As most people know, 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Parts One and Two" were released July 31st, Harry Potter's birthday. The book is written in play form by Jack Thorne based on a new story written by himself, J.K Rowling and John Tiffany. This new Harry Potter book definitely was a shocker to fans.

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read the book and plan to, don't read this article until after you have finished. If you don't plan to read the book, then change your mind and pick up a copy!

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is a very interesting read. This new addition to the worldwide beloved series has some darkness to it. As most people who are interested in this new development know, this story is supposed to focus on the next generation, but that doesn't mean that our favorite people aren't featured, you just may not recognize them. There was a serious character development that, as a fan, scared me, but as a reader, was intriguing. Harry Potter, "The Boy Who Lived," "The Chosen One," or one of the most lovable character's in the series, is painted in a darker light than I would ever dream possible. Draco Malfoy, the "evil" boy whom everyone seems to hate, has changed into a man who just wants his son to have the life he deserves. Hermione Weasley née Granger and Ginerva (Ginny) Potter née Weasley don't seem to have changed too much. Ronald Weasley, has mostly become comic relief.

This has not been said outright to my knowledge, but J.K. Rowling has said before that she regrets pairing Ron and Hermione together in the end. I believe the few alternate realities that we get to see in the script, where Ron and Hermione are not together in any of them, is a way for Rowling to express that regret and almost change it.

The style of writing is frustrating sometimes. I know that it is written in play form, but for those of us that can't afford to fly to London to see this performed, it can be irritating. The scenes in the play switch so quickly in the script it is hard for the reader to keep up. It is also hard to picture because of the lack of description, since 99% of the book is made up of dialogue. It can almost be like reading a text message from a friend that can mean many different things, depending on the tone it is said through. Of course you don't know the tone because it is simply written dialogue with no descriptions or facial cues to show you otherwise. I have also heard some people say that it is almost written as if it were fan-fiction.

The book does take a huge leap from the original Harry Potter series. Yes, while the original seven novel series wasn't all rainbows and gumdrops, it can't hold a candle to the darkness level in this script. This script and the Harry Potter series can be compared to watching the Disney version of a fairy tale and then later in life reading the Grimm Brothers version. It chills you to the bone. This is not to say it is bad, but it does throw you for a loop.

My overall opinion of this play was alright. I still hope for there to be a full story of this published by J.K. Rowling herself, so that there may be more background to the events in this script. I can commend her and the other writers for the character development. Although, seeing Harry Potter in a darker, less heroic light, was hard, it was an interesting realistic turn that I can understand. Even "The Boy Who Lived" wasn't perfect. As a huge Draco Malfoy fan, I did immensely love the development of his character. As a huge fan, the series is more than just a fun story about wizards and adventure. This series helped me through some hard times when my mother left my life forever and I have clung to this wonderful story as an escape, a friend, and a book full of wisdom on life. Reading this darker version of Harry Potter, originally tore me to pieces. I even called a great friend of mine crying and having a panic attack because I couldn't take the changes, but I eventually calmed down and saw that it didn't ruin my childhood, it just added to my adulthood and gave me more life wisdom.