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POTTER MANIA

Hundreds of fans queue until midnight to buy first Harry Potter book in nine years — and one boy reads it in just 59 minutes

Schoolboy Toby L'Estrange released the first review of the latest instalment in the spellbinding series

Harry Potter

A 10-YEAR-OLD prodigy finished the latest instalment in the Harry Potter series in just 59 minutes.

Speed-reading schoolboy Toby L'Estrange, from Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, was challenged by book giant Amazon to write the first review of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts One and Two.

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Toby L’Estrange ... child prodigy beat everyone to the punch, writing first review of latest Harry Potter book for AmazonCredit: SWNS
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The queues stretched around the corner ... Harry Potter fans have waited nine years since the last instalment in the seriesCredit: Getty Images

He can read a 400-page book in under two hours, thanks to reading techniques his grandmother Susan Norman, a speed-reading expert, taught him.

The latest instalment is the script of a new West End play written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne.

Previews Start For "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"
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Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts One and Two ... play officially opened in London on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images
Stacks of new book "Harry Potter and the
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Spellbound ... Brits queued up to get their hands on the most pre-ordered book since the last Harry Potter instalmentCredit: Getty Images

It is the most pre-ordered book since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out in 2007.

The play officially opened in London last night, to coincide with the book’s release.

Pottermania is back and fans are fighting to get their hands on tickets to the play, which has sold out until May 2017.

"Harry Potter & The Cursed Child" - Press Preview - VIP Arrivals
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Rowling ... famed Harry Potter author teamed up with John Tiffany and Jack Thorne to pen the new playCredit: Dave Benett
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Potter mania is back ... Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts One and Two opened in London last nightCredit: Splash News

Toby’s copy of the book was delivered directly to his Amazon Kindle by pre-order just after midnight on Sunday.

His review of the story, written just 59 minutes after its release, will be read by Amazon customers worldwide.

Superfan Toby read all the Harry Potter books by age eight and can recite all the spells used throughout the books.

He gave the latest book a six out of 10 in his review.

Fans rush as a book store opens its door
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Countdown ... fans race into store to get their hands on Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling's latest masterpieceCredit: Getty Images
"Harry Potter & The Cursed Child" - Press Preview - VIP Arrivals
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Toby ... 'it's a very complicated story' but 'it's a really good story'Credit: SWNS

He explained: “It's a really good story.

"It's a very complicated story.

“It happens in different times, so it's really helpful if you know all the other books and characters quite well (I do - and so does any other true Harry Potter fan).

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Magic has creapt back onto bookshelves ... Potter fans eager to devour the latest book queue ahead of releaseCredit: Getty Images
Fans rush as a book store opens its door
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Tight-lipped ... Toby says Harry Potter fans will have to read the book for themselves to find out moreCredit: EPA

"When I first started it was really difficult to know what was happening because everything was mixed up, but then it all got quite exciting - and a bit (a bit!) clearer.

"It's mostly about Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy - which is odd because Harry and Draco were enemies.

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After queuing for hours ... dedicated fans race to be the first to get their hands on the latest addition to the Harry Potter seriesCredit: Getty Images
"Harry Potter & The Cursed Child" - Press Preview - Backstage
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The cast with the woman who started it all, centre ... Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts One and TwoCredit: Getty Images

“And Harry and Albus don't see eye to eye on - well, pretty much everything."

Toby insisted he does not have a favourite character, and said Harry Potter fans would need to read the book themselves to find out more.

"And I think you're going to love it," he gushed.


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