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Was it best for J K Rowling to have ended the series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, wonders Anita Aikara.
Alert: Spoilers ahead.
Nineteen years have passed since Lord Voldemort's death.
It is time to get introduced to the next generation: Harry Potter, an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, is married to Ginny and they have three children.
One of them -- his youngest son Albus -- becomes friends with Malfoy's son, Scorpius Malfoy.
Is this the making of a new, lasting friendship or a disaster? Will their friendship bring back the ghosts of the past?
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When the news broke of the staging of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts I & II) at London's West End, Potter fans waited in anticipation for the book.
It is the first Potter book to be staged as a play and the eighth installment of the series.
One look at the spectacular photos and social media conversations, and it was certain that magic was bound to happen.
Every Potter fan, who couldn't witness the play, waited patiently for the book to release in India.
But when the book was out, we were disappointed.
Here's why...
1. The book isn't a novel
It is a two-part play! Imagine the disappointment to see it in bold on the cover.
That explains why many fans feel that the story is more adapt for the stage and not a book.
The book is actually the rehearsal script for the play which was co-written (yes co-written) by J K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany.
Once you read it, you'll understand that reading a script is not such a pleasurable experience as reading a page turner -- it lacks a basic narrative.
The vivid description that made the series a good read are missing too.
Moreover, the book is not written by J K Rowling, but is based on a story by her.
It's here we get the feeling that maybe it was best for J K Rowling to have ended the series with the seventh installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
And just when this feeling sinks in, we read this...
2. HARRY is laid to rest forever
Yes! You heard it right... this is the final book in the treasured series.
One wishes the end was way more impressive.
3. We finished reading the book in JUST two hours
The book doesn't take long to read even if you were to read it enthusiastically and take in every bit.
Surprisingly, the play lasted more that five hours!
You'll find all elements of the past... the Hogwarts Express, the characters we loved so much, moving stairs, talking frames and, of course, the invisible cloak.
Despite so much packed in one book -- there are two parts to the final book -- you can easily wrap it up in a few hours.
I read it in just two hours.
4. The story is set in 2020 and Harry Potter is 37. *sigh*
The book opens with this: A 37-seven-year-old man Harry has his daughter Lily on his shoulders.
There was a certain charm about the brave boy wizard and he kept getting attractive with time.
We loved reading how his character built up and watching the handsome lad on screen.
Fans across came to love the character and could relate to him... they grew up along with the character and felt connected to him.
The sudden two decade gap is difficult to digest.
Also the grown-up Hermione doesn't seem anything like the bright, young, witch we knew and loved.
In this book, she is a hassled government leader and a confused wife. Surprising, isn't it for a sorted character like Hermione?
5. Most of the twists are quite predictable except for this one!
Harry Potter's son Abus Potter is sorted into Slytherin.
Remember the anxiety you went through watching Harry being sorted in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
Biting our finger nails, we prayed and hoped that he'd be sorted into Gryffindor.
And what a relief it was when that happened.
We are hugely disappointed to know that Harry's youngest son (the rebel without a cause) has been sorted into Slytherin, the house of the snake of dark magic.
6. Snape is not dead
Well! He did make a re-appearance in the book in an alternate reality.
The other familiar character who made a comeback in the book is Moaning Myrtle.
And Dumbledore is back too! We're so confused after reading this book that we need to re-read all the seven books again.
Those that we love never truly leave us, do they?
7. Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange have a secret daughter
Possible?
Well, it is possible in this book.
The child's name is Delphi.
On the outside, she comes across as a happy-go-lucky girl, but she has the makings of a psychotic murderer.
She wants revenge, and tricks Albus Potter to believe she's the niece of Amos Diggory and the dead Cedric Diggory's cousin.
Can't help wondering if Lord Voldemort knew he had a daughter?
Lead photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Have you read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? What did you think of the book? Liked it or hated it?
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