And it ends.
I've finished reading Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, and I must say I liked it. Surely it's not a grand masterpiece, but none of the books is, in my opinion. They're all good, though, and a nice, enjoyable easy reading. I love decent books that allow you to immerse yourself in the story for hours and hours - I used to read the books at my big sister's when I was cat-sitting (the last is the only one I actually bought on my own).
What I found a bit too much in parts was the whole demystifying of Dumbledore, Harry's associated anguish and the smooshy resolution in the end when they talked. However, it wasn't bad enough to call the book bad. ;-)
From the moment they mentioned how startled they were about Voldemort's painful reaction to attacking Harry, I knew that he likely was another horcrux, just for the heck of it. Seeing it turn out this way was somehow pleasant.
I also expected Snape to be, what's the term, redeemed? I like how it wasn't overdone: he wasn't always secretly pining for Harry like crazy and feeling the absolute opposite of what he was broadcasting outwards, but he cared enough to accept his task and do it wholeheartedly - it was for Lily, all for Lily that he was loyal for her son in her stead, and I just found that heartbreakingly sweet.
And it just occurred to me that he might have asked for that last "look at me" because of Harry's eyes resembling Lily's? Otherwise it doesn't make much sense, does it?
"Maybe we sort too early..." - also a surprising yet comfortable moment. I actually enjoyed all Dumbledore-Snape moments from his memories in the last third of the book, the way they talked and handled each other didn't seem too different from the way Sirius and Lupin got along. I don't necessarily mean the depth of warm buddy-friendship, but the feel of familiarity with which they just seemed to walk a common path in their long lasting arrangement.
The quick death of Hedwig came as a surprise and was a clever move, I hadn't expected a death so early in the book and yet it made sense - and it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to lug around an owl on the whole journey.
The mention of Harry's youngest' second name, Albus Severus, was what choked me up in the end. Maybe because it took me by surprise... I had already been slightly disappointed that Snape hadn't be referenced again after all that had happened.
In general I'm not too fond of the recurring names - James, Lily, Albus - but that others chose "new" names for their offspring mollified me.
I just think that it was a good closure, the way it ended calmly and safe, and I don't even mind that the end was predictable as a whole with the Unavoidable Battle of Doom™ in the end, a surprising, uproaring victory, a few losses but also cheesy romances (although... how funny would it have been if the theory about the Elder wand had not worked out as predicted? I certainly wouldn't have minded a grim end, if only because few authors dare to let something end on a real, depressing loss without much perspective).
Ahh, I know it's only one of two last movies coming out now, but I'm already pleased that Snape's actor is as brilliant as he is. I'll love watching him again.
The person I openly loved most due to personal development was Neville. The sword number in the end was just the icing on the cake. And, of course, giving or not being able to give Professor Longbottom love. I smiled a lot about that.
Kreacher's story also really wrenched my heart. Good, it's a clever ploy to find even good in the seemingly grubbiest character, and also the expected morale teaching tool for kids' books, but in this case it didn't come across as cheap and flat, it was good. I love how he was totally pitiable and likeable through his backstory, yet remained a bit of the old bat he was, not accepting Hermione's mudblood-hug, making his change of heart realistic. He acknowledged her, though, with a tiny quiver in her direction as he left I think, so all was good. Also, grubby old grumble elf in a fluffy white towel? I want to see it.
The trick with elf disapparition as solution for the lake in the cave and the cellar was nice! I also liked the reunion at the end, because I had been wondering why he didn't - or if he couldn't - come. But I guess he could leave the house as he ultimately saw the deceased Regulus as his master.
The escape on the dragon was amusing, and an easy way out, because how else could it have worked?! Also, why just break into the safest treasure hall of the magical world, heck, just claw it to pieces when you leave to make a really lasting impression!
Ron's parsel tongue imitation was gold, too. I can imagine the attempts, haha!
In the end there were more people dying than expected, although it wasn't really more than should be expected for a final showdown of these proportions. I'm a bit disgruntled about the "Two main characters will dieeeeeeee" announcement everyone had, which was the only real and yet useless spoiler. I didn't think it was two main characters, there were many. Since neither of the trio died, I don't consider the deaths so "main" - if Harry had really died, or maybe Ron, or even Hermione, I would have been more impressed, because I had sort of been waiting for something major. So in that way it would have been more fun to read the book without knowing that, but I'm not crushed or anything. ;D
Now that I've read it as the last person to do that, I can't remember who of you read and reviewed parts of it; if you could link me to your entries, I'd like to read them - even small rants are fine to entertain me and help me understand what other people squeed or grumbled about!
