Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne {Book Review – SPOILERS}

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter #8)
Author: J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne
Publisher: Little Brown UK
Release Date:  July 31st, 2016
Standalone/Series: Book 8 (Script book) in the Harry Potter series
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy

Goodreads link

My rating in stars: 4,5 stars
My rating in words: Loved it

What it’s about:

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.

My thoughts:

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

I can’t believe this book is finally out and I have read it. Months, years of anticipation and now it’s over once again… I did have some difficulty rating this. I wanted to rate it all the stars if only for the nostalgia and emotional factor. But it’s not perfect either. So I think 4,5 stars is still a pretty nice compromise.

I just want to say I am beyond happy that we got this story. I never in a million years would have expected it, but we did and I am so grateful. I love reading it and experiencing all my Harry Potter loving feelings all over again. Yes, it is obvious that the book is meant to pull on all these heartstrings. It focuses on the right issues, it references the right scenes and the right characters to make every Harry Potter fan emotional. It is obvious and I don’t mind one bit because it works perfectly. I don’t mind that the plot may have a few holes and is not super awesomely great. I’m counting the feeling and the enjoyment this story gave me and that was just over the roof amazing.

So because I may not be able right now to formulate a proper review, let me just give you a rundown of my feelings

(Again: be warned of SPOILERS. Massive SPOILERS ahead)

• Starting with the epilogue scene was pure perfection!
• I LOVE that Albus is sorted in Slytherin. About time that house got a better rep.
• I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE with Scorpius from his very first scene. In fact, he’s my favorite character in the entire book.
• Hermione’s the Minister of Magic! I repeat, Hermione’s the Minister of Magic! I’m so proud of my girl!
• All the Ron/Hermione scenes are so pleasing to my shipper heart.
• Aww Draco! He just cares so much for his son. It’s beautiful and I am super happy they finally included him more in the group. Not digging the ponytail though.
• Seriously, who would ever have guessed that Draco and his son would be my favorite characters?
• Talking about favorite characters, I am sad that we didn’t get to see more of the Weasleys. Especially with Ron managing Weasley’s Wizard Weezes. But then again, maybe my heart couldn’t have taken that.
• So glad they finally adressed the use of time-turners. Plus it’s the perfect way to revisit some of our favorite scenes and characters.
• Who would ever have guessed that this story would be about trying to save Cedric Diggory? Not me!
• The alternate timeline where Voldemort won was weirdly my favorite of the alternate timelines. Aww, Snape! I loved him so much in this scene. Plus, he’s funny! (“Well, at least I’m not married to him.” HA)
• I loved the father-son issues that both Harry and Draco have and that it is what bonds them together. Really, I loved every Draco scene, but his scenes with Harry especially were so great.
• Words can’t express how much I love the friendship between Albus and Scorpius. However, am I the only one that ships them together? They just fit so well together. Sure, now Scorpius is all about Rose, but give him some time. He’s only in his fourth year and you don’t know what you want in your fourth year. I mean, Harry was in love with Cho in his fourth year. I’m just saying, things can still change and in my head it’s all about Albus/Scorpius.

Overall, I just really loved this book. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. I’m just sad that it was such a quick read and it’s already over again.

Favorite quotes:

“Love blinds. We have both tried to give our sons, not what they needed, but what we needed. We’ve been so busy trying to rewrite our own pasts, we’ve blighted their present.”

“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 is 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.”

“They were great men, with huge flaws, and you know what – those flaws almost made them greater.”

“The world changes and we change with it. I am better off in this world. But the world is not better. And I don’t want that.”

“Scorpius: Your dad thinks the rumors are true — I am the son of Voldemort?
Albus (nods): His department are currently investigating it.
Scorpius: Good. Let them. Sometimes — sometimes I find myself thinking — maybe they’re true too.
Albus: No. They’re not true. And I’ll tell you why. Because I don’t think Voldemort is capable of having a kind son — and you’re kind, Scorpius. To the depths of your belly, to the tips of your fingers. I truly believe Voldemort — Voldemort couldn’t have a child like you.
Scorpius: That’s nice — that’s a nice thing to say.
Albus: And it’s something I should have said a long time ago. In fact, you’re probably the best person I know. And you don’t — you couldn’t — hold me back. You make me stronger — and when Dad forced us apart — without you —
Scorpius: I didn’t much like my life without you in it either.”

“Ron: I mean, we’ve been together so long — and married for so long — I mean, so long —
Hermione: If this is your way of saying you want a marital break, Ron, then, to be clear, I will skewer you with this quill.
Ron: Shut up. Will you shut up for once? I want to do one of those marriage renewal things I’ve read about. Marriage renewal. What do you think?
Hermione (melting slightly): You want to marry me again?
Ron: Well, we were only young when we did it the first time and I got very drunk and — well, to be honest, I can’t remember much of it and . . . The truth is — I love you, Hermione Granger, and whatever time says — I’d like the opportunity to say so in front of lots of other people. Again. Sober.
She looks at him, she smiles, she pulls him to her, she kisses him.
Hermione: You’re sweet.
Ron: And you taste of toffee . . .”

“Harry: You told me you don’t think I’m scared of anything, and that — I mean, I’m scared of everything. I mean, I’m afraid of the dark, did you know that?
Albus: Harry Potter is afraid of the dark?
Harry: I don’t like small spaces and — I’ve never told anyone this, but I don’t much like — (he hesitates before saying it) pigeons.
Albus: You don’t like pigeons?
Harry (he scrunches up his face): Nasty, pecky, dirty things. They give me the creeps.”