I finished Book 7!
Jul. 22nd, 2007 12:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lls_mutantPosting my reactions before I read anyone else's...
::BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE:: I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! No wank from me, I tell you!
Were there imperfect things? Sure. Were there things I was mildly disappointed with? Probably. But WHO CARES! It was AWESOME.
Okay, squeeing mode ON.
Voldie was suitably evil. I liked seeing the propoganda and the issues. I liked seeing him have an agenda. I liked that he kept emphasizing that he didn't want to spill any more magical blood than necessary. It made him less evil-overlord and more real villain.
I actually was touched that Dudley didn't want anything bad to happen to Harry. It was such a relative dynamic. "I can torture you, but no one else had better kill you." It also drove home what I've always thought about Dudley- he's a bully, but he's not evil. As Sirius said, the world is not split into good people and Death Eaters." And Petunia almost saying something nearly broke my heart.
I loved the name Ariana for a girl. Unfortunately, Howard doesn't. :P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The flight from the Dursleys was great. I cracked up when Harry got embarrassed because the people were showing a little more of his body than he wanted them to. And you know Hermione and Fleur were totally taking advantage- at least for a moment- of finding out what it was like to be a guy. And Hagrid had the motorbike! I squealed in joy :) And the desperation in that escape... awesome. Totally awesome.
The Tonkseses were very much how I pictured them. I liked Ted a lot, but then, I always expected to. I hate the fact that the name "Dora" is now canon, though, just because of Dora the Explorer.
Okay, Moody dying choked me up. I really liked Moody, and while I know this is the way he wanted to go, but still. The death of Moody early on was so perfect, because if you can take down Moody it really emphasizes just how dangerous your adversaries are. And it was MOODY.
The whole thing at the Burrow I loved. I can totally understand Molly's desire to protect the kids, and she was completely motherly about it. (I.e., sneaky and manipulative.) I loved the way the family (especially the twins) responded to the whole bit about George's ear. And the wedding. LOVED the wedding. Aunt Muriel is awesome, just for being so... so... oh, God, whose family DOESN'T have a relative like her? Seriously?
Sirius's bedroom kicked butt and cracked me up, although I do have to ask how the letter from Lily got in there. He left at 16, right, and didn't return until post Azkaban? I'd say Remus must have kept some of his stuff for him. Regulus was totally made of awesome, and when I heard how he met his death, that was not a happy moment (but in a good way).
Um, Remus? IF YOU DIDN'T WANT KIDS, USE A CONDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure Fred and George probably sold several excellent ones in their store, even if the condom making inappropriate noises at the appropriate time is offputting. I did count, and it wasn't a shotgun wedding, but it was awfully close. And seriously, dude, I'm glad Harry knocked some sense into you. It's potentially Tonks's fault, too, but you're the one with the issues. You should have a.) talked about this with her, and b.) used protection.
The Ministry part was a lot of fun, in a sick way. Oh, and can we say Holocaust at all? I mean, the registration? The concentration camp that Grindewald had set up? The propoganda? I agree with her points, but man, she's not subtle. Hee.
The whole search for Horcuxes thing did drag a bit, and this is where I'm more pressed to remember details. I did like Ron leaving and then coming back- I thought that was realistic. It fit his character completely. The Godric's Hollow bit was interesting, especially since I remember making jokes about it being a Wizarding tourist attraction. Oops. Guess I was right.
Ted dying made me sad, even if he was a totally minor character.
Luna Lovegood's father made me laugh and feel sad at the same time. The Deathly Hallows were very interesting, and I liked the Hallows vs. Horcrux thing Harry had going, but I was neither thrilled nor repulsed by them.
In terms of fanfic, is anyone else predicting an uprising of Dumbledore/Grindelwald slash? Sheesh. But when it comes down to that, I loved that the truth was somewhere between Doge and Skeeter. Very realistic.
