Potter mania has struck again. Bookstores across the world are invaded by fans, many of whom swear J. K. Rowling’s sixth book “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince�? is a great read from page one to the last! By the next day many fans had already finished reading it. Indeed, soon after buying the book, many adult readers frantically went speed-reading devouring the book’s 652 pages in 10 to 12 hours nonstop.

The book has broken the previous record held by the fifth Potter book: in just 24 hours it has crossed sales of 6.9 million copies in the US alone averaging more than 250,000 copies per hour, on Saturday. The fifth title ‘Order of the Phoenix’ published in 2003 sold 5 million copies in 24 hours in the US.

Total sales of the book in US’ bookstores had reached more than $100 million over the weekend. Even the season’s hit movies (The Wedding Crashers, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) have not generated that kind of revenue.
Meanwhile, online bookstore Amazon has reported that the book has broken all previous records and exceeded all expectations. By July 15 the Seattle-based company had received more than 1.5 million advance orders for the book on its seven retail sites across the world. More than 919,000 orders for the book were received on www.amazon.com alone making it the biggest best-selling new product ever by the online retailer.

Across the world, there were countless launch parties, some organized by bookstores some by fans. In the US there were 5000 Potter launch parties on Saturday. ‘The Order of the Phoenix’ was celebrated with around 800 parties in 2003.

We asked readers of all age groups what they thought of this book. Many of the older readers sounded disappointed but children continue to be enchanted by the magical world of Potter. A majority gave the verdict in favor of Rowling, saying the book doesn’t disappoint.

The world of deaths, dark secrets, evil wizards and fears continues with the thread of the previous books. This time however, major characters from previous books recede into the background and new characters are introduced. E.g. the shadowy figure Snape is more center-stage in this book.

There is also some change in the general atmosphere of the book. If one remembers the Hogwarts in the ‘Order of the phoenix’, there is a contrasting mood with some happy episodes with Harry at school. There are plenty of comedy moments too, (grown-ups are sure to delight in these) after Ron finally discovers girls.

The book is shorter than the ‘Order of the Phoenix’ and also less action-packed. However, as the plot unravels the pace picks up in the later pages leading to a more thrilling finale.

The next book will be the last in the series. Author J K Rowling has said she is looking forward to writing in a different genre than this one. She said she had exhausted all her best fantasy ideas with the Harry Potter series.