The wizarding world fast forwards through nineteen years

On July 31st, 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was released to the public. Rowling's newest release is presented in the form of a script and picks up with Harry's tale 19 years later.  Readers get to see how this legendary hero, Harry, has settled into middle age as a civil servant in London, working at the Ministry of Magic. More importantly, the reader is able to see Harry as a father and watch his teenage son cope with the suffocating expectations that come with having a famous father.  “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is about the journey Harry's son, Albus, takes while growing up, and the roles he and his best friend, Scorpius (Draco Malfoy’s son), play when dark forces, perhaps in league with Voldemort, once again threaten the fate of the planet.

Like other books in this series, the suspense in this newest release is electric and nonstop.  Plus, this release has been cleverly constructed around recalling events in the original Potter novels. It specifically references such beloved scenes as the Tri-wizard Tournament in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire;” the penetration of the Ministry of Magic by Harry, Ron, and Hermione in “Deathly Hallows;” and a visit to Godric’s Hollow in that same volume.

Throughout this latest adventure, Albus resents being the son of the"Chosen One,” and he’s increasingly filled with anger at the expectations placed on him. Though Albus has a lot in common with young Harry and his feelings of being an outsider and a desire to prove himself, he is increasingly at odds with his father, whose worried, overprotective parenting fuels antagonism between them. Want to see how all of this action and adventure unravels? This book can be checked out from the John I. Burton library.

Written by: Austin Q.