Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #8
Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Script
Publisher: Little, Brown
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Missed.

The eighth story. Nineteen years later…

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.

This was a huge disappointment. And, I knew it was going to be, because everyone that I know had said that it was kind of disappointing. I got all of the way through the first act (of four), and then I couldn’t do it any longer.

It’s not even that the writing was bad, if this was a whole new story / play, I would have probably loved the storyline. After all, it is about finding yourself and learning about the past. Or at least, that’s what I thought it was kind of about. But the trouble is that this is a story / world / universe that I am already madly in love with. Which comes with certain expectations – like the characters to remain somewhat the same. It doesn’t matter that eighteen years have passed, there is still some kind of expectation there. One that wasn’t met.

I’m not one for characters that are just pigheaded and stupid. I love reading about mistakes made because of other flaws, but those made for whiney reasons like Albus… ? Nope, couldn’t do it. He was a little too angsty and self deprecating for my tastes. And the I’m-not-loved storyline was kind of predictable. And the plot holes of things that just didn’t quite make sense… argh! It’s just not quite what I wanted in such a long-awaited sequel.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Hogwarts: A Complete and Unreliable Guide
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter Companion Book
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Publisher: Pottermore
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Their appearance can also turn flames blue.

Hogwarts An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide takes you on a journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You’ll venture into the Hogwarts grounds, become better acquainted with its more permanent residents, learn more about lessons and discover secrets of the castle . . . all at the turn of a page.

It was really fun to travel through the halls of Hogwarts again. The breakdown of this story, leading you through the different aspects of the Hogwarts sorting, classes and grounds made me feel like I was opening the first page of The Philosopher’s Stone again (and closing the last of The Deathly Hallows). The rationale behind such things as the different lessons, the presence (and manifestations) of ghosts and the very way in which new students are sorted into each of the four houses provided by J.K. Rowling gave me a whole new insight into a world that will never be able to leave my head, but more importantly, my heart.

The logical way in which Hogwarts: A Complete and Unreliable Guide unfolds makes you feel like you are walking, step by step through your own sorting and, even class selections – a journey that was incredibly organic and enjoyable in its construction. It was interesting to see the ways in which each of the carefully constructed areas and objects within the Harry Potter series was created and just why.

Image source: Harry Potter Wiki

Title: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter Companion Book
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Publisher: Pottermore
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘To Remus’s shock and displeasure, the seventeen-year-old Harry not only declined his offer but became angry and insulting.

These stories of heroism, hardship and dangerous hobbies profile two of the Harry Potter stories’ most courageous and iconic characters: Minerva McGonagall and Remus Lupin. J.K. Rowling also gives us a peek behind the closed curtains of Sybill Trelawney’s life, and you’ll encounter the reckless, magical-beast-loving Silvanus Kettleburn along the way.

Admittedly, I have read most of these character biographies on the old Pottermore website. However, it was fun to read them again, and the flow with which they are put together was both interesting and organic. Again, the depth of J.K. Rowling’s back stories and the amount of thought which she has put into her characters was enviable and thrilling. The personal comments placed at the end of each tale and the reasoning behind names, diseases and hobbies gave me more and more insight into a world that I am already completely obsessed with.

McGonagall is by far my favourite of Harry’s teachers at Hogwarts, so discovering more of her somewhat tragic past was both saddening and enjoyable. Learning of her history helped to fill in a few gaps about her actions, and I loved that ultimately, she become the new headmistress of Hogwarts. Contrastingly, Lupin’s life ended in tragedy, and it was almost painful to reread about his and Tonks’ marriage in the light of their death.

This was such an easy to read, albeit somewhat tragic collection of tales from the amazing mind of J.K. Rowling and I can’t wait to finish the other Pottermore Presents tales.

Image source: Hypable

Title: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter Companion Book
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Publisher: Pottermore
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘As Dumbledore had expected and intended, Slughorn was captivated by Harry Potter, whom he believed (erroneously) to be supremely talented in his own subject.

These stories of power, politics and pesky poltergeists give you a glimpse into the darker side of the wizarding world, revealing the ruthless roots of Professor Umbridge, the lowdown on the Ministers for Magic and the history of the wizarding prison Azkaban. You will also delve deeper into Horace Slughorn’s early years as Potions master at Hogwarts – and his acquaintance with one Tom Marvolo Riddle.

I’ve always enjoyed the fact that throughout the Harry Potter series, some of the most evil and terrifying characters are that way due to their pursuit of power. This collection of character bios and short stories helped to drive this fact home. From Dolores Umbridge to Horace Slughorn, these characters were either inconceivably evil or just incredibly misguided in their ties to and desire for power. These tales were a great warning against an uncontrolled will to obtain power, regardless of the cost.

I have never really loved politics, or those who are interested in gaining political power – and the tales in this collection of short stories were a great reminder of this fact. No matter what someone’s intentions are, there seems to be a number of ways in which they can become corrupted. I also love the attention to detail that is present in the list of all past Ministers of Magic – two centuries worth of characters and their imprint upon the world of British Magic involves a lot of thought.

Although power and politics are somewhat serious topics, and the characters covered in this bio range from self-centred to truly evil, my favourite tales and chapter in this collection is that on poltergeists. Particularly the presence of Peeves within Hogwarts and his many exploits throughout the years. I particularly loved the imagery provided by the attempt to eject him from the castle.

Image source: Amazon