The bits at the manor chilled me, especially when Bellatrix was torturing Hermione. Eek. And Wormtail! I was partly right! I KNEW that silver hand wasn't going to be used on a werewolf, and I knew that it would be a gift that appeared powerful but had a price. It wasn't what I expected, but it was immensely satisfactory all the same. I'm actually glad there was no big redemption for Peter, because it would have taken away from Snape, and Snape was the more important character.
Dobby's death made me tear up, too, which is a surprise given how much Dobby always annoyed me. The whole bit at Shell Cottage was a nice interlude, with the Griphook bits keeping the tension going. I like how she wrote Griphook a LOT. It wasn't all happy turnabout. The bits at Gringotts were fantastic- one of my favorite parts of the book, for some reason. I just thought that was really creative. (Oh, and if I wrote for the kids, Dean/Luna would be my new pet ship.)
Aberforth=awesome. And there are goats!
And then finally we get to Hogwarts. WHOO! Really enjoyed the desperate last stand battle, and that was the point where you had to finish the book, no matter what time. The only time I really cried was when Percy joined in the fight. I'd actually predicted Fred's death, so that didn't hit me as hard as it could have. (What would have hit me would have been seeing more of George's grief.) Remus's death was almost required. I was fine with that- AND I GOT MY FORCE GHOST ENDING!!!!!! WHEEEEE! Tonks's death just didn't hit me at all, because she sort of annoyed me through this book. However, I TOTALLY forgive JKR for Tonks/Remus now, because she wrote it messed up and difficult and clearly not healthy, even if it was apparent that Remus finally made the decision to accept his life and be happy about it in the end. As far as her leaving the baby... well, I can see where she felt she had to fight, because her child would have been in mortal danger if Voldemort won.
Trewlawny dropping a crystal ball on Fenrir was fantastic! That cracked me up. My favorite line of the series used to be "It unscrews the other way," but I think it's now in a tie for "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" GO MOLLY!!!!!! YES!!! Because, I'll tell you, if anyone ever threatened Toby, I would do the same. exact. thing. (Except yell "NOT MY SON!") Molly killing Bellatrix was AWESOME.
I'm glad Harry didn't destroy all the Horcuxes, either, and that Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, Crabbe (who would have thought Crabbe?), and Neville each got to destroy one. It really drove home the point that Harry couldn't do this alone. And Neville kicked butt!
So Snape is a bit of a woobie, huh? Although I expected he was in love with Lily the whole time, and I actually liked how it was written. It was so awkward and sad. And I will shut up about the Patronus change being sexist, although I still wish a guy had lost his powers due to unrequited love (and I'll never shut up about that one being cheesy.) But I do like that it was emphasized that all sorts of love were important- although I would have liked to see a bit more paternal.
Force Ghost ending- loved it for sentimental reasons, even if it was a little sweet and cheesy. I don't care. :) It was what I wanted anyway. However, I still don't understand why JKR said "you'll find out later why Sirius had to die." I thought it was obvious. His death was a necessary part of his arc and of Harry's character development, and let's face it- senseless deaths are a major part of war. That's what happens- people you love die and you can't bring them back. But JKR saying there was a reason made it sound more like Sirius was going to be an underworld guide or something like that. Oh well.
King's Cross... must think on that a bit more.
And finally, epilogue: cheesy, yes. But when is an epilogue not? I'm glad, for the sake of her fans, she left it very vague, because there are so many more possibilities. Personally, I didn't need the epilogue at all. But one thing: Albus Severus. First, I don't care how much Harry respects Snape now, Snape still did some horribly nasty things that would, were I Harry, make me NOT want to name a child after him. Personal things, not big things. A statue? Sure! A scholarship fund? Bring it on! But a kid? No. And also, Harry, are you trying to advertise you're a Parselmouth with that name? Boy, does it have a hiss to it.
Anyway. Much love for the book!
::BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE:: I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! No wank from me, I tell you!
Were there imperfect things? Sure. Were there things I was mildly disappointed with? Probably. But WHO CARES! It was AWESOME.
