*** ALERT ***
If Harry Potter and the Cursed Child disappointed you and has you worried about plunking down your hard-earned cash for another book, worry not. This is J K Rowling in her element. Outstanding.
Quick Overview
This collection is an interesting read dedicated to the intrigue relating to Harry Potter’s world. A terrific read that will have fans scrambling for more.
Length: Print, 63 pages.
Q - Target Audience/Genre and is it marketed as Nonfiction or Fiction:
A – Fans of Harry Potter and fantasy.
Q - How was this book obtained?
A – Purchased on Amazon during pre-order stage.
Q - Is this a book that I can read without having to read others first?
A – Not really, but I doubt any buyer would be purchasing this without having purchased every Potter book written.
Q – If this is a recurring character or a series, does it have a cliffhanger ending?
A – No cliffhanger ending. These bits and pieces help fill the gaps for fans of harry Potter. Another reviewer states that these all, except for one, are available on the internet. I personally am the sort that would rather have the stories in Kindle.
Q - Are there a lot of typos/misspellings, grammatical errors or other editing failures?
A – No.
Q - Is this a fast, easy read or is it more of a leisure read?
A – Very quick, easy read.
Q - What sort of language does this writer use to amplify the points made?
A – Plain English, with no profanities.
Q – What age group is this suitable for?
A – Young Adult and older, but it also is a terrific book parents can read aloud to their youngsters.
Q - My biggest pleasure or disappointment?
A – No complaints here. These bits and pieces are of special interest to Harry Potter devotees, but will interest many others, such as me.
To give a feel for the editing, and the style and flow of this work, I am posting two brief excerpts below.
Excerpt
‘…AZKABAN
BY J.K. ROWLING
Azkaban has existed since the fifteenth century and was not originally a prison at all. The island in the North Sea upon which the first fortress was built never appeared on any map, Muggle or wizarding, and is believed to have been created, or enlarged, by magical means.
The fortress upon it was originally home to a little-known sorcerer who called himself Ekrizdis. Evidently extremely powerful, but of unknown nationality, Ekrizdis, who is believed to have been insane, was a practitioner of the worst kinds of Dark Arts. Alone in the middle of the ocean, he lured, tortured and killed Muggle sailors, apparently for pleasure, and only when he died, and the concealment charms he had cast faded away, did the Ministry of Magic realise that either island or building existed. Those who entered to investigate refused afterwards to talk of what they had found inside, but the least frightening part of it was that the place was infested with Dementors.
Many in authority thought Azkaban an evil place that was best destroyed. Others were afraid of what might happen to the Dementors infesting the building if they deprived them of their home. The creatures were already strong and impossible to kill; many feared a horrible revenge if they took away a habitat where they appeared to thrive. The very walls of the building seemed steeped in misery and pain, and the Dementors were determined to cling to it. Experts who had studied buildings built with and around Dark magic contended that Azkaban might wreak…’
Rowling, J.K.. Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Kindle Single) (Pottermore Presents) (Kindle Locations 251-262). Pottermore. Kindle Edition.
Excerpt 2
J.K. Rowling’s thoughts
The name ‘Azkaban’ derives from a mixture of the prison ‘Alcatraz’, which is its closest Muggle equivalent, being set on an island, and ‘Abaddon’, which is a Hebrew word meaning ‘place of destruction’ or ‘depths of hell’.
Rowling, J.K.. Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Kindle Single) (Pottermore Presents) (Kindle Locations 292-294). Pottermore. Kindle Edition.
Bottom Line:
Five enthusiastic stars out of five.
Comments regarding your opinion of this book or of my review, whether favorable or unfavorable, are always welcome. If you buy the book based on my review and become disappointed, especially, I do want to know that and I want to understand how I can improve as a book reviewer. Just please be polite.
Thank you.
K. Butler
Kellybean
Courtney Mal
C Wm (Andy) Anderson
Goth Gone Grey