HBP (few spoilers, mainly just generic statements)
I've actually read the entire thing (130am-520am). I actually made a few real predictions, as well as banged my head against the wall for some of the more annoying (to me anyway) cliché's.
I've read better fanfiction.
In fact, I feel as if I just got finished reading a particularly lengthy piece that I never would have continued on after the first chapter, if it hadn't been for the fact that it is now officially Canon.
The character's were two-dimensional, and far more concerned with either past events (R&Hr), or about school (all other minor school characters). Dumbledore did what he thought was right and was really wrong, Nobody listened and did anything with what Harry said, and all the adults were basically idiots, if they were even mentioned. How V is going to die is revealed (or at least how he's actually going to stay dead, and the death eater's are mainly incompetent beings that students are able to best (which is really saying something considering the string of defense teachers we've been shown). As previously stated, all cliché's of the worst standing.
Plus side? We meet some interesting minor characters that are in Gryffindor (but should probably be in Slytherin instead), Harry is affirmed as a sexy beast (even though he still doesn't really know what to do about it), and there are fewer appearances of CapsLock!Harry (although I personally think that slytherin!Harry should have made more appearances, especially on the Train).
Still, it only slightly lives up to the back cover released by Bloomsbury, and the flap done by Scholastic reveals an increase in teenage love, which is definitely true (UNFORTUNATELY!).
*le sigh* I knew I wasn't going to love the book even before I picked it up, but I went and got it anyway. Still, JKR has been reading way too much fanfiction, and in my opinion, it really shows. What do the rest of you think?
I've read better fanfiction.
In fact, I feel as if I just got finished reading a particularly lengthy piece that I never would have continued on after the first chapter, if it hadn't been for the fact that it is now officially Canon.
The character's were two-dimensional, and far more concerned with either past events (R&Hr), or about school (all other minor school characters). Dumbledore did what he thought was right and was really wrong, Nobody listened and did anything with what Harry said, and all the adults were basically idiots, if they were even mentioned. How V is going to die is revealed (or at least how he's actually going to stay dead, and the death eater's are mainly incompetent beings that students are able to best (which is really saying something considering the string of defense teachers we've been shown). As previously stated, all cliché's of the worst standing.
Plus side? We meet some interesting minor characters that are in Gryffindor (but should probably be in Slytherin instead), Harry is affirmed as a sexy beast (even though he still doesn't really know what to do about it), and there are fewer appearances of CapsLock!Harry (although I personally think that slytherin!Harry should have made more appearances, especially on the Train).
Still, it only slightly lives up to the back cover released by Bloomsbury, and the flap done by Scholastic reveals an increase in teenage love, which is definitely true (UNFORTUNATELY!).
*le sigh* I knew I wasn't going to love the book even before I picked it up, but I went and got it anyway. Still, JKR has been reading way too much fanfiction, and in my opinion, it really shows. What do the rest of you think?