Book Cover

It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew - and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents - that there was all the difference in the world.

Past Harry Potter novel reviews:

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone

# Review

As with the last book, I felt that too much of the novel is dedicated to describing friendship drama ("snogging"). The main story, which uncovers Voldemort's past and covers the events faced by Harry and friends at Hogwarts (including a mysterious potions textbook with interesting modifications, mysterious accidents occuring around the castle, and of course, way too much snogging). The first half of the book was way too slow but in the second half, the pace really picks up.

There were some plot holes, such as the idea of this potion which grants the drinker immense luck (why can't he use it to kill Voldemort). One of the questions that has been bugging me through the entire book series is why haven't witches and wizards figured out how to mass-produce magical potions. I figured it would probably make sense to automate, or at least greatly streamline the process of producing potions.

The book also introduces some peripheral characters, such as McLaggen and Slughorn which I felt were a bit lackluster compared to some of the characters introduced in past books. Although McLaggen does serve as an example of why personality can sometimes matter more than skill when playing in a team.

# Conclusion

A slow book at the beginning, made up for by the latter half of the book.

# Overall rating: 8.4

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