07/04/2020 - 36%

(1) Ron gets attention from Lavender, Hermione gives him the cold shoulder. Hermione congratulates Ron, Lavender walks off grumpy. Meanwhile, Ron's totally oblivious.
(2) Harry: "But wasn't that dishonest, Hermione? I mean, you're a prefect, aren't you?"
- Hermione gets a taste of her own medicine here, seeing as she says this to Ron all the time, albeit less polite.

07/05/2020 - 39%

Callback/Mirroring: You've got something on your face.

(1) Harry: "The Prince had proved a much more effective teacher than Snape so far."
- Oh the irony.
(2) Hermione: "Ron, what are you staring at?"
Ron: "Nothing."
Hermione: "I expect 'nothing's' in the back getting more firewhisky."
- Ron crushing on Madam Rosmerta and Hermione being jealous never gets old.

07/06/2020 - 42%

(1) Wonder if Caractacus Burke was named after the Briton chieftain or the dad from Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang?
(2) Orphanage matron: "He was to be named Tom, for his father, and Marvolo, for her father — yes, I know, funny name, isn't it? We wondered whether she came from a circus."
- Hmm... The Great Marvolo!
(3) Young Voldemort owning a harmonica is just plain funny.

07/07/2020 - 44%

(1) Harry: "What if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it?"
- Depends how much they enjoy bickering... it's kind of their thing.
(2) "What if they didn't split up? What if ... it became excruciatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?"
- Classic third-wheel talk right there.

07/08/2020 - 46%

(1) Harry: "Ginny, don't call Ron a prat, you're not the Captain of this team."
Ginny: "Well, you seemed too busy to call him a prat."
- Can't fault the logic.
(2) Ginny teases Ron for "never snogg[ing] anyone in his life." She also tells Ron "Hermione snogged Viktor Krum." Enraged and shamed, Ron snogs stalkerish Lavender Brown. Ergo, Ginny's to blame for that mess.

07/09/2020 - 48%

Ron makes Hermione cry on stairs a lot.

(1) Ron: "She can't complain ... She snogged Krum. So she's found out someone wants to snog me too ... I haven't done anything wrong."
- Ron's not wrong, but misses the point.
(2) Hermione: "He's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes ... I really couldn't care less."
- She sure talks about it a lot for not caring.

07/10/2020 - 49%

(1) '"Are you going out with [Cormac], then?" asked Parvati, wide-eyed.
"Oh — yes — didn't you know?" said Hermione, with a most un-Hermione-ish giggle.'
- I doubt there's even a Hermione-ish giggle. Mostly she blushes.
(2) Harry: "Serves you right for coming with [Cormac]."
Hermione: "I thought he'd annoy Ron most."
- I expect no less from a jealousy-fueled romance.

07/11/2020 - 51%

(1) "Harry ... was still trying not to think about Ginny any more than he could help, despite the fact that she kept cropping up in his dreams in ways that made him devoutly thankful that Ron could not perform Legilimency."
- Hopefully those dreams aren't Voldemort's doing.
(2) "Harry was left to ponder in silence the depths to which girls would sink to get revenge."

07/12/2020 - 53%

Harry and Ginny be like: Not cool bro!

(1) Kreacher gifts Harry a box of maggots. Not useful, but it's the thought that counts.
(2) '"Harry, you've got a maggot in your hair,' said Ginny cheerfully, leaning across the table to pick it out; Harry felt goose bumps erupt up his neck that had nothing to do with the maggot.'
- Most romantic maggot scene in fiction?

07/13/2020 - 56%

(1) "Abstinence" is the new common room password. Sneaky, having students recite it repeatedly.
(2) Harry: "Hermione, can't you [make up with Ron]?"
Hermione: "No, I can't... So don't even ask."
- Can't or won't?
(3) "The contents proved difficult to empty into the Pensieve, as though they had congealed slightly; did memories go bad?"
- Eh, only the regrettable ones.