This entry was originally posted at http://hungry-worm.dreamwidth.org/201561.html. Comment wherever you like or can. ;-)
What I found a bit too much in parts was the whole demystifying of Dumbledore, Harry's associated anguish and the smooshy resolution in the end when they talked. However, it wasn't bad enough to call the book bad. ;-)
From the moment they mentioned how startled they were about Voldemort's painful reaction to attacking Harry, I knew that he likely was another horcrux, just for the heck of it. Seeing it turn out this way was somehow pleasant.
I also expected Snape to be, what's the term, redeemed? I like how it wasn't overdone: he wasn't always secretly pining for Harry like crazy and feeling the absolute opposite of what he was broadcasting outwards, but he cared enough to accept his task and do it wholeheartedly - it was for Lily, all for Lily that he was loyal for her son in her stead, and I just found that heartbreakingly sweet.
And it just occurred to me that he might have asked for that last "look at me" because of Harry's eyes resembling Lily's? Otherwise it doesn't make much sense, does it?
"Maybe we sort too early..." - also a surprising yet comfortable moment. I actually enjoyed all Dumbledore-Snape moments from his memories in the last third of the book, the way they talked and handled each other didn't seem too different from the way Sirius and Lupin got along. I don't necessarily mean the depth of warm buddy-friendship, but the feel of familiarity with which they just seemed to walk a common path in their long lasting arrangement.
The quick death of Hedwig came as a surprise and was a clever move, I hadn't expected a death so early in the book and yet it made sense - and it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to lug around an owl on the whole journey.
The mention of Harry's youngest' second name, Albus Severus, was what choked me up in the end. Maybe because it took me by surprise... I had already been slightly disappointed that Snape hadn't be referenced again after all that had happened.
In general I'm not too fond of the recurring names - James, Lily, Albus - but that others chose "new" names for their offspring mollified me.
I just think that it was a good closure, the way it ended calmly and safe, and I don't even mind that the end was predictable as a whole with the Unavoidable Battle of Doom™ in the end, a surprising, uproaring victory, a few losses but also cheesy romances (although... how funny would it have been if the theory about the Elder wand had not worked out as predicted? I certainly wouldn't have minded a grim end, if only because few authors dare to let something end on a real, depressing loss without much perspective).
Ahh, I know it's only one of two last movies coming out now, but I'm already pleased that Snape's actor is as brilliant as he is. I'll love watching him again.
The person I openly loved most due to personal development was Neville. The sword number in the end was just the icing on the cake. And, of course, giving or not being able to give Professor Longbottom love. I smiled a lot about that.
Kreacher's story also really wrenched my heart. Good, it's a clever ploy to find even good in the seemingly grubbiest character, and also the expected morale teaching tool for kids' books, but in this case it didn't come across as cheap and flat, it was good. I love how he was totally pitiable and likeable through his backstory, yet remained a bit of the old bat he was, not accepting Hermione's mudblood-hug, making his change of heart realistic. He acknowledged her, though, with a tiny quiver in her direction as he left I think, so all was good. Also, grubby old grumble elf in a fluffy white towel? I want to see it.
The trick with elf disapparition as solution for the lake in the cave and the cellar was nice! I also liked the reunion at the end, because I had been wondering why he didn't - or if he couldn't - come. But I guess he could leave the house as he ultimately saw the deceased Regulus as his master.
The escape on the dragon was amusing, and an easy way out, because how else could it have worked?! Also, why just break into the safest treasure hall of the magical world, heck, just claw it to pieces when you leave to make a really lasting impression!
Ron's parsel tongue imitation was gold, too. I can imagine the attempts, haha!
In the end there were more people dying than expected, although it wasn't really more than should be expected for a final showdown of these proportions. I'm a bit disgruntled about the "Two main characters will dieeeeeeee" announcement everyone had, which was the only real and yet useless spoiler. I didn't think it was two main characters, there were many. Since neither of the trio died, I don't consider the deaths so "main" - if Harry had really died, or maybe Ron, or even Hermione, I would have been more impressed, because I had sort of been waiting for something major. So in that way it would have been more fun to read the book without knowing that, but I'm not crushed or anything. ;D
Now that I've read it as the last person to do that, I can't remember who of you read and reviewed parts of it; if you could link me to your entries, I'd like to read them - even small rants are fine to entertain me and help me understand what other people squeed or grumbled about!
This entry was originally posted at http://hungry-worm.dreamwidth.org/201561.html. Comment wherever you like or can. ;-)