Okay, squeeing mode ON.
Voldie was suitably evil. I liked seeing the propoganda and the issues. I liked seeing him have an agenda. I liked that he kept emphasizing that he didn't want to spill any more magical blood than necessary. It made him less evil-overlord and more real villain.
I actually was touched that Dudley didn't want anything bad to happen to Harry. It was such a relative dynamic. "I can torture you, but no one else had better kill you." It also drove home what I've always thought about Dudley- he's a bully, but he's not evil. As Sirius said, the world is not split into good people and Death Eaters." And Petunia almost saying something nearly broke my heart.
I loved the name Ariana for a girl. Unfortunately, Howard doesn't. :P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The flight from the Dursleys was great. I cracked up when Harry got embarrassed because the people were showing a little more of his body than he wanted them to. And you know Hermione and Fleur were totally taking advantage- at least for a moment- of finding out what it was like to be a guy. And Hagrid had the motorbike! I squealed in joy :) And the desperation in that escape... awesome. Totally awesome.
The Tonkseses were very much how I pictured them. I liked Ted a lot, but then, I always expected to. I hate the fact that the name "Dora" is now canon, though, just because of Dora the Explorer.
Okay, Moody dying choked me up. I really liked Moody, and while I know this is the way he wanted to go, but still. The death of Moody early on was so perfect, because if you can take down Moody it really emphasizes just how dangerous your adversaries are. And it was MOODY.
The whole thing at the Burrow I loved. I can totally understand Molly's desire to protect the kids, and she was completely motherly about it. (I.e., sneaky and manipulative.) I loved the way the family (especially the twins) responded to the whole bit about George's ear. And the wedding. LOVED the wedding. Aunt Muriel is awesome, just for being so... so... oh, God, whose family DOESN'T have a relative like her? Seriously?
Sirius's bedroom kicked butt and cracked me up, although I do have to ask how the letter from Lily got in there. He left at 16, right, and didn't return until post Azkaban? I'd say Remus must have kept some of his stuff for him. Regulus was totally made of awesome, and when I heard how he met his death, that was not a happy moment (but in a good way).
Um, Remus? IF YOU DIDN'T WANT KIDS, USE A CONDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure Fred and George probably sold several excellent ones in their store, even if the condom making inappropriate noises at the appropriate time is offputting. I did count, and it wasn't a shotgun wedding, but it was awfully close. And seriously, dude, I'm glad Harry knocked some sense into you. It's potentially Tonks's fault, too, but you're the one with the issues. You should have a.) talked about this with her, and b.) used protection.
The Ministry part was a lot of fun, in a sick way. Oh, and can we say Holocaust at all? I mean, the registration? The concentration camp that Grindewald had set up? The propoganda? I agree with her points, but man, she's not subtle. Hee.
The whole search for Horcuxes thing did drag a bit, and this is where I'm more pressed to remember details. I did like Ron leaving and then coming back- I thought that was realistic. It fit his character completely. The Godric's Hollow bit was interesting, especially since I remember making jokes about it being a Wizarding tourist attraction. Oops. Guess I was right.
Ted dying made me sad, even if he was a totally minor character.
Luna Lovegood's father made me laugh and feel sad at the same time. The Deathly Hallows were very interesting, and I liked the Hallows vs. Horcrux thing Harry had going, but I was neither thrilled nor repulsed by them.
In terms of fanfic, is anyone else predicting an uprising of Dumbledore/Grindelwald slash? Sheesh. But when it comes down to that, I loved that the truth was somewhere between Doge and Skeeter. Very realistic.
The bits at the manor chilled me, especially when Bellatrix was torturing Hermione. Eek. And Wormtail! I was partly right! I KNEW that silver hand wasn't going to be used on a werewolf, and I knew that it would be a gift that appeared powerful but had a price. It wasn't what I expected, but it was immensely satisfactory all the same. I'm actually glad there was no big redemption for Peter, because it would have taken away from Snape, and Snape was the more important character.
