Book Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, plus HP-related links
Spoilers, people, obviously.
This book made me cry at the following points - when Hermione narrated her plans to ensure her parents' safety (whether or not they succeeded or not), when Dobby died, when Harry used the Stone, and when Snape's story was told.
Things people said that I agree completely: Neville Longbottom (and his granny) rocked, Kreacher is suprisingly sympathetic and awesome, and Lupin setup his son to be to Harry what Harry was to Sirius. Hopefully Harry doesn't screw up that job as badly as Sirius did.
There was way too much trio arguing, particularly during the lulls in the Horcrux quest. Their intrusion into the Ministry was a pretty good plan, and actually screwed up by things outside of their control, which makes for good reading, particularly with the chilling description of Umbridge and her anti-Muggleborn inquisition and the new mood of the wizarding world now that Voldie's taken over.
The ending - man. The battle at Hogwarts, the deaths, the desperation. Fred's death was a particularly classic example of Jossing a character - to kill someone in the most unexpected moment, particularly one where there was no previous indication that that character was in THAT kind of danger (see: Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Wash on Serenity). Molly screaming "THAT BITCH!" and pwning Bellatrix. Neville drawing the sword from the Sorting Hat, because he is a true Gryffindor, and ruining Voldemort's plans permanently. The Malfoys turning on the Dark Lord because they love Draco.
I wished that there hadn't been so much emphasis on the trio angsting, though, since the only one who came out good from those scenes was Hermione. Also, the supporting cast of Harry Potter didn't get enough screentime, particularly Snape, Luna, and Neville.
I still refuse to declare the epilogue as "fanfic-cky". Look, just because 99% of all Mary Sue fanfics end up with the author's avatar living happily ever after doesn't mean that this epilogue is one - for one thing, part of Harry's duty as bearer of the Deathstick is to live happily ever after, in order to break the power of the wand. And the acknowledgement that Lupin and Tonk's son grows up happy, and that Snape's memory is treasured in the future, and that Malfoy didn't turn out so bad, was awesome.
Hmm. I have a feeling I overused awesome in this. Oh well.
Oh, and JK Rowling's got even more post-epilogue stuff in these links!
JK Answers questions about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the Today Show - Including what jobs the trio ended up in, and how it felt writing the death of beloved characters, and more info about Snape's motivations.
Who were the two characters she intended to let live in Book 7 who ended up dead? Answer: Tonks and Lupin
EDIT: Changed icon to something more appropriate.
This book made me cry at the following points - when Hermione narrated her plans to ensure her parents' safety (whether or not they succeeded or not), when Dobby died, when Harry used the Stone, and when Snape's story was told.
Things people said that I agree completely: Neville Longbottom (and his granny) rocked, Kreacher is suprisingly sympathetic and awesome, and Lupin setup his son to be to Harry what Harry was to Sirius. Hopefully Harry doesn't screw up that job as badly as Sirius did.
There was way too much trio arguing, particularly during the lulls in the Horcrux quest. Their intrusion into the Ministry was a pretty good plan, and actually screwed up by things outside of their control, which makes for good reading, particularly with the chilling description of Umbridge and her anti-Muggleborn inquisition and the new mood of the wizarding world now that Voldie's taken over.
The ending - man. The battle at Hogwarts, the deaths, the desperation. Fred's death was a particularly classic example of Jossing a character - to kill someone in the most unexpected moment, particularly one where there was no previous indication that that character was in THAT kind of danger (see: Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Wash on Serenity). Molly screaming "THAT BITCH!" and pwning Bellatrix. Neville drawing the sword from the Sorting Hat, because he is a true Gryffindor, and ruining Voldemort's plans permanently. The Malfoys turning on the Dark Lord because they love Draco.
I wished that there hadn't been so much emphasis on the trio angsting, though, since the only one who came out good from those scenes was Hermione. Also, the supporting cast of Harry Potter didn't get enough screentime, particularly Snape, Luna, and Neville.
I still refuse to declare the epilogue as "fanfic-cky". Look, just because 99% of all Mary Sue fanfics end up with the author's avatar living happily ever after doesn't mean that this epilogue is one - for one thing, part of Harry's duty as bearer of the Deathstick is to live happily ever after, in order to break the power of the wand. And the acknowledgement that Lupin and Tonk's son grows up happy, and that Snape's memory is treasured in the future, and that Malfoy didn't turn out so bad, was awesome.
Hmm. I have a feeling I overused awesome in this. Oh well.
Oh, and JK Rowling's got even more post-epilogue stuff in these links!
JK Answers questions about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the Today Show - Including what jobs the trio ended up in, and how it felt writing the death of beloved characters, and more info about Snape's motivations.
Who were the two characters she intended to let live in Book 7 who ended up dead? Answer: Tonks and Lupin
EDIT: Changed icon to something more appropriate.