No spoilers here. I finished reading the book early this afternoon. It's not quite as bulky as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," but it's still a substantial read for a book ostensibly targeted at pre-teens.

The book didn't disappoint me at all and certainly leaves one anxious for the exciting conclusion to the story in the next book. As far as planning ahead goes, I'm much more pleased with J.K. Rowling than Robert Jordan, author of "The Wheel of Time" series. Rowling planned for seven books and has stuck to it. Jordan just keeps on dragging the story out as evidenced by his last book, "The Path of Daggers," where nothing actually happens in several hundred pages of fiction.

Anyway, "The Half-Blood Prince," was exciting, well-written and captivating. Don't wait for the paperback.