Dobby's death made me tear up, too, which is a surprise given how much Dobby always annoyed me. The whole bit at Shell Cottage was a nice interlude, with the Griphook bits keeping the tension going. I like how she wrote Griphook a LOT. It wasn't all happy turnabout. The bits at Gringotts were fantastic- one of my favorite parts of the book, for some reason. I just thought that was really creative. (Oh, and if I wrote for the kids, Dean/Luna would be my new pet ship.)
Aberforth=awesome. And there are goats!
And then finally we get to Hogwarts. WHOO! Really enjoyed the desperate last stand battle, and that was the point where you had to finish the book, no matter what time. The only time I really cried was when Percy joined in the fight. I'd actually predicted Fred's death, so that didn't hit me as hard as it could have. (What would have hit me would have been seeing more of George's grief.) Remus's death was almost required. I was fine with that- AND I GOT MY FORCE GHOST ENDING!!!!!! WHEEEEE! Tonks's death just didn't hit me at all, because she sort of annoyed me through this book. However, I TOTALLY forgive JKR for Tonks/Remus now, because she wrote it messed up and difficult and clearly not healthy, even if it was apparent that Remus finally made the decision to accept his life and be happy about it in the end. As far as her leaving the baby... well, I can see where she felt she had to fight, because her child would have been in mortal danger if Voldemort won.
Trewlawny dropping a crystal ball on Fenrir was fantastic! That cracked me up. My favorite line of the series used to be "It unscrews the other way," but I think it's now in a tie for "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" GO MOLLY!!!!!! YES!!! Because, I'll tell you, if anyone ever threatened Toby, I would do the same. exact. thing. (Except yell "NOT MY SON!") Molly killing Bellatrix was AWESOME.
I'm glad Harry didn't destroy all the Horcuxes, either, and that Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, Crabbe (who would have thought Crabbe?), and Neville each got to destroy one. It really drove home the point that Harry couldn't do this alone. And Neville kicked butt!
So Snape is a bit of a woobie, huh? Although I expected he was in love with Lily the whole time, and I actually liked how it was written. It was so awkward and sad. And I will shut up about the Patronus change being sexist, although I still wish a guy had lost his powers due to unrequited love (and I'll never shut up about that one being cheesy.) But I do like that it was emphasized that all sorts of love were important- although I would have liked to see a bit more paternal.
Force Ghost ending- loved it for sentimental reasons, even if it was a little sweet and cheesy. I don't care. :) It was what I wanted anyway. However, I still don't understand why JKR said "you'll find out later why Sirius had to die." I thought it was obvious. His death was a necessary part of his arc and of Harry's character development, and let's face it- senseless deaths are a major part of war. That's what happens- people you love die and you can't bring them back. But JKR saying there was a reason made it sound more like Sirius was going to be an underworld guide or something like that. Oh well.
King's Cross... must think on that a bit more.
And finally, epilogue: cheesy, yes. But when is an epilogue not? I'm glad, for the sake of her fans, she left it very vague, because there are so many more possibilities. Personally, I didn't need the epilogue at all. But one thing: Albus Severus. First, I don't care how much Harry respects Snape now, Snape still did some horribly nasty things that would, were I Harry, make me NOT want to name a child after him. Personal things, not big things. A statue? Sure! A scholarship fund? Bring it on! But a kid? No. And also, Harry, are you trying to advertise you're a Parselmouth with that name? Boy, does it have a hiss to it.
Anyway. Much love for the book!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 06:04 pm (UTC)Oh totally. Absolutely. *nods*
I hate the fact that the name "Dora" is now canon, though, just because of Dora the Explorer.
