Posted 2:56 PM by Steve
SPOILERS!!!!!!!

Here is a clear warning that this post contains spoilers. If you read further you may find out information that you did not want to know..................










Topic of discussion: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

The book was good and in the tradition of the other good books of the series although, Rowling needs help describing action sequences. The world of Harry Potter is a very feminine world where the whims of the author can take us an entirely new direction without regard for what came before.

In many ways, Rowling has painted herself into the proverbial corner. The whole idea of mortality in a world where portraits of dead people are sentient and interact with the living is a tough concept to reconcile. She has created any number of fatal potions, spells and artifacts that would be disastrous if introduced into a world of teen-age wizards.

Another huge problem is the introduction of the idea of wealth into a world where people can conjur any substance they wish. Why are the Weasley's lower middle class while the Malfoy's are upper crust wealthy. Wealth is a measure of options more than anything else and it seems that both families have a grasp of powerful magic.

It was always nice having Dumbledore around because he seemed to be the only one who really understood everything. A majority of the adult teachers are a collection of misfits and maladjusted individuals. Dumbledore always seemed to have some master plan and even now with the shocking conclusion of this book his plan may still be working.

While reading it crossed my mind that the Horcrux in which Voldemort had hidden a portion of his soul may actually have been in fact the very potion that Dumbledore drank and it may have been necessary for Professor Snape (aka "The Half Blood Prince") to kill Dumbledore to not only destroy part of Voldemort, but also allow Snape to penetrate the "Death Eaters" at the highest levels.

Also one complaint, at some point Harry is going to have to display some powers beyond that of your everyday average wizard. He needs something besides "cheek" to set him apart and make him a match for Voldemort. Right now he is not physical, mental, or magical match for even a reasonably powerful adult wizard.


more to come....