Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (CDN ed.) by J. K. Rowling: A+

From the back cover:
It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys’ house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can’t quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys’ of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks’ time? Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine…

Review:
Oh, Half-Blood Prince, how I absolutely love you. You come very close to tying with Prisoner of Azkaban for my affections.

Things I Love:

* The “Spinner’s End” chapter. It’s one of the best chapters I’ve ever read anywhere, and Snape has great dialogue throughout. I really, really hope this bit gets filmed.
* It’s funny again!
* The pre-school bit doesn’t drag too much.
* Harry tells adults stuff this time! This is a big one for me. They don’t always completely agree with him, but at least the withholding of information is not being used as a plot device.
* Ron and Lavender. I can’t believe I actually forgot about this. Also, Ron’s just endearingly bumbling in general.
* The “good side” is behaving far less dysfunctionally this time around. The plot doesn’t hinge on great acts of stupidity on their parts.
* Snape.
* Fleur’s reaction to Molly’s assumption that her wedding with Bill will not transpire on account of his injuries.

Things I Don’t Love:

* Hermione seems a little flat. I dunno, she’s just not one of my favorite characters. Not even top 10.
* The whole Sectumsempra thing. Suddenly you can make incantations work on your first try without knowing first what you’re trying to achieve? Grr.

Oh the whole, Half-Blood Prince is fab. I’m really glad I decided to reread it before Deathly Hallows, because I’d forgotten much more than I realized. Now it’s onward ho into the final installment!