I was on the fence about whether to read this. Since it is a play, ideally it would be seen performed first. Since I know there is no chance of my being able to see it anytime soon, I decided it was better to read the script. Additionally, I was a theatre major. I've read lots of plays, and performed in staged readings. So I was probably more prepared than many who will be opening this book for what to expect.

I just finished reading this. I enjoyed it very much. While it was not the sort of thing I would want or expect in a sequel novel to the Harry Potter series, I think it was a very good Harry Potter play. The use of time travel and flash back dream sequences allowed us to see familiar moments and characters that we love. The new characters were great stage roles, and there was plenty of lovely dramatic dialogue that I would have enjoyed performing.

As for the story, if it were a novel, I think I would be somewhat disappointed. Since it was a play, I really liked it. With all the time travel high-jinks I felt a little like it was a Harry Potter version of Back to the Future. But that was okay. (note: I love Back to the Future)

The first thing that surprised me was that Scorpius Malfoy was a sympathetic character. I was excited when Albus chose to befriend him. I was not expecting this to be a time travel story, and it very much was. I really liked the portrayal of Draco Malfoy. I think that he was definitely changed by the end of Deathly Hallows, and that is the way he was written. He was definitely not his father. That alternate universe scene where Voldemort had won, while terrifying, was also pretty amazing. Seeing Snape was a treat, and I enjoyed the shock of Umbridge being there. "You're ruining Voldemort Day."

By the way, I thought it was a little strange that in 20 years, no one at the Ministry had made more time turners. Why were they there in the first place? Did they decide it was too dangerous to replace them? Oh, well. Willing suspension of disbelief.

The bit I had the most trouble suspending my disbelief for was Voldemort having a child. I thought the character of Delphi was wonderful, but I just can't get past the idea of Voldemort having a child with anyone. Maybe when he was still handsome Tom Riddle. I half expected a time travel related explanation for her. It was a twinge more believable when it was revealed that her mother was Bellatrix Lestrange. It's still weird, and wait a minute she was married. But the Lestrange were severely twisted in their serving of Voldemort. Radolphus probably volunteered to share his wife with the Dark Lord. So creepy. Also just wanted to point out that this makes Delphi Draco's cousin.

The end scenes were lovely with Harry and company getting to witness his parents' sacrifice. Seeing Hagrid meet Harry for the first time was especially nice.

It looks like a good show, and I hope to be able to see it one day!
( )

from Deborah --

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling has disappointed some. This is not just a continuation of the series. Time has passed. Harry is an adult, not the little kid or teen we can be young with again. Also, this is written as a play, and that is jarring to those who want to be immersed in another magical adventure without stage directions and characters’ speech broken into individual dialogue. It can give the feeling of static breaking up an important conversation. Also, it’s true that the inclusion of magic this time round has less carefree fun or deep mysticism attached to it. It is more utilitarian, used so the story can happen.

With all this being acknowledged, this play still weaves a good story around some deep themes. Rowling must have been thinking about her own children forging their identities in the dazzle of her fame because this is one issue explored. How do you be “Albus Potter” when so many know you as “Harry Potter’s son”? Also, can you improve your well-being, as well as others,’ by going back and righting wrongs from the past? Is your vision always 20/20 when you are looking backward?

This play is worthy of a read. I miss the young Harry, but he is one of many characters who are still growing, and love still protects and saves the day. ( )

Ok, let me tell you what most annoyed me about this book: it says it's canon, but it reads like a fanfiction with a LOT of plot holes and bad plot devices, including bad characterization. And I'm not saying fanfiction is bad. In fact, I've literally read better fanfiction wih the same storyline -- going back in time to stop Voldemort (or to stop Harry) and, Jesus Christ, Voldermot's daughter. There are better Voldemort's daughters in FF.net, look it up.

There's fifty shades of wrong in this play, and I'm sure that to watch the play is far different than reading it, but from a strictly point of narrative... This is pretty bad.

