Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince [Book 6]
by J.K. Rowling

The average user rating for this Book is 8.4 out of 10 (based on 264 Votes).

Hunter gave it a10:
Outstanding book every book jkr makes is unbelievable a little advice for ken if you dont like the book why read it? why comment it? just trying to make some sense...

Gray D. gave it a9:
Should be called Harry Potter and the emotional roller coster. It loses a point because you get the feeling it is just preamble for the last book. As such the story is much less self contained than the earlier novels. It seemed strange that Ken claims the story to be derivative and then runs off a list of authors who are supposedly 'spewed' into the Potter series. This is really just a list famous fantasy writers(or rather writers well known for a particular fantasy book or series). C.S Lewis used the new testament as a blueprint. Tolkien had Beowulf, not to mention the cliches he borrows( I mean Elves and Dwarves and Dragons and Orcs-C'mon those were hardly original ideas). Rowling had there entire story layed out years before the 'his dark materials' was even released so I'm not sure how that could have had any major influence on the series. I didn't think it was necessary to critisize the fans either. You seem to have put yourself into the role of being some sort of arbiter of great taste, whatever. In fact Ken I am quite sure you were just trying to act cool. Because a rating of 0 would suggest you thought the book was devoid of any entertainment or enjoyment at all. This is something I am quite sure you did not think as you implied you have read more than one of the Potter novels. Anyone who is moronic enough to read multiple novels in a series they claim to think is "poorly written" should have their opinion taken with a grain of salt.

Eman E. gave it a10:
An amazing book the best so far even though dumbledore died.

Jacob A. gave it a10:
Ken, you must of never in your lifetime read even a sentence of a Harry Potter book, because they are some of the best books ever written. They give kids imagination and fun like never before. If you start to read a harry potter book then you can't put it down. Books like that DO change peoples lives.

Omar F. gave it a10:
As a Harry Potter fan for the past 6 years I must say that this book still managed to amaze me and exceed all my expectations. J.K. Rowling manages to keep her story exciting and interesting after 6 books and this is a feat not many can achieve, in fact, she continues to add new dimensions to her story that make each book more intriguing and mature. Read it, it's a great book.

aditya k gave it a10:
i ws totally thrilled by d book.its amazing,enjoying n quite funny at times.........

guy ! gave it a10:
Best Harry Potter Book yet! Can't wait for the seventh!!

Ken gave it a0:
I would like to know how Carlos A, or anyone else, could possibly believe that a poorly-written thriller can "change lives". I'm constantly amazed how Rowling continues to receive such unabated praise when her books are nothing more than a slew of fantasy cliches cobbled together in a bloated, derivative story. Her works are mind-bogglingly derivative, with so many unintentional (or perhaps intentional) allusions taken from other, better, authors, that one wonders. One wonders how the CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander, Philip Pullman, Terry Pratchet, Ursula K Le Guin, and other authors being derivatively spewed into Harry Potter goes unnoticed. But when one sees the unflaggingly devoted hordes of fans adorned in glasses and facepaint, clutching with blblical devotion their Harry Potter novels, that wonder dissolves into awe--awe that such a trite and silly story could command such devotion. For me, however, there is no awe, only sadness. I am sad that so many great books and authors have forever been thrust far from the eye of notice to be replaced by what is no more than an amusing summer beach-read.

Jonathan F. gave it a10:
brilliant and exhilarating

Alexa gave it a9:
A great set up for the last book!

Carlos A gave it a10:
I think that there is a profound difference between a casual Harry Potter reader and a Harry Potter fan. A Potter fan is one whose entire life was changed by Rowling's creation. WIth Half Blood Price, Rowling has created another book than can change lives.

Omar gave it a10:
This is a great book. After having read the all of the books of the series so far, I really think that the intensity of each book increases and keeps the reader hooked for longer periods of time. I would love to have books like this to read all the time.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
This book shares the top spot with Prisoner of Azkaban. Don't be hatin' it!

Jimmy P gave it a9:
One of the best books I have ever read, Rowling is outstanding and should be a Dame.

Randy M gave it a7:
Esther...did you even read the book? I understand that witchcraft is not good in real life, but it isn't even possible in real life. Banning the books is not only an act of censorship, but there is no reason to. Churches and cults against the books are overreacting, and few readers honestly care about their opinions. Anyway, I honestly liked this, even though I liked the last three more. The criticism of declining quality gets stale, and is exaggerated heavily. The style just changes, and that can be a good thing... Although this is still much like the others. Its not repetetive, just slightly disappointing.

Esther gave it a0:
I think that Harry Potter books should all be banned. They only include witchcraft and sorcery. Those things are anything but good. I don't get why people even read them. They're a waste of time. I don't know about you, but I don't even go near those books!

Guadalupe gave it a0:
It seems that the quality of the Harry Potter books has just gone down the drain since the first one. It feels the Rowling is ... imaginatively constipated. She is reusing ideas and forcing those words out. The first Harry Potter book was decent - it should've stopped there.

nikita j gave it a10:
it is an excellent,superb and a must- to- read book

Rebecca J gave it a10:
The book was great but at the end when Dumbledore died i was really sad because it all happened in a really sad way how Dumbledore trusted Snape and Snape turned his back on Dumbledore (and was already0 a death eater just like Draco Malfoy it was a really really sad ending in my opinion.

Ineliz M gave it a10:
Well i'm a big Harry Potter fan so i'm definetly going to rate this the highest i can. But in all seriusness, despite this isn't my fav HP book, it's one of the best because its the first time you get a serious glimpse into the bad guy.

Chuy E gave it a10:
i like a lot this book

Foivos gave it a9:
As good as it gets... After the flat and boring fifth book, Rowling finds again her whit, charm and proves to be in full maturity.

Oliver C gave it a7:
Not as good as any of the first four, but better than the fifth in my opinion.

B S gave it a3:
I've forced myself to read all these books, O have said it once and I will say it again, Harry Potter along with the Da Vinci Code are books for people who don't like books.

saanya a gave it a10:
J.k.rowling has set a very fascinating plot this time also. It is ,was and will be forever the best book. THERE US NONe LIKE J.k.ROWLING

Thoas G gave it a10:
Is there any better author than JK Rowling!? Best Harry Potter book till now; looking forward to the next book Joanne:)

bharat n gave it a10:
One of the best in the series.

laura gave it a10:
This is the best book ever. its the best book ever, I love all of them. Its the best and I love, love, loved it!!!!!

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Love it

John B gave it a10:
It's one of the worlds best's books.

jj armata gave it a9:
Started reading it and it all ready sounds greate!!!

Sara J gave it a9:
I loved every minute of it. It is more exciting as the group grows up, and Rowling doesn't skimp on those all-important adolescent issuses such as peer pressure and relationships, (friends and 'more than'). Harry grows crazier by the year, and pretty much snaps.. about time, eh? Dumbledore dies and will be missed! Ron and Hermione need to just open up, we all know that they are hot for each other. I'll say again... I loved it! Can't wait until book 7!

karen t gave it an8:
Wel.... I just love everything of Harry Potter books and JK Rowling that's why this book is very good to me. It sums up from humor to suspense. And there's no book like this. It change my attitude towards Snape who is my favorite villain in the story.

