Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Review

[@merphynapier42]

To those that keep saying you love my long HP reviews.... I'm putting you to the test with this one

[@Nasser851000]

*gets popcorn* Bring it on!

[@fraserking4747]

Consider your challenge accepted.

[@TheDarkNightRising]

loved it

[@nairadoctor9040]

This is definitely the most fun test ever then! The longer the better 😍🤣❤

[@hypn9s1s]

I've got my buttebeer ready 😁😁

[@derekdavis5310]

I HATED that the film left out Dumbledore's words with the Dursleys. This would have been so amazing to watch on film!!

[@GarrettMerkin]

Aw man, definitely a lost opportunity for a fantastic scene. I loved the casting for the Dursleys.

[@killer92173]

To this day, I still haven't forgiven them for that and DUMBLEDORE'S FUNERAL!!!

[@TheKrilicious]

Yeah the Half-Blood Prince movie is just the fucking laziest adaptation of the whole movie series

[@killer92173]

@@TheKrilicious imo it's the worst Harry Potter movie. 😕

[@pannonia77]

I think the films made a great disservice to the books. They are very shallow compared to the books. But then Warner Brothers wanted to make big money, since the HP fever was so intense. I think this was the only motivation for making the films.

[@ncljiljana]

I also enjoyed when Dumbledore referred to Dudley's upbringing and how much harm have Vernon and Petunia done to him.

[@Onmysheet]

I was annoyed and disappointed they removed this from the movie. Unforgivable.

[@netagenis7235]

@@Onmysheet yes omg i hate how in the movies instead of this amazing start with Dumbledore meeting the Dursley's we just get a waitress hitting on Harry... What the hell

[@netagenis7235]

@@airplanenojutsu omg😂

[@klaudiagrob]

@@netagenis7235 not to mention that Harry is looking at this girl again.

[@moluther2826]

"Severus... Please..." Such a powerful line.

[@couch.patati-patata]

Lois Lane: Clark, please.

[@klhansen4]

Yes, brings tears to my eyes and choked me up.

[@kernsr1859]

Mo Luther and it’s even better when you learn the true meaning of this line

[@carsonfulbright6109]

@@kernsr1859 what's the true meaning

[@caitlinparadise818]

Avada kedavra!

[@aaronstephenson8909]

Half blood has always been my fav. I love the scene between the minister and prime minister. It’s rare we get to see the muggle world and magical world interact together openly.

[@GarrettMerkin]

That's one of my favorite scenes, too.

[@schlechtgut8349]

6 book rocks. Ginny is great

[@reflectivesilverdoe]

hilarious from beginning to end that chapter.

[@leannery]

I think it makes sense that Tom Riddle Senior never married. He would have no doubt questioned his own feelings and whether or not they were genuine due to previously being under the influence of the love potion.

[@gregorwalton]

You can see how he might have trust issues

[@Lolavs]

Haha! Isn't PTSD fun kids?

[@CharliArmstrong]

My theory on that was she cursed him. Once she realized he wasn’t going to love her, I figured she put an “if I can’t have you, no one can” sort of hex on him. Kind of how since Voldylocks couldn’t have the DADA teaching job, no other teacher has lasted more than a year.

[@willigagbob8243]

@@CharliArmstrong I doubt she was ever strong enough to pull off magic like that, though we have seen how strong love can make magic in this series.

[@Lolavs]

@@CharliArmstrong Or, he just had a common reaction to abuse.

[@5my9other93half]

Me: **Sees video is 41 minutes** "This video is too long" Also Me: **41 minutes later** "This video wasn't long enough!"

[@naverich4603]

I remember reading the end of this book when I was 13 years old. I was sick, it was windy outside in the middle of the night, I couldn't sleep. I woke up at 3am and started reading with my little lamp on...When the sun set up I was finishing the book... I can tell that reading the cave scene in such mysterious atmosphere was something spectacular and it is till this day probably the best experience I had with any book. Those were great times

[@braziliansimon2737]

Wow I readed this book when I was 13 too!

[@hectorcardoza9860]

Im reading it when im 12 is that bad?

[@Logan-eb2wh]

Dragon frost fire lmao no you are fine. I’m 12 currently as well and I’m reading it too

[@devoringdemonsoulq9086]

How you finished it so fast?

[@naverich4603]

@@devoringdemonsoulq9086 I was somewhere in the middle of the book. What I read in those couple of hours was basically from Voldemort's last memory to the return from the cave...about 150 pages

[@lucaleone4331]

Honestly. All the negatives you brought up about the trio made me like the books more. I know it's not pleasant but its something that gives these KIDS more depth. I mean they're only 16. The ups and downs makes it more compelling.

[@juanfernandez1585]

I liked how this was more of a “normal” year for Harry. For the most part, Harry’s mental stability was really in check. The guy was very well respected by his peers, became quidditch captain, and all the girls were flocking towards him. The dude was a total Chad in this book.

[@Themi.]

This book is an example of a good villainous monologue, because that's essentially what Malfoy is doing but it makes sense because he is first subconsciously and then intentionally stalling.

[@rekameszaros]

Exactly! This made sense.

[@williamozier918]

Whoa, I'm gonna start seeing alot of villain monologues that way.

[@Andrew_Young]

These magic folk need to hang around muggles more often. If only they just brought a water bottle into the cave with them...

[@roshniaseen9945]

😂😂😂😂

[@hazzabazzatunic]

Or just cast the spell directly into Dumbledore's mouth?! That scene drove me insane!!