I hadn't thought of that, but... yeah. :P
Um, Remus? IF YOU DIDN'T WANT KIDS, USE A CONDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My thinking about that is that Remus, after years and years of gay sex with Sirius, had no idea that he could impregnate someone. So when he found out Tonks was preggers, he freaked out thus causing the OOC behavior and the eventual need for A Lecture About The Responsibilities Of Parenthood from his former lover's godson. Erm. Yeah.
In terms of fanfic, is anyone else predicting an uprising of Dumbledore/Grindelwald slash?
Yes. And the thought of it kinda freaks me out. I've never read anything with DD in it, slashwise. I mostly center in on Harry.
Dobby's death made me tear up, too, which is a surprise given how much Dobby always annoyed me.
Dobby's death made me cry, definitely, but also Harry's digging the grave by hand, and what he put on the headstone. *meep*
Trewlawny dropping a crystal ball on Fenrir was fantastic!
I know, totally cracked me up, too. Finally there was a useful purpose for those things. LOL
I don't care how much Harry respects Snape now, Snape still did some horribly nasty things that would, were I Harry, make me NOT want to name a child after him. Personal things, not big things.
Hm. Valid point. And although his intent might have been ultimately on the right side, the methods he employed (I know he didn't have a choice) weren't pleasant at all. I'm going to have to think on this some more...
Much love from me, for this book, too. :)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 07:10 pm (UTC)OMG I can see some fic coming out of that scene, too! *the real reason Hermione and Kingsley were late returning to the Burrow..." ;P
everything you said and more: I keep thinking of other scenes that were teh awesome, then more, then more... I am re-reading it now, in the light of day, and finding things I'd forgotten because the first time I read it I was so damn tired I couldn't keep my eyes open. ;)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 08:05 pm (UTC)And I really want to know why Ginny didn't get to honour any of her relatives when it came to naming the kids!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 11:10 pm (UTC)What is a "Force Ghost"?
I agree with you about Molly and Trelawney, though. Go them!
I actually felt she spelled out more than she had to in the epilogue, because we know who marries whom and how many kids they have, their names, etc. Granted, we don't know anyone's jobs, but still - I would have preferred to see more of what the wizarding world is like, and less about the definite family relationships twenty years on.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 12:37 am (UTC)I think Remus probably had a kid because he didn't want to disappoint Tonks, who probably wanted one. Bad idea, Remus.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 02:32 am (UTC)(Well, mostly. But that's natural. :))
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 05:04 am (UTC)And Remus? I seriously don't know what happened there but I think I almost disliked him more than Tonks, who I actually felt sorry for here. But then ghost!Remus seemed totally happy so I'm glad he's at peace now. Did want to see how he died, though.
And yes, Molly's awesome!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 08:08 am (UTC)There were so many subplots that I was expecting and in the end nothing. The book was only Harry, Hermione, Ron and Dumbledore and very little more. There were so many confrontations that I was expecting, so many characters that had a history with one another that had to bring to an end and in the end nothing. The death of all of them seemed so anticlimatic.
Snape dies killed by Voldemort. Just like that. We didn't see any of him in the book, we didn't have a last confrontation with Harry. Nothing. After all we have seen of him in the books he just left the picture quietly. And about the subplot with Lily, yes, we all imagined that. It didn't come as a surprise. I guess it was well written, and strange enough, with that was going on, I kind of felt sorry for him and I kind of have made peace with him, although I have always hated him. I hate the fact that people on te internet will now talk about poor tormented in love Snape and will just forget how nasty he has always been to everyone.
Wormtail did the same thing. There was no confrontation with Harry, no confrontation with Lupin, you may say that they already had one, but I was expecting some sort of important moment were something would be said about the marauders and Harry and were, in the end, Wormtail will show some remorse and save Harry's life.
