(no subject)
I've tried to put my thoughts in order about this, but I guess I'm still too raw, it's still so new that I can barely fit it all together in my head. I loved some of it, disliked and hated other parts. Overall, I think the book was badly edited, and, although some ideas were very good, she failed to write them in a believable or engaging manner.
Hated
* The EPILOGUE! (Was that the big surprise? The super-secret ending she always said to be quite proud of? It seemed something taken out of ff.net, what with the names of the children (although I confess that AS/S is starting to take a hold of me). For me, the book should have ended in Dumbledore's office, but if she really really really wanted/needed to tell what happened to them after that, she should have focused on more important things. What are their jobs? What happened in Hogwarts, at the Ministry, to the other characters? It seems pointless, the very thing I did not want. Wasn't there any other way to show Harry happy and well, something that show readers the whole picture, instead of the marriage, kids and all was well? The only redeemable part of the whole thing was "One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
* The unnecessary killings. Fred? FRED?!! (When I get married, I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense - that was just E-V-I-L). Hedwig? Dobbie? Remus and Tonks? (What was that all about?) I wonder which character was spared. Hagrid, maybe? I was sure he was going to go, but he's a mighty half-giant.
* Remus/Tonks. I tried to believe it at first, it had seemed sort of cute at the end of HBP and, although 4 weeks is a very short time to get to know your future spouse, I tried to accept their wedding without misgivings. As the story progressed, though, it seemed evident that Remus wasn't a happy chap. He said it himself (I made a grave mistake in marrying Tonks. I did it against my better judgement and I have regretted it very much ever since) and I can't believe he's just afraid because of his werewolf status. Perhaps Tonks got pregnant and he wanted to do the right thing? Perhaps he was tricked into marrying her? We'll never know for sure, and it's a shame that Rowling didn't give us more information about it. It's sad that they didn't care enough about their son to stay behind, that despite all the excitement and baby pictures being passed around before the battle, that child was the one left behind. This wasn't the Remus I thought I knew, the sensible marauder, the one who tried to keep them out of trouble. The fact that he appears with Lily, James and Sirius (no sign of Tonks), apparently happy to be reunited with them, makes me uneasy. The three marauders are all together again, but I can't help but agree with Harry, parents shouldn't leave their kids unless they've got to I don't understand what Rowling meant with this arc, unless she wanted to make the contrast between good parents (the ones who hide with their children, trying to protect them - Lily and James Potter, for instance; and the ones who do everything to save their child - the Malfoys) and bad parents (who leave their children behind to go fight, or the wife who chooses her husband over her son).
* That all Slytherins are still considered evil. There was no real growth in that regard, and while Rowling is a defender of all things muggle, her obvious dislike of Slytherins and prejudice against them made me sad. In the end, all that talk about choices, the world not being divided into good people and Death Eathers, and every human life is worth the same was worthless. Dumbledore himself says that children are sorted too early, but once they are sent to a specific house, they'll be judged not for whom they are, but for where they "belong" to. She tries to show that Harry got over that prejudice, but Ron didn't, what with threatening to disinherit his son if he's not in Gryffindor, and telling his daughter to beat Draco's son in every test. Nineteen years later nothing is really changed. It's a pity that people don't learn from their mistakes.
Disliked
* The horcrux hunt. It seemed to drag, especially when they were hiding in the forests.
* Ginny. Mary-sue? Lily replacement? Her characterization has been badly done since she appeared, and I can't buy Harry/Ginny. Ask me anything but that. It's no use, I just can't see it. It was too forced, too hero worship on her part, and Harry had always seen her as a sister until HBP, when the growling monster inside his stomach decided he wanted her for himself. There's no chemistry, no understanding. Ginny doesn't get him (and her jealousy of anything female talks to Harry is proof of her immaturity). The people Harry really loves are Ron and Hermione, the ones he seeks when he needs help or is troubled. It's them he goes to at the end of the war.
Liked
* The goodbye to the Dursleys; the tea, Dudley's attempt to thank Harry for saving his life;
* Dumbledore's story. There's good and evil inside every human being, and I'm glad he isn't the exception to the rule. Knowing his story, how he fought his desires, his thirst for power, how guilty he felt at the death of sister (kudos to Harry for having made the connection between what he said in the cave and how he felt for his family). It was also interesting to see that he got hurt because he couldn't resist the power of the ring, the possibility of bringing back his family. Also, Dumbledore/Grindelwald seems to be the only slash pairing realistically possible in book 7. How sad is it that she killed off her three-dimensional characters and only kept the ones who fit in with her rosy-collored version of the world?
* Aberforth. It made perfectly sense for him to be the eye in the mirror, for him to provide the help that Albus couldn't. Harry talking to him about "Dumbledore" and then realizing that he was also a Dumbledore was nicely done ('Dumbledore. - I mean, your brother - wanted us -').