[@abdirahmanidris290]

The book directly mentions that it can only be drunk. The basin would refill if it wasn't drunk

[@lauramichelle6976]

My favorite theory i heard between books 6 & 7 was 'Draco gets expelled from Hogwarts for killing Dumbledore, and Hagrid "adopts" him as an assistant-gamekeeper' and sometimes I miss the days of insane fan theories.

[@goodstrongwords]

I feel like that’s the point with Malfoy. He’s just a kid in a horrible situation who’s doing his best, yet continually failing because he’s not ready for this. I feel like it’s an interesting contrast to Harry who has experienced a lot of abuse and has been forced to develop some independence where Draco has been spoiled and babied his whole life.

[@sorettaray8829]

I've always thought of Draco being a lot like Dudley in the way they were spoiled and babied as they grew up. Both are bullies and both seem to have a change of heart towards the end of the series.

[@breezyiscrazy]

I've always found it funny that Harry's best potions professor turns out to be Snape all along. If there had not been so much bitterness and enmity between the two, Harry could have learned quite a bit from Snape. I'm guessing Draco is actually a "Dabhand"(What Slughorn called Harry in HBP)by his last year, because he is Snape's favorite.

[@Speculativedude]

I'm not so sure about Draco being particularly good at potions. Yes he seems to be Snape's favorite, but that could be more to do with the fact that he is simply from his own house. I seem to remember that Draco also was frustrated with potions class often throughout the series.

[@pannonia77]

@@Speculativedude Snape liked Lucius Malfoy. He was Slytherin Prefect when Snape arrived at Hogwarts, and probably has realised what exceptional wizarding qualities Snape had. And he - along with his would-be Death Eater friends - offered Snape, a very lonely boy, something like friendship, a group where Snape was not lonely and where he probably had some esteem. We see in Book 4 when Harry tells Fudge and the others in the Hospital Wing who were the Death Eaters who witnessed Voldemort's return, Snape made a sudden movement and only stopped when he realised Harry was watching him. I think Snape just extended his liking to Lucius's son, just as he extended his hatred towards James's son.

[@pretendtheresaname9213]

@@pannonia77 But also, he's right, Snape does it also because Draco is a Slytherin.

[@klaudiagrob]

Snape was best potions teacher yes.

[@DooDooDaddyTV]

people dont like book 6? damn it's my favorite for sure

[@henrikgafvert5983]

I also like how this book shows how powerful Snape really is. Harry says something like: "My father beat you. coward!" Snape answers: "Your father wouldn't tangle with me unless the odds were four to one. What would you call him?" well something along those lines.

[@ahmedj1254]

Pretty sure Harry never said his father beat snape. Snape says that line after Harry calls him a coward

[@henrikgafvert5983]

@@ahmedj1254 you're probably right, it's been years since I read the books

[@guardianv5846]

I have to half disagree with the Harry/Ginny foreshadowing. It was there earlier just from Ginny though while Harry was oblivious. Thinking back to book 4 when Ginny is mortified to realize if she hadn't excepted Neville's invite, she would have been going to the ball with Harry.

[@marina.chayka]

I think Ginny was literally made for Harry. JK Rowling didn't say the plan was Harry/Hermione and then changed her mind, she said that she regretted not making it Harry/Hermione, those are two different things. Ginny's porpuse for existing was so Harry could be officially part of the Weasley family. Ron/Hermione since their very first scene you can see it will be a "love/hate relationship" (I think don't think is the proper term but you get the idea). These two couples were planned from the start.

[@klaudiagrob]

@@marina.chayka Rowling wishes that she made it Harry and Hermione. I read this book and I was actually surprised that Harry was interested in Ginny. I just didn't feel that any of their previous interactions shout 'romance'. That scene in the Order of the Phoenix where he's confronted by her about possession and chocolate in the library didn't feel romantic to me. I didn't see it this way. She was brilliant at DA but again. Rowling had a plan so she had to portray Ginny as a 'perfect' girl for Harry. Harry wasn't interested in going with her to the Yule Ball. If they started getting closer then maybe. Or if they had been close friends. Ron and Hermione is perfect for people who believe that a guy needs to be mean to a girl to show that he loves her. A lot of people in the society believe that 'oh he's mean to you because he loves you'. The purpose of a constructive debate is where someone has something to say and where there is an equal level. Ron and Hermione bickering also doesn't strike as romantic. If it was playful and constructive then ok. Watson, Grint and Rowling felt that Ron and Hermione would go into the couple therapy. People do fight in the relationship but Ron and Hermione push too much for me. She's a smart witch. Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron do deserve better. It depends what people understand by love. For some people love is when two hurt each other.

[@katarinateofanov]

@@klaudiagrob Then who do you think Harry should have ended up with?

[@didinau]

@@klaudiagrob Harry is always annoyed with Hermione, I don't think they would work.

[@anonymousanonymous2554]

*accepted

[@NarnianMudkip]

Merphy: "I just wished Dumbledore would've apparated to Malfoy, apparated to harry, and apparated away" Hermione: "Seriously, has ANYONE read Hogwarts: A History?!"

[@AllKnowingNick]

Everyone: "No! Don't be such a know it all Hermione."

[@youtubefiend1183]

Exactly that what i thought. 😀

[@lostschedule51]

About the invisibility cloak - in my opinion, we know that it was THE invisibility cloak, not any cloak that fades in time while Draco didn't. If he wanted a cloak, he would have bought one. 🤷‍♀️ Let's all agree that the evil plans are super complicated in the Harry Potter universe.

[@zephyl7786]

Late to respond, but also Dumbledore knows about Harry's cloak. One of the struggles for Harry is people not believing him about Draco, but if he stole the invisibility cloak, Dumbledore would have had a direct reason to confront Malfoy. We later find out that Dumbledore knew all along, but Malfoy doesn't know that, and can't risk blatantly stealing from Dumbledore's favourite student.

