I read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood prince in July of 2005. The Counselling session conducted for the new admissions was over. I had even been informed about the branch which I had inherited. I had been very eagerly awaiting the sixth installment in Harry Potter series. there was so much I wanted to know. For instance, Harry would receive his OWL grades, whether Hermoine would make a fuss over her grades too(I had assumed that she will get nearly perfect score), who would be the Prefect, and the most of all about the fracas in which the good side of the Magical society was involved.

Thus I got ready around 8am. My mood was utterly jovial. I had already got a copy booked for myself at the local bookstore. In around 20 minuted the book was in my hand. I cannot describe the sensation. It is too good to be elucidated. As soon as I got home I delved into the book and everything else was forgotten.

It took me three good days to finish the book. I wanted to read the book slowly. This was to ensure that the sense of reading a new Harry Potter doesn't desert me too soon. I like this feeling very much. It's a special one.

There are many aspects of the book which I would like to consider. Firstly, the style of writing is crisp and clear. It is unlike its predecessor which was unnecessarily lengthy and contained irrelevant sub-plots. Probably, while writing the book J.K. Rowling had in her mind a mature reader. The fabric of the plot has been woven with caution so that too many details aren't let out. Throughout the book there is a sense of anticipated danger. A feeling of despair, darkness and something evil as well as disturbing, runs through the book.

Another point to ponder is Dumbledore's death. It is extremely unwelcome. Perhaps I had become very sad and disappointed by the end. He was at the forefront of the war against evil. He was a master strtegy maker and had a charismatic personality. He was the only one whom Dark Lord had ever feared. Moreover Dumbledore's omnipotency was his biggest strength and a boon for the Magical World. Now in his absence the onus lies on his followers and none are as capable as him. Harry may have faced him several times and may contain the power to love(according to Dumbledore that's a great power), but still he requires extraordinary skills to slay Dark Lord.

J.K. Rowling has conceded to the fact that the last two books are linked. This means the seventh novel will resume from the point where the sixth one left. I am expecting that the last one will be very exhilarating as well as convincing. After all the author is supposed to tie all the loose strings together. Many questions have been left unanswered.