Paul P gave it a6:
On the positive side, this book maintains much of the small details and humor that make the Potter series fun: potions with embarrassing smells, spell-checking quills gone bad, a hilarious send-up of sportscasting, the implications of trying spells when you don't know what they do, and ways for alcoholic witches to cover up their problems. The book is very readable, which I suspect is why it has received such strong reviews. The pages zoomed by for me. And it's a pleasure to reunite with the characters and world Rowling has created. On the negative side, Half Blood Prince is burdened by a sluggish plot. Dumbledore leads Harry through some very compelling lessons, which are my favorite part of the book. But these progress slowly and don't connect well to anything else that happens. Meanwhile, the war going on outside Hogwarts produces little or no impact on the main characters. An early teaser of "what's Draco up to?" goes nowhere until the climax--while intelligent characters implausibly ignore Harry's reasonable concerns about it. Finally, I'm not sure what Rowling was trying to accomplish in the last couple chapters. The identify of the Half-Blood Prince is one of the most anti-climactic revelations in fiction. And one of the final big twists feels dramatically unsatisfying to me. Perhaps these events will turn out to be necessary groundwork for something big in the final book. If so, I will forgive the awkwardness of the story in book 6. What is more difficult to get past are the many missed opportunities in Half Blood Prince. Snape has been desperate for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Why? We get no classroom scenes that would explain this obsession. Harry becomes Quidditch captain, but this is not used as an opportunity to tell us much about Harry as a leader. Ron and Hermione's interactions are stuck in the same rut as in Book 4 and become extremely repetitive. There are few instances of Harry or any other students learning how to do interesting magic. Dry and perfunctory scenes in which students practice apparating fall far short of lessons from prior books in thwarting boggarts, repelling dementors, and practicing occlumency. Worst of all, a romance for which Rowling has painstakingly laid a foundation over the course of several books finally blooms near the end of Half Blood Prince. Then she seems to lose interest and provides virtually no scenes of the pair interacting as a couple. Though not as weak as Chamber of Secrets, Half Blood Prince is one of the lesser books in the Potter series.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
This was one of the best books of the series! once again she does it even tho someone dies there is still somwething happy to look forward to!

Tiffany M gave it a10:
This book was very sad to me. But im still happy that harry went out with ginny. It was a really great book.

Annie B. gave it a10:
wow, i have never cried so hard, i actually had to stop reading and take a breather. it was amazing, not the best of the series (number 4 is the best) but still amazing!!!

iSMAE P gave it a10:
This book is just amazing. I think this is the best book J.K. Rowling has done ever.

Gilbert Mulroneycakes and the Chamber of Secrets gave it a10:
Oo, there's a book section now. I'm giving Half-Blood Prince a 10, but we're past the point where the individual books really need to stand on their own terribly much - this is now a series and the books are episodes. There's a big moment toward the end which I simultaneously did and didn't see coming. Yeah, you know what I mean. This is a good book, probably better than the "OMG SO EMO" fifth, and it sets up the climax brilliantly well. Probably in 2007 or 8, it's the end of the series. And all bets are off.

Jason J gave it a10:
This is a sick nook i loved it

Connor S gave it a10:
this was an awesome book, but i was sad that i might have to wait a whole entire year to read the seventh. it is definetly more interesting than the first 3. i found it a little annoying when i restatred the series. i new what was lting ahead, and i did not have as many questions to ask but they were a little boring. being the age i am at they seemed childish until i got to the fourth one, and when i finished this i was so excited for the fifth. but the sixth was very depressing, and this book got me really intense about harry potter. i wan to know more about the seventh book. what wil it be called, who will die next. all these questions flying through my head.

Some One gave it a10:
Rowling's best so far. I can't wait for the seventh to be published!

sharini v gave it a10:
the book is awesome!!!ther are great awful challenges to be solved in each book and the sixth book has proven a lot.it is really wonderful.i love harry potter

Paul D gave it a9:
This is a great book and has a terrible climax. Very exciting and electrifying read indeed

Meera P gave it a10:
The best..along with goblet of fire of course..this definetly does give us many clues to guess on the next book unlike other books..cant wait for the next one..hope harry survives though.. ;-)

Rishayal S gave it a10:
it roks

Anjali S gave it a10:
This is one of the best in the series!!!!!!!!! Apart from the darkness in the story and the murders, it is a wonderful book. For those who have reccomended that we are not to give such good reviews i will like to tell them that more people have actually enjoyed the series and instead of comparing this book to stuff like star wars, LOTR, and spiderman i feel that you should just read the book and understand its beauty. Jo has created a lovely outline of everything and the unanswered questions will surely be revealed in the last book. I can't wait another 2 years for the last book. I am a die-hard fan of Harry Potter and i feel that the 6th book does justice to most of the things.

Nathan L gave it a10:
The most powerfull of the six, rowling delivers yet another gripping adventure with added salt and pepper. Rowling surprises readers world wide - yet again!

Michael H gave it a10:
The best yet.

Killian F gave it a9:
I could not but this book down. A truly absorbing read. highly recomended

Jasmin Potter gave it a10:
I think this wass the best book including the other ones by j.k.rowling i have ever read. I cried as i read that xxxxx is dead...it was sooo horrible. i think its soo amazing that the writer of harry potter can imagine something like that...i mean its amazing!!!

Dir Dir Dirka gave it a10:
sweet

Noemi G gave it a10:
Books 5 and 6 really made me cry and I've read all the books a couple of times and the interest is still there. The author really gave her heart and soul to the book and the reader can actually feel it.

curtis b gave it an8:
the book is too long. other han that its good

Bonbon A gave it a6:
Sadly, this book is the worst part of the story of Mr. Potter (I mean until his 6th year in Hogwarts). I'm not telling that the book is bad, but I think Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix were much better. I hope J. K. Rowling would end the story of Mr. Potter in a better and more wonderful way later in her last book :)

Jonathan Z gave it an8:
My recollections are hazy, but I can still dimly recall getting my hands on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This was 1998, so I must've been about 11 or 12 years old, the same age as Harry. Around the time the third book came out, I remember that J.K. Rowling stopped by a local bookstore. When it came my turn to get my book signed, I told her that "if you keep writing, I'll keep reading." "I've been feeling a little depressed, lately." Like many other readers in my age range, there's the uncanny feeling that Harry is growing up with me. Gone are the lighthearted days of magical candy and duels that involve no worse than tickling charms. Instead, we've been exposed to joy-stealing Dementors, murder most foul, political tension, and, heaven forbid, interest in the opposite gender. I'm hesitant to even call the latest installment a book for children, since there is a bleakness and foreboding present from the very beginning that casts a grim pallor over all that is to follow. (Not to mention some blood-splattering and bone-crunching.) Don't get me wrong, the series is still a hybrid of a mystery/detective story, boarding school tale, fantasy, and action-adventure. Under this common framework, however, we are presented with darker elements: death curses, traitors, bridge bombings, and Inferi (the undead). I'm a huge fan of this shift in tone, but I have a definite preference for dark fantasy. (The Dark Tower, for example.) As for my predictions for the conclusion: Elements of the traditional quest have always been subtly present in each of the books, but I get the feeling that they'll be coming to the forefront in the last one. Harry has gone from a neglected orphan to a knight sallying forth to battle evil. That isn't to say that matters will end well...

Sam D gave it a9:
best one yet cant wait 4 7!

Maddie S. gave it a10:
I couldn't believe xxxxxxx died! I was crying at the end.(it might've been 'cuz I'm weird, but y'know...) I got it in the morning post the day it came out (8-ish) and I'd finished it by...ooh...3-4 p.m.? There was lots of complicated twists in the plot and anyone who says they don't understand the book isn't a real Harry Potter fan. AARRGGHH!!! Anyway, I've read it literally once because after I'd finished it my brother had to read it and he's still not finished. And I understood everything perfectly.

katherine gave it a10:
Wow! I had just finished the book today and feel like i'm their world right now. The ending was very emotional and i wasn't expecting it, i even cried! It's just amazing how great she writes, how she can make you feel like you're inside the story and everything around doesn't matter. I never cried from a book either! Fantastic, i'd definitely give it a 10! I'll be very sad when the series are over..

