Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

[SenorCardgage]

Just saw that J.K. finished the book...2005 here we come...

(From SciFi's Wire)

Rowling: Potter VI Is Done

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling announced Dec. 20 on her official Web site that she has completed the sixth Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

"I know you all expected this to happen on Christmas Day, but I was sure that those of you who celebrate Christmas have better things to do on the day itself than fight your way into my study, whereas those of you who DON'T celebrate Christmas would definitely prefer not to wait until the 25th," Rowling wrote in a message posted on her Web site, the Associated Press reported.

Rowling added that she is pregnant with her third child, but still has had the time "needed to tinker with the manuscript to my satisfaction, and I am as happy as I have ever been with the end result. I only hope you feel it was worth the wait when you finally read it."

The new Potter book is expected to come out in 2005. The last volume, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, came out in the summer of 2003.

[rocketman70]

Hey thx for sharing that. I was just wondering when it would come out. Cool.

[Nellie Bly]

So, any ideas on who's not going to survive this particular installment?

[Sushi]

So, any ideas on who's not going to survive this particular installment?

All sorts of theories abound. In interviews, JK has said bluntly "there will be more deaths." Oh dear. As long as it's not Hagrid or Remus Lupin, I suppose I can deal.

I know that they're "just books," but they are wonderful books. When I first sat down to read book 1, I hadn't felt so transported by a piece of children's literature since I first read C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia (and I was eight when I started in on those).

[frenchstudent]

I can't wait until this comes out. I just might re-read books 1-5 again to prepare for #6. In fact, I think I just might do that.

[Buzzstein]

OH YES! FINALLY!

But when in 2005?? WHEN????

[Buzzstein]

I can't wait until this comes out. I just might re-read books 1-5 again to prepare for #6. In fact, I think I just might do that.

I KNOW you will do that! Lol

[wileE]

I wonder if it will be as long, or longer than the last one? Her books just keep getting longer and longer.

[Stine]

I should catch up... I was reading each book before each movie, but I haven't seen the Prisoner of Azkaban yet!

[Rainbex]

its about freakin time. :)
i started reading these at like 8, and by the looks of things i won't be done reading them until i'm outta high school.
oh well, the wait is worth it i suppose.

[BOBROX123]

Just read on Yahoo news release date set for July 16, 2005 12:01 am.
Ahhhh! midnight book store crowds!!!!! How 'bout a new Harry Potter book bash???? :p :rolleyes:

[hoh]

I can't wait until this comes out. I just might re-read books 1-5 again to prepare for #6. In fact, I think I just might do that.
bahh, ive been doing that over and over just to make it through the time since ive read new harry potter

Just read on Yahoo news release date set for July 16, 2005 12:01 am.
Ahhhh! midnight book store crowds!!!!! How 'bout a new Harry Potter book bash???? :p :rolleyes:
IM GAME

I wonder if it will be as long, or longer than the last one? Her books just keep getting longer and longer.
her publisher said that the new book was "a bit shorter than order of the pheonix." it doesnt mean itll be shorter than goblet of fire though, which was still beastly" id rather have more to read anyways

[frenchstudent]

I don't care if it's 2384 pages long, i'd still read it. (probably in under a week - yeah i'm obsessed like that. oh well, there could be worse things to be obsessed with.)

I am allllll about a HP relese bash. Awesome.

[Seattle93]

I don't care if it's 2384 pages long, i'd still read it. (probably in under a week - yeah i'm obsessed like that. oh well, there could be worse things to be obsessed with.)


It took you a week! Slacker.

The time from when I picked Order of the Phoenix up offa my porch and the time I finished reading was 18 hours.

If this book is shorter, I'm shooting for 12 hours.

[wileE]

It took you a week! Slacker.

The time from when I picked Order of the Phoenix up offa my porch and the time I finished reading was 18 hours.

If this book is shorter, I'm shooting for 12 hours.

Doesn't that kill your eyes?

[Buzzstein]

Doesn't that kill your eyes?

Try staring at a computer screen for that long...lol

[Buzzstein]

Have all her books been released in June or July??