Lupin. If you have a character that you say you love, you should at least give him something to do. This was really dissapointing. No Remus in book 4, barely any Remus in book 5 and 6. And what do we get in book 7? Well, almost nothing. An iditic subplot were Remus will have a child and which basically takes him out of the picture. Because he must take care of the mother of the child and of the child. What exactly was the purpose of all this? It seems so anticlimatic. We have the kind professor we so much came to like, then we have a tough man in OOTP, then we have a tormented soul in OOTp and then suddenly, with no purpose whatsoever and extremley fast not only that he gets married to Tonks but also has a baby with him. He fights with Harry- what was that all about? Did JK want to just ruin the character of Remus for us?- he gets out of the picture, he appears with news that the kid has been borne, makes Harry a godfather, wich although it makes sense it seems extremely weird to me- like the roles have been reversed and Harry was the one offering guidance and protection to Lupin. And Harry was only 17- and then simply dies. We don't get to see how. We don't get to see him fight. We don't see him confronting Greyback, as we expected, especially since he had been spying on the werewolves for so long and this seemed to be his purpose. He does absolutely nothing in this book. Nothing. His subplot is totally useless and annoying to no end. I thought he was going to survive when JK made him pair up with Tonks. When he made Harry godfather, thinking about the whole James-Sirius-godfaher thing, I started to fear that he was going to die. But to die so quietly and to kill Tonks as well... It seems so purposeless. The only thing I did like was that in the end he was with James and Sirius and Lily, the persons he had loved the most. And he was happy with them, so this is the only thing that makes me a little happy about his death. So i guess that the marauder shalsh can very much go on, thank god, because this book does not change anything. We have no feedback about the marauders,and the fact that Remus had a child means nothing.He could just very well be bi. In the end we see him with Sirius, not with Tonks. Lieing next to Tonks in life, being with Sirius and James and Lily in death. I didn't even cry when I read that he was lieing on the foolr dead, by that time I was already so annoyed and I feared so much for Harry and the subplot of Remus had been so bad, that I felt totally numb. Didn't even care.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 08:08 am (UTC)I must say that I am not the biggest fan of Hermione and Ron so seeing them and only them all the book was not exacltly my piece of cake. You can see how JK loved Hermione because it was all about her being so smart, and so skilful, and so everything. Cooking, solving puzzles etc.
I am glad that in the end Harry figured the best part of the plot alone and that he had also lots of good ideas and he took his own decisions. I always loved Harry and I loved him in this book as well, although for some reason not so much as in other books. I cried my eyes put when I though he was going to die. Thanks God at leats for that. he did not die.
I hated all the Dumbledore subplot. We spent so much time with stories of Dd's youth. Well, honestly, I don't really care. I would have liked to hear more about James and Sirius and Lily and Remus.
No Giny. That girl simply rocks and Jk told us that she is very powerful, and I expected to see her fight or have a role in this book, but nothing.
Noboy from the good side was present in this book. Nobody apart Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore.
I loved Neville, of course, and I loved and felt so proud of the kinds for the way they fought against the evil at Hogwarts, both before the last battle and during it.
And the epilogue it is just bad literature. I hate the names of Rose and Hugo. They do not seem to fit the books at all.
And Albus Severus? Come on! First Albus is not a cool name for a child and it is very weid to have a child of Harry named after Dumbledore. Then Severus? I understand that in the end Harry forgave Snape- although after all their interaction i would have liked to see an exchange of words between them- but to name his kid Albus Severus? Yuak!
And what was with this Albus anyway? he seemed quite scraed and not at all James material. I loved little James, though. And Teddy Lupin does seem like a cool kid, although I hate his name, too.
Quite a dissapointing book. The battle itself, Gringots, the Ministry, the horcruxes, the hallows, that was ok. The arc of the characters was very lame.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 09:50 pm (UTC)Were there imperfect things? Sure. Were there things I was mildly disappointed with? Probably. But WHO CARES! It was AWESOME.
Of course - best way to approach the book really, after being in fandom so long, reading so many different versions and knowing the details so implicitly there's always going to be imperfections, but in the end isn't the love of these books and JKs writing why we got into the series in the first place?
Voldie was suitably evil...It made him less evil-overlord and more real villain'
Yep, agreed
I actually was touched that Dudley didn't want anything bad to happen to Harry.