Janu J gave it a9:
Dark book, extremely intriguing.

Renaldo B gave it a10:
this book is great, from the begining and expecialy at the end. And i cant wait for number 7. If any one gave this book less than a 9 than there incredibly wrong.

anandha m gave it a10:
the book ends with sadness of the most

Johnny gave it a10:
No-one ever praises the penultimate book as the best in a series (nor will I), but this is still an excellent next to last book, setting up the context for the final battle while giving us more exposition of the characters about whom we care most. And who would have ever thought such a thing could happen at the end?

lucie n gave it a2:
too many unanswered questions. i'm utterly frustrated.

Brent T gave it a10:
One has to, as with Hobbit/LOTR or Narnia, see all 6/7 books as one big long book -- which given their size, is quite astounding. All six books are 10's on every imaginable scale. Clearly the greatest literature of our time -- now being used by universities as textbooks in organizational behaviour, psychology, language... Great for kids who READ THEM! Fantastic for adults! I'm 48 and cringe that with one more book it will be over! Worth their weight in gold. These books, and this last one, live up to all the hype.

mandy gave it a9:
This book says to all that magic still excites and enthralls the children of today. An outstanding novel, probably her best yet. Bring on the seventh!

Rory gave it an8:
a fun book to be sure, taken in a fair share of bad press from pompous critics claiming it is too far geared toward children to deserve any real merit as a novel. I believe that is where Rowling's latent genuis lies, as she cafts a story which appears at first glance a basic fantasy caper to please the kids, but has a subtle depth and sweeping scope which will have a reader unintentionally gripped by its potency, thus the book is elevated beyond a childrens novel and into the realm of a well-written piece of literature, if not a classic. JK is, however,undeniabely is a storyteller of budding greatness

toby gave it a5:
I was also disappointed with the book. It felt like much of the action was summarized for us, as if we werent reading the book in present tense. It was missing some of the magic.

Dasha S gave it a3:
This book seemed more like a good fanfiction than an actual publication by J.K. Rowling. The story seemed uninspired and lacked the spark that made The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix my favorites. Sure, learning more about Voldemort was cool, but that was about all I enjoyed from the book. I really hope that the next installment will be better or I will be forced to start thinking that the last books in the series were spit out for monetary gain rather than pleasing devoted fans.

Michelle R gave it a10:
This book is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read and it fits perfectly into the many ones gone before. I cannot wait for the next edition.

Sherry F gave it a10:
Much more enjoyable to read now that Harry is getting past his belligerant phase. As many hints and clues as there are in the past 5 HP books, you get the sense that this latest one has even more hidden and layered meanings. It's also a time for pairings, some already suspected, and some surprises. It sets up the final book of this series, but leaves us with lots of uncertainties as well. The last sentence in this book is probably the most poignant in the series which you will probably read through a haze of tears. I am in awe of JKRowling's ability to create this world and all the characters, multi-layered schemes, humor, and mysteries within it. Thanks JKR!

zaakir p gave it a10:
Excellent a must read

Rico A gave it a7:
Disappointing, too much explication and not enough adventure. Still, it was entertaining.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
BEST HARRY EVER!!!!!!!

Clint M gave it a9:
The only reason I'm not giving this book the big "10" is b/c I'm saving that one last point for the last (and best!?) chapter of Harry Potter! And after reading "Half Blood Prince" I have every faith in J.K. that the finale will be just as (and more!) entertaining, engrossing and amazing as the previous six have been. I completely love what she's done with the characters, where she's taken the story and how she's brought us along w/her anticipating every step! The woman knows how to write and she knows how to draw you into the lives of each and every wonderful character she's created along her own journey as one of the world's finest storytellers.

eva s gave it a10:
Inticing, Exciting, Dark...Provided me with hours of nonstop entertainment...didn't want the book to end! when's the next one coming?

Chris M gave it a10:
Really good book!

Kyle W gave it a7:
I enjoyed this book, but there wasn't enough substance. It felt as though it ended almost before any good storyline had developed. Rowling took too long to get to the meat of the book (Horcruxes and Malfoy) and spent too much time with worthless stuff. The name of the book really leaves something to be desired... I mean, the fact that ________ was the half-blood prince isn't really of much significance.

Bob R gave it a10:
Second best book of the series behind Azkaban

Sharon C gave it a9:
In step with all the others. It sets us up for something fantastic in the 7th book!

Sam F gave it a9:
This was by far the best Harry Potter book out of the series. Full of suspense, twists and turns, and shocking secrets, as well as a little tension between the sexes, this book will have you glued page for page.

Josip M gave it a10:
This series just gets better with every book. It was alaready perfect on the third book, and it's amazing how JK manages to get more and more interesting with every book. Can't wait for the grand finale.

Stephanie gave it a10:
Best. Book. Ever. I may be a bit biased because of my love of the whole series, but it's definately my favorite book yet.

Layne W gave it a9:
Certainly, the feeling of wide-eyed wonderment that made the first book a classic is gone, and alot of the fresh insights have worn off, but J.K. Rowling is one of the best storytellers out there. Each book has something special going for it. To me, Half-Blood Prince is a less filling book than The Order of the Phoenix or The Goblet of Fire, but it is entrancing, and the end bears the weight of Shakesperean tragedy. Remarkable.

Bryan N gave it a10:
This book which i believe so is as intriguing as the others. Although it may seem a little boring compared to the rest of the series, it is actually extremely well written. And i bet none of those critics that gave less than a 8 could have written half as good as J.K.Rowling. This book is a foreword for the dangerous and exciting adventures awaiting the trio 'and' Ginny of course. The plot is naturally ingenious and the trio's love life is well..dazzling and most unexpected. All in all *Excellent*.

André B gave it a10:
great book!

Matt G gave it an8:
All in all i really enjoyed reading the book and though it was alot better than the last one which was by the far the weakest of the lot.

liz gave it an8:
beutifull book,too short however but it was well written and very enjoyable

bonnie gave it a10:
The only downside is the death of one of the characters. The shock hasn't worn off. Wish he could come back somehow

Frank M gave it a10:
It was great!

Judy E gave it a2:
Although the main plot of the book was engaging and compelling, the subplot was so badly done as to make me wonder if I'd actually gotten Ms. Rowling resorts to reusing old material from previous books and redesigning her characters to fit the new developments in the plot. I have never finished a Harry Potter book so longing for a story as I did with HBP. I felt utterly cheated.

pops k gave it a10:
marvelous

Pat H gave it a9:
Great book!!!

Robert V gave it a6:
i was sooooooo disappointed in the plot.It's like it couldn't take off until the last 4 chapters(which were typical great rowlings style).Hope she gets a better grip on the 7th book...no matter how long it takes

Glenn M gave it a9:
Well the book was breathtaking throughout, but only a nine because, like the haters said, she did lay out the plot for an unbeleivable finale towards the end.