07/14/2020 - 58%

(1) Hermione: "Oh, well, if Won-Won thinks that, you'd better do it ... After all, when has Won-Won's judgment ever been faulty?"
- It's contagious! Now Hermione's saying "Won-Won." Sarcasm, yes, but "Won-Won" regardless.
(2) "Friends they might be, but if Ron started calling Lavender 'Lav-Lav,' [Harry] would have to put his foot down."
- The buck stops at "Lav-Lav"!

07/15/2020 - 60%

Poor Lavender :(

(1) Hermione: "Golpalott's Third Law states that the antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components."
- That makes no sense! How can something be equal to more than a sum? It would just be greater than it!
(2) The gif never happens in the book, but it's my favorite scene :)

07/16/2020 - 62%

(1) "[Harry] was now being dogged wherever he went by Cormac McLaggen and Lavender Brown. He could not decide which of them was more annoying."
- I vote Lavender.
(2) "Harry's imagination zoomed into overdrive ... Ginny, weeping over his lifeless form, confessed her feelings of deep attraction to him while Ron gave them his blessing."
- Pretty passive ambition there.

07/17/2020 - 64%

(1) Lavender: "Is Hermione Granger still visiting [Ron]?"
Harry: "Yeah, I think so. Well, they're friends, aren't they?"
Lavender: "Friends, don't make me laugh ... She didn't talk to him for weeks after he started going out with me! But I suppose she wants to make up with him now he's all interesting."
- Now we know what Lavender looks for in a partner. Interesting.

07/18/2020 - 68%

(1) Lavender to Ron: "Why didn't you tell me you were getting out today? And why was she with you?"
- I suppose a condition of being Lavender's boyfriend is having to cut loose all your female friends.
(2) Voldemort: "You are omniscient as ever, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore: "Oh no, merely friendly with the local barmen."
- That's some stealthy foreshadowing there.

07/19/2020 - 71%

(1) Ron: "I love you, Hermione."
Hermione: "Don't let Lavender hear you saying that."
Ron: "I won't ... Or maybe I will ... then she'll ditch me."
- Essentially, that's what happened in the film.
(2) The Imperius Curse = Temporary insanity defense.
(3) Harry supposes Tonks was in love with Sirius, which no one thinks is weird. Wizard views on incest are oddly casual.

07/20/2020 - 73%

(1) Ron: "Quick, hide me!"
Hermione: "It isn't Lavender!"
- If it were Lavender, I think hiding behind Hermione would make things much worse.
(2) Harry hesitates to use his vial of Felix Felicis, having saved it to break up Ginny and Dean. Luckily, that happened as a side effect of his Slughorn mission. So, bonus points.
- Incidentally, Harry's low-key a homewrecker.

07/21/2020 - 75%

(1) '"What were you doing up there with her?" shrieked Lavender Brown, staring right through Harry at Ron and Hermione emerging together from the boys' dormitories.'
- Lavender's suspicions confirmed!
- Lucky all around... except Lavender.
(2) Slughorn: "Had a house-elf taste every bottle after what happened to your poor friend Rupert."
- I see what she did there :)

07/22/2020 - 78%

(1) '"You have [uncommon skill and power]," said Dumbledore firmly. "You have a power that Voldemort has never had. You can —"
"I know!" said Harry impatiently. "I can love!" It was only with difficulty that he stopped himself adding, "Big deal!".'
- I had the same reaction as Harry to the ending of "The Fifth Element." "Really? Love is the greatest power there is?"

07/23/2020 - 82%

(1) Flitwick: "A little less talk, a little more action."
- Wasn't that an Elvis song? No, wait, that was "A Little Less Conversation."
(2) Harry's mind: "She's Ron's sister. But she's ditched Dean! She's still Ron's sister. I'm his best mate! That'll make it worse. If I talked to him first — He'd hit you. What if I don't care? He's your best mate!"
- Ron, Ron, Ron.

07/24/2020 - 85%

(1) Ginny: "All Romilda Vane does is ask me if it's true you've got a hippogriff tattooed across your chest ... I told her it's a Hungarian Horntail ... Much more macho."
- Harry's already kinda got a lightning bolt tattoo, and on his face too! I'd guess that's be even more macho.
(2) "Rage and resentment fought shock and excitement."
- Fight it! Angst was so Book 5.