I have a LOT to say about this one, from the plot to the characters (especially them). Stay tuned.

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Updated 08/15.

I must start by saying I had no expectations whatsover about this script - I wasn’t even thinking about reading it. I’m unfamiliar with Jack Thorne's works, I’m one of those people who do not care about the next generation and I absolutely refuse to conform to the HP epilogue (quoting a tumblr post that would be virtually impossible for me to find right now).

The only thing I new about the play was black!Hermione, and that’s about it. No spoilers, no idea what the plot was, no anything.

I’ll try to keep this post simple, so I’ll list the points that stand out for me about the play. Beware huge spoilers ahead.

The writing:

It’s a simple play. Nothing amazing about it. It basically delivers the story and gets its job done. I guess we couldn’t expect a master piece from it. To me, it’s too simplistic, even. (And yes, I know it was a script and not a gothic novel, my criticism comes from the fact that I've read better plays in my life). I'm sure the life experience of watching it onstage must be breathtaking, and probably would mask some issues in the writing, but my point here is the narrative, not smoke and mirrors and teary-eyed actors.

The plot:

Are you kidding? Fanfic-esque through and through. I don’t know if JKR gets around the internet reading fanfics, but god help me if Jack Thorne and John TIffany didn’t sniff around FF.net and AO3. The stuff sweats fanfic from its every pore. And I mean it in a good and a bad way - because just from this point we can discuss fanfiction and writing in standard media and the influence of fandom at length. There’s a lot to this topic that I won’t discuss further here.

We could also discuss an incredible lack of imagination, you know.

Let’s face it: the plot has been done hundreds, if not thousands of times before. It’s not my favorite storyline, so I’ve never read lots of it, but as far as constructing the plot and the characters in it, I’d say that Jack Thorne is passable, and I know he had guidance from JKR. The first 1/3 of the story was interesting enough for me, but as it went on, it felt like it was constantly losing its magic and going for the most obvious choices.

The characters:

And talking about characters, let me just say this: they spoke louder than the whole plot that, by itself, is not very interesting, but the characters were engaging enough for me to keep reading - Albus and Scorpius are just too lovable. I wasn’t very invested in the plot, and was quite skeptical about it to be honest, but the characters kept me going, and that is saying something.

What we have here is a bunch of (mostly) good, well-rounded characters, in a deflating storyline.

JKR says there won’t be any new HP stories, but I wouldn’t bet my money on that (although after reading this play I really wish she'd just stick to Pottermore).

On the overall, the plot is disappointing and full of predictable clichés. It was nice seeing the trio again, but it was even better seeing Draco Malfoy under this new light, and even though I have my reserves about the Next Generation, Albus and Scorpius and even Rose, who barely appeared and in the end was merely used as a non-sense love interest, were very captivating. Scorpius is an absolute dork and I love him to bits.

I was very disappointed that they didn’t develop the relationship of the boys in a more romantic way, because jfc, it was there from scene one. Again, traditional media letting us down; what else is new?

I've prepared a separate review about the characters that can be found on my Tumblr (http://diffindo.co.vu/post/148366059278/), because the characters were the thing that kept me going, not the plot (that is cringe-worthy). So if you wanna hear me ramble about how much I loved Scorpius and Albus and Draco, and how much I despised Ron's characterization, go ahead and click it. ( )

This started out out slow but stick with it. Some good character development, humorous bits, and an understanding of human nature bring it together. ( )

You guys don't understand how much I wanted to LOVE this story. I'm such a huge Harry Potter fan (I have two HP tattoos and everything), but I just...this felt so out of character for the people I'd come to know and love as I grew up. I don't want to spoil anything, but I'm not here for that, but I was just really disappointed. I knew it wouldn't be exactly the same because this was a play and not a book, so some things had to change, and I understand that, but this was just..awful. The only reason I gave it two stars was because I loved the banter between Ron and Ginny. I would recommend the book, just so you can form your own opinion on it, but I just, for me, it was bad. 2 out of 5 stars. ( )