Chester D gave it a7:
So, I finished the new Harry Potter book. All in all, I enjoyed reading it a lot, mainly because it's well written. Another big plus that Harry seems to have left his puberal fits of anger at random moments behind this time around. Some frustrations however, are still around: - Whereas a lot was going on in "The order of the phoenix", few things actually happen in this book. The main plot line revolves around something that happened in the past. This plot line does get us ready for the last one of the series, but I was hoping for a little bit more than just a mere preparation for the last book, like a new view on the magical world, some unexplored territory, some more new characters... Did JK cram so much action in the previous book that she forgot to leave some for this issue? - Whereas the other books succesfully connected what was happening at Hogwarts with the outside magical world, this time around, notwithstanding the fact that war has really started this time, hardly anything in the outside world seems to really influence what happens at Hogwarts. - Another one of my main concerns is that this book seems to neglect a lot of things that were going on in the previous books (the reason for most of which is explained in a non-satisfactory way). Some of the characters that co-starred with Harry in past books suddenly don't seem of much importance, while another old character makes its return only to produce a comedy element in an otherwise mainly grim storyline. Before the book came out, JK said that it had a lot in common with 'the chamber of secrets' (2nd book), and that is indeed the case. So if you're rereading one of the HP books before reading this one, I'd opt for chamber of secrets. Maybe the connection with this book can relieve chamber of secrets from its stigma of 'worst book in the series'. - Love/jealousy. If relationships before this book always were awkward and difficult (eg. Harry and Cho), this book sure breaks with that tradition. Is it the lack of good storylines that made for this abundance of love-related stuff? Makes you wonder what is going to be the translation for the verb 'to snog' in the Dutch version. - As always, some parts of the story are frustrating, because there's no reasonable explanation why some actions do(n't) happen. Again, JK has to end the book with Harry feeling guilty about something that he could have done that could've really affected the outcome of the book. No real explanation is given for Dumbledore's behaviour outside the tower of divination either. Luckily, the inevitable action sequence at the end of the book is/reads a lot better than the one in "the order of the phoenix". - Since I'm stupid, I failed to predict who the half-blood prince was going to be. But I'm sure you'll be able to. The end of the book indicates that the last book in the series might have a whole different structure than we've become used to (hints are made to Indiana Jones-esque adventure). While this gives JK more liberty to write the last book, that fixed structure (and everything revolving around it) just might have been one of her strong points, so we'll just have to see if she'll be able to pull it off.

devorah b gave it a9:
as an adult reader, the teen angst was "cute" and "life goes on" scenes overdrawn considering the ravaging war outside. Yet, Rowling's connects the dots as she develops the growth of Harry's character. Philosophical truths and psychological elements required are brilliantly told. death isn't the worst thing that can happen...is a truism that transitions from book 5 to 6 as Harry must discover the delicate balance between good and what is evil (light and dark), the true meaning of eternal relationship and even 'divine' purpose.

Andy gave it a9:
Nice. A step up from Order of the Phoenix. Some people thought it was lame, predictable, and weak. But not I. I liked it, and I can't wait for the last one - because, while this book wasn't quite my favorite of the series, it did a great job of laying out the tantalyzing ends to hopefully be tied up in the last book.

Edwin K gave it a9:
Loved this book, loved the 3-part interview afterwards. J.K. Rowling is on a roll. This is the best book in the series so far, and indeed MUCH better than book 5.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Rowling's 6th book was just as good, if not better, than her previous books. I think Rowling did a an excellent job with aging the characters in this story. This book is darker than the others, and is impossible to put down once your about 3/4 done the book.

Robert P gave it a10:
This book was the best book yet it was intriguing and adventurous. buy it if you liked the other 5 books.

Virgilio gave it a10:
Excellent. Rowling does what any good author should do and ties in backstory and details from prior installments. "If the script mentions a gun over the door in Act 1, someone should fire the gun in Act 3" - this rule still holds true. The only minor niggle would be Hermione, but we must admit that the characters change with the story and she's not going to remain static throughout Books 1-7. Overall, just as good as I had been expecting.

Dustin gave it a10:
F*** San Francisco Chronicle and especially The Observer... If they didnt like this amazing book, and i didnt like the last 2, they should have the ability to crtique books or anything taken away.

Matt P gave it a9:
Very entertaining, but she seems to be losing her flare for the creative. The ending was coming from a mile away, but who cares: it's Harry F*****g Potter!

Jennifer O gave it a10:
I am so sad that the next book will be the last. Harry Potter always keeps me reading, and re-reading, and then pondering for weeks. Reading other books after I read Harry Potter is really difficult since no other author can live up to what Rowling has created. I love her!

Jazmin M gave it a10:
This book is so sad and amazing at the same time. JK is a master of storywriting. About the HBP, I love the mystery, backgrounds of the characters, and especially the twist at the end. Just wonderful and inspiring to fellow writers.

Nick gave it a9:
Reading some of the more negative reviews listed here, do you get the feeling that some people just didn't get it? And that others are upset that the characters are changing? Maturing, even? That said, no, this book is not flawless. It's still incredibly impressive, however, as Rowling weaves threads together to move the plot along and pull us directly into Book Seven.

A Pinco gave it a2:
This book was by far the worst of the series. The imagination has dried up, as most of the things we see were already in previous installments. The plot was weak and predictable. The romance part was really cheasy and banal. But most of all, the characters lacked any depth and were totally inconsistent with previous books, especially Order of the Phoenix. Hermione was especially butchered, she didn't even seem herself anymore. A big let down.

John H gave it a3:
Weak effort on Rowling's part. I certainly expected more from this volume than supposedly tying up loose ends and laying the groundwork for the next book. Why publish it at all? Weak story line. Weak plot. Weak resolution. Weak dialogue. Weak writing. Overall, I would say this volume is the worst in the series so far.

Jerry T gave it a7:
It's funny because no matter what i give this book, no matter how bad it was, I would tell anyone who has started the Harry Potter series to continue because if you do not read this book you will never know how the story continues and if you decided to skip to the 7th book you're a fool because there are some important stuff you need to read about in the 6th book. I know the 7th isn't out yet but the details in the 6th book at BIG. Well, I thought the book was MUCH better than the 5th book. The questions you've had in the 1st book start to be answered. The mystery is slowly becoming clear, but the magic isn't gone.

Mike C. gave it a7:
Rowling's prose style is much better controlled than in previous books, with fewer cliches and better atmospherics. However there is a little bit of "character fatigue" setting in and the problems that all writers experience in ending a story arc are starting to loom. And the middle of the book, the school scenes, seems rather perfunctory, without anything to really tie it to the war taking place outside the school. Never the less this is an excellent thriller for fans of the series, gripping and exciting.

Drew gave it a6:
An o.k. book, but definently not one of the better ones in the series. It has the same plot as most of the other Potter books, with Harry unearthing some dark, mysterious plot involving Voldemort, and no one else believing him. However, this book is without the seemingly obligitory showdown between Harry and Voldemort, which is probably a good thing. One thing that definently detracts from the plot is the "romance" (and I use this word very loosely) in this book, from the cheesy love triangle, which is much too childish and overplayed for anyone besides girls under 14, and the constant mention of (and use of the word) "snogging". Finally, there is the ending sequence where Harry breaks up with Ginny when he gives her the whole speech about how he loves her (or "likes her a lot", depending on how old you are), but doesn't want her to get hurt, borrowed from Spiderman 2, and starting to become very cliqued. However, I gave this a 6 because I am a fan of the series, and really enjoyed the ending. Let's just hope that book 7 is much, much better.

gary j gave it a10:
this is one of the best in the series so far. but, it's best to read all of the previous books in order to get the full picture.

