So is this the right book for me?!

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After two years of waiting, author J.K. Rowling has finally released the sixth book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I got the book shortly after midnight on the release day, and several hours of almost non-stop reading later, I closed the book that tells of Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts with eager anticipation for the seventh and final book of the series.

Although quite different to its five predecessors, it still told a gripping tale that kept me hooked. The plot was much less complex than the others of the series, being more of a source of back-story and infromation rather than offering a new mystery for the characters to work out. It made a quieter and less action-packed book on its own, but, in terms of the series, it was probably necessary, as it sets the stage for the next book nicely.

One of the first things I noticed about any of the characters was that Harry had grown up a bit. He was more mature and less angsty, throwing considerably fewer temper-tantrums, resulting in a more likeable character. His inner battles regarding his love life were a source of amusement, as was the wit he showed in various conversations. The romances between the other characters were usually also enjoyable, giving the reader a lighter, happier break from the ever darkening plot.

The lack of appearances from many of the characters also stood out in my mind. Some of the chracaters whose roles we saw grow in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix were barely mentioned, and I found myself missing them. The new additions to the cast were intriguing, with Horace Slughorn and the new Minister of Magic leading the pack, but focus on them left less time for the things I've come to expect from J.K. Rowling. The book felt slightly empty without the trio's visits with Hagrid, Snape acting out his grudge against Harry during classes and McGonagall being witty and not taking crap from anyone.

One of the book's strengths was its ability to capture the reader's emotions; I felt J.K. Rowling did a great job with that. The emotional roller coaster I was sent on caused me to be on the verge of tears several times, only to start laughing my head off a page later. Three times the tears actually came and I had to put the book down to avoid crying on it.

After the twist-filled climax and ending, I was left almost speechless. True to the other five books, some of the things that happened you just didn't see coming. The ending left a few unanswered questions for us to speculate on while we wait for the grand finale, and was a very satisfying read. For fans of the series who haven't read this book yet, I now ask... What are you waiting for?

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