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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers):
If I hadn't committed to having no spoilers from the beginning, this paragraph would have a dozen of them. What a great book, even with spoilers! Harry and Ron scrape together a decent set of O.W.L. scores, and return to the classes they like, with the aim of becoming Aurors. Hermione can do anything she want- she passed everything, of course! The pressures of major exams are gone, because N.E.W.T.s aren't until seventh year. But in their place, the trio have to face teen romance, oppressive amounts of homework, Apparation tests, and coming of age. Harry spends more time with Dumbledore, as he takes a personal interest in sharing what he has learned about Voldemort's past- and his future plans.

Category:
YA fiction

Why I chose this book:
I've read the series several times, but I've never reviewed them

My personal opinion:
This book is the pinnacle of the series. The first couple of books could be considered kid stories. But starting with the Goblet of Fire, Harry begins a steady progression toward manhood, and he reaches it fully in this book- well before he actually comes of age, or has a girlfriend. Some will say that this is the saddest or the worst book, but I love it. The emotions are real- we now know these characters so well that we cry with or for them, we celebrate with them, and we want to meet them and shake their hands someday. Kudos, Rowling! This story in incredible.

Warnings
Language: None
Violence: Fighting, but nothing graphic
"Adult" situations: Kissing- copious amounts of "snogging"
Death: Yes, including major character(s)

Movie rating equivalent:
PG

Protagonist description:
Harry is a young man, finally beginning to glimpse the huge role he has to play in this story

Point of view of story:
Third, focused on Harry

Book length:
Long

Story flow:
Excellent

Grammar and spelling issues:
None

Character connection (no spoilers):
Love all of them! This is probably my favorite series of all time.


For series:
Independent or integral:
Integral

Series review as a whole:
Outstanding. Aspects from the very first book carry through to the end, and become significant.

If you only have time for one, read:
Start at the beginning- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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