David W gave it a10:
One of the best in the series! THis book is a potter fans wet-dream! What is so brilliant about it is how Rowling is able to incorporate things from all the books together, bringing the story full circle. This book shows a darker, more mature harry that really begins to become the classic hero we all knew he would become. I do not consider myself an emotional person but i must say, i cried a good deal at the end of this book, so beware, the rumors are true!

Jodi K. gave it a7:
In the HBP, it seemed that all the characters were very distant. This book focused on Harry, Ron, Herminone, Dumbledore, Snape, Draco and Tom Riddle (past and current). The rest of the charcters, who have played vital rolls in the past, seem to have been put on the back burner, and seemingly left out of the story. This book was dark, however the emotion wasn't behind the story like it was in previous books, such as Phoenix.

giulia gave it an8:
the ending was really suprising, and it gives a good view on the following book. i always thought they would all play in hogwarts. so i was wrong, and thats good. i really hope the 7th will be also suprising, would be great fun to see the bad people win, but i guess that would be asked too much. the ron-hermione had to come, but i agree with some of you, it wasnt that interesting after all. but i enjoyed reading it, and i cried a lot. a nice book.

j Garrett gave it a9:
JK Rowlings is a wonderful writer. Her words are clear as if you are in the room where the events are taking place.

A Book Criric gave it a9:
This was really a great book. It continues the adventure, and had a very surprising twist at the end of it. (As for the user reviewer Johnny W, who stated that "everybody saw it coming" ....uh...I didn't. And apparently many others didn't. By avoiding any sort of the hype or reviews of this book before it, I was able to go into it having no idea that something would be happening at the ending, so I was completely shocked by it. You only can see it coming if you spoil it for yourself.) Anyway, back on topic here. Half Blood Prince was not better than Order of the Phoenix, which was definitely the best in the series. And I'm not even sure it's better than Goblet of Fire. (The 2nd best in the series.) This book doesn't stand much on it's own, and doesn't really seem to have much of a plot to it. But the reasons are clear. This book's purpose is there to set up what will likely be a big 7th book in this series. That's the purpose this book serves. And it serves this purpose very well. While not the best in the Harry Potter series, (mostly due to the dragged out "love triangle" theme and the constant "snogging",) it was really a very good read, and is really recommended to those HP fans who haven't read it yet. And if you haven't yet discovered this great series, go and pick up a box set and start the series now.

Miriam M gave it a7:
Finally! J.K.Rowling has taken risks!!! I don't think it's well written but it's a good story. (if you get my grip) Azkaban is definitley #1 in my books, but what would I know. I'm only 12. I still don't see why there is this huge thing about the books being released, there are several better books I have read like: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime The Outsiders I would certainly suggest those two before any of the Potter series.

Lorna C gave it a4:
Having waited 2 years, I have to say I was so disappointed with this book. Rowling seems reduced to plagiarising blockbuster films with shades of Star Wars (Dumbledore/Ben Kenobi - who knows?) and Spiderman (for Harry/Ginny read Peter Parker and Mary Jane) The book is simply an in-fill wjhile we wait for the final conclusion in the next book. Nothing really happens. We don't even have our usual showdown with Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy has been relegated to mere references from time to time. I may just be older and more cynical than when I read the first three books but the magic has been lost. The last three books have been too long, too dull and really not worth the day I have taken off work each time to read.

Nat N gave it an8:
Half-Blood Prince finally answer all the questions we Harry Potter fans has been thinking about all this time. How the heck did Voldermot becomes so powerful and ultimately evil? Which side is Snape on: good or evil? Who does Harry fell in love with? Harry has definitely grown up fast. No longer the Boy Who Lived, he has become 'The Chosen One' -the one destined to kill Voldermot. He has to shake off the protective shield he's been placed on since 11 and come out on his own. The last few chapters of the book is the real highlight with twist and turn that will shake you to the core. And leaves you hanging with desperation for the final 7th Book!

Chase H gave it a9:
I really like this book, I couldn't put it down. The whole time I was trying to think ahead and some of it I understood and guessed right away but not the the point where I could tell who the prince was.(but after I read it I thought DUH!) I think that this was by far the darkest book, but the best. I can't wait for the movie(as long as the director doesn't slaughter it like the 3rd book). I rate the Series (6,5,4,2,1,3). Can't wait for the next book.(I hope it's longer!!!)

Adri T gave it a10:
This book is great !! It's my favorite with GOF. It is so interesting to see Voldemort's childhood, and to see Dumbledore and Harry interacting so much more ! Finally, I never guessed who the half-blood prince was until he revealed himself. Surprise !

Mike H gave it a7:
"Gryffindor has ten points taken away from them!" After six books, this empty threat rings as hollow as ever. A lot of reading to get to a lot of ho-hum reveals and the big shock that didn't even have me remotely teary. And we learn, after six books that the reason Voldemort can't defeat Harry is - spoiler ahead - because HARRY HAS LOVE. Yes, it turns out that - All You Need Is Love. Them Brits is profound. STILL... fun to read.

Bob gave it a10:
this was probably my favorite harry potter book in the series. it is amazing, but it really angered me at the end when ...... dies. i was mad. but its still the best. it could have been 1000 pgs longer and that would have been better.

Molly G gave it a10:
As Harry and his friends evolve into their adult selves, JK Rowling is also evolving as an author. Everytime she writes something in relation to child/teen development, she hits it right on the mark. Harry and his friends are growing up and out of what they had been at age 11, breaking more rules and forming more bonds. The adolescent drama and angst is typical of that of 17-year-olds, yet at the same time the novel explores what it really is for a child to become an adult, particularly as hardships come from all sides. I also have to say that Rowling absolutly nails her profile of Voldemort as a sociopath, down to the tiniest detail. I'm floored by reports that this is poorly written, that the characters are constantly "out-of-character". I thought it was brilliant all around, particularly in the development of the characters and showing how each comes around to accepting their fate, and embracing it. I can't wait for book 7, when I hope that all of the questions and worries raised in HBP will be answered.

Cindy G gave it a10:
Loved it. J.K. Rowlings in an amazing and talented writer. Even as an adult this (and all) book really kept me on the edge until I finished it. Really enjoyable to read.

Tina C gave it a9:
Extremely enjoyable

Jeremy D gave it an8:
Make no mistake about it. This is an excellent piece of writing. The story that Rowling has to tell is very well-told. I do have some serious beefs with the book though. Too many things in this book are out of place or hastily thrown together. Harry's sudden feelings for Ginny left me scratching my head. Harry didn't seem quite like Harry in this book. Would Harry really cheat in potions class like he did in book six? My two biggest complaints are this. Why does Rowling give a character a big build up in the previous book and barely spend any time on them in the next. In this instance, I'm tallking about Neville. He was such a key part of book "5" and then in book "6"... almost nothing. At least nothing of importance. My biggest complain is that Rowling is beginning to borrow to heavily from other fantasy books/movies. Dumbledore's relationship with Harry and Voldemort had me thinking... Obi-wan Kenobi. Overall a good book and I definitely recommend it.

Arwen M gave it a10:
HBP is undoubtedly the most phenomenal installment thus far of the Harry Potter series, and, true to the established pattern, is by far the darkest and most emotional. Rowling's attention to detail has left no stone unturned, and she has expertly set the stage for the climactic final chapter in the Harry Potter epic.

? gave it a9:
You get what you pay for. For those of you expecting a monumental piece of literature, you will be sadly mistaken and should not be reading Harry Potter to begin with. But for those who just want a small bit of escapism during the summer, I'd highly suggest this book. I must admit that I am anticipating the seventh book, now.

