history and criticism

This book is fantastic. This book came out 3 months after OotP as a clues only guide and right away it challenged the Harry Potter lover in me. No matter if the clues are right or wrong, I can spend hours debating them with my family, making it a FANTASTIC book to read with everyone. Its even helped my turn some of my more skeptical friends into sleuths! I recommend this book for all ages and fan levels. The only problem I have is that some of the clues seem to be way over my head. Overall it is a great book that makes you think and helps you through the wait for book 6.

I like the fact that this guide is "hints only". I didn't expect a complete analysis like in the first book, and not sure why other reviewers had a problem with that. The authors warn you right upfront about it. I think that's ok...it takes some work but I am having a blast trying to figure out the clues. You have to be up for solving JKR's puzzles yourself, but if you are, this is a really cool book! I'm still working on a lot of the clues, but I can see now what Galadriel was saying about Peter Pettigrew's whereabouts and why Percy has been acting like such a jerk. It was so awesome when I saw that. I'm still working all the other stuff, and I can see that there's lots to keep me engrossed until Harry Potter 6! This book definitely kept my interest and it's a really good deal too, considering it turned out to be really a lot more than I expected. I wouldn't recommend it for casual readers, but I'd say it's a must for us "die-hard" Potter fans!

First I just have to say one thing: *Galadriel* Waters and Astre *Mithrandir*? Is that for real? Anyways, it's worth it for those of us in desperate need of a Potter fix, but I wouldn't recommend it for casual fans. This leaves you to build your own theories and conclusions, but doesn't guide you through anything, persay. Definitly for the older, more serious fans.