[@abskorditis1232]

Malfoy's plans weren't overcomplicated, they were desperate moves. Dumbledore mentions this in 7th book. He says that scared teenager is a danger to himself and to others.

[@86upsmaya]

If Voldy used a password instead of blood offering at the cave, locket they might have never got there

[@gregorwalton]

It's possible that magic doesn't work that way. Maybe Voldy knows that Dumbo has a charm for getting passwords out of the things that need them?

[@insilencea4599]

Or if he'd worn the locket.

[@atinity6749]

But if he'd used the same logic when choosing a password as he did choosing the horcruxes, meaning choosing something tied to him or magic, something with sentimental value to him, then it would've been possible to guess the password.

[@clockworkharvester2663]

The book really likes to slide past that a girl straight up tries to roofie Harry doesn’t it.

[@heinoustentacles5719]

Then Ron gets the roofies and it's a hehe funny moment

[@SkittlesInYourHand]

Yeah, I'm really surprised love potions aren't like the darkest of dark magic. It's much more effed up than just slicing someone like a sword which is considered "evil" somehow

[@lexin8139]

I accept your absolutely valid criticisms of the characters' actions, but also they're like 16-17, and as someone who was recently 17 and who has many 16-17 year old friends, teenagers are dumb, and we don't always make good choices and we don't always think in the long run, even when lives are potentially at stake, because a lot of us have a sort of "I'll kick Death's ass" mentality. (I know gen z people have a reputation of being the most chill with death, but I feel like a lot of people haven't fully internalized their own mortality unless they're been personally affected by death)

[@hams2410]

My most favorite line in in the WHOLE series : " Dumbledore’s man through and through" That's right!

[@mathildetobin4314]

i would say that ginny and harry did develop a friendship in book 5! a lot of d.a stuff, the st mungo scenes, and the department of mysteries battle - it’s just not as prominent as the book 6 stuff but it’s there! i always viewed the “lucky you” moment as the defining moment that made harry view ginny as a friend

[@gaberodriguez4023]

I like Ginny as a character, but I agree that her romance with Harry doesn't feel earned. It honestly could have been entirely cut out and not affected anything.

[@taikajorma7276]

Gabe Rodriguez They destroyed ginny in the movies 😤

[@netagenis7235]

Totally agree except for the i like ginny part.. i don't like her lol

[@ChaosRae]

I ended up enjoying her in books 6 and 7, but that was because this was where she finally sprouted a personality and interests and felt like an actual person. Prior to that she never seemed to really do or say much and never really stood out to me as anything beyong Harry's best friend's little sister; even after book 2, there was never anything that would've made me think, "Aw, they'd be a great couple" (disclaimer: I am socially inept and suck at detecting romantic subtext). I don't *hate* that they're together or anything, I'm just very neutral; Harry/Hermione and Harry/Luna always seemed a lot more likely to me.

[@JM-md4zj]

@@ChaosRae didn't she already had a personality in book 5? She even told Harry to stop being a dick after Nagini's attack on Arthur and did anyone forgot their moment together in the library when Harry needed help contacting Sirius?

[@mrevilducky]

@@ChaosRae Harry/Hermione and Harry/Luna make for a much better pairing

[@ActiveAdvocate1]

And this thrilled me: I know that Dumbledore was trying to buy time with Draco until Snape got up the tower, but Dumbledore is the perpetual teacher, you know? "How did you do it? Well done!" Even though it's the worst thing Draco could have done morally speaking, Dumbledore is still fascinated by the ingenuity it took. But above that, his concern for his students is just...wow. He already knows he's going to die, so his sense for self-preservation is gone, of course. he's not fighting for his own life, and yet he's STILL THINKING of the morality of Draco introducing Death Eaters into the school. Priorities, people.

[@Evilanious]

I remember reading this book. Early in the book there are a couple of lines of dialogue that impressed me. Snape explains that you can cast spells silently. He asks the class why this is good and Hermione gives the answer. Snapes says the answer is correct but notes that it is copied almost verbatim from a book. Harry then thinks to himself that the answer still deserved some points to griffindor but that Snape is a biased jerk. So much is conveyed with this simple scene and it fits so well with what is to come. Silent spellcasting is introduced. Snape is the one who explains silent spellcasting since keeping your intentions hidden is just the thing double agent Snape is all about. Hermione is ahead of the class like she always is. Hermione is diligent but a bit uninspired, setting up how she would feel about scribbled improvements in the sidelines of a manual. Snape does not particularly respect diligence, like the kind of guy who would proudly call himself a prince, a hereditary title that demonstrates no work. Snape reprimands Hermione for overreliance on a book, a very subtle hint that he is the sort of guy who might scribble all kinds of notes, corrections and improvements in his copy of a potions manual. Snape is biased against griffindors. Harry dislikes Snape and interprets what he says and does in the way that makes Snape look the worst. Everything anyone says gives us information both about the speaker and about what is being said and this is done without any part of the dialogue feeling contrived. Rowling really shows a mastery of her craft here.

[@mickey4125]

Wow. Amazing catch!

[@avsambart]

It still pisses me off to this day that Dumbledore and Harry basically went to the cave for NO REASON. What an absolute waste of time and power and energy.

[@soufi1210]

But if you have red the 7th book you know that it is not for nothing, its really important...?

