Kept the secret long enough – my review of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

QUEZON City,Philippines (November 8) – At the time of writing this review, 100, 000 seats were added to accommodate Harry Potter fans clamoring to see “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”.

Source: The Independent
Source: The Independent

Before we truly begin, a standard warning: here be spoilers!

For those of you living under a rock, the latest installment in the Harry Potter universe is a two-act play about an adult Harry Potter and his interaction with his middle child, Albus Severus Potter.

Source: The Week
Source: The Week

It premiered on July 30, 2016 in London. As an example of great timing, the script was released as the official eighth book of the Harry Potter franchise on July 31, 2016 – the birthday of the Boy Who Lived.

As many Potter fans cannot go to London to watch the play, they instead settled for buying the book. It was a resounding success, selling 2 million copies just in the first two days. According to CNN, it is the most pre-ordered book of 2016.

Source: New York Daily News
Source: New York Daily News

Author J.K. Rowling created the #KeepTheSecrets to make sure that fans would not spoil the story for others.

Of course, as a true-blue Potter fan, I followed her request to keep the secret but I think I’ve kept it long enough.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is set in the future. It mainly takes place in 2020 but the story started in 2017. It follows the adventures of Harry’s second child, Albus Severus Potter.

Readers are led to believe that Albus Severus is the Cursed Child. He is very different compared to his siblings. As a matter of fact, he was Sorted into Slytherin.

Source: LeochisHogwarts - DeviantArt
Source: LeochisHogwarts – DeviantArt

On the other hand, Harry Potter is now working in the Ministry of Magic. His best friend Hermione Granger is married to Ron Weasley. She is also the Minister of Magic.

Albus Severus became unpopular in Hogwarts especially after he befriended Scorpius Malfoy – rumored son of Voldemort through the use of Time-Turner, a magical device that allows one to travel through time.

Source: photobucket
Source: photobucket

It turns out that the Ministry of Magic is facing a crisis because remnants of the Death Eaters – followers of Voldemort – are trying to alter time through the use of illegal Time-Turner in order to effect the return of the Dark Lord.

deatheater_darklord

Despite the difficult relation between father and son, Albus Severus thought that he can help his father using the selfsame Time Turner.

And this is where the spoiler ends. After all, I haven’t revealed yet who the Cursed Child is.

For the long-awaited installment in the Harry Potter universe, it is kind of disappointing for me to see Harry Potter as he struggles to relate with his second son. I guess being a Chosen One is not a guarantee that you’ll also become a great parent.

I guess you have to see the play to enjoy it fully but I did not really appreciate it.

Now, my fingers are crossed because I cannot let this affect my faith in Harry Potter. I hope that the next installment from the wizarding world does not disappoint.

(written by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)