This is the darkest and, I think, best Potter book yet. It is excellent, and not at all in the same "format" as the last ones. Harry is now 15 years old, and has the temper tantrums, confusions, frustrations with authority, feelings of unfairness, anger, and girl-problems of a typical 15 year old. I found myself frequently frustrated and angry (like Harry is) with the stuff that keeps happening to him-but things aren't necessarily "made right" immediately-he has to suffer. The situations he finds himself in are dark and teach very good lessons about holding one's tounge and how life is frequently not fair. There is very little focus on Quidditch and in the end they don't get into a silly little bind that seems too easy to get out of (even though you know they will.)It is really a very well written book. At times frustrating, at times funny, and full of heart and people I really feel I know. Great character development. A must-read. Really.