Sinn gave it a9:
The second chapter kind of ruined the plot twist for me

Tessa T gave it a3:
Compared to other Potter books, this pales in comparison. WARNING ON SPOILERS: As many people have said, the romance was cheap. JK Rowling struggles so hard to develop this sense of "adulthood" and maturity in the teen characters we love so much, but all her hard work is destroyed by the, yes TRANSPARENT, romance of it. It comes off as if Harry is following this love trend and his affection just goes to the easiest and most likely character. And when did SHE (the new object of his affection) gain such confidence? Convience, as most of this book appears to have been written for. His little break up with her at the end of the book was a bit much, unnecessary and.. hurried, as if it just needed to be squeezed in there. As if Spiderman didn't overuse this plot enough. I love you but I dont want you to get hurt? When did he ever think of that when he needed any of his friends to search the hallways, or accompany him to the ministry of magic in book 5? The readers hadnt even gotten use to the idea of them together before Harry was going on his Marry way. He couldnt laugh or enjoy himself after Sirus' death, but he can laugh as he's walking away from Dumbledore's funeral. I just think this book was sloppy. The ending? That Harry forgot to create fire around the Inferi, and Dumbledore to the rescue. Such a powerful wizard he was, Dumbledore who did not cower when facing Voldemort in the Ministry the summer before, could die pathetically at someone elses knees, with merely a pleading name as his last word. Very out of character, as was everyone in this book. But I suppose fame goes to the head. We all write our best when we struggle in our own lives because it is an escape. JK Rowling needs no escape from her riches, but now she'll have to answer to her truely disappointed fans.

John I gave it a10:
Brilliant, work of art, humor and loss.

Sarah K gave it a1:
This was by far the worst book J.K. Rowling has churned out, and I'm a big fan. Her explanations for big questions are dull and I despised the way she made yet another death pointless. I didn't cry because it was poorly written, perhaps if she had taken more time I could have been even vaguely engaged with this one. My biggest regret is having waited 2 years, spent $20.00, and wasted 1 day for this book.

Heather S gave it a10:
Harry Potter books are known for their unexpected outcomes. This book met those expectations but soared above all the others. I am very sure we will all see the Harry Potter series gracing the shelves with other classics in years to come.

Eric K gave it a10:
I gave this one a ten, because it was so much beter then the last one, which was pointless. And the story was so good that it had me reading over a hundred pages per day.

Edozie U gave it a7:
Compared to Book 5, Rowling's 6th Book is a page turner for entirely different reasons. I read each page thinking, 'okay, okay I got that what's next'. For the most part some questions raised in past books are answered rather casually. But perhaps the somewhat flat hum running throughout this book makes the ending even more emotionally powerful. I hope that the 7th book will be the ultimate finale a là JK Rowling in which case Book 6 will be perfectly vindicated as 'the quiet before the storm'.

J D gave it a10:
This book is the best of the bunch.

Bill C gave it a10:
While not necessarily as fresh as its predecessors Rowling has undoubtly shown the reader that she can age the situations as well as the characters. Her latest foray has shown us that Harry has is no longer the playful, bolt-shaped scarred boy of the first book but rather the emotionally tormented young man of book six.

Eron L gave it a9:
Definitely a maturation for the series and for Harry himself. I can say that I felt the ending was a bit predicatable, but I think it was by intention. Dumbledore's conversation with Harry's Aunt and Uncle clearly foreshadows the rest of the story. It is interesting to think what the last book will be like, as it should be a departure from the basic formula of the other books.

Bill Y gave it a3:
Just thought it was dull...didn't have the energy of the previous books. The plot was just Harry growing up. It almost feels like she is using this book to build the stage for the nextbook--Cannot really recommend anyone to read the book.

Todd B gave it a7:
This was overall a fairly good book, and much better than the last book in this series (which was horrible and way too long). But all of these books seem to ramble on way too much, and Rowling takes too many pages to tell her story. However, overall this was an okay book. I hope book 7 is better.

jeeth j gave it a7:
about a quarter of the book has been used to lay the foundation of the this story....the rest was cool...and the ending was quite sad......as said by other critics...there nothing fresh in this book...but a lot of things has been explained...quite well woven.....all in all its better than the previous one...but not the best

David R gave it a10:
What a great book! It took two years for the book to finally come out and two days for me to finish it.

Neil W gave it a9:
Great Book, darker and very compelling. But not as good as Rowlings others Potter Books.

Talha H gave it a10:
The book is sheer brilliance. There are intriguing factual and emotional twists and turns in virtually every chapter. As usual, the diction is first rate and stands with that of the best fiction writers from any period. The dialogues, the sentence structure, coupled with Rowling’s effortless bits of imaginative nuances is first-rate. The story is magnificent in its sheer mystery and sense of impending, approaching doom. Insights into Tom Riddle’s life are a brilliant back story and no less heart-rending than Harry’s own trials and tribulations. There are those who sneer in a Malfoy-like fashion on the addition of Bill and Fleur’s romantic antics, but I say to those ignorant souls, would it be a Harry Potter saga without it?

Loony Lovegood gave it a10:
This installment is by far the best in the series. The book's pacing and length are just right--and Harry is not the snivelling adolescent Rowling was making him out to be in Book 5 (and thank God for that). The book is fantastic in its wonderful blend of typical whimsical humor you can expect from a Potter book and brutal violence, exquisite psychological examination of the key characters (Voldemort's background is fascinatingly complex). This is truly a masterpiece.

Alanah M gave it a7:
It's definitely not the best of the Harry Potter books; however, having said that, I think it's fundamentally important to say that this book with lead into the seventh. Unlike the last five books which each had a large event led into throughout the book with lots of action and adventure, the sixth book was filled more with background information which will help the reader understand Harry's and Voldemort's motives in the seventh book. This isn't the most exciting book, but I think that, without this information, reading the seventh book would be a much less complex and intricate journey. As the books progress the story becomes more layered and the sixth book allows the reader to become completely involved with what will happen, inevitably, in the seventh book. For fans, a must read, absolutely essential to the substance of the series.

Julie BV gave it a5:
I consider myself a Harry fan, I waited for this book 5 months checking every now and then the website and the like... yet, i read the whole book in 25 hours, and got somehow... disappointed, I felt like being shown the reasons why things had happened instead of being amused and getting caught in a fabulous story. Now, I think that the seventh must be the last one. I used to think differntly before. What a pity!

jack s gave it a3:
What are all of you on to give this book such good reviews? I can't remember being more disappointed in my life! She has now killed possibly the two best characters in the series in back to back books in utterly pointless fashion! And the other 'best character' ran off at the end of this one! She's taken all of the humanity out of the series, and with the best characters all gone for one reason or another, what's the point of continuing? Complete rubbish as far as I'm concerned.

SF C gave it a10:
From the great opening act with the prime ministers, to the delightfully accurate love triangles and up to its dreaded ending, HP 6 manages that which its predecessor didn't: it offers a purpose to all its actions (even to some from the fifth book). Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna...even Malfoy, not to mention our "infamous" hero become more authentic and complex. Of course, this blabbing-about in technical terms can never truly convey that which the book does. However, I need to add something before I finish my feeble comment. One of the utmost charms/achievements of The Half-Blood Prince is its visual richness. Although I've played back all the other books in my mind even before they came out as actual movies, this one surpasses them all. As a matter of fact, I often felt the urge to press the "play" button whenever I made a short break from reading. It's just as good as it gets.