[@captenmurica8843]

soufi1210 I think she means that they went all for nothing, because the locket they found was fake

[@adambfdx]

CaptenMurica not really, they wouldnt have found it if they didnt go to the cave

[@SkittlesInYourHand]

The real one was literally in the same building as Harry throughout OotP... that's pretty rough to think about. But Dumbledore was going to die anyway no matter what so it gave him a good excuse

[@matthewbennett9928]

No it's not like they knew it when they did it

[@giadavallone2213]

I think that in this book we see Harry being corrupted by power (all the magic spells he has exclusively access to), and if it weren't for his friends, he could have ended up becoming evil. When I reread the book, I thought that this was another way for J.k. Rowling to show us how friendship truly important is. We are all weak and with a potential to go bad, but with the support of the right people we can be the best version of ourselves.

[@klaudiagrob]

I love friendship in the Harry Potter series. But in the real world people care about themselves. Too much to notice other people. Because of my own experiences I know that nothing is permanent. Sometimes right people become wrong. So let's not exaggerate as friendship in the real world doesn't look like that.

[@rennebright5886]

Haven't started the video yet but HBP is my favourite Harry Potter book just before Order of the Phoenix; I really find it so interesting, it's got the perfect combination of all the elements I find so engaging about HP. I feel like the story was paced really well between the fun Hogwarts moments/entertaining character interactions and the overarching series plot line regarding the conflict against Voldemort. I felt it also added much needed layers to Voldemort's character, the exploration of his backstory was incredibly interesting and the continued involvement of characters like Luna is very welcome. Ron and Hermione's relationship, despite some issues I have with it, was pretty interesting to read about, at the very least moreso than the incredibly poorly developed relationship between Harry and Ginny. HP has a ton of problems, but to this day the execution of Harry/Ginny is one of the biggest ones for me. Characters and their relationships are incredibly important to my investment in the story and simply nothing about Ginny is developed enough to warrant that emotional investment from me.

[@GarrettMerkin]

I love HBP, too. Definitely up there on my favorites. This series is my break. I always go back to it after diving into other books/series. Kind of geeking out over the Wheel of Time news. Been rereading that one slowly. For the fifth or so time lol. In the 9th book now.

[@tompatompsson]

So what's wrong with their relationship?

[@rennebright5886]

@@tompatompsson I just find it really poorly paced and developed is all. It doesn't offend me, but I often felt as if JKR badly wanted me to care about the status of the relationship when I simply hadn't read about it enough in order to warrant that emotional investment.

[@tompatompsson]

@@rennebright5886 Were there anything about the relationship even? They only spent like a couple of weeks together in the books right?

[@rennebright5886]

@@tompatompsson no it honestly just kind of comes out of nowhere in HBP with the only previous hints being a schoolgirl crush Ginny had on Harry lol

[@TheWordN3rd]

This is making me want to reread these again. HPB is favorite of the seven because a) Ginny is a badass and b) Hinny is my ship 😂 I get so mad at Rowling for being all wishy washy about Romione. It's not the first time opposites have attracted and I think with some maturity they would have done really well.

[@marcchoronzey3923]

Half-Blood Prince is my favourite of this series. In my opinion, it was Rowling's best writing and the most time spent with Dumbledore, who is my favourite child endangerer in this whole magical world! ;)

[@marlaynaturner9497]

Am I the only one who finds her reference to Dumbledore as "Dumbles" and Voldemort as "Voldy" surprisingly quite funny?

[@coro5895]

I loved getting to know Voldemort's past, his family, his visit to Hepzibah Smith.. the darker tone of the book, Draco becoming a scared and misunderstood boy (him becoming friends with Moaning Myrtle lol) Harry's relationship with Ginny and his friendship with Dumbledore, and so much more.. This book is fantastic!!

[@callumdrage5889]

I actually love Hermione’s flawed character. Her jealousy, and her need to always be right, is actually what makes her such a great, complex character. The films completely disregarded this aspect of her character, and it frustrates me. I love the book Hermione!

[@TooSweet353]

But she does get a lot of things right even in the books(obviously she's not a Mary Sue like in the movies), she does get things wrong but usually when she does, it doesn't really lead to any major consequences that affect her in anyway. I don't think she's that complex as well, she doesn't seem to undergo much internal conflict, it's been a while since I read the books but the only time I recall her showing internal conflict is when in Book 7: Deathly Hallows, they were forced to bargain and leave some details out with Griphook.

[@renunit1503]

I remember reading HBP when it first came out (binged it) and I got to the Dumbledoor scene. I just started reading the page and my eye caught *the* spell several paragraphs down....I tell you my hand started shaking and the words on the page started to get out of focus. It was also around 2am. I haven't read a book series since that made me equally loathe the wait and dread the story that was to come after and author killed off such a fundamental character.

[@miiabackstrom8971]

Jonathan Parks yeah my brother told me, thinking i wouldn’t actually read the series

[@unrefinedpoison]

Also... Can you do a video in regards to how in the films, Hermione has a lot of Ron's lines throughout the first few books and sometimes throughout the later books? I would constantly get upset reading the books and remembering the movies and how they adapted Ron for the screen. Ron is street smart in wizard information which makes more sense than Hermione knowing things due to being a muggle born witch. Some things you can't find in a book and Ron knew many things in regards to the Wizarding World due to his life and situation with his family, etc. Hermione in the books finds things out for the first time as well as Harry in a lot of instances. I feel the need to start writing all of these downs my next read-through.

[@matthewbennett9928]

You should look up a video essay called Ron is not dumb and it definitely goes through all of that and is somebody who's never read the books to myself I thought that was interesting that they made Ron dumber and Hermione smarter that's just bizarre but okay whatever.