07/25/2020 - 86%

(1) Perhaps Harry's grown too used to magic. He's fine charging headlong into danger, but a short swim in cold water totally freaks him out. Who is he? Film-Ron?
(2) "Harry had long since learned that bangs and smoke were more often the marks of ineptitude than expertise."
- I wonder if he's referring to Seamus, who's gimmick is he often accidentally blows things up?

07/26/2020 - 87%

(1) How is Harry shocked that blood magic is a thing? Voldemort was revived by his blood!
(2) Dumbldore: "You are underage and unqualified. Voldemort would never have expected a sixteen-year-old to reach this place: I think it unlikely that your powers will register compared to mine."
- So... Harry should be glad the alarm can't detect his negligible amount of magic.

07/27/2020 - 88%

(1) Harry needs blood to open the archway. Luckily, he was already cut whilst fighting Inferi. Even zombies have a silver lining.
(2) '"It's going to be all right, sir," Harry said over and over again ... "Don't worry..."
"I am not worried, Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. "I am with you."'
- Hits me right in the feels.

*character limit

فکر می‌کنم تا اینجا این جلد خسته‌کننده‌ترین بخش‌های کل مجموعه رو داشت
ولی بازم بهترین جلد بود. سکانس‌هایی داشت که صرفاً با دیالوگ آدم میخکوب می‌شد. بخشی که دامبلدور با شور و حرارت برای هری در مورد پیشگویی توضیح می‌داد استثنایی بود

n  

ولدمورت، درست مثل همه‌ی ستمگران دنیا، با دست‌های خودش بزرگ‌ترین دشمنش رو خلق کرد! هیچ می‌دونی ستمگران چقدر از مردمی که سرکوب می‌کنن وحشت دارن؟ همه‌شون ورای هر شک و تردیدی می‌دونن روزی فرا می‌رسه که از دل قربانیان پرشمارشون یک نفر در برابرشون می‌ایسته! ولدمورت هم فرقی نمی‌کنه! اون همیشه دنبال کسی بوده که در برابرش قد علم می‌کنه. تا پیشگویی به گوشش رسید، بی‌معطلی دست‌به‌کار شد. نتیجه‌ی کارش این بود که نه‌تنها با دست خودش کسی رو انتخاب کرد که بیشتر از دیگران احتمال داشت بتونه کارش رو بسازه، بلکه سلاح‌هایی به غایت ویرانگر هم در اختیارش گذاشت

n

تا قبل از اینکه خوندن کتابها رو شروع کنم یه سری تصاویر خیلی مبهم از فیلم‌ها توی ذهنم داشتم. در مورد شخصیت‌ها چیزی که خیلی خوب تو ذهنم مونده این بود که اسنیپ بهترین شخصیت مجموعه بود (و هست). ولی هیچی از دامبلدور یادم نمونده بود. فکر می‌کردم یه شخصیت معمولیه و به خاطر همینه چیزی ازش یادم نمونده. حتماً دوباره فیلم‌ها رو می‌بینم که بفهمم واقعاً توی فیلم‌ها خوب پرداخت نشده یا من اشتباه می‌کنم
ولی خب توی این شش جلد سکانس‌هایی که دامبلدور توی اون‌ها حضور داشت بهترین‌ سکانس‌های مجموعه بودن. حضورش همه‌چی رو تحت تأثیر قرار می‌داد

Have a nice death old man

J.K. Rowling uses the word “clambered” a lot. Like, a ridiculous amount.

I've never heard an American use this word one time in my life, so I can only assume it's a British habit, to use “clambered” excessively to describe going over an object, or else Ms. Rowling never learned the words “crawled” or “climbed” as a child.

She also has the most horrible habit, as a writer, of mentioning minutiae that no one gives a shit about anymore, but then leaves out some very important details. I have the perfect example to use from this book: when Draco Malfoy tries to use one of the Unforgivable Curses on Harry, at Hogwarts no less, Harry's not the least bit interested to tell anyone, but when he turns a corner, we get to read a entire page about Peeves the Poltergeist throwing chalk at him. . . again. Yes, Harry, make sure and go tell staff that Peeves is throwing chalk at you, but leave off that boring business of the student trying to kill you in the bathroom. Such inconsistencies annoy me.

