On July 31, 2016 Harry Potter fans rejoiced across the nation. On this day, the birthday of the “boy who lived,” a second generation spin off of the Harry Potter saga was released. The book being in the form of a play script through fans for a bit of change but in no way hindered the novel's success nor the greatness that was embedded within each page.
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is the continued story of Harry Potter 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. In the new novel, we follow each and every character from the original saga and are even introduced to some new characters. The books newest and primarily most important character is the middle child of Harry Potter, Albus Severus Potter.
Throughout the novel we follow the constant hardships Albus faces while he lives in the perpetual shadow of his father who saved the Wizarding World from its impending doom. The standards given to Albus set by others are unfathomable, and causes Albus to break away from his father. We find ourselves following Albus and his great friends through time in which they attempt to recreate the future by correcting the past we followed for seven amazing novels. As we jump through time, we are reunited with old friends and key information that was first released in the original saga. Before reading the newest edition to the Harry Potter saga, it is vital that the reader has read each and every book in the series. There are ample scenes in the newest novel that require a pleather of background knowledge that was first divulged to us in the previous books.
As for the mere fact that the newest novel is not written in the traditional format- if you are a true Harry Potter fan, the format of the newest book is irrelevant. The sheer fact that we are given the opportunity to be a part of the Wizarding World again is enough to disregard the unique format of the last novel in the Harry Potter series.
As for the extremely popular question- does the release of "Harry Potter and The Cursed Child" mean a new series that follows the second generation of Potters? Unfortunately, no. J.K. Rowling recently confirmed that she is officially done with Harry Potter and the entirety of the Wizarding World. "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" will not hit the big screen, and there will be no new novels to follow the story of Albus Potter and his adventures. Minus 10 points J.K. Rowling!
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" highlights the turmoil of living up to the greatness we often inflict on ourselves and provides us with the insight that love, friendship, and family are the greatest magic of all. The newest novel is quite honestly one of my favorite in the series, and I would encourage all -- even those who do not deem themselves as Harry Potter fans -- to read it. J.K. Rowling does not disappoint, and as for Harry: you will be missed. Thank goodness you’re only a bookshelf away.
“Until the very end.” – J.K. Rowling