YES first time I near cried reading the book. It was such a lovely ending to the Dursley subplot. And I also like that she didn't make Vernon and Petunia do the same... but she did make Petunia near-say something.
I cracked up when Harry got embarrassed because the people were showing a little more of his body than he wanted them to. And you know Hermione and Fleur were totally taking advantage- at least for a moment- of finding out what it was like to be a guy.
HAHA! Dude that is totally what I thought. But lets face it... who wouldn't? I'd LOVE to be able to see what it's like just for a day or two.
And Hagrid had the motorbike! I squealed in joy :)
HEE yes also same!
And the desperation in that escape... awesome. Totally awesome.
YES it really made me remember why I adore JKs writing so much... I did almost think Harry and Hagrid weren't going to make it, even though I knew logically that at least Harry would.
The Tonkseses were very much how I pictured them.
Yes, scarily close to how I pictured them.
Okay, Moody dying choked me up. I really liked Moody...The death of Moody early on was so perfect, because if you can take down Moody it really emphasizes just how dangerous your adversaries are
Yes. Completely true.
I loved the way the family (especially the twins) responded to the whole bit about George's ear.
Oh yes, I never loved Fred and George more than in this book. Fred's horror and then George making him exasperated/comical instantly. From this instant I was near certain Fred was going to die (who would keep the intact one alive?) and it broke my heart.
And the wedding. LOVED the wedding.
Yes, of course, and I am pleased that they had the Death Eater attack then, as predicted, but that they had it after the ceremony. I was reading this chapter half in terror waiting for it.
Sirius's bedroom kicked butt and cracked me up
Hee, yes. The letter from Lily really made me tear up... and I've just noticed that half of my comments are 'oh yeah, that bit made me cry!' ...I'm such girl Lol. Though to be fair, I don't think I've cried that much in such a short space of time for years.
Although I do have to ask how the letter from Lily got in there. He left at 16, right, and didn't return until post Azkaban? I'd say Remus must have kept some of his stuff for him.
Haha overlooked technicality there, methinks!
Regulus was totally made of awesome, and when I heard how he met his death, that was not a happy moment (but in a good way).
Yes. I knew he took the locket etc. but I was living in the slight fear that he wouldn't be RAB, and that would mean the abandon of such a wonderful plotline...but he was so that was excellent =)
Um, Remus? IF YOU DIDN'T WANT KIDS, USE A CONDOM!!!...And seriously, dude, I'm glad Harry knocked some sense into you. It's potentially Tonks's fault, too, but you're the one with the issues
Yeah. The tit.
I did like Ron leaving and then coming back- I thought that was realistic. It fit his character completely.
Yes, absolutely. I was half torn between 'ugh cheesey' and 'Awww' when Harry said the 'No, it means he knew you'd always want to come back' line...but I went with the second reaction for my final choice =)
In terms of fanfic, is anyone else predicting an uprising of Dumbledore/Grindelwald slash? Sheesh.
HAHA my thoughts exactly. Jeez, sometimes I swear she tries to encourage it =P
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 09:52 pm (UTC)Agreed.
Oh, and if I wrote for the kids, Dean/Luna would be my new pet ship
Yes, I also thought that.
Aberforth=awesome. And there are goats!
Hee
And then finally we get to Hogwarts. WHOO! Really enjoyed the desperate last stand battle, and that was the point where you had to finish the book, no matter what time.
HAHA totally agree. It was about 11 when I got to this part and I had work in the morning but I knew there was no way I could even think of stopping by then. It was just unthinkable.
The only time I really cried was when Percy joined in the fight.
Yes, absolutely (although in my case this was the bit that made me cry most, rather than it making me cry at all XD). I was actually expecting that she would finish the series without Percy and the Weasleys making up for some reason - to show another way in which Voldemort tore up families I suppose, so it was quite out of the blue for me. The bit that really made me cry was Fred being the first to forgive him. That was really what did it.