[thelunarbee]

It took you a week! Slacker.

The time from when I picked Order of the Phoenix up offa my porch and the time I finished reading was 18 hours.

If this book is shorter, I'm shooting for 12 hours.

Ha! I read the Order of the Phoenix in 11 hours! However, from the time I got it to the time I finished it was 23 hours. I took several naps.

And for all those who were wanting to do a Harry Potter bash? Um, hello! Check out my damn sig!!! There's a frigging club (http://hpohio.proboards18.com/index.cgi)! We got together and watched PoA when the DVD came out. Our Holiday party was last weekend. And we're doing something, dunno what yet, in Columbus in January. So if anyone is so inclined, and I think you guys seriously are, you should come hang out with us. Only some of us bite.

[wileE]

Try staring at a computer screen for that long...lol


I do for about 8 hours everyday.

[Sydney03]

me too... can't wait!!

syd

[Wolverine]

My daughter will have this book. :cool:

[gravitygrave2]

Have all her books been released in June or July??

I worked in a bookstore during the "Goblet of Fire" release which I remember being in the summer. I'm really looking forward to book six, I'll definitely be there at midnight to get my copy.

[almaniac27]

I loved books 1-4, but i found book 5 strangely lacking. It was kinda boring and the plot didn't really start until like page 450.

[Sushi]

I rather liked book 5. I enjoyed that characters like Ginny and Neville started to come into their own.

I was sick in November and reread books 1, 3, and 5. Maybe it's just me, but I find that the odd-numbered ones are the better reads. The first one is just utterly charming. The Chamber of Secrets just seems like she's biding time while Harry gets older--it felt strangely cold to me. Prisoner of Azkebahn is absolutely my favorite book--there's something so touching about his discoveries regarding his parents in that one. Goblet of Fire was (dare I say) a bit long. While the last one had some great new characters, lots of teenage hormones, and moved the trajectory of the entire series along very well. Anyone else notice the even-odd discrepancy?

[Seattle93]

Anyone else notice the even-odd discrepancy?

Kinda like Star Trek movies :D


I agree, the odd-numbered books tend to be my favorites.

[SenorCardgage]

Cover art for the new book has hit the internet...yeah!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/ERMurrow97/HP.bmp

[Patas]

Great cover work as usual. I cannot wait. These books are such a pleasure to read.

[classicgrrl]

OH YES! FINALLY!

But when in 2005?? WHEN????

if no one has said yet (and I bet they have) July 1st, midnight.

[classicgrrl]

Have all her books been released in June or July??


in the U.S. yes. School is out then.

[rocketman70]

if no one has said yet (and I bet they have) July 1st, midnight.


And I will be right there with all the little kiddies to get my copy too!! :cool:

[classicgrrl]

And I will be right there with all the little kiddies to get my copy too!! :cool:

don't know where you are located rocket but that date is for Jo Beth here in Cincinnati. We were just here and they had sign at the info desk...

[Seattle93]

if no one has said yet (and I bet they have) July 1st, midnight.

I believe the release date is July 16th.



Cover art for the new book has hit the internet...yeah!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/ERMurrow97/HP.bmp


I like the American book cover. I like it more than the British "Children's Version" cover (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/images/2005/03/childhbpbloomsbury.html) however, the British "Adult's Version" cover (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/images/2005/03/adulthbpbloomsbury.html) is pretty sweet.

[rocketman70]

don't know where you are located rocket but that date is for Jo Beth here in Cincinnati. We were just here and they had sign at the info desk...


Oh, I'm sure I'll hear something about the release date, don't ya think? ;)

*yeah, I believe the date is sometime mid July.

[mobyoctopad]

These books are 100% worth the hype. Goblet of Fire is my favorite because I love the added dynamic of the new characters, from the visiting schools. Plus by the forth book I wasn't as interested in reading the play by play of the Quidditch matches. I thought the tournaments were more interesting to read about.

[Sushi]

if no one has said yet (and I bet they have) July 1st, midnight.
July 16th, actually. So stay up late on the 15th. I was just at my favorite independent bookstore (Mac's Backs in Cleveland, if you're ever in the area) and pre-ordered.