* The battle at Hogwarts. The fandom was also right on this one.
* The Tale of the Three Brothers.
* Voldemort. He seemed less like a raving maniac and used his brain for once. We see that he understands how Harry thinks, and he plans accordingly. It's interesting that he casts the AK left and right without hesitation but, when it comes the time to murder Snape, he takes the time to explain his actions (It cannot be any other way. I must master the wand, Severus.) and doesn't kill him himself, ordering Nagini to it instead, saying I regret it.
* Ron/Hermione. This book made me believe in this pairing. Although not my cup of tea, I believe that they truly love each other (and Harry). The Trio's friendship was very well done.
Loved
* SNAPE (I've always believed he was Dumbledore's man through and through, but I confess that the first chapters of DH made me fear the truth of my beliefs. But then the doe patronus appeared and I knew it had to be his, it was the only thing that made sense. I wasn't shocked with his death, I was expecting it. I have mixed feelings about how he was killed, but his last moments felt very magical. Taking a hold of Harry, asking him to take the memories, looking into his eyes, Lily's eyes (Look... at... me). I didn't want him to die, but I was prepared for it. His memories, him tale, were an unexpected bonus. I'm not bothered by his love for Lily, but I'm sad he never got the opportunity to be more than that, more than a spy making up for past mistakes. I don't know what to make of the absence of his portrait in the headmaster's office. There should have been one (unless he's not really dead), and we were cheated out of a conversation between him and Harry.
* Grimmauld Place (Sirius' room, Regulus' room and description/picture, Kreacher)
* The RAB / Kreacher arc. How fucking awesome is it that Regulus sacrificed himself instead of ordering his elf to do it?
* Neville. His growth throughout the books is amazing, and I believe that without the Trio at Hogwarts he was forced to take a stand for what he believe in, doing so wonderfully. I love how he called everyone to Hogwarts, even after Harry had told him that they weren't staying. Facing up to Voldemort must have been terrifying, but he didn't back down, in a true Gryffindor fashion. It made perfectly sense that he was the one to destroy the last horcrux.
* Luna. I loved how she knew who Harry was at the wedding, I loved her diversion at the end of the book, how she wasn't deeply affected by her imprisonment. Oh Luna, in Rowling's heterosexual world, you are the perfect match for the chosen one.
* Harry telling Voldemort that Snape loved his mother and changed sides because of her. That he had been Dumbledore's man for years and everything had been planed between them. I'm sure it was a great blow, if he's capable of feeling betrayed, that is.
Shheeesh. That was long. I didn't know I had this much to say! I hope I didn't forget anything.
Hated
* The EPILOGUE! (Was that the big surprise? The super-secret ending she always said to be quite proud of? It seemed something taken out of ff.net, what with the names of the children (although I confess that AS/S is starting to take a hold of me). For me, the book should have ended in Dumbledore's office, but if she really really really wanted/needed to tell what happened to them after that, she should have focused on more important things. What are their jobs? What happened in Hogwarts, at the Ministry, to the other characters? It seems pointless, the very thing I did not want. Wasn't there any other way to show Harry happy and well, something that show readers the whole picture, instead of the marriage, kids and all was well? The only redeemable part of the whole thing was "One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
* The unnecessary killings. Fred? FRED?!! (When I get married, I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense - that was just E-V-I-L). Hedwig? Dobbie? Remus and Tonks? (What was that all about?) I wonder which character was spared. Hagrid, maybe? I was sure he was going to go, but he's a mighty half-giant.
* Remus/Tonks. I tried to believe it at first, it had seemed sort of cute at the end of HBP and, although 4 weeks is a very short time to get to know your future spouse, I tried to accept their wedding without misgivings. As the story progressed, though, it seemed evident that Remus wasn't a happy chap. He said it himself (I made a grave mistake in marrying Tonks. I did it against my better judgement and I have regretted it very much ever since) and I can't believe he's just afraid because of his werewolf status. Perhaps Tonks got pregnant and he wanted to do the right thing? Perhaps he was tricked into marrying her? We'll never know for sure, and it's a shame that Rowling didn't give us more information about it. It's sad that they didn't care enough about their son to stay behind, that despite all the excitement and baby pictures being passed around before the battle, that child was the one left behind. This wasn't the Remus I thought I knew, the sensible marauder, the one who tried to keep them out of trouble. The fact that he appears with Lily, James and Sirius (no sign of Tonks), apparently happy to be reunited with them, makes me uneasy. The three marauders are all together again, but I can't help but agree with Harry, parents shouldn't leave their kids unless they've got to I don't understand what Rowling meant with this arc, unless she wanted to make the contrast between good parents (the ones who hide with their children, trying to protect them - Lily and James Potter, for instance; and the ones who do everything to save their child - the Malfoys) and bad parents (who leave their children behind to go fight, or the wife who chooses her husband over her son).
