Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (review)

Harry Potter has emerged from the difficult and tragic year of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (BCCB 9/03) more determined and decidedly less angry, and as rumors of the prophecy revealed in Book Five circulate, the wizarding world wonders if he is indeed the "Chosen One." While the routines of school life continue—another eccentric new teacher, Professor Slughorn, joins the cast, Harry is named Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team (and is adored by legions of new groupies), and romance is in the air (along with a fair bit of snogging)—there is also a dark cloud of danger looming. Harry is sure that Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape are Death Eaters up to no good, and life-threatening mishaps prove that Hogwarts is not immune to peril. Stakes are now higher than ever as deaths and disappearances ravage the wizarding world, and Dumbledore seems at last ready to confide completely in Harry, placing more information and responsibility into his hands. Lord Voldemort's presence is noticeably absent here (he now uses Occlumency to block Harry's connection through the lightning scar), although he still wreaks havoc indirectly by way of his minions; much of the action in the book seems to be a build-up to the inevitable confrontation between Harry and Voldemort in the upcoming final volume. Still, under Dumbledore's tutelage Harry learns much about pre-Voldemort Tom Riddle, knowledge that may become crucial in later battles. Even without a direct confrontation between Voldemort and Harry, this is a gripping and moving read, with all of the elements that have drawn fans to the Harry Potter saga from the beginning—masterfully suspenseful plotting balanced with imagination and humor, vivid and lovable characters, and a belief in the triumph of good. Upon reaching the book's conclusion, readers will be left breathlessly awaiting the seventh and final book—with plenty of unanswered questions to ponder in the meantime.