Also, after rereading some 3,350 pages of Harry Potter so far this year, I can't help but wonder. . . how are we to keep suspending our disbelief that the adult wizarding world times their actions to coincide perfectly with the school year at Hogwarts? I mean, how can every evildoer in the wizarding world be inspired to perform their misdeeds right as the school year comes to a close in June? Couldn't she just one time have made some bad shit happen in February? This is a writing habit that has just been way too tidy for me.

And yet. . . here I was. . . rereading book 6 aloud to my middle child in our living room as my son was in the background, moving his belongings back into the house for summer when I got to this part:

“Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one,” said Ernie Macmillan, pointing at a small black cauldron standing on Slughorn's desk. The potion within was splashing about merrily; it was the color of molten gold, and large drops were leaping like goldfish above the surface, though not a particle had spilled.

My son stop moving, set down the box that had been in his hands, then came and sat down on the couch and said, “Felix Felicis.” My daughter and I nodded our heads in approval and Hermione Granger contributed, “It's liquid luck.”

Next thing you know, my littlest child poked her head around the corner and revealed that she'd been listening as well. My middle child blew up in anger at her, throwing a pair of dirty socks at her head, but her little sister prevailed and came into the center of the living room and declared as she sat down on the carpet, “I just want to listen to the story.”

Imagine me now, feeling the bliss, reading my favorite Harry Potter book to all three of my kids at once, in the center of my living room, on a beautiful spring day. And that right there is the magic, folks. It's not that I'm the world's most engaging narrator. It's not that J.K. Rowling writes novels like Graham Greene. J.K. Rowling's magic is in her storytelling.

Storytelling is not writing, and not all writers are storytellers, but good writing that contains excellent storytelling takes the reading experience to the sublime.

We clambered to the climax of this story together and now we are poised to take on the last novel together, next week.

When I asked my middle child how many stars out of five for this one, she answered: ONE THOUSAND.

So, ONE THOUSAND stars out of five.

“I am a wizard, not a baboon or a transphobe.”
- Not JKR

Mermaids UK

The Trevor Project

Black Visions Collective because Black trans lives matter.

n  

“It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”

n



Reading this book was brutally depessing. I've never expected Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to be dark like this, but I liked it anyway. The boy from book one has grown up and makes a decision that turns out to be disastrous. The thing I loved about this book might be when Harry and Dumbledore dig into Voldemort's memory. We get to know about him and what kind of person he was before he became the Dark Lord. This is exceedingly fun !



n  

“Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.”

n

I really enjoyed many parts of this book, yet the last few chapters tore my heart out and crushed it into the ground. The development of these characters is surprisingly good too. It seems everyone has their way to deal with the problems. Harry and Hermione are perfect together, but not in the romantic way. The climax blew my mind and I didn't want to do anything more than sobbing quitely on the pillow. J.K. Rowling did a good job when she started writing this book, she knew how to unify the pieces scattering around these six books.



n  

“Voldemort himself created his worst enemy, just as tyrants everywhere do! Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to be one who rises against them and strikes back!”

n

More at http://goo.gl/0y2Lw3

3rd read: August 2018 - audiobook
I will never get over Stephen Fry's narration. It's simply magical ✨

2nd read: Jan - Feb 2018
ROONIL WAZLIB

"5. Should you feel that a family member, colleague, friend, or neighbor is acting in a strange manner, contact the Magical Law Enforcement Squad at once. They may have been put under the Imperius Curse."

Time for interesting little subplots is over. We've arrived finally, where everything is closely tied to the core of the story and progressing fast. It's always delightful to see, everything that was great about the series still remains the same, if not better. However, disappointments, sorrow and hardships are what the reader is going to encounter for the most part. As I finished reading Half-Blood Prince, more than ever before, I feel being trapped in a hopeless situation filled with nothing but forebodings.

"Destination...determination...deliberation..."

