I enjoyed this book... I have the same criticisms of the book that I have of some of its predecessors: there isn't enough character development. Harry and Hermione and Ron are all so similar to the way there were in the first book. I also find the start of the book rather tiresome, once again H is at the Dursleys and once again he heads off to stay with the Weasleys and then they all take the train back to Hogworts. Yawn.

But what I really liked about this book was that it didn't start slowly with all the action packed in the end. Right from the post-train ride, the story gets going and keeps you hooked.

We learn a lot about some of the other characters, particularly about Voldemort's history and raison d'etre. And we learn a little more about Harry's (other) arch-nemesis, Snape.

The characters seem to age a bit too - romance enters the scene. Unfortunately it all feels a bit forced and predictable, almost like Rowling has run out of ideas. But if you've made it this far in the series, you might as well go all the way right? The ending gears us up for a potentially rip-roaring finale.