(Spoilers)

As any Harry Potter fan, I was absolutely thrilled to hear that a new book would be released. I shoved every word down my throat as fast as I could, and often it was hard to swallow. In fact, I wish I hadn’t taken a bite at all.

Unlike each individual Harry Potter book, the first three years of Albus’ are glossed over, making it an odd ride for someone who has stuck around since the beginning. I was constantly waiting to read JK’s humorous internal monologue and beautiful imagery, however, Cursed Child is fast and has rigid turns.

I’ve seen fan fiction that held more truth to the characters than Cursed Child. It’s as if they took all tropes and shoved it into one piece, I mean, time travel? Albus in Slytherin? I’ve read bad fiction that was more precise than what was presented. Someone who was grown to know the characters would also be perplexed at the concept of Harry being a bad dad, he just wouldn’t. And to tell Albus that “there are times I wish you weren’t my son”? Never. It’s as if JK pulled out a wand and said “Let me just obliviate all the character development in the last seven books”. 

I wish I hadn’t read this book, not because it’s inadequate, but because I don’t want it to alter my perception of a series and author that have molded my childhood. I will push away the details to avoid tarnishing my pristine memories of Harry Potter. But, at least we have Ron’s dad jokes.