HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
I'm putting my head under an axe for this, but I'm not a very big fan of the Harry Potter franchise as much as everyone else seems to be. For starters, the series follows the chosen-one trope, a plot-line which I JUST LOATHE. All the stuff about only-you-can-save-the-world always gets on my nerves. Maybe it has to do with the part that the main character always does something THAT IS THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF WHAT ANY OTHER RATIONAL PERSON WOULD DO. This also explains why I haven't read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and don't plan on doing so anytime soon. The reason I'm putting this as the chosen-one-trope's fault and not anything else is that I love Rick Riordan's other series, the Heroes of Olympus, which I'm fairly sure will also be getting a review sometime in the future.
Oh right. The actual book.
The story follows the adventures of Albus and Scorpius Malfoy as they travel through time and try and save Cedric Diggory, who died tragically in Goblet of Fire. Right away, you get the idea that it's not going to end well. They use the Time-Turner, a object that made a brief appearance in Prisoner of Azkaban, and was never seen again, opening one GIANT PLOT HOLE for the rest of the series. They receive help from Delphi Diggory, who claims to be the nephew of Amos Diggory, Cedric's father. But, as always, everything is not as it seems.
If I had to put this in the most honest way possible, this story would be a Harry Potter fan fiction with Doctor Who elements that features Albus's daddy issues. But because of, well, many things, IT'S BRILLIANT. First off, well, J.K. Rowling wrote it, so it's bound to be amazing, and second, the story explores all sorts of what-if's the fans had as they've read the series. What would happen if the new generation Potters met the Malfoys? Albus befriends Scorpius. What would happen if Voldemort had a child? Delphi.
The original characters are well fleshed-out in many places. The most notable change is in Harry and Draco. Harry doesn't really know how to deal with Albus, and he goes from giving him full out leash to a dog house without even consulting him. Harry himself admits at the end he doesn't really know how to parent because he doesn't have too much ground to stand on. Many fans look down upon this is a major flaw in his character, and yes, it is a flaw, but that's good. Nobody likes a Mary Su/Gary Stu, and making Harry a perfect father would make him one. What's more, everything he does is with good intention just like a father has, so if you look at this from another angel, this aspect of Harry is one good move on the author's part,
The next is Draco. Harry, despite everything he says, doesn't really trust him. I don't blame him though, I wouldn't either. Draco, however, proves him wrong as he shows passion to help his son anyway he can. The two have a tense relationship throughout the book, but eventually manage to become even with each other as they search for their sons.
I didn't really like Albus in some parts, like where he refuses Harry's blanket gift and when he decides to take the Cedric Diggory matters in to his own hands. As a fan of Doctor Who (Yes, I watch it and I LOVE IT) I was practically screaming NO. NO. NO. I'm not getting a repeat of Waters of Mars. Some other parts though, made me want to hug him. I really like the way the writers showed his inner conflict concerning him and his dad. I think he feels like a lot of pressure on him and it may be the fact that he's subconsciously so desperate to do something that would live up to his father's name and that's what drove him to try to save Cedric.
Now let's talk about Scorpius, the one character that everyone just seems to love. AND I DO TOO. Scorpius is the most adorable geek I've ever read, but that doesn't mean he's a pushover. The second world proves to everyone who is reading that he's about as determined as a Slytherin could be. He's a overall nice person in general, and his chemistry with Albus is just TOP NOTCH. The way they go through different situations together and communicate reminds me a bit of parabatai from The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare.
One noticeable trait with The Cursed Child is that it's not in novel format at all: it's in the form of a play. This is my first time reading a script format, so I have my ups and down. One perk is that everything is rather vague and without too much detail, so everything is up to the reader to visualise. That may be a problem though, as we never get much on the specifics. For example, how on earth did Albus and Scorpius manage to get a blanket wrapped around a baby long enough to write a message? J.K.? Answers.
Overall, I liked this book. It's not my favourite, and to be honest I prefer the original series over this. I'd give this book 4.1 stars out of 5. It's good, once you open up a bit to it and let it impress you. It's not a timeless classic masterpiece and opinion will vary depending on the person. It's not a must-read for all Harry Potter fans like All the Wrong Questions is for A Series of Unfortunate Events fans (well then again, everything that Lemony Snicket publishes that has even bit to do with his world is a must read for ASOUE fans), but if you are curious about the after story of Harry Potter I encourage you to pick it up. Just try not to be too cynical and down grading about ti and you'll enjoy it.
Now, I don't normally put any fan content in my reviews, because I try to look at the book as a regular person would. But for some reason, everyone seems to want Scorpius and Albus in a romantic relationship. I understand where this is coming from; as I've said, the two have great chemistry together, but romantic? Maybe, but it's not happening in my head. I mean, it could happen, I fully admit if it turns out they're both gay and/or bisexual it could very well happen. Should it happen, I would be very happy for them and I would support them to no end, but I just don't think it will. And please don't think I'm against homosexuality because of this, because I don't. I support the LGBT+ community wholeheartedly. I believe in Magnus's and Alec's relationship in TMI, and Will's and Nico's in HoO. I just don't think Scorpius and Albus will happen.
Well, that's all for today. I hope you come for more reviews!
-Sooyoung Jo-
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