To Read or Not to Read: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

When the announcement first went out back in 2013 about the new Harry Potter play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, fans of the books and movies rejoiced. At last, a new story set in the Harry Potter world, featuring none other than the children of Harry and Ginny. Then, Scholastic revealed that the play script would be published as a book in America so that those who weren’t able to go in person to the play in London would still be able to re-immerse themselves in J.K. Rowling’s world once more.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up right after the postscript in the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows–Harry is now an employee at the Ministry of Magic, married to Ginny, with three children. He sees his second oldest son, Albus, off to Hogwarts. Even from the postscript (note that I am attempting to be as spoiler-free as possible to #keepthesecrets), it’s clear that Albus is different from his brash, outgoing older brother James. The story follows his journey as he learns to grapple with his father’s famous legacy.

I grew up with Harry Potter (I started reading the first book when I myself was 11) and so I was extremely excited when I heard the news about the play. I’m attending in October (I’ll be posting a review, don’t worry). So, needless to say, I’m probably the least objective person you can find to review this book. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you will enjoy re-immersing yourself in the land of Hogwarts, lumos, and Chocolate Frogs. It took me a little while to get into reading it in play format–but I’m so looking forward to seeing how the production will handle all the effects and scene changes. If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, I’m pretty sure I can confidently say you will not enjoy this book. However, if you’ve taken the Sorting Hat test on Pottermore, attended the midnight release party this past Saturday (duh), wanted to go to Harry Potter World, and/or read all the books, this is the release of 2016 for you.

All in all, highly recommended for fellow Potterphiles. How can you not?