When Book 5 came out, it felt great to go to the intimate little bookstore, shoot the breeze with the owner and 15/20 other people, get my book, go home and be reading when most people were still standing in line.

Support your local indy bookstore!

[bjk15]

yeah, there is only going to be 10.8 million first copies... i hope i can get one :p

[rcc94]

Some independent book stores have big crowds, too, but you should still go there to get it. I volunteered at my local independent book store when Order of the Phoenix was released. The line started early in the evening, and about 1200 pre-ordered copies were distributed from midnight to about 2 AM. Unless you plan on reading over night, consider picking it up in the morning. I had to read it that night, though, and had finished by noon (only stopped for a 3-hour nap.) I plan on doing it again. :D

[Homsar]

One of the few books I'd actually buy.
I'll cry when they stop making paper books.
4th of July sounds like the right time to start reading the series again.
However, I fear for Dumbledore's life.
If there really are only going to be 7 books, that is.

[Sushi]

I'll admit I'm really looking forward to this book.

All accounts this nerd has read say that she's going to stop at seven books.

Last I heard, Vegas odds were on Hagrid to kick the bucket in this one.

Do you think Sirius will come back as a ghost?

[sheena.bella]

OMG. I cannot wait for the book. My love for Harry Potter goes deeper than you can imagine.

I don't think Hagrid is going to die. I don't think another major character is going to die until the last book, and that will be Dumbledore.

I hear this book is not as long as OotP, which means I will probably be reading it in one night instead of two.

[thelunarbee]

All accounts this nerd has read say that she's going to stop at seven books.

Last I heard, Vegas odds were on Hagrid to kick the bucket in this one.

Do you think Sirius will come back as a ghost?

1- Yeah it's seven books. JK always said it was 7, Harry's 7 years at Hogwarts.

2- Not gonna happen.

3- Absolutely not!

[frenchstudent]

I pre-ordered it from Amazon.com for 17.99. Sweet. (Plus I got the UBER fast shipping.) The last time we did that, we got the postal service EP a whole day before it was released. :D I have my fingers crossed that this will happen again.

[SenorCardgage]

I pre-ordered it from Amazon.com for 17.99. Sweet. (Plus I got the UBER fast shipping.) The last time we did that, we got the postal service EP a whole day before it was released. :D I have my fingers crossed that this will happen again.

Amazon's great like that. And damn! $17.99!?! Kick ass!

[turdferguson]

1- Yeah it's seven books. JK always said it was 7, Harry's 7 years at Hogwarts.

2- Not gonna happen.

3- Absolutely not!

I still think Dumbledore is gonna get axed this time around. As far as Sirius, I think something has to come of him. She just put an end to him too abruptly. It didn't feel right.

[Buzzstein]

Oh I'm sure somebody is gonna die...it won't be Dumbledore or Hagrid though I don't think.

Would be cool if Sirius came back as a ghost but I don't see it happening.

[SenorCardgage]

As far as Sirius, I think something has to come of him. She just put an end to him too abruptly. It didn't feel right.

I agree. They built him up too big for him to be gone forever...remember, this is a world where magic is all around. Come on people. Someone like Buffy can die twice and come back, but Sirius is gone forever? I damn well hope not.

:D

[thelunarbee]

I agree. They built him up too big for him to be gone forever...remember, this is a world where magic is all around. Come on people. Someone like Buffy can die twice and come back, but Sirius is gone forever? I damn well hope not.

:D

Heehee.... "It's do or die... hey I've died twice!"

I really don't see Sirius returning. I could be wrong, but I think they're going with "dead is DEAD" on this one. That was the vibe I got from OotP.

Re: who's gonna die- I really like the theory that Harry is going to lose all his father figures. It makes a lot of sense.

[thelunarbee]

Oh, also, JK updated her site (http://www.jkrowling.com/).

