'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child:' Everything you need to know before reading the book

The latest instalment in JK Rowling's epic fantasy Harry Potter franchise titled, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," is out and Potter fans across the world are eagerly looking forward to get their hands on a copy of it.

"The Cursed Child" is the eighth adaptation of Potter story and serves as the sequel to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Though it is a sequel to the seventh and last book in the saga, unlike the previous instalments, it is not set just one year after the last book and instead of Harry, will mostly focus on his son, Albus Severus Potter.

If you are one of the "Potterheads" (Harry Potter fans) who prefer the books over the movies and can't wait to get your copy on the eve of both Harry Potter and JK Rowling's birthday, then following are some of the things you might want to take care of before you buy your copy of "The Cursed Child."

Hogwarts is over, and so are the stories of Harry, Hermione and Ron, the trio with whom most of the Potterheads spent their childhood. Hence, if you are expecting these three to get back together and go on another adventure, chances of that are a bit slim.

There won't be any of the old characters from the previous books that were loved and admired by the Potterheads. Even if they appear, it won't be more than a mere cameo. However, the new characters introduced in "The Cursed Child" are promising and will surely become your new favourites, though the old ones will be always irreplaceable.

Rest assured, "The Cursed Child" has been written by Rowling and hence, will definitely bring back all the nostalgia related to the franchise for past 19 years. The official synopsis of the book reads:

"It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Part I & Part II" Special Rehearsal Edition will be released on July 31, while an edited "Definitive Collector's Edition" will be released in 2017.