Shop Ireland

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6)[Children's Edition] by: J.K. Rowling

Click to tell a friend about this item...

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Release date: 23rd June, 2006
Media: Paperback

Similar Products

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter 5)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Children's Edition]
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) Paperback
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
• See more...

Editorial Review

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in J.K. Rowling’s bestselling series, picks up shortly after we left Harry at the end of The Order of the Phoenix. Lord Voldemort is acting out in the open, continuing his reign of terror which was temporarily stopped almost 15 years beforehand. Harry is again at the Dursleys, where the events of the previous month continue to weigh on his mind, although not as much as the impending visit from his Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Given their last meeting, Harry is understandably confused as to why the old wizard would want to visit him at home.

Rowling opens with a chapter she had wanted to use for the first book, of The Philosopher’s Stone--Lord Voldemort has been creating chaos in the Wizard and Muggle communities alike, the war is in full swing and the Wizarding community now lives in fear. The press have been questioning the events at the Ministry which led to the admission of Voldemort’s return, and of course Harry’s name is mentioned a number of times. Harry’s got his problems, but his anxiety is nothing compared to Hermione’s when the OWL results are delivered. There’s a new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, an assortment of new characters and creatures, and startling revelations about past characters and events.

Gone is the rage-filled Harry of The Order of the Phoenix--he’s not being kept in the dark any more, his unjustified Quidditch ban has been lifted and he has matured considerably in his short time out of school. Half-Blood Prince follows Harry into the world of late-teens, and his realisation that nobody is infallible has made his growth that much easier. Accepting his destiny, Harry continues to behave as teenagers do, enjoying his time with his friends, developing his relationships outside of his usual circle, and learning more about how he must, eventually, do what he is destined to do.

J.K. Rowling delivers another fantastic tale which will have the readers gasping for more, capturing the characters perfectly and continuing a tale which readers will enjoy over and over again. --Ziggy Morbi

Click here to add a review!

Average rating - (more reviews)

Rating: - Just perfect....

Audio book arrived, well packed, cellophaned and in perfect condition..... what more can we ask.

Rating: - Fabulous entertainment

This novel is a breathless ride, from the first couple of sequences involving the Muggle Prime Minister and then Snape performing a mysterious Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy to the heartbreaking funeral of one of my favourite characters.

It seems as though Rowling has achieved once again the tight plotting and exciting storyline that she managed in the Prisoner of Azkaban - this sixth book in the series is by far the best since that highlight.

Here we explore a great deal of Voldemort's back story through the use of memories that Dumbledore has collected from various people who had dealings with the Dark Lord. I loved delving into the why of Voldemort and how he became the pale and snakelike creature he now is from starting out as Tom Riddle.

As well as this, Rowling introduces the idea of Horcruxes - unlike some of the other items she has introduced into previous books just to fulfil some specific use, the Horcrux is much more than this and pulls together the plotlines that have gone before (e.g. the diary of the second novel). I enjoyed how Harry had to pursue Professor Slughorn in order to gain the final memory that would reveal Voldemort's plans.

Slughorn was an interesting addition to the cast of characters - a genial and rather shallow man, weak and somewhat cowardly. His arrival allowed Snape to finally take on the role of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and pushed Harry into taking Potions and thereby discovering the textbook that was once owned by the Half-Blood Prince of the title.

I adored the fact that Hermione was deeply jealous of Harry's newfound ability in Potions. I also liked the way that Harry used the notations of the Prince in his textbook - although this lead to one rather nasty and gruesome moment.

In fact, this book is heavy on the nasty events. It is emphasised how much the wizarding world has changed and grown more distrustful. Some pupils are no longer allowed to attend Hogwarts; each day Hermione scans the Daily Prophet to see who has died; and there are gory moments in the plot (such as when Draco and Harry face off against each other).

There are many moments that make this book one of the best in the series. For instance, I deeply appreciated the beautiful touch of Dumbledore saying, at the start of the book, that Harry would be safe because he was with Dumbledore - and then at the end of the book, Dumbledore says that he knows he will be alright because he is with Harry. It is a very poignant moment and reveals the deep feelings of love and respect that Dumbledore has for Harry.

I enjoyed finding out why Tonks' appearance and Patronus had changed, and I rejoiced when Harry and Ginny finally came together. Another paragraph that had me close to tears was when Harry realised that Luna and Neville were the only two members of the DA who had responded to Hermione's summons - very moving and honest.

Once again, the gloom of the book is disappated somewhat by some comedy moments - these included the Apparation lessons and test, and Ron's whole relationship with Lavender (pure comedy gold at times - Won Won!)

This book is excellent - thrilling and emotional in equal measure. And I defy anyone not to feel a tremendous sense of loss when they realise that the seventh book will not include Hogwarts, by now a character in its own right. I look forward immensely to the climax of the Harry Potter series.

Rating: - Superb Harry Potter Audio Set

This is simply the best audio set for Potter available, can't think of anyone better than Stephen Fry doing that job. Well Done.

Rating: - very good quality

I bought it in used condition, but it was perfect!
Great book not only for Harry Potter's fans.
Very serious and hard one.

Rating: - The Dark Lord strikes back!

Excellent riddle concerning this mysterious Half-Blood Prince, who is ever so helpful in the beginning turning Harry into a genius potion maker - who would have imagined potions becoming Harry's favourite subject?
Lots of Hogwarts stuff - just as I like it - with a bit of love thrown in (for the girls I believe) to give it yet another twist befitting the age of our beloved trio.
Draco Malfoy is even more vicious and up to no good - well it is even worse than that in fact - as Dumbledore and Harry set out on a quest to find the Horcruxes so skilfully hidden by and precious to the Dark Lord.
Crackin' good read! Five stars, again, and runner-up on the "Harry Potter and my Subjective Ranking List":
1. Prisoner of Azkaban.
2. Half-Blood Prince.
3. Deathly Hallows.
4. Order of the Phoenix.
5. Goblet of Fire.
6. Chamber of Secrets.
7. Philosopher's Stone.
A terrible set back for the good side at the end, very sad indeed, so it is going to be up-hill from now on ...

Review Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next »

Browse Categories

• - Rowling, JK
• - Rowling, JK
• - Harry Potter
• - Science Fiction & Fantasy
• - General AAS
• - General AAS
• - General
• - Fantasy
• - General AAS
• - English
• - Paperback
• - Regular Size