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From the bit I’ve read, I think this book is better than the fifth. I didn’t understand a few bits because there were references to characters that came earlier. Someone called Lavender Brown is in love with Ron. Hermione is jealous. There is a big secret and one word keeps being mentioned: Horcruxes.

CHAPTERS 20-22
Neil Munro, 57

Harry and Ron recover from being poisoned, and Hermione and Ron seem to be getting back together. Dumbledore explains that Voldemort wanted to stay on to teach Defence against the Dark Arts, but was told this was not possible. Vol- demort commits a wicked crime.

CHAPTERS 23-24
Caroline Munro, 52

Harry finds the secret of Voldemort’s immortality: a spell allowing you to put your soul in an object. Harry and Dumbledore find three of the seven that Voldemort has put his in. Dumbledore tells Harry Voldemort does not understand love. Harry kisses Ginny.

CHAPTERS 25-26
Helen Nugent, 31

News of Harry’s new girlfriend reaches the Hogwarts pupils, but Harry does not mind because “it made a nice change to be talked about because of something that was making him happier . . . rather than because he had been involved in horrific scenes of Dark magic”.

Hermione soon uncovers crucial information about the Half-Blood Prince, but it is Harry who makes an even more crucial discovery about his past.

After bumping into a dishevelled Professor Trelawney, she unwittingly tells him who sent Voldemort after his parents and the infant Harry.

By chapter 26, Harry is accompanying Dumbledore on a dangerous mission.

CHAPTERS 27-28
Liz Chong, 28

Harry finds himself in great danger during a vicious battle but escapes unscathed. A betrayal is revealed when someone close to Harry dies at the hands of trusted friends. “You care about me saying mudblood when I’m about to kill you?”

CHAPTERS 29-30
Jack Malvern, 28

In the closing stages Harry must come to terms with the aftermath of the battle. He begins to mourn the loss of the important character and is filled with hatred for the murderous traitor. Despite some disfiguring attacks, a certain amorous couple vow that they will be married, but mystery hangs in the air. Will Hogwarts open next year? Who is R.A.B.? Will Harry ever fulfil his romantic ambitions? And when will the Half-Blood Prince dare to show his face again? Rowling has produced a roaring tale that will leave readers impatient for more the moment they finish. No, perhaps, we can all go home and read the book at a more sensible pace.

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