One would imagine, we're beyond being accommodated with new characters, but the author will quickly convince you otherwise, and introduction of new and interesting characters continues. It's great to see how Rowling keeps outperforming herself with each new book . Harry's ill-tempered nature and suspicions does not end with the last book as I hoped it would, but the results are quite the opposite this time around. Honestly, I did not anticipate the way how things turned out right till the last three chapters.

"To friendship! To generosity! To ten Galleons a hair!

We've been somewhat used to happy ending in the first four books (relatively) with 5th being a bit disappointing but this one, it was the most depressing ending for me yet. It probably comes down to reinforcing the suspense toward the final book but, it's a difficult place to be in - especially if you had to wait for a year..

"Eet 'as been too long!"

I have read this book many times, although the penultimate one was years ago. Let's say that this was the first time I've read them in e-book form.

The reading was marvellous. There were things I'd forgotten, e.g. how late Harry and Ginny got together. I'd also forgotten about most of the funeral. I'll say no more, spoilers oblige.

What this book tells me is that sadly the more conservative of readers, grammarians etc will place so many books above Harry Potter #6, none of which is worth mentioning in the same breath as Potter lore.

To me this series is special. Nobody else will undertake waiting for each book to come out and lay our hands on them. The Potter universe will belong to our descendants forever. But it was we who helped create this fervor and unmatched popularity.

Uno de los mejores libros de la saga. Un libro que puede pasar como "preparación" para el último, pero que en realidad tiene fuerza por sí mismo. Fantástico y más oscuro que sus predecesores, como me gusta.

Y ahora, Harry, adentrémonos en la oscuridad y vayamos en busca de la aventura, esa caprichosa seductora.

- Albus Dumbledore

Magical Creature Scandal! Giant Spider Expires on School Grounds!: "I'm pretty sure the potions master was implicated. He had an extensive supply of acromantula venom after this dreadful incident!" - Hogwart's Herald

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more."

Well said, and the story progresses as it must, into grief and heartfelt purpose. Harry loses his greatest mentor and turns to face the terrifying evil of Lord Voldemort...

But not alone, for there are those of great heart who will stand with him to the very end, whatever end that may be.

Five stars (4.75 rounded up) well earned, despite the occasional lapse of pace, and the tropey 'gloat speech,' of Malfoy's that was used to illuminate what had been happening throughout the story. I get the last, Malfoy had to display his hesitation, and the speech provided him time to do that... but gloat speeches just don't sit well with me.

As always, let's see if the main man himself would like a quick word, what follows might be a bit contentious - so read it at your own risk.

Dumbledore: "Yes, well, my contract with Hogwarts has expired, and I have to move on. But, I'm not quite ready for retirement, I'm starting a new class in 'Incredible Wizarding Heroics,' all are of course most welcome to join."

And there you have it 5 'Beware the Tragic Potion,' stars.

Reread this in April/May 2023 with the fine folk over at Nightmares and Dreamscapes.

5 Sterne oder auch ein "O" für "Ohnegleichen"

Ich werde diese Reihe, sowohl die Bücher als auch die Filme, immer lieben! Losgelöst von allem was man von der Autorin halten mag, ist Harry Potter einfach Kindheit. Ein Buch dieser Reihe aufschlagen und von Hogwarts, Winkelgasse, Fuchsbau & Co. lesen ist jedes Mal wie Nach Hause kommen und hinterlässt immer ein warmes Gefühl der Geborgenheit in mir.

Ich finde es immer wieder bewundernswert wie eine ganze Generation zusammen mit Harry, Ron und Hermine aufgewachsen und erwachsen geworden ist. Vermutlich wird es das in diesem Ausmaß nie wieder geben.

Die Geschichte ist einfach so gut durchdacht und jedes Wort am richtigen Platz. Emotionen kommen hier absolut nicht zu kurz, muss hier am Ende immer weinen, egal wie oft ich das Buch lese/den Film schaue. Und egal wie oft ich die Geschichte auch konsumiere: es wird nie langweilig, sodass ich für den Reread dieses Wälzers auch nur knappe 3 Tage gebraucht habe. Man kann das Buch einfach nicht weglegen, da man so in dieser magischen Welt gefangen ist. Always...

**5/5