[@cassianladue9493]

Yayyy! I’ve been waiting excitedly for this! My re-read of this book over Christmas was so much fun and I think this book in particular I appreciate more and more each time I re-read. I personally love Harry and Ginny together and don’t mind that there isn’t a lot of foreshadowing for them, because I think that that’s just real life sometimes. I also think that Harry had to wind up with a more-minor character, because the story is about Harry & Voldy (and second to that: Harry and Friendships) and I think more focus on Harry’s love life could have potentially been distracting. I’m a sucker for a good love story, but I just really appreciate how Ginny and Harry play out.

[@Zontar149]

Merphy: * creates a 41 minute video thinking it's long * Me: * after finishing a 3-hour long, multi-part Star Wars critique * ooh look, a short video!

[@mikefrost5575]

Mauler reference I'm sure XD

[@Amanda-qt6lc]

This is my favorite book in the series. We got a much more complex version of the characters. I loved getting to see the ugly side of Harry and Hermione (we've already seen jealous Ron). The book also takes a much much darker turn. With regards to Malfoy, I don't think he ever wanted to be the bad guy. I think he's expected to be and act a certain way because of his family name. Most of the time when we see Malfoy alone he's very vulnerable and he's constantly goofing off in class. I think he just wanted to be a liked guy and have fun. But because of these expectations he has to do terrible things, but he never does them to his full capacity. I think when he looks "proud" to be a death eater it's just a front. Also they completely ruined it with the movie. The movie goes on a completely tangent. They didn't include any of the good parts. Like Dumbles going to privite drive. Or the entire battle at the end of the book! Then they added scenes that don't make any sense. Like the burrow burning scene.

[@mitchellbenford3896]

I actually liked the Burrow burning scene

[@mitchellbenford3896]

It was intense

[@gew393]

Man listening to this im realizing how underdeveloped the soft magic system is in Harry Potter

[@gaberodriguez4023]

Will you rank all seven books when you finish DEATHLY HALLOWS?

[@merphynapier42]

I sure will!

[@thejonathanagar]

@@merphynapier42 I can't wait for that.

[@hams2410]

@@merphynapier42 I would love to watch it!

[@Xylos144]

The whole "Ron and Hermione don't work well together" thing is pretty annoying. In the books they compliment each other well, and have great chemistry, even if it's in the form of bickering like a married couple while they were still tweens and teens. Relationships and especially marriage aren't all sunshine and roses. One perspective on the whole point of marriage is to socialy (and legally I guess) bind yourself to another person and basically say: "We're stuck with each other. So any problems we have, any flaws we have, the other can't just get annoyed and up and leave. We're in this together, so we have to help and fix each other and make each other better because there's no alternative." Ron and Hermione demonstrate a supreme ability to be honest with each other, respect each other enough to call each other out on their flaws, and still have the capability to make up afterwards. Best I can tell, the perception of them not belonging together is purely a product of the movies overwriting people's memories of the book, because it's shorter and so much more vivid and memorable of a medium. In the movies, Ron is mostly whinging luggage who does very little and contributes very little. And this is largely a result of just about all of his strong moments being given to Hermione. So OF COURSE movie-Hermione is better off without movie-Ron and doesn't need him. Because she's a complete, competent, stable package all on her own. Book-Ron and book-Hermione make a good, balanced couple. It's not their fault the movie made Ron redundant. As for Ginny and Harry - it DID start in book five. People complain that JK Rowling can't write romance... but that's bullshit. She can't write book-romance. Instead she actually wrote a very good portrayal of how romance develops from a guy's perspective. A very common way romantic feelings develop for a guy is within friend groups. A girl they know decently well, their mind starts wandering to in small, vague instances of attention. They start noticing a person's presence a little bit more, actions a little bit more. And it grows subtly to the point that they don't even realize it's been going on until their own brain smacks them in the face with: THIS PERSON IS VERY INTERESTING AND LIKABLE AND YOU OUGHT TO MAYBE ASK THEM OUT. Once Ginny stops (openly) obsessing over Harry and gives him a couple books of space, she starts interacting with him normally in Order of the Phoenix. And all throughout order of the Phoenix, we keep getting these little snippets sprinkled through the book. In any situation where Ginny is present, Harry thinks about the situation by describing her role in it, and vaguely commenting on her good qualities. Like the mesmerizing music box they found at Grimmauld place until "Ginny had the good sense to shut it." And commenting on her Reducto curse in the DA. And when he's in a funk about his visions with Voldemort, she's the person that comes around and smacks him out of his self-doubt and anxiety. With a shared experience, and - more importantly - without any concern for being gentle or telling him off. Repeatedly in book five she confronts Harry about his moodiness and temper. Just as Ron and Hermione are perfectly comfortable with criticizing each other openly, Ginny is the one who's unafraid to do that with Harry. These are all little, things that add up to Harry actually spending a lot of attention on her, sussing out who she is as a person, without really noticing it himself. Whenever she's present in these non-plot unimportant scenes (day to day events), he's either thinking about her reaction to a situation, or commenting positively on her actions in a situation. So, after a book where Harry starts noticing her as a person, and not just his friend's younger sister that's a little weirdly infatuated with him, he gets to see her as a feisty, competent, loyal, creative, no-nonsense person. And then come book six, he's perfectly comfortable treating her as an automatic fourth member of their friends group during the Summer at the Burrow. It just seems natural to him, and he surprised himself that he forgot Ginny doesn't actually hang out with them at school. Until finally Harry's brain, which has been stewing this attraction for a book and a half, slaps his conscious mind over the head with it. This is, generally speaking, a very accurate portrayal of how romantic feelings develop for guys. The cliche about them seeing an attractive person they know nothing about and immediately falling in love is just that - a story cliche. Basically the subconscious mind develops a crush long before the conscious mind is even aware of it.

