The Sixth Potter Book

After a very long wait, finally completed the 'Half-Blood Prince'.And I will have to agree that it was a bit disappointing.

This one, unlike its predecessors, doesn't seem to have a strong central plot.It more or less looks like the 'Biography of Voldy'.Except Harry and Dumbledore(Of course Snape too), no one else does anything much in here.Ron and Hermione busy trying to cope with their adolescence, are completely left out of the main plot.By the way, romances galore and in an attempt to spice up matters amidst all the dark events, Rowling has really overcooked ...

Deaths galore too culminating in one final blow, deeath of dumbledore(Hope I haven't spolied surprise for anyone who hasn't read the book till now). But this might be the central mystery of the book.Did dumbledore really die ? Was Snape really Evil ? These questions are raising a fierce debate in all the discussion forums. Maybe dumbledore's death was a farce, a part of the grand plan cleverly contrived by Snape and Dumbledore to get better of Voldemort. Who knows ..Have to wait for the final book.

Anyway some of the things I liked or disliked in this book :

What surprised me the most:The unexpected couples..Rowling introduced quite a good number of pairs.The Horcruxes..they remind me of the old indian folk stories i have read in my childhood.And finally the transformation of Harry from being a gentle and affable kid to a strong and revengeful young man.Suddenly, his shyness has vanished and he shows more bravery.He was not as emotional as he was in HP5 when sirius died.

What I hated:Death of Dumbledore.A very pathetic death i would say.I have always loved this character for his apparent omniscience and the knack getting out of tight spots.And after all the things he has done(He is supposed to be the only wizard Voldemort has ever feared..) he ended up weakened in a futile attempt, disarmed by sixteen year old and simply finished off like he were some common muggle by the person he trusted the most (and the character i hated the most).Ron and Hermione doesn't seem to have any role in the plot too.

What I loved:The 'Biography' of Voldemort.This book almost covers the whole plot.And definitely, the last has to be a action packed and more serious as the final one-on-one battle between voldemort and Harry is on cards.But maybe we will miss Hogwarts and Quidditch!!

Anyway, it was overall a good read. And now waiting for the screen version of the 'Goblet of Fire'....