Jazzy Reviews: ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’

Well that was quick! The delightful Jazzy from ‘Jazzy’s Bookshelf’ has read and reviewed the much anticipated ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ in record time and is sharing her review with us today. Another young reviewer to watch is ‘Book Boy’, who has also reviewed this book, here. 

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Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

It seems like the whole world has been waiting for this book. At long last it is here…

THE GIST

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is about Harry Potter’s kids: Albus, James and Lily. It follows their adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry up to their fourth year. They go back in time at the request of Amos Diggory to bring back his relative from the dead. Things do not go as expected…

THE JUDGEMENT

This book isn’t a regular novel; it’s the special rehearsal edition script for the play in London which premiered at the same time. It was written by Jack Thorne, though JK Rowling did help piece the story together. By releasing the play and the book simultaneously, the plot was shrouded in mystery until the opening day, Harry’s birthday. Though it is written differently, it is an okay novel, although not very fast-moving. This also makes it faster to read.

The first chapter is basically the same as the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry is now in his thirties and works for the Ministry of Magic. He and his friends’ kids are about to board the Hogwarts Express. Older brother James is always teasing Albus, saying he will be in Slytherin. It turns out he was right all along.

Readers can look forward to being reunited with their favourite characters like Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny. Time hasn’t changed things between Ron and Harry; their relationship is the same as it has always been, if not more stable. Surprisingly Draco Malfoy and Harry get along better than they used to. The Dementors return, along with Professor Umbridge and Voldemort PLUS there is one more new enemy to watch out for. There are lots of new characters to get to know like Rose, Albus, Delphi and Scorpius. I liked Rose and Delphi the best. Rose is over-sensitive but once you get to know her she is quite nice.

Albus is a lot like Harry. He is angry and emotional but also courageous. Most of the other kids are more like Harry’s wife who is sweet and brave. When Albus goes to Hogwarts and is sorted into Slytherin, he is teased twice as much as before by James.

I find that Harry doesn’t really like being an adult. Ron definitely doesn’t:

RON
“Honestly, every time I sit down I make an ‘ooof’ noise. An ‘ooof’. And my feet – the       trouble I’m having with my feet – I could write songs about the pain my feet give me –       maybe your scar is like that.” (Act 1, Scene 15).

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child can be very sad – even confusing at times. When Albus and Scorpius go back in time they find out that Albus would not exist if unless they set things right again. On the other hand, the story is hilarious in some bits. There is even one part where James receives a comb that makes your hair pink, for Christmas!

Does it feel like the first seven Harry Potter books? While JK Rowling was one of the story creators it is not as scary. Also, don’t read this book if you haven’t read the rest of the series. It just won’t make sense.

I recommend Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to kids aged 9+. Be warned, there is kissing. While there are deaths, they are dealt with very gently.

I give Harry Potter and the Cursed Child book four bookbolts out of five. It is funny and enjoyable, but not as creepy as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I really want to see the play when it comes to Australia.

Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: ISBN 978-0-7515-6535-5