Marshmallow began her reviews for the book bunnies blog with Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling. Since then she has reviewed many books about the Harry Potter story universe. She has also reviewed all five volumes of the series illustrated by Jim Kay: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The project was put on hold when Kay dropped out in 2022, but the illustrated edition of the sixth volume is finally out this month. So here is Marshmallow’s review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold.
Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you liked the original Harry Potter series, or if you are fascinate by magic, or if you just enjoy beautifully illustrated books, then this is the book for you!
Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Harry Potter may be the main character here, but the book starts in the office of the British Prime Minister. He’s sitting rather uncomfortably after dealing with a rather disastrous week when the painting on his wall announces that the Minister of Magic will be promptly paying him a visit. This is a rather unpleasant surprise for him as all of their previous meetings have been regarding bad news — something he does not need more of at the moment.
Indeed, the Minister of Magic (Cornelius Fudge) does bear bad news. Deatheaters, the loyal followers of You-Know-Who, have been wreaking havoc across the country and their destruction has become so visible that even Muggles (non-magical people) have noticed it. All of the Prime Minister’s problems rest squarely on the shoulders of Deatheaters.
It is with this conversation that J.K. Rowling re-captures the reader into the Wizarding World and the underlying tension of the times remains potent throughout the remainder of the book. When Harry first makes his appearance, we learn that Dumbledore will be visiting him to deliver him early to the Weasley Burrow (the odd but comfortable home of his best friend Ron). It is already peculiar for the headmaster of Hogwarts to spend so much time with a student, but the particular circumstances make it clear that it is not just for a nice tea chat. Dumbledore has plans for Harry; unfortunately, he is not 100% transparent about them.
Likewise, we learn early on that He Who Must Not Be Named (a.k.a. The Dark Lord or Lord Voldemort) has plans for Draco Malfoy, the son of the now-scorned Deatheater Lucius Malfoy. Again, the reader is left to guess at what these plans are. But one thing seems certain: Severus Snape (a professor at Hogwarts whom Dumbledore blindly trusts) is still secretly working for Voldemort.
As the term at Hogwarts begins, suspicion and danger are tangibly in the air at all times. With the Ministry of Magic on high alert and people uncertain of who to trust, Harry must navigate yet another year at Hogwarts that will be undoubtedly unsafe.
Marshmallow’s Review: I loved reading this version of the Half-Blood Prince! I had really missed this series, and diving back into the books with this illustrated edition made coming back to them even more enjoyable. From the very first page, the very first time you open the book, you immediately sense that this is going to be a magical story.
Of course, I’m clearly a very biased Harry Potter fan. But having the added ability to see the story as it progresses on each page makes the experience even better. J.K. Rowling’s writing is one thing that I do not think is very controversial; it is very crisp and entertaining, sharp yet smooth.
I felt very nostalgic throughout the first couple chapters but the imagery made it also feel like a new version. The drawings are beautiful!! They tend to be darker due to the overall environment and energy of the book. But they draw you in. Each page has some sort of color, whether it’s just a simple background or a sketch that makes you wonder how on earth Pinfold managed to draw it. I would say I’m a pretty open-minded Harry Potter fan, but these illustrations are pretty loyal to the text. Yet, they do add another dimension to everything by expanding on the detail, filling in the blanks. J.K. Rowling’s writing is rather descriptive but even she sometimes leaves somethings to the imagination. Likewise, the drawings do the same. They have a somewhat blurry feeling about them. They are very detailed — make no mistake — but they are drawn in a watercolor-like style that is very light and heavy at the same time. I am not sure how to fully describe it, but the color palette is also very attractive and appropriate for the text.
I particularly liked the image on the cover with the bright orangey-yellow flames and the contrasting teal (it is later featured on page 367 too!) On page 414-415, there is also a beautiful spread of the Hogwarts castle with Hagrid in front attending a memorial (I will not spoil who it is for). The drawing is intricately done with all the stone faces and carvings drawn out in detail. The hoops of the Quidditch field are even included on the left!!
As you can tell, I am a huge Harry Potter fan. But you don’t need to be in order to appreciate what a work of art this book is. Combining J.K. Rowling’s uncontested writing skills with Levi Pinfold’s artistic prowess was a fantastic idea and I am so grateful that this book was made. I feel very nostalgic now, but this book reminds me that new things like it can be beautiful as well.
Marshmallow’s Rating: 110%!