[@rhiannonmcdaniel2313]

This comment was amazing, an absolute pleasure to read. Thank you for taking the time to write it! :)

[@cinnamonwisp4207]

._. I was going to read this but cant be bothered

[@thedangerousivy]

It’s my favorite Harry Potter book EVER. The drama, action, romance, and history inspire me as a multi-genre fiction writer. It is also my 2nd favorite book EVER. ♥️

[@morerayamichelle]

I love book 6, it was always my favorite, I very much enjoyed the set up, the insight into Tom Riddle the changes you see in the characters from beginning to end.

[@thats4thebirds]

Your Draco redemption fanfic exists. His name is Zuko and it’s a television show.

[@jashghedia6624]

Sooo this is like the third time I am watching this because I just like hearing you talk about HP and anything in general! But one thing I observed which I love is that you manage to walk the “I don’t care how you pronounce this or what’s the character name and still show soo much love for this series” like if I forget a detail, people ask me how can you say you are a big fan but you do it soo convincingly and I love it! It should be like that! Love your work! Keep it up!

[@Atkaska]

Wasn't Dumbledore dying anyways from the ring curse? I thought I read that he only had maybe a year left at the start of the book, though it would've been nice if he had gone on to book 7 D: Love the review regardless!

[@matthewbennett9928]

Hello I've never read the books before but I have always understood the reason that Dumbledore died at the end of the sixth year was so the dark lord would trust Snape. Now thematically the heroes mentor always dies before the final leg of the journey. The hero has to do it on his own and they can't have their mentor there with them in the last stretch it's just not how storytelling works. So Dumbledore had to die so Harry which therefore have to grow up and take on Voldemort his own. I would have loved it if Dumbledore had lived through the whole series but there's a valid reasons for him to have been killed.

[@abdirahmanidris290]

​@@matthewbennett9928 Dumbledore was already dying so he planned his death to save draco and make voldemort completely trust Snape

[@javonf]

I never read the books and barely remember the movies, but watching these videos and hearing your enthusiasm for the series is entertaining. I could definitely do with more long form discussion for book reviews from you.

[@SnowDreamFlake]

I currently reread chamber of secrets, and even in this book, we can see how much Harry cares for Ginny. He literally risked his own life to save her and worried very much about her. Of couse he was not in love with her during that time, but he cared about her! So their romance didn't came out of nowhere. Their relationship was slowly developed in the background.

[@mattevans6752]

No mention of Lavender Brown? I know the review was on the longer side, but I could've gone for another 10 minutes at least. Definitely my personal favorite HP book.

[@moisesdavidarevalo5725]

This is particularly my favorite one for you get to see a lot about Snape's, who's my favorite character, past. Besides, you also understand why Voldemort keeps coming back and what the fate for Harry is. This is one of the few book from the series that answers more questions than it leaves unanswered. Btw, I'm surprised that you haven't heard the audiobooks of the series. Stephen Fry does an amazing performance. I'm positive that once you listen to him you'll be his fan. I love your videos and I'm looking forward to more Harry Potter content

[@merphynapier42]

I've heard the audiobooks it's just been a long time. I've reread them physically much more 😊

[@moisesdavidarevalo5725]

@@merphynapier42 Ok! What's your opinion on Stephen Fry's narration?

[@GarrettMerkin]

Anyone else have a hard time with audio books? I've tried but just can't focus. I read a lot of books on me e-reader but could never get into listening to em.

[@manaalsidd]

Finishing a re-read and watching these reviews (both videos) is such a delight so much so that I look forward to watching your reviews on every book eagerly while I’m reading the said book. 💖

[@bobbysingh5666]

29:40 the quailty of any food or drink decreases when multiplied or replenished

[@SadbhW]

I got the impression that the Riddles were Upperclass, ergo they don't move out until they're married, or at all if they're the oldest, especially then. See Downton Abbey for examples.

[@murraythemiser8358]

My favorite Book, but how could you not mention CH20 “Lord Voldemort’s request”? (my favorite Chapter in the whole series) It’s so awesome to see Dumbledore and Voldemort together before they start to fight each other. Every word in that chapter is wrapped in suspense!

[@UdyKumra]

"How does the economy work in this world?" sign of a true fantasy fan lol

[@feeki_1999]

Omg that scene between Malfoy and Dumbledore is so heartbreaking I love it so much but it’s also so incredibly frustrating because you know that Draco wanted to say yes to Dumbledores offer and wanted to get out of this mess and that he is just a teenage boy who is scared and it makes me sympathies with Draco so much and you also see that Dumbledore even though we always saw how he biased Gryffindor cares for all of his students but then the other death eaters come and Draco doesn’t even have the chance to make the right decision.

[@booksandteawithanna-marie6395]

I’m so excited for this review!!! Your Harry Potter videos are some of my favorites! I love your channel, and it inspired me to start my own! Thank you for sharing your bookish thoughts with us!!

[@ActiveAdvocate1]

I'm not a mother, but my sister has three kids and I love them like they're my own. I'd take bullets for them, obviously. I truly appreciate how indignant you get in these videos about how the Dursleys treat Harry, because anyone who abuses a child is at the bottom of the barrel for me. Not even "bottom of the barrel": that's giving too much credit.

[@milesdrake7514]

I’m adding my voice to those who have already shown the love for HBP, it’s my favourite of the series, so much so I am a little nervous of your ‘It doesn’t make sense’ upload!

