This is a story that has been shrouded in controversy from the very beginning of it's life as a stage play. The casting itself... Let's not get into it - it's not that important in terms of the actual script. As far as a book goes, technically this is a play, but I have been avoiding starting it for a while as I've been afraid to finish it. I didn't want the stories from the Harry Potter universe to end. This is a common sentiment among Potterheads, but since the film Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them came out, I made a promise to myself to put this on the list for immediate reading. I received it as a gift from my brother for Christmas 2016 and it's about time I got to it. I've also avoided writing the review for this. I finished it maybe a month ago... I was not very impressed. The first few pages were absolutely exhilarating, not because it starts out in a fast paced action packed kind of way, but because I was plunged back into the world of very familiar friends. It's Harry and his kids, Harry and Ginny, the Hogwarts Express... For the few handful of pages it's a trip down memory lane, thick with nostalgia. Then imagine, if you will, the focus lifts from Harry and the usual trio and settles gently on his son and the next generation of the famous three. The first thing that really strikes me about the characters is that Albus Potter is a bit of a dick and Scorpius Malfoy is a sweet little nerd-boy. I'm not sure how to feel about this honestly, but hi jinks ensue.
The characters feel forced and not fleshed out, the trio is weaker than we remember them, and Ron Weasley is a bumbling idiot... it's a constant source of irritation that he's reduced to comic relief, though Hermione emerging as the freaking MINISTER FOR MAGIC feels just right. The standout part of it all is the time travel, but even that seems a little messy. These kids spend most of the play messing things up along the time line of The Goblet Of Fire, getting an idea into their heads that they need to save Cedric Diggory from death with the "help" of Amos Diggory's niece. SPOILER: Amos Diggory didn't have a niece. It's Voldemorts daughter. What? She wants to be reunited with dear old dad and prevent his death, and thanks to a little loophole in time manipulation, they create several alternate realities in which Umbridge, Snape and a seriously evil Hermione make an appearance. Professor McGonagal turns up at once point to sass everyone out. Eventually, the entire original gang, their kids, and Delphini (the child of Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange?!) turn up in Godrics Hollow on the eve of James and Lily's death. Harry is a terrified father, Ginny plays the role of exasperated, staunch supporter, Albus eventually stops being a douche at the very last second and Draco Malfoy appears at first just how we remember him, but they've written such a sorrowful backstory for him since the events of Deathly Hallows that my heart goes out to the poor guy. Again, let's not talk about what they did to Ron. It was not cool. I knew this wasn't going to be a spoiler free write up but I wont entirely spoil the end for you if you haven't read it. In any case, the writing itself wasn't bad - I did feel fully immersed while reading and despite it being riddled with plot holes and very unsatisfying character development, it was not the worst thing I've ever picked up. I'd really only recommend this to people who have spent a lot of time in the wizarding world. A lot of the tiny details, careful nods to hardcore fans, I think they're necessary for the story to work. Without them it's just a really weird series of events that hurtle along to an inevitably strange end. Part of me wishes I had never read it, but seeing as it was based on a story by J.K. Rowling, I can almost push this to the portion of my mind that deals with non-canon fan fiction and forget about it. Here's a better idea - Harry as an Auror. Do that. It would have been way better. I give it a 4 out of 10 Pictured below: Albus Potter - Little Bitch & Scorpius Malfoy - Actual Sweetheart
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