* That all Slytherins are still considered evil. There was no real growth in that regard, and while Rowling is a defender of all things muggle, her obvious dislike of Slytherins and prejudice against them made me sad. In the end, all that talk about choices, the world not being divided into good people and Death Eathers, and every human life is worth the same was worthless. Dumbledore himself says that children are sorted too early, but once they are sent to a specific house, they'll be judged not for whom they are, but for where they "belong" to. She tries to show that Harry got over that prejudice, but Ron didn't, what with threatening to disinherit his son if he's not in Gryffindor, and telling his daughter to beat Draco's son in every test. Nineteen years later nothing is really changed. It's a pity that people don't learn from their mistakes.
Disliked
* The horcrux hunt. It seemed to drag, especially when they were hiding in the forests.
* Ginny. Mary-sue? Lily replacement? Her characterization has been badly done since she appeared, and I can't buy Harry/Ginny. Ask me anything but that. It's no use, I just can't see it. It was too forced, too hero worship on her part, and Harry had always seen her as a sister until HBP, when the growling monster inside his stomach decided he wanted her for himself. There's no chemistry, no understanding. Ginny doesn't get him (and her jealousy of anything female talks to Harry is proof of her immaturity). The people Harry really loves are Ron and Hermione, the ones he seeks when he needs help or is troubled. It's them he goes to at the end of the war.
Liked
* The goodbye to the Dursleys; the tea, Dudley's attempt to thank Harry for saving his life;
* Dumbledore's story. There's good and evil inside every human being, and I'm glad he isn't the exception to the rule. Knowing his story, how he fought his desires, his thirst for power, how guilty he felt at the death of sister (kudos to Harry for having made the connection between what he said in the cave and how he felt for his family). It was also interesting to see that he got hurt because he couldn't resist the power of the ring, the possibility of bringing back his family. Also, Dumbledore/Grindelwald seems to be the only slash pairing realistically possible in book 7. How sad is it that she killed off her three-dimensional characters and only kept the ones who fit in with her rosy-collored version of the world?
* Aberforth. It made perfectly sense for him to be the eye in the mirror, for him to provide the help that Albus couldn't. Harry talking to him about "Dumbledore" and then realizing that he was also a Dumbledore was nicely done ('Dumbledore. - I mean, your brother - wanted us -').
* The battle at Hogwarts. The fandom was also right on this one.
* The Tale of the Three Brothers.
* Voldemort. He seemed less like a raving maniac and used his brain for once. We see that he understands how Harry thinks, and he plans accordingly. It's interesting that he casts the AK left and right without hesitation but, when it comes the time to murder Snape, he takes the time to explain his actions (It cannot be any other way. I must master the wand, Severus.) and doesn't kill him himself, ordering Nagini to it instead, saying I regret it.
* Ron/Hermione. This book made me believe in this pairing. Although not my cup of tea, I believe that they truly love each other (and Harry). The Trio's friendship was very well done.
Loved
* SNAPE (I've always believed he was Dumbledore's man through and through, but I confess that the first chapters of DH made me fear the truth of my beliefs. But then the doe patronus appeared and I knew it had to be his, it was the only thing that made sense. I wasn't shocked with his death, I was expecting it. I have mixed feelings about how he was killed, but his last moments felt very magical. Taking a hold of Harry, asking him to take the memories, looking into his eyes, Lily's eyes (Look... at... me). I didn't want him to die, but I was prepared for it. His memories, him tale, were an unexpected bonus. I'm not bothered by his love for Lily, but I'm sad he never got the opportunity to be more than that, more than a spy making up for past mistakes. I don't know what to make of the absence of his portrait in the headmaster's office. There should have been one (unless he's not really dead), and we were cheated out of a conversation between him and Harry.
* Grimmauld Place (Sirius' room, Regulus' room and description/picture, Kreacher)
* The RAB / Kreacher arc. How fucking awesome is it that Regulus sacrificed himself instead of ordering his elf to do it?
* Neville. His growth throughout the books is amazing, and I believe that without the Trio at Hogwarts he was forced to take a stand for what he believe in, doing so wonderfully. I love how he called everyone to Hogwarts, even after Harry had told him that they weren't staying. Facing up to Voldemort must have been terrifying, but he didn't back down, in a true Gryffindor fashion. It made perfectly sense that he was the one to destroy the last horcrux.
* Luna. I loved how she knew who Harry was at the wedding, I loved her diversion at the end of the book, how she wasn't deeply affected by her imprisonment. Oh Luna, in Rowling's heterosexual world, you are the perfect match for the chosen one.
* Harry telling Voldemort that Snape loved his mother and changed sides because of her. That he had been Dumbledore's man for years and everything had been planed between them. I'm sure it was a great blow, if he's capable of feeling betrayed, that is.
Shheeesh. That was long. I didn't know I had this much to say! I hope I didn't forget anything.