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Monday, August 1, 2016

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I & II (Harry Potter, #8) by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne & John TIffany

Author: J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne & John Tiffany
Publisher: Pottermore
Pages: 352
Format: E-book
Published: July, 2016
Price: $9.99 -> Rp130.170 (Amazon)
Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Date started: July 31, 2016 - Date finished: August 1, 2016

Synopsis:
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on 30th July 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
-- WARNING: THIS REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS --
Review:
The eight story in the Harry Potter world starts right after the final scene in the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 movie, which is the platform 9 3/4 scene where the original characters have all grown up and their children are going to Hogwarts. I don't want to tell you anything more of the story because I'm afraid I'll just spoil the book but this is what I'm going to say to give you a glimpse of what the story is about.

This book follows Albus Severus Potter as our main character who unfortunately has the burden of carrying a very popular last name. The one thing that scares Albus the most is not living up to his father's name. When he arrived at Hogwarts and was sorted into a house he got sorted into Slytherin and out of all the kids in Hogwarts he became best friends with Scorpius Malfoy who is none other than the son of Harry's enemy, Draco Malfoy.

As years go by, Albus and Harry just can't seem to bond well, their father-son relationship is kind of on the rocks and when Amos Diggory come knocking on Harry's door begging for him to bring his son Cedric back to life because he overheard a rumor that the Ministry has seized a time-turner. Albus overheard this conversation and when he told Scorpius about it decided to go on a mission back in time to save Cedric's life but the once innocent mission starts going awry because messing with time is a dangerous ordeal.
That's the thing, isn't it? About friendships. You don't know what he needs. You only know he needs it. Find him, Scorpius. You two -- you belong together.
So as we all know a few days ago was July 31st, the day we've all been waiting for in all of our boring muggle lives, which was the release of a new Harry Potter book and of course me being a fan of anything Harry Potter related even though I haven't read any of the books whatsoever but have watched all of the movies decided to do what everyone in this entire world did, which was drop everything I'm doing, sit my ass down and read this book cover to cover. I did exactly just that, I stayed up all night and finished this book at dawn and I must tell you that this book is GLORIOUS. Now this book is one of those rare example of an overhyped book that actually lived up to its hype. This book was very nostalgic and it brought me back to those days of watching the movies and thinking that Hogwarts was real and that I might belong there.

It's really hard to do a proper review of a book that you really, really loved. I mean all I want to do is just squeal and fanboy this book forever. UGH I just cannot put my thoughts into words, so bear with me okay while you're reading this review. I promise I'll try my best not to write gibberish. I honestly couldn't see any flaw in this book whatsoever so I'm going to talk about the things that I love about this book, yes you heard me right, LOVE, not like. Says something about this book doesn't it?

First is the writing format, so the book is written in a play format since it is adapted into a theatrical play, which I really hope would come to Indonesia someday. Basically what we're reading is a script of the play and as I've been told this is the special rehearsal edition script and later this year or next year a final version of the script is also going to be published. Now, I don't really know the difference both version are going to have content-wise but hopefully not something major. Okay, back to the book. At first, I thought I was going to have difficulties reading this book because I'm not used to reading play scripts, the first few pages took some getting used to but once I'm immersed in this book the script format actually helped me visualize the scenes vividly, and that's a plus in my book.

Second, the pacing. Being that it is a script of play it has to not be too long. I get that some people might think that this book is a bit rushed but I actually am quite content with the pace of this book, for me this book was written in a perfect pace as a play could be (not that I know how lengthy a play should be, it's just for my taste). Third, this book is very atmospheric, I mean it really feels like you're there watching the play even though you're just imagining it in your head. You can feel the situation of every scene in the book. I laughed during some scenes and I actually felt a chill during the scene in Godric's Hollow.
Harry, there is never a perfect answer in this messy, emotional world. Perfection is beyond the reach of humankind, beyond the reach of magic. In every shining moment of happiness in that drop of poison, the knowledge that pain will come again. Be honest to those you love, show your pain. To suffer is as human as to breathe.
Fourth, and the most important aspect of this book that I loved is the characters. I really feel like even though this book was written by three authors, the heart of the characters wasn't lost. Ron was still the funny boy he was in Hogwarts and most of the others weren't different in characterization for me. Albus at times annoyed me but I get where he's coming from and why he did what the did. Scorpius was just adorable and am I the only one who ships Albus & Scorpius if it ever happens? I mean come on, am I the only one getting the vibe that they should be more than just friends? That would be awesome if it ever became a reality or am I just a crazy person making this up. The one thing that was kind of a bit off in terms of characterization was Severus Snape, I won't tell you why so you'll just have to read the book.

Lastly, I think when people are reading this book there are just two outcome: either they love it or dislike it. I'm glad that I'm one of those people who loved this book because it is truly a gift from J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany to us longing for a chance to experience the magical world of Harry Potter.

That's all for now!

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