Mia D gave it a10:
A simply amazing book. How J.K. Rowling can come up with such brilliant twists and innovative plots with every book she writes, I don't know. This book is rich with darkness and evil but comes with comic relief and lots of humor. The end is incredibly sad but leads off to what will surely be an excellent 7th book when it comes out.

Steven G gave it a9:
Wow. The book is great. In book 5 you get the sense Harry is facing everything alone, which made it darker than this one. Even so, this book ends with surprises and shocks that will make your jaw drop. The final installment should be amazing.

Michael B. gave it a7:
It was a good book overall. You start to see a resemblance though with this book and the other books. It is more harsh though and you can really see Harry grow up. I'd have hoped for a bit more of an open end, because while reading the book, the feeling sort of arises that she is done with her story, and that the final part won't reveal too much. Let's just hope this won't be true, and that part 7 will be the best one yet. This one was kind of a letdown after all of the suspence and unfinished stories we got over the last books.

Shauna R gave it a10:
I'm going to say 10 for two reasons. First that this book is so deliciously dark there is no way it's going to get a PG rating if it makes it to the silver screen, and second the ending left me with not only the feeling of being socked in the stomach by a 400 pound sumo wrestler but also stressed out, anxious, and suspended over the edge of a cliff. Well done Mrs. Rowling, you know how to write a book so it reaches out, grabs the reader and pulls them into it's pages and won't let them go until the last word is has been read. Looking forward to the next and sadly...last book.

Linda M gave it a9:
Rowling balanced all the plot demands very well, some of the snogging got a bit tedious but was necessary to set up the players for the odyssey that will be book 7.

Johnny W gave it a9:
After the clunker that was book 5, it felt like this one needed to be good for the sake of the series. Haha, right. This monster will live on no matter how good the books are. And luckily, this one ranks up with the best. Rowling manages to make an ending we all knew was happening heartwrenching, maybe even more so with all the extra anticipation; I don't think anyone really didn't see it coming. But it's a testament to how good this book is that even with it spelled out in blood from the beginning, it's still an emotional moment. She's got me waiting for book 7.

Prudence K gave it a0:
So, I did my normal thing... I went to Barnes and Noble and just read the book. The book was AWFUL! 1: 3 2: 7 3: 8 4: 2 5: 10 6: 0

John C. gave it a10:
Half-blood prince, in my humble opinion, stands out above Ms. Rowling's previous works in its wise adoption of serious-unforgiving plot. Rowling does not suggar-coat her story, and does not spare any of her characters the pain of loss. Every character in this book loses something either physically, mentally, or emotionally. The wizard world is at war, and war implies loss and change; therefore, it is only natural that Harry and his friends have changed, it would be unrealistic to expect Harry to remain the angsty-teenaged boy of the previous novel. Although half-blood prince presents the reader with a darker version of the wizarding world, Rowling takes great care to stress that hope and love are the two greatest tools humans-wizard and muggle alike- have for combatting evil.

mary m gave it a10:
Simply the best book of them all.

S S gave it a9:
Although not perfect, it is in my opinion the strongest of the "Harry Potter" series, not only because people finally grow up, but also because the characters and their actions seem more real. With pacing like the fourth (and the depth of the fifth), it emerges as a strong novel and a testament to Rowling's strength of imagination. The final book could have done with more explanation of the final chapters, as they seem to come from (and disappear into) nowhere ridiculously quickly, and the slimming down of the earlier chapters, as they (in my opinion) give fairly unnecessarily backstory. In addition, it seems as if a book is missing between OotP and HBP, with most of the popular side characters (like Hagrid and Lupin) are banished to the side (what happened to the Order?), and sea changes in character unexplained (Dumbledore seems very...unlike himself, while Harry is all of a sudden at the tail end of adolescence, with his "angry outbursts" all but disappearing). However, it is still a difficult book to put down (indeed, I read it in one shot of four hours), and it deserves its success (although perhaps not to this extent). Congratulations, J.K. Rowling, and I hope that the seventh will come sooner than expected.

John J gave it a6:
This installment lacks the action and intensity found in previous offerings.... The plot fades in and out of importance as the hero deals with his budding sexuality. Major happenings in the story line are inserted abruptly into the text. The reader does not feel a sense of connection between the friends as in the other five manuscripts. The ending is abrupt and almost seems contrived. The masterful touch of storytelling genius is sadly lacking from this work, in my opinion. Six stars!

Dave gave it a7:
A bit of a letdown after the last book, which was one of the best in the series. At times it was full of tension, but at others it seemed somewhat dull and lacking in a certain spark that has marked all of the other books. The ending was somewhat depressing (and disappointing, as a certain question that Rowling had teased at throughout the book was simply left dangling to be resolved in book 7- and I'm afraid the answer will be all too predictable to be considered much of a twist). Could it simply be a case of too-high expectations? Possibly, but after giving it some thought I genuinely believe that this was an admirable, though ultimately less satisfying effort or Rowling's part. I say admirable because she has refused to "play it safe". Hopefully she'll be able to pull off a great conclusion with book 7, whenever that comes out (let the waiting begin!)

krista m gave it an8:
I think this was a very good book,alot more serious then the others and very sad with mystery and romance. Is R.A.B Regulus Black?

D Williams gave it a10:
I, as always enjoyed this book. I cried, like most, through the last 3 chapters. When I finished the book, I felt so many different feelings at once. Dread, Sympathy, even some emplathy for Draco. I can now honestly and openly REALLY dislike the DADA teacher. =) I cant wait for the next book, but do hope that it can have a more positive ending.

Gabor A gave it a1:
I've read catalogues less corporate than the Harry Potter series. Kudos to Rowling, like the man who invented the pet rock, she has managed to discover just how stupid America is and exploit that to the full extent.

Spencer N. gave it a7:
I was definetly disapointed by the book. It just didn't seem like a Harry Potter book, which, I'm sorry to say, is the way I wanted it to be. Besides that it was still a good book, but mediocre compared to Order of the Pheonix. I thought Rowling's choice of who to kill was ridiculous, as they are the best character in the series. (Sorry for any spelling mistakes)

Dave F gave it a9:
Still a captivating, clever, funny and affecting page-turner even AFTER I read some little brat's un-disclaimered spoiler post on another Internet forum. The main punch of the ending was spoiled for me and I still couldn't put the book down. Rowling's inventiveness knows no bounds, and she clearly understands adolescents! As much a coming-of-age story as it is a mystery and fantasy.

Rivet Head gave it a10:
I must admit, this one is really better the the last one. A sad end (even triying hard to make it happy with soooo many couples), a lot more emotion in it, and a lot of new mysteries to the last one.....really insane

Prattdaddy gave it a10:
Wow......my favorite of the series so far. The last one-hundred pages are absolutely gripping, but all things before it lead up the the soaring climax well. Definiteley leaves questions for #7. I do believe that young readers will be scarred for life though, as it was a lot darker (Especially the climax). I also believe that the film version will be excellent...I read it in 14 hours...I couldnt take my eyes off it. 10 OUT OF 10.

Amanda K gave it a9:
Excellent pacy story, I was gripped from word go! Tied up a lot of loose ends from previous books, with great character development. Very sad but exciting ending I nervously anticipate the final book with fear and dread for Harry and his mortal safety!

Peter H gave it a6:
Story a bit too linear. You guess too much from Chapter 2. Love story lacks of credibility and of surprise (including last decision of HP which is irrelevant given his public kiss). The ending was fairly good as well as the introduction (but chapter 2).

