Written by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
It’s been nine years since I’ve enjoyed any Harry Potter reading. Needless to say, I was glad to be back in the world of magic again. This “book” gave me mixed feelings though.
The first half of the story I was a little disappointed. I had hyped this up and I’m sure the nostalgia did not help me set reasonable expectations. I wanted to put on my rose tinted glasses and love every second of it. It is unfair to do so seeing as how this is actually the screenwright for the play. Since it is meant to be performed lived, it was missing the key elements I love in reading your average fantasy novel.
I know this sounds dumb, but the story felt scripted to me. Yes I get that’s the point, and that this is a play, but I don’t like getting that feeling. Some of the dialogue and actions during the first half felt so fake to me. I would think to myself “wtf this wouldn’t happen!” I tried to remind myself that I was not getting the full experience just by reading a play throughout the story. However, the story and characters did pick up for me during the final sections of the book.
The story is actually pretty interesting as you get into it. The premise of using the time turners was very enjoyable. I know a lot of fans loved Cedric also.
The characters remain true to their previous selfs from the past. The new characters introduced were partly enjoyable to me. I like the coming of age feel that Harry’s son has to deal with given how his life would have been so harshly judged from the start, as Harry’s life was himself. The standout character to me was Delphini. Personally, I love a good villain character. I can really get behind the evil ones just as well as I can the heroes. How all the characters intermingled was set up well. Character development is really important to me as well as plot and worldbuilding.
For a story that does not take long at all to read, it is worth checking out. I just want to warn people that it’s not a standalone Harry Potter novel. You have to keep that in mind if you pick it up.
Life of Chaz 
This is a great review! I had the same thoughts. I pushed myself to read through the beginnings because I was not used to the style of writing and as you said, I had very high expectations. But as I continued to read I began to enjoy it more. I particularly like Severus Snape’s role as I often argue he is a hero in the Harry Potter series! I enjoyed reading your review! Thanks!!!
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I too was really excited about this new Harry Potter “book” mainly because I’m too poor to get a passport, fly to london, get a hotel in london, get tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and find the right outfit for such a event, so I settled for the book (for now).
I will say that Scorpius was my favorite character of the new characters, I could just relate to him more than any character introduced in the HP universe. I’m very glad you also liked the book as well 🙂
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I had a very similar experience when I read this book. I wanted it to be just like the other books, but it wasn’t JK Rowling’s writing. I thought it was good on its own. 😉
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We’re so excited for my son to be old enough to start reading the series that we’ll probably jinx it . . .
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I found it astounding that it’s canon but enjoyed it anyway. Was a nice blast from the past.
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I have yet to read this book but it is on my TBR have you seen the play? I heard they’re bringing it to the US soon.
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I was surprised that I liked this book too. I read it back in the summer and I enjoyed the adventures. I didn’t like the characters much though. However, I would like to see it live.
I also read it because I was nostalgic for the Harry Potter world.
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I really love harry potter and reading this book made me super nostalgic
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Excellent review. I agree with your assessments.
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I read that book. It was a script which I am unfamiliar with reading so I took extra time to see it as a movie in my head. I was really good at it after the first chapter of doing that. By doing so, the story flowed despite being a play.
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I was so disappointed when I read that book. It felt like I was reading fan fiction.
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I’m glad to know that I was not the only one with mixed feelings on this book. I used to live with Harry Potter books pressed against my nose as a child, you obviously understand why fans would be so excited to read it. Although I’ve read many scripts before, but I just couldn’t get into the Cursed Child, maybe because I was just so stuck in the past? It was fun to read about trio as grown ups, but unfortunately, I just wasn’t satisfied. No hate to J.K. Rowling, I’ll just reread my HP books over and over again. 🙂
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