Page Count: 343
Published on: July 31, 2016
Published by: Little Brown UK & Arthur A. Levine Books
Genre(s): Fantasy, Young Adult, Plays,
Source: Hardback
My Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads 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 July 30, 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.
~~~
Hey, guys!
I've been absolutely ecstatic about The Cursed Child for over a year now and on August 2nd my amazing Aunt Michele brought me a copy of The Cursed Child that she had pre-ordered for me months ago. When I started this book, I was a mess of emotions. Although this book didn't affect me emotionally like the other books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I absolutely adore the story and that J.K. & Tiffany & Thorne had this play/screenplay written in a dual perspective. I loved reading from Albus Severus's perspective and I loved reading from Older Harry's point-of-view. I loved reading about how my favorite characters' lives were going and I loved meeting their children. It was a privilege to read this book.
The Cursed Child was set up in a different format and pace, which was much different than reading the other books. The Cursed Child was in a screenplay format and was much faster than the other books. It felt kind of rushed, but I think it would be a really great full-length novel and I know it would be a really great play. The thing about screenplays and written plays are that they aren't really meant to be only read, but are supposed to be watched. Don't go into this book thinking it will be like the other books, because it's not. It's a play. Don't make it out to be anything different.
It also reminded me of really well-written fanfiction screenplay. Which wasn't bad, but some of the old characters didn't act like their normal selves. It also kind of reminded me of STARKID'S A Very Potter Musical. Some of the mannerisms of the characters and the plot choices reminded me of the plays. You'd have to watch the 3 musicals to understand. I think I'm going to consider The Cursed Child to be something separate from the Harry Potter series. I mean I know it takes place 19 years later, but it's still not real to me...Maybe it will feel real when I reread it again... Even a few weeks later, it hasn't really sunk in..I can't imagine the story being completely canon.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, but I had a few problems with it. The reason that I gave this book 5 stars was because it was a privilege to read another Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling is one of my all time favorite authors and one of the best authors ever. I love love love her. It's kind of impossible for me to I can't really get into the bits I had questions about without revealing spoilers, so if you have read the book then read on! If you haven't read the book, I don't recommend that you continue unless you..just don't care. So if you haven't read the book then continue on past the spoilers section!
I really hope that J.K. Rowling writes out the book or enables the Harry Potter community to be able to see the whole play live. If the screenplay was written as a full-length novel, I'm sure that it would be at least 500 pages. I desperately want a 500+ page book. I also need to reread the Harry Potter series. I may have a full month of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. It would be a fantastic month if I could reread some of my favorite books. Not to mention nostalgic. It would be a great way to destress during the first couple months of college too.
The Cursed Child was set up in a different format and pace, which was much different than reading the other books. The Cursed Child was in a screenplay format and was much faster than the other books. It felt kind of rushed, but I think it would be a really great full-length novel and I know it would be a really great play. The thing about screenplays and written plays are that they aren't really meant to be only read, but are supposed to be watched. Don't go into this book thinking it will be like the other books, because it's not. It's a play. Don't make it out to be anything different.
It also reminded me of really well-written fanfiction screenplay. Which wasn't bad, but some of the old characters didn't act like their normal selves. It also kind of reminded me of STARKID'S A Very Potter Musical. Some of the mannerisms of the characters and the plot choices reminded me of the plays. You'd have to watch the 3 musicals to understand. I think I'm going to consider The Cursed Child to be something separate from the Harry Potter series. I mean I know it takes place 19 years later, but it's still not real to me...Maybe it will feel real when I reread it again... Even a few weeks later, it hasn't really sunk in..I can't imagine the story being completely canon.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, but I had a few problems with it. The reason that I gave this book 5 stars was because it was a privilege to read another Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling is one of my all time favorite authors and one of the best authors ever. I love love love her. It's kind of impossible for me to I can't really get into the bits I had questions about without revealing spoilers, so if you have read the book then read on! If you haven't read the book, I don't recommend that you continue unless you..just don't care. So if you haven't read the book then continue on past the spoilers section!
~~~
Spoilers! Read At Your Own Risk!
- For one, I didn't trust Delphi for the whole book, but I really didn't see that ending coming...
- Scorpius is such a sweet boy! He's a sweet little cupcake. I totally love the friendship between Albus and Scorpius. They're such boys and total idiots. I see a lot of Ron & Harry in them. I also really wish that Draco and Harry had become friends towards the end of the Harry Potter series. I loved their interactions throughout The Cursed Child. I'm so glad they're on good terms now.
- Time turners! I loved that we found out more about time turners and how there were different types. If the book were written out I feel like we would get even more information about the different types.
- I didn't like Amos Diggory's attitude in the beginning of the book, but I totally get it now. He was Confunded or the Imperious curse was used on him...I really hate Delphi...
- When Harry started having dreams and his scar started bugging him again, I literally put my book down and walked around my house to mull over what could happen. I couldn't just dive back into the book! I wasn't ready!
- The Trolly Witch! Wow! I didn't think they would flesh out a character like hers. It was kind of random, to be honest.
- Oh my gosh! Hermione! I didn't surprise me that Hermione would be the Minister Of Magic, but I really thought she would have been a teacher or something.
- How did Bellatrix have a baby? In prison? There is a plot hole, guys...This would have been explained if the play were a full-length book...JUST SAYING!
- Polyjuice. It took months to create in book two! How did they have it made at the end of the book? Did Delphi have the stuff made before she started her evil plot???
END OF SPOILERS
I really hope that J.K. Rowling writes out the book or enables the Harry Potter community to be able to see the whole play live. If the screenplay was written as a full-length novel, I'm sure that it would be at least 500 pages. I desperately want a 500+ page book. I also need to reread the Harry Potter series. I may have a full month of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. It would be a fantastic month if I could reread some of my favorite books. Not to mention nostalgic. It would be a great way to destress during the first couple months of college too.
Comment down below if you'd be interested in reading those reviews!
Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~
~LivTheBookNerd~
@LivTheBookNerd on Books