Stone C gave it a9:
Very VERY strong book, some times tender, often funny, but mostly dark, and simply shocking towards the end. Not for the very young, but absolutely wonderful for adults and young adults.

Brian M gave it a10:
Rowling continues her tale of a boy and his magical school. Half-Blood Prince continues to thrill the reader, up to the incredibly sad ending which, like the rest of the books, will have you wanting book 7 as soon as possible.

Jenna GC gave it a10:
My second favorite of the series thus far. Yes, there was exposition. Yes, there were "Flints" (continuity errors -- see Marcus Flint in books 1 and 3) here and there. Yes, the ending shook our faith in the hoped-for futures of our heroes. Despite these little details that a handful of detractors seem to dwell on, this book has proven how masterful Rowling is at spinning a web to keep her readers in a constant state of anticipation -- waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. I confess I still long for redemption for a key character or two and I have my theories about how a few threads of plot will play out. I know how I want the story to end but this is JKR's journey and I'm holding on tight for the ride.

wendy smith gave it a9:
This book was wonderful. I think it is the best so far. I can't wait for the next one.

Asa D gave it a10:
A marvelous thriller with giant mystery left at the end. There is more here than meets the eyek, I'll warrant, and I'm not convinced of who's bad and good. Will it all be resolved in book seven? I can't wait.

Matt C gave it a9:
This is the deepest, darkest, book in the series and one of the best, I saw someone complain about the romance and the characters changing but, that's what happens as you grow up, you're not going to be the same person you were as an 11 year old, JK Rowling knows her characters inside and out so for anyone to say something is out of character for a certain one is ridiculous. I believe that she is right in being most proud of this book, it is a fantasy, a mystery, a love story and a coming of age story all rolled into one and she has done it masterfully, this is not a book for children, i fear they just won't get it, like her characters, the books have matured as the story goes on. This book is wonderful and contains one the most heartbreaking endings I've read in a long time. Bring on number 7

Dwight D gave it a4:
Disappointed after the last HP book, which was easely the best of the series. The love/passion story was very weak and poorly written, which was usally the main plot line. I felt betrayed kinda like I did after Star Wars: Episode 1. The characters drifted way off their bases, especally Dumbledore who was yelling at Harry at one point (not that he didn't deserve it). I did like however how they got Harry to stop whining all the time, making him a likeable character again. And the ending was phenominal, it scared me to death. Probably too adult for children though. But then kinda childish for adults. And teenagers probably will just be disgusted with the love story. Oh well read it anyway, if just for the last 100 pages.

Nick O. gave it a10:
Best in the series by far and a great setup for the last.

William M gave it an8:
Short but strong- very anxious for the end.

Fluffy Nabs gave it a10:
Wow. I couldn't put this down! I'm very pleased that the children we met in book 1 are evolving into young adults. Finding out who the Half-Blood Prince really was, and then what he finally did in the end really was shocking. I am reeling from all of it, still, and can't believe it's going to be years until the seventh is released! Wow. WOW. WOW!!!

Alex A gave it a10:
Absolutely Amazing! The plot puts many of the missing puzzle pieces into action. It was very well written and pulls the reader in more and more. It is awesome!!

Tim K gave it a10:
Incredible. Just incredible. Rowling deftly handles both the humorous and tragic aspects ot the plot, making "Prince" the funniest and most heartbreaking book yet. The last 100 pages are the best climax the series has offered so far. Can't wait for book seven!

thea .. gave it a9:
Well.. I never laughed this hard. Oh... I could quote this book forever. And I loved the romance.. But in the end what was the point in breaking up with Ginny? And I didn't cry at the end. But the half blood prince. An incredibly intelligent plot. I thought it was Tom Riddle all along! All in all I found this book better in the start than the previous books, they are often slow, though in the middle, I many times thought that "this is a typical in the middle book. something with plots but no action, building up for book 7. I was wrong, and that was amazing." though the characters changed, how come for example not the DADA lessons being described when Snape teaching was major? and something HUGE about Lily Potter Evans.. Was it really that huge?? well well,, a good book. again! again!

m K gave it a10:
Awesomely written book. Couldn't put it down. it is making me crave book 7 even more now.

M M gave it a10:
Unreal. The best HP book yet and possibly the best children's (OK young-adult) novel ever written. Compelling plotlines. Great character development. None of the hokey secondary characters that appeared in "Order of the Phoenix" and much better action sequences. HP books sequenced: 6, 4, 1, 3, 5, 2 (but they are all fantastic).

Jeff M. gave it a9:
With the Half-Blood Prince Rowling continues a fine tradition: keeping your mind active with mysteries, your soul filled with empathy for lots of characters, and your buttocks firmly panted while you explore her well-crafted world. And in this sixth book, she goes for your heart aggressively. It doesn't outshine the goblet of fire (my favorite,) but is a great follow-up to the angsty Order of the Phoenix and a great addition to the legend.

James gave it a9:
Interesting book. The romance sort of jumps out of nowhere and the school, while remaining the main background for the story, plays a limited role with very little learning or teacher interaction involved. Ron and Hermione are also for the first time in the series almost pushed back into becoming secondary characters. They’re in almost every chapter of course but in the main the only discussion that seems to occur between them and Harry seems to involved them bagging Harry’s theories and not helping. The obligatory death at the end was as expected (at least for me) but it's still sad to see. Still it needed to happen if Harry was to be set free (figuratively). A good book, I couldn't put it down after the slow first two chapters, but maybe it needed to be filled out a bit more with a few side stories. I know it might seem strange to say that about a 650+ page book for some but she wrote the bones of a great story and then decided not to put the required flesh on it to make it truly alive.

laconia T.R. gave it a3:
As a fantasy novel: great. As a teen-angst romance novel: cheap

Rosie gave it a3:
Af all the books, this has got to be the worst ever written in the Potter series. The characters have changed and disappeared, especially Hermione whom I am already missing; from prudish know-it-all to attention-seeking chick snogging for England? Puh-lease. There is something very off with this book. I know JK Rowling has stated that there will be a twist in the ned, but the way she writes the first half of the twist is too...exaggerated. I wanted to chuck the book out the window hald the time. The worst Potter book ever.

G.M. D.K. gave it a10:
Dazzling and meaningful with dark, dread, action and great romance. An amazing book that takes itself seriously. This book is everything that I wanted it to be.

[Anonymous] gave it an8:
It is like all the other Harry Potter books: well-written, fast-paced, interesting. If you are a casual follower of the series, you will probably enjoy this as much as the others. The huge romantic sub-plots surprised me a first, for I assumed that J.K. would not place much emphasis on that, but I dimly remember myself being as hormonal at that age (and i'm only 19). All in all, J.K. continues with her winning formula and sets up an intruiging end for the whole series.. ***Spoilers:beware*** For a serious Harry Potter fan, the problem is in the details. There are some inconsistencies that I find puzzling. Most irritating was Harry's misguided belief that his involvement with Ginny would be opposed by Ron. While he was trying to convince himself otherwise he should have remembered that Ron (in a previous book) had voiced his opinion that he hoped Ginny and Harry would hook up. Also Harry's continued use of the Potions book is, i believe, out of character. It is plainly an unfair advantage. In many respects Harry is just an ordinary wizard, and it is frustrating to see him keep making similar mistakes over and over again. He could easily have asked Dumbledore about the potions book, for one. And his misunderstanding of the events at the end of the book (yes i believe there are sublteties missed by many, and i know who R.A.D is) after all he knew is sad. But thats all just me, the book is really good

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