Description :

Review :

It's probably a good idea to read the previous books first, since it refers back to them a lot more or doesn't explain everything fully. We see quite a bit of Sirius, who's still on the run, without much explaination of what's happened with him, for example.

The prologue was effective, giving the reader a "birds eye view" of the situation. The reader knows that Voldemort is behind events, but the characters don't. I was suprised by Frank Bryce being killed, since I'd expected him to try and warn Harry Potter and co. The other death, that of one of the children at Hogwarts. lacked the impact it really needed. Admittedly, it was in the middle of a crucial part of the book with much going on, but I would have liked it to have had more emphasis put on it.

I do think that there ought to be some sort of warning not to have anything to do with real magic, considering that in reality it is dangerous and for that reason forbidden in the Bible. While most people should have enough sense to steer clear of the occult etc. not everybody does, so some warning might be appropriate in a book that involves all the main characters using "magic".

Most of the story goes well and is enjoyable. One of my favourite parts involves Dudley Dursley and some magical Ton-Tongue Toffees. There is some slightly bad language, and one of the parts that sticks most in my mind as not being good is Ron making a rude joke in the Divination Lesson. In my opinion it was in very bad taste.

Severus Snape fares better than usual, with the question of whether he can be trusted and why Dumbledore does so. Draco Malfoy and his cronies come off worse, seemingly only existing to make cheap jibes and to tease Harry Potter.

The conclusion is, overall, excellent. Dumbledore seems very much in control and sensible, not just the wise old man with a twinkle in his eye. Cornelius Fudge acts very much in the mould of a pompous official, although it seems likely that the Ministry of Magic would completely ignore what happened seems unlikely, we will probably be seeing more of this in subsequent books. For the first time I'm looking forward to the next book, not just because they are fun books, but because I want to know what happens next.

The anti-Potter concerns often cite witchcraft and violence as Bad Things in Harry Potter books. The witchcraft needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, and is an ideal opportunity for parents to try and teach their children to discern i.e. see what's wrong and why so they can deal with things that are wrong. There is violence and gore in places, but I've never found it too horrible. If there are nasty bits then just skim them to get the idea without going into detail. Again a matter of discernment. All the books are good yarns, with humour and violence, bits to laugh at and bits to take with a pinch of salt.

This story is easily my favourite so far, helped by the fact that the consequences of the events goes far beyond just this book. The Rita Skeeter subplot is fun too, a kind of satire on the tabloid media. I'd also like to emphasise that the book isn't as wonderfull as the mass media might have you believe. It's a good yarn, but lacks a certain something, although this book probably comes the closest of the four published so far. An enjoyable read, to be taken with a large dose of the proverbial pinch of salt.

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