And there's a nifty counter for your computer's desktop that you can download from here (http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/funstuff/countdown/index.htm). It counts down the days til the book drops. Yay! :D

[sheena.bella]

JKR has one of the coolest sites I've ever been to. All those hidden things and clues and stuff. Why is she so awesome?

[FencingFreak86]

I'm leaning towards Dumbledore dying in this one...yeah, he's important and a fan fave, but I think with Dumbledore dead Harry can finally rise to become the hero he's destined to be...if Dumbledore lives, everyone (Harry included) will just keep on relying on him to save them. Hagrid could die too and his death could serve as motivation for Harry to exact revenge on He Who Must Not Be Named, but I have a feeling that it would be moe powerful storytelling if Dumbledore were to die.

As for Sirius? I dunno...I always thought his death was both abrupt and awkward...I've always believed that he wasn't dead, that he will most likely return early in the seventh book to assist Harry in the final battle. I'm sorry, but him disappearing behind a curtain is WAY too unoriginal for me...something happened to him, all right, but I don't believe he's dead by any means.

These are my two cents...we'll find out soon if I'm right! (but not soon enough!)

[Sushi]

I'm leaning towards Dumbledore dying in this one...yeah, he's important and a fan fave, but I think with Dumbledore dead Harry can finally rise to become the hero he's destined to be...if Dumbledore lives, everyone (Harry included) will just keep on relying on him to save them. Hagrid could die too and his death could serve as motivation for Harry to exact revenge on He Who Must Not Be Named, but I have a feeling that it would be moe powerful storytelling if Dumbledore were to die.

As for Sirius? I dunno...I always thought his death was both abrupt and awkward...I've always believed that he wasn't dead, that he will most likely return early in the seventh book to assist Harry in the final battle. I'm sorry, but him disappearing behind a curtain is WAY too unoriginal for me...something happened to him, all right, but I don't believe he's dead by any means.

These are my two cents...we'll find out soon if I'm right! (but not soon enough!)


I'm with you on the Dumbledore thing. If he doesn't die in this one, it will be in Book 7. It's going to be some kind of sacrifice death, and it will be the impetus Harry needs to step up and rely completely on his own powers.

I don't actually believe Sirius will come back as a ghost. But like others, I felt his death was too abrupt, too unfinished. (I'm such a sap though. Book 5 came out a few months after my mom died, and when I read the part where Luna says "They're not gone. They're all there--right behind the curtain. Didn't you hear them?" I cried like a baby. Comforting thought. And it makes me feel as though there's something more to hear from/about Sirius).

[rocketman70]

I finally got around to pre-ordering this on Amazon tonite. :cool:

I'm not at all embarrassed to admit how much I'm looking forward to getting this!

[FencingFreak86]

I finally got around to pre-ordering this on Amazon tonite. :cool:

I'm not at all embarrassed to admit how much I'm looking forward to getting this!

Yeah, this is probably the only children's book I would NEVER be embaressed to read...I guess because while the writing style fits a younger audience, the stories themselves pack a emotional punch that can actually felt more if you're a more mature reader.

Only a few short months... :p

[rocketman70]

Yeah, this is probably the only children's book I would NEVER be embaressed to read...I guess because while the writing style fits a younger audience, the stories themselves pack a emotional punch that can actually felt more if you're a more mature reader.

Only a few short months... :p


HAHA! Yeah, me too. I spent ten years as a children's librarian and had to read the first book for a newsletter the library put out. I read it in basically one sitting, it was so freaking awesome. I don't know if I would have picked it up otherwise. Great series.

[FencingFreak86]

HAHA! Yeah, me too. I spent ten years as a children's librarian and had to read the first book for a newsletter the library put out. I read it in basically one sitting, it was so freaking awesome. I don't know if I would have picked it up otherwise. Great series.

A children's librarian? Good for you! I would never have the patience...I love kids, don't get me wrong, but to deal with so many on a daily basis...

[rocketman70]

A children's librarian? Good for you! I would never have the patience...I love kids, don't get me wrong, but to deal with so many on a daily basis...


HAHA! Yeah, it was a fun job most of the time.

And yet, my friend and I always joked that that job was the best method of birth control. ;)