A New Harry Potter Book Is Finally Happening, Where Will ‘Harry Potter & The Cursed Child’ Pick Up?

After a decades-long wait, Harry Potter fans can finally rejoice in the release of an eighth book in the magical franchise. It may have been long in the making, but Harry Potter & the Cursed Child is set to be released this coming summer. Where does J.K. Rowling’s latest offering fit into the other books of the series?

The last book in the hugely successful series, The Deathly Hallows, ended with an epilogue that featured an older Harry dropping off his kids at Platform 9 and 3/4. According to E! Online, this is exactly where the new book will pick up, only there is a slight catch to the upcoming story.

Harry Potter & the Cursed Child is actually based on the play of the same name that is set to premiere in London prior to the release of the book. The book is a print version of the play, which means it will include the preview version of the play, complete with stage direction and actor cues.

While this means the new book will have a different feel than the originals, that doesn’t mean fans aren’t super excited about its release. After all, pretty much anything Rowling writes turns to gold, and this new book is no exception. Furthermore, the book will offer some much-needed closure, as fans have long wondered about Harry’s life after Deathly Hallows.

Meanwhile, news of the eighth installment in the Harry Potter series first broke on Pottermore. Along with announcing that both print and digital versions of the story will be published, the site also revealed a little more about the preview version of the play.

During the preview sessions, the cast of the play are allowed to expand on scenes and explore their characters in more depth than is permitted during the opening. This means that fans will get the chance to fully explore everything that happens to Harry and his friends as they explore their lives as parents.

According to BBC, this includes an untold piece of Harry’s story, and more information about his parents lives. Although the details about the story are unknown, the plot will include an overworked Harry employed by the Ministry of Magic. Beyond that, it isn’t clear how much the story will focus on Harry and how much will be devoted to his son.

In speaking about the upcoming play and published book, Little, Brown Book Group’s chief executive, David Shelly, expressed his excitement in bringing the story of Harry Potter back to life.

“We are so thrilled to be publishing the script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” he shared. “JK Rowling and her team have received a huge number of appeals from fans who can’t be in London to see the play and who would like to read the play in book format — and so we are absolutely delighted to be able to make it available for them.”

In addition to the new book, Rowling is scheduled to release an updated version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them next year. This coincides with the upcoming movie of the same name.

Furthermore, fans can expect new editions of two Hogwart’s famous textbooks, The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Quidditch Through the Ages, as well as new editions of the first book in the franchise, complete with house themed versions.

Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, written by Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne, is set to open in London this coming May. The print and digital versions of the play are scheduled to be released on Harry’s birthday, July 31.

Tell us! Are you looking forward to reading Harry Potter & the Cursed Child? Let us know in the comments below.

[Image via Warner Bros]