nice, cold slacking day :) i just finished "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by JK Rowling in less than 24 hrs. I just sat down, read and read and read. It's a nice read. :) I feel that it is much less dramatic, as compared to its predecessors. It's intended more of as a bridge between books and a prelude of what is to come, giving a lot of details about Voldemort's past. Hovering on the edge of adulthood, Harry has matured and become a calmer person, not so given to angst and outbursts , as in the previous book. Dumbledore has also taken him into his confidence, sharing memories and information with him and taking him along on missions. A weaker, more human side of Malfoy is revealed and the question of Snape's loyalty still lingers. There is a focus on relationships between the characters. With Dumbledore's death, the metamorphosis to adulthood is complete, as the cocoon sheltering Harry has been shattered. Harry sees with clarity the immensity of his destiny and his resolve to fulfill it is strengthened. Ok, no more spoilers, *haha..enjoy the book! :)