[@zombiegaby]

I think Tom riddle never remaried because he had some pretty severe trust issue after being drugged and basiccally abused by Voldemort's mom. I'd have trouble trusting another woman too if one did that to me.

[@evgeniastankevich461]

I think. he never remaried because there are men who enjoy being single even knowing that somewhere a child of his is growing.

[@alexman378]

Evgenia Stankevich Girl, do you know the concept of a date rape drug? Because the guy had this happen to him for years, repeatedly. Love potions in this context would be worse, because even your consent is violated. Anyone after spending years like that would never even consider dating afterwards.

[@evgeniastankevich461]

@@alexman378 it is nice to hear that in last 8-10 years the understanding of consent rooted so much in our heads. I remember talking about it when the book came out in 2005. No one discussed that Merope was sexually abusing the guy. But I personally believe that this situation is not so much of the consent but more about our female thing, belief that a husband won’t leave you if give a birth to a baby. Rowling is a woman first of all, and I believe that is her girl to girl hidden message. But I believe you are a boy, so you probably won’t understand this

[@evgeniastankevich461]

@@alexman378 still don’t see this as a main reason 😕

[@PillowStuffin]

Harry could have drowned in his blood, or even worse, have been expelled!

[@casspeich926]

“and then harry’s like, ‘i’ll try everything *but* that!’” 😹😹

[@Simmi_]

I LOVED Half Blood Prince. I remember it was my favourite out of the series. It was just so fun, I loved finding out more about Voldy's back story and how sassy Harry was. Fred and George's shop was so cool and I absolutely loved the scenes with Slughorn, especially the one where Ron ate the love potion chocolates and Harry takes him to Slughorn. I really enjoyed the scene at the end. I loved how Dumbledore tried to talk Draco out it, it really shows that he cares for his students, even if they are going down a dark path. These videos really renew my love of Harry Potter. I had completely forgotten a lot of the details. Maybe it's time for a reread!

[@noelnovels6511]

This is why you’re so awesome 😭 I can feel your passion for reading and books! This was great! HP will always be one of my favorite series! Watching this made me want to re read the entire series AGAIN 😂 I’ve always wanted JK to rewrite the entire series from Malfoy’s or Snape’s perspective! They are 2 of my favorite characters and among the most underrated in my opinion. I will die defending Snape. He was the most brave, clever, and courageous out of everyone.

[@lionstigersbearsohmyanimal6741]

Ginny loved Harry from book 2. She’s the only one that knows what its like to have Voldemort posses her body just like Harry. She really powerful and really good at qudditch. Harry and Ginny are perfect for each other. She’s the only one to really feel what Harry feels. As for Ron and hermione they act like an actual couple they fight make up fight again. Their relationship works so well because it’s so realistic to the real world. After cursed child which is not cannon to me I don’t take what jk says now as serious. Anyways love your channel.

[@dhruvbharija172]

No both couple sucks Harry Ginny had no development , all talks are off page and Ron hermione are like couple who wants to divorce each other

[@xMRxZEROx]

Also, THANK YOU for what you said about Harry having that potions book NOT being cheating. Makes me so mad. I've argued with so many people who think Hermione was justified in being a snotty, jealous little brat about it. Harry's book just had different and BETTER information in it than everyone else's. It didn't GIVE him answers or make the position for him. Just gave him better tips on how to get there.

[@rhiannonmcdaniel2313]

Exactly, it's like saying a cook cheated by having a better recipe.

[@RJMiller73]

Rowling never said she planned on putting Harry and Hermione together and the changed it. She stated that all along Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione were end game and this was clearly evident from the very first book.

[@dhruvbharija172]

Nope she said She find it hard to write hinny romione Harmione was making much more sense but she end up fucking up

[@sleightofhand9089]

20:00 Filch deserved it: Did you forget how he bullied every student since book one, being optimistic he might be allowed to torture and whip them and even siding with Umbridge? He deserved every spell from snapes school book - even Sectumsempra (maybe).

[@latishaaustin3740]

Book six was my favorite followed by the fifth. There was so much in both of these and you see a lot of growth within both of those novels. It was a great set up at the end of the sixth. Thanks for the review. It was interesting to hear your take on it. 😁

[@starfruit2513]

I'm pretty sure JK Rowling did originally plan for Hermione and Ron to end up together and for Harry and Ginny to. It was in later books that she began to regret that, but she stuck to her original plan.

[@matthewbennett9928]

She went through a lot of changes so she was writing it I mean she explained her writing process pretty thoroughly and many interviews. She said at one point she planned to kill off Hagrid and then decided that wasn't a good idea so she didn't do it.

[@dhruvbharija172]

True

[@manaalsidd]

Although I’ve read Harry Potter before but you’re right, I don’t remember it being so difficult to read especially the death scenes throughout the series. As Merphy quotes it “ YOU’RE TAKING IT TOO FAR MAN...IT’S TOO MUCH PAIN!!” Maybe we were children when the books came out and didn’t understand grief and sorrow as well as we do now at being adults. But still...Gosh Rowling.... “IT’S TOO MUCH PAIN!”

[@fabry097]

i am so happy when you make this long videos , ty

[@joashnaidoo4937]

The way your voice shakes when speaking about the basin and Dumbledore drinking the potion is why I love your reactions! It conveys exactly how I felt whilst reading that part

[@Marina-kq9ry]

That scene at the beginning with Dumbledore and the Dursleys is my absolute favorite! It was so funny and Dumbledore's every word is true!

[@pannonia77]

JKR wrote in book 5, that Harry in order to ensure Sirius's safety, did not want Sirius to leave Grimmauld Place, and decided never to use the mirror. And then forgot about it, when it would have been useful.

