The teaser book cover of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The teaser book cover of Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildPottermore

It has been almost nine years since the last book in the Harry Potter series "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was published. However, fans of Harry Potter made sure the epic tale lives forever as they maintained active forums, websites and online communities to discuss the adventures of Harry and meet other equally enthusiastic fans.

It seems that their wish has finally been fulfilled as J.K. Rowling has announced that the 8th book in the series will be released this year. The book will be launched on July 31, the same month when the last book in the series hit the bookstores in 2007.

On Feb. 10, Pottermore – the official website of "Harry Potter" franchise -- came out with an article that confirmed the release of the book. It will be based on the upcoming stage play of the same name and will serve as a script book of the play.

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is a sequel to "Deathly Hallows" and will follow the story of Harry, who is now an adult with his own family and is working in Ministry of Magic.

As the synopsis states, things are not going as well as fans have been speculating for Harry. After defeating Voldemort, the most evil dark lord of all times, Harry was looking forward to a peaceful and happy life. However, Harry is having a tough time balancing his "overworking" job at the Ministry, while trying to help his youngest son, Albus, with his struggles.

The official synopsis, as mentioned on Pottermore, 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."

Though the overall summary of the story has been revealed in the synopsis, Rowling has made sure that the major points remain a mystery – something for which she is renowned.

The synopsis hints that things might not be going well between Harry and Albus as the latter is having difficulty to make his own identity, especially when his father is a world-famous wizard.

There is a significant possibility that after being shadowed by his father's fame, young Albus will take a reckless step that might scar the relationship between father and son and will lure Albus back to the darkness from where Harry escaped.

Does it mean that a new evil is brewing in the magic world? Is the terror and fear of Voldemort's reign about to return? The answer to all of it will be uncovered only once "The Cursed Child" hits the bookstores across the world this July.