I'd actually predicted Fred's death, so that didn't hit me as hard as it could have. (What would have hit me would have been seeing more of George's grief.)
Yes, same about the prediction, and I also thought that about George's grief. I was almost dreading reading that part when I knew Fred was going to die because the twins are such big parts of each other, but as you say, it didn't get put in. The biggest reason I was hurt by Fred's death was that the 'laughter was still on his face', partly because it was a repeat of Sirius, partly because it was Percy who put it there.
Remus's death was almost required. I was fine with that
Yes. I even liked it because it meant we got to see the Marauders together again (and I like that we see Remus with them and not Tonks) but I am disappointed that we didn't get to know how they died.
I TOTALLY forgive JKR for Tonks/Remus now, because she wrote it messed up and difficult and clearly not healthy
Yes, I did like that about it. I did yelp when Voldemort said about them getting married. If she hadn't had it written as all messed up, I wouldn't have ever forgiven her.
Trewlawny dropping a crystal ball on Fenrir was fantastic! That cracked me up.
My favorite line of the series used to be "It unscrews the other way," but I think it's now in a tie for "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" GO MOLLY!!!!!! YES!!!...Molly killing Bellatrix was AWESOME.
OH YES!! When I read that line I actally shouted OMG ITS A CHILDRENS BOOK!! GO MOLLY AND GO JK!! I was so proud. I can see there being a wee bit of kerfuffle at that line being let in.
I'm glad Harry didn't destroy all the Horcuxes, either, and that Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, Crabbe (who would have thought Crabbe?), and Neville each got to destroy one. It really drove home the point that Harry couldn't do this alone. And Neville kicked butt!
Yes, thats exactly what I thought! I <3 Neville
Although I expected [Snape] was in love with Lily the whole time, and I actually liked how it was written. It was so awkward and sad.
Yes. I was slightly aware of it, but generally it was a bit of a shock. I did think slightly, this sounds quite fandom in the same way Dumbledore/Hagrid is. But still, it is believeable and I like that it's the reason why that is Snape's Worst Memory, not just becuase of the Marauder's bullying, but also because of Lily. It makes sense, and it was written well.
King's Cross... must think on that a bit more.
In what sense? I assumed it was because it was there that became his gateway to Hogwarts/the wizarding world. But I suppose the first of his gateways to the wizarding world was the Leaky Cauldron/Hagrid in the hut, and the place where he spent most of his time was Hogwarts itself so hmmm yeah I'm not completely sure why King's Cross and not any of the other places. Maybe because it's a link to the Muggle world also and shows that it's a part of Harry too.
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Date: 2007-07-23 09:52 pm (UTC)Well yes, quite. Although it was mostly just this thought that stopped me finding it overwhelmingly cheesy
I'm glad, for the sake of her fans, she left it very vague, because there are so many more possibilities.
YES! Fandom may live on yet! =] I was really expecting it to only be able to function on AUs
Personally, I didn't need the epilogue at all.
Hmmm no me neither but it did satisfy some of my insatiable curiosity =)
Albus Severus. First, I don't care how much Harry respects Snape now, Snape still did some horribly nasty things that would, were I Harry, make me NOT want to name a child after him...Bring it on! But a kid? No.
Just what I thought. It's a cute idea, and I do like that Harry has gained respect for Snape, but this was COMPLETELY the wrong way, for both Harry and JK, to show it. I did like the Snape being the bravest man he knew line, but it just wasn't worth being almost out of character just to get it in. And also the names just aren't cool dammit. Although wizarding names are often a little odd, I suppose.
Anyway. Much love for the book!
=D
And I'm very sorry I've posted three such long comments! I will completely understand if you don't ever find the time to read them Lol!
xXx
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Date: 2007-07-27 09:54 pm (UTC)I'd love to show how much I agree with you on your other points, except there's never so much to say when you're just plain agreeing with someone...