[@Andrew_Young]

I really liked Harry's inner monologue on felix. It kinda shows how easy it would be to become addicted and there are apparently really bad things that can happen if you do become addicted. So it kinda fills a plot hole imho

[@helmisumarno]

39:24 I remember when I first reading this part, it felt so warm. Yes, Dumbledore's funeral had hurt me, but when this trio started talking about hunting the horcruxes together, it made me feel so hopeful. The ending, though painful with the loss of a significant character, was a perfect buildup for the final battle.

[@murraypft]

I remember listening to the audio version of that book. I was at one of my boys soccer game and the death scene came on. I was sitting on the sidelines crying and I don't cry at books.

[@elisarosebrock4564]

I’m rereading the bookseries at the same time as you just a little slower. I just finished the book and it was the best book so far. I really enjoyed the relationship between harry and ginny and all the dumbledore content. this was so enjoyable.

[@annasporrong4845]

I am just about to finish this book again too and I love your insights! About Tom Riddle, though, I would expect getting slipped a Love potion, being kidnapped and raped by a girl, who happens to be a witch, would be pretty traumatizing, especially as he knew nobody could do anything about it, especially muggles and wasn't he supposed to marry that girl from the memory?

[@chellirey]

I think maybe Malfoy thought the invisibility cloak was one of those common ones so he wouldn’t necessarily want or need it. Also sure he hates Harry but I think to him, at that point, Harry was just a nuisance. Malfoy knew his primary objective was Dumbledore, not Harry.

[@ShalomDove]

Personally, I interpret Tom Sr.’s being “stuck” after his marriage as an expression of trauma. He was essentially abused and controlled by his so called partner for all those years; when he was no longer under the influence of the love potion, did he have memories of having this whole long relationship with a woman he didn’t really know or desire as a partner? How did he feel about those memories? At the very least that’s going to give a guy some serious trust issues

[@klhansen4]

Your videos of HP inspired me to start my own reread. I’m about half way through book one. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to pick them up again. I am loving that it has taken me right back to my favorite world.

[@TheBigMe0w]

Hope you don't mind I'll borrow your head canon. It's brilliant! Harry and Draco have to find a way to work with each other and slowly find respect for each other, maybe opening up a bit about their childhoods. Yes! I want to read this!

[@PampdArt]

Whenever you mention Doctor Who related things in your videos my heart just flutters unexpectedly because I love my fellow Whovians

[@loganleger6642]

A moment that pained me was Harry's breakup with Ginny. Just finished reading this book and am looking forward to book 7. Great reviews

[@ralunix4612]

I believe Tom didn't remarry because after being under that love potion for so long he might have believed all romantical love he felt was not really his... And where fake... So he stood home in a comforting environment.... Poor Tom senior...

[@camdenhochgesang6554]

Book 7 is by far my favorite. It’s insane how much of the series is tied into it. Stuff only mentioned in book 1 comes back to matter. The climax of Half Blood Prince is riveting though.

[@alexcalder2224]

I've been waiting for this review/talk! This is my favorite book and the perfect way to end my long day! P.S. I love how long these are if you need an hour and a half to talk about the last book I will watch and love every second of it

[@user-vx7do5sr5q]

Dumbledore's chewed them up too little, too late. Also, he should have knocked the door with baby Harry and tell them, instead of just leaving a letter

[@airistkd]

Dumbledore only had a few weeks left to live so although his death was shocking it wouldn't have made much difference if he had lived.

[@hulyepicsa]

I *love* your point about the wizarding economy!!! Like I always wondered why are the Weasleys poor?!? I watched a few videos on it and they’re all about how they had lots of kids and a low paying job, but that doesn’t explain things like what you mentioned and how they have such a small house but they’re able to have the bloody Ritz inside a tent at the Quidditch World Cup 😂 so would love to hear a good explanation on that Also, on your point about James vs Harry being a bully - I think there is something very real about hating a certain characteristic about a parent of yours but actually having it yourself too (I certainly have this!), and obviously there is an extra layer there about his parents being dead and the tragedy of him not really ever knowing them so I think that’s nicely done (still get annoyed at Harry in the later books a lot when he’s being a bully/unnecessarily snappy with his friends)

[@rexstil]

All I could think while Harry was taking Felix felicis was that it was just Wizard Adderall

[@Amcsae]

As far as Tom Sr. still living with his parents, I never thought anything of it. I imagined from the description of the Riddle home that they were some kind of (probably minor) aristocrats, and would have the sort of estate that gets passed down, and it makes sense that the heir would live there, even while his parents still owned it. (I'm American, and don't claim any kind of expertise in this subject, so maybe that is a faulty assumption.)

[@stevemarethyu3003]

Harry's rationale for not opening the mirror was that Sirius hinted at what it could do and he didn't want to be responsible for Sirius coming to Hogwarts and getting caught. Ironically, that decision led to Sirius's death, but in the Ministry.

[@m.r.leslie2950]

It’s my fave if the series! Also, the dumbledore scene at the beginning makes me giggle, favorite scene in the entire series. I’m always disappointed that it didn’t make the movies!

[@unrefinedpoison]

The boyfriend and I are on this book currently. He's experiencing these books for the first time and we are listening to the audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry. I insisted for Jim Dale, but he insisted on Fry. I always had this as my least favorite book for a long time, but I am enjoying it this time through.. Maybe it's Fry's voice work or my growth into adulthood. Who knows. lol, but either way, I'm excited to continue :)

[@azuregriffin1116]

Fry is best. *mic drop*