Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6

  • By: J.K. Rowling
  • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
  • Length: 20 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (20,986 ratings)
Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6 cover art

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6

By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £32.99

Buy Now for £32.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Silmarillion cover art
The Ickabog cover art
Shiverton Hall cover art
Avis Blackthorn: Is Not an Evil Wizard! (The Wizard Magic School Series, Book 1) cover art
The Lost Diary of Snow White Trilogy cover art
The Unwanteds cover art
Debt of Bones cover art
Lightning cover art
Frankenstein: Prodigal Son cover art
Faerie Wars cover art
The Verdant Passage cover art
The Lost Twin: A Scarlet and Ivy Mystery cover art
Magyk cover art
Doctor Who: Human Nature cover art
Virgins cover art
Hell's Rejects, Books 1-4 cover art

Summary

"There it was, hanging in the sky above the school: the blazing green skull with a serpent tongue, the mark Death Eaters left behind whenever they had entered a building...wherever they had murdered...." 

When Dumbledore arrives at Privet Drive one summer night to collect Harry Potter, his wand hand is blackened and shrivelled, but he does not reveal why. Secrets and suspicion are spreading through the wizarding world, and Hogwarts itself is not safe. Harry is convinced that Malfoy bears the Dark Mark: there is a Death Eater amongst them. Harry will need powerful magic and true friends as he explores Voldemort's darkest secrets, and Dumbledore prepares him to face his destiny.... 

Having now become classics of our time, the Harry Potter audiobooks never fail to bring comfort and escapism to listeners of all ages. With its message of hope, belonging and the enduring power of truth and love, the story of the Boy Who Lived continues to delight generations of new listeners. 

Theme music composed by James Hannigan. 

Listen to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows here.
©2005 J.K. Rowling (P)2015 J.K. Rowling

Critic reviews

"A marriage made in heaven, Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter." (The Times)

What listeners say about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    19,846
  • 4 Stars
    928
  • 3 Stars
    113
  • 2 Stars
    36
  • 1 Stars
    63
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    17,118
  • 4 Stars
    562
  • 3 Stars
    100
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    37
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16,673
  • 4 Stars
    898
  • 3 Stars
    121
  • 2 Stars
    24
  • 1 Stars
    35

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Twists, turns and shocks!

This is the sixth of the magical seven, each developing the story and leading to the climactic finale in The Deathly Hallows. JK Rowling uses The Half Blood Prince to further ensnare the reader into the twists that are to reveal themselves in the final conclusion of the story.

Part of the skill really is that these characters genuinely grow as they progress through their school years. As in real life with that growth comes responsibility. Once again Harry is pitted up against his now traditional enemies. Increasingly he starts to see shades of grey rather than simple black and white issues while the stakes become increasingly high.

There are twists, turns, surprises and shocks including for anyone who doesn’t know the stories a huge one at the end which I certainly wouldn’t reveal as it really is a huge development. This is something that continues into the final book so be prepared to constantly re-evaluate characters. The identity of the Half Blood Prince I found particularly intriguing and on first encounter with the stories didn’t see it coming at all.

The depth of the mysterious plot is increased by the beautiful marriage of the antiquities of the wizardly world and the seedier side of modern society such as government corruption and the modern media. The latter most ably represented by the brilliantly presented Rita Skeeter, a journalist so awful she could grace any of our tabloids!

I’m very glad that the author took the longer form for the final few books. This story and its characters needed that depth and the genuine cleverness of this book should not be fully judged in my opinion until the final book, The Deathly Hallows has also been finished. I’ll say no more.

The narration of course, the Master Fryer, little need be said other than a quick “Bravo!”.

One small note. I see all of these books listed under “Children : 8-10”. I would never seek to advise any parents on what their children should or should not read (within reason) and I was happy to let my daughter read these at age 10 when she asked. However, the books changed quite distinctly with the ages of the main characters. A line or two is bound to have been crossed so some parents may well want to review a plot synopsis or research these later books before making a decision on them. Not my call but I suspect some parents might just draw the line for a sensitive 8 or 9 year old.


Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent performance by Stephen Fry

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, yes, yes - an excellent performance by Stephen Fry of an enthralling, and well told story. Recommended for children of all ages.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6?

Oh so many - when Harry realised that the Half Blood Prince was Snape, the fact that Hermione got annoyed that Harry was doing better than her in Potions, Harry's fight with Malfoy - just to name a few.

Which character – as performed by Stephen Fry – was your favourite?

All of them

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither - just enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

Somewhat different to the film - so should be read first.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Harry and the half blood Prince

This Harry potter book is so full of excitement and it makes it Silk good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

4 ☆

“The thing about growing up with Fred and George," said Ginny thoughtfully, "is that you sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.”

The lack of Fred and George in this book was awful. I missed them so much, but it was nice getting to see a little more of Ginny in this one.

My favourite scenes in this book were definitely the Tom Riddle moments. I absolutely loved getting that insight into his early years, I just wish we got more.

It was also nice having a little extra time with Dumbledore in this one. My heart is heavy right now because of how it ended, I might take a break before listening to the next one. I haven’t decided yet. I’m not ready for all the pain.

My favourite character in this was definitely Horace Slughorn. I hate the changes made to his personality in the movies. In the books he shines as a true Slytherin, and I love his character.

I loved the scene at the start with the other Minister.

I didn’t like how sulky Harry got when Snape gave him detention for what he done to Malfoy. Or the lack of faith that his friends had in him for what he was saying in regards to Malfoy.

I didn’t particularly enjoy all the ‘love’ drama in this. It dragged on for too long.

Ohhh, I loved when Fleur told Mrs. Weasley off for saying her wedding wouldn’t be going ahead. I thought they treated her rather terribly up until that point.

So much happened in this one. I could prattle on all day but I’m going to leave it there.

Audio
5☆

Stephen's voices were a lot more distinctive throughout this one. I particularly enjoyed his Tom voices that changed as he got older.

“Time is making fools of us again.”

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Stephen Fry what a brilliant narrator he has transported me to Hogwarts and feel invested with the characters .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

GOAT PART 6

Right then you want a fifteen word review then do you?

Once upon a time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

And now it begins

Rip Dumbledore.

The calm before the storm, and now the chosen one will face the final battle.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Omg it’s amazing

It’s really calming and it’s just amazing I have nothing bad to say a bout it amazing story as well thank you sooo much 😘

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best book of the series

Stephen Fry is fantastic! I think this is the best book in the series. It’s Harry Potter! Love it or hate it...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good, book adds to the story the most!

I thought it was very good, I loved all the backstory and characters.
Slughorn was a great addition I would love to see more of him, if you are going to listen or read to the book please do.
I would recommend, thank you👍🧙‍♂️

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful