HP and the DH Book Review
SPOILER NOTICE: DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW
ABOUT THE FINAL BOOK OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES!!!
I've finally finished the book. Took me 2 days. Staying up late, I don't think I've EVER pulled an all nighter just to read a book.
After putting it down, I find there are good parts and bad parts to the book. First, I just want to comment on the "epilogue". Yes, I know I'm starting from the back of the book but it's the one thing I feel most strongly about.
Realizing this chapter was written long before she even started book 7 the problem I have is that as an author, JKR has grown in her writing as Harry has grown in the books. The final chapter is more a reflection of the writing of the earlier years.
Granted it was nice to 'know' what happened, but I think it would have been more fun for the fans to 'guess' and, considering how 'simple' it was, I think it would have been better left out.
Now for the actual book. I always belived that Snape was a good guy so it was nice to have that happen but it would have been nice to see more of him in the book. He's probably the most complicated character and we never really see more if his interaction with Voldemort.
Granted this is a book about Harry Potter but we see so little of people outside him, Ron and Hermione. It would have been nice to see more of Ginny and Neville especially. I enjoy the books not just because of Harry but because of everyone in the books. Ginny, Neville, Tonks, Hagrid, Lupin, Fred, George, Lee, Luna, even the sorts of Draco, Lucius, Snape, etc. The way they all interact and tell a story is almost magical. I have to say I was disappointed in this respect.
Don't get me wrong. I still think this book was well written and a good ending to a story that started over a decade ago. There were parts that no one outside elite JKR world could have ever predicted. I mean, now many people thought Kreacher would end up HELPING Harry? And Dudley actually grateful for Harry saving his life?
Which brings me to what happened to the Dursley's? They were moved and that was it? It was easy (at least for me) to see that Petunia's hatred of the magical world was because of jealousy for Lily. But, what did Dudley see when the dementors came? Does Vernon and Petunia change their views of magic like we see Dudley do? Not that I ever expected it but it would have been nice to be able to see Harry and the Dursley's get along. They are his only blood relatives.
And even though we have many of our questions answered there are so many left. For me anyways. The things I always wondered and still wonder are:
Is Bill Weasley a full werewolf?
What lies beyond the veil in the Department of Mysteries?
James and Lily's jobs.. What were they?
What happened to Fawkes?
How did the Potters and Longbottoms thrice defy Voldemort?
Yes, these are minor questions but questions I've had in my head that I hoped would be answered. I guess these are all questions that will keep the fan boards running.
Of all the deaths, I was probably most upset with Dobby & Hedwig dying. I think all the characters understood what they were fighting. They understood the concequences of being on the front line. Hedwig was just Harry's pet. When there was no one there for him at 4 Privet Drive, at least he had Hedwig. Even when she was 'upset' because she couldn't fly outside much there she always there for him.
Dobby just wanted to be treated fairly. He may have idolized Harry prior but I think it touched Dobby more when Harry treated him as an equal.. as a friend so to speak. I guess it was nice to see Dobby REALLY save Harry's life at least once without it ending up almost killing him like he always did in CoS even if he died doing so.
Tonks and Lupin. So bitter sweet. They are probably my favorite adult couple in the series. I was happy to read they got married but a bit upset because we didn't see it. I was sad to see them die. Especially seeing how there is yet another orphan in the story. Teddy. Granted he will have people surrounding him with love but it's still sad.
Anyways, for now, that's is from me. To sum up. It wasn't a bad book but I don't think it will ever be my favorite book out of the series. For now, I'm just going to sit down and re-read it to make sure I caught everything. Maybe my opinwion will change after reading it again.
I've finally finished the book. Took me 2 days. Staying up late, I don't think I've EVER pulled an all nighter just to read a book.
After putting it down, I find there are good parts and bad parts to the book. First, I just want to comment on the "epilogue". Yes, I know I'm starting from the back of the book but it's the one thing I feel most strongly about.
Realizing this chapter was written long before she even started book 7 the problem I have is that as an author, JKR has grown in her writing as Harry has grown in the books. The final chapter is more a reflection of the writing of the earlier years.
Granted it was nice to 'know' what happened, but I think it would have been more fun for the fans to 'guess' and, considering how 'simple' it was, I think it would have been better left out.
Now for the actual book. I always belived that Snape was a good guy so it was nice to have that happen but it would have been nice to see more of him in the book. He's probably the most complicated character and we never really see more if his interaction with Voldemort.
Granted this is a book about Harry Potter but we see so little of people outside him, Ron and Hermione. It would have been nice to see more of Ginny and Neville especially. I enjoy the books not just because of Harry but because of everyone in the books. Ginny, Neville, Tonks, Hagrid, Lupin, Fred, George, Lee, Luna, even the sorts of Draco, Lucius, Snape, etc. The way they all interact and tell a story is almost magical. I have to say I was disappointed in this respect.
Don't get me wrong. I still think this book was well written and a good ending to a story that started over a decade ago. There were parts that no one outside elite JKR world could have ever predicted. I mean, now many people thought Kreacher would end up HELPING Harry? And Dudley actually grateful for Harry saving his life?
Which brings me to what happened to the Dursley's? They were moved and that was it? It was easy (at least for me) to see that Petunia's hatred of the magical world was because of jealousy for Lily. But, what did Dudley see when the dementors came? Does Vernon and Petunia change their views of magic like we see Dudley do? Not that I ever expected it but it would have been nice to be able to see Harry and the Dursley's get along. They are his only blood relatives.
And even though we have many of our questions answered there are so many left. For me anyways. The things I always wondered and still wonder are:
Is Bill Weasley a full werewolf?
What lies beyond the veil in the Department of Mysteries?
James and Lily's jobs.. What were they?
What happened to Fawkes?
How did the Potters and Longbottoms thrice defy Voldemort?
Yes, these are minor questions but questions I've had in my head that I hoped would be answered. I guess these are all questions that will keep the fan boards running.
Of all the deaths, I was probably most upset with Dobby & Hedwig dying. I think all the characters understood what they were fighting. They understood the concequences of being on the front line. Hedwig was just Harry's pet. When there was no one there for him at 4 Privet Drive, at least he had Hedwig. Even when she was 'upset' because she couldn't fly outside much there she always there for him.
Dobby just wanted to be treated fairly. He may have idolized Harry prior but I think it touched Dobby more when Harry treated him as an equal.. as a friend so to speak. I guess it was nice to see Dobby REALLY save Harry's life at least once without it ending up almost killing him like he always did in CoS even if he died doing so.
Tonks and Lupin. So bitter sweet. They are probably my favorite adult couple in the series. I was happy to read they got married but a bit upset because we didn't see it. I was sad to see them die. Especially seeing how there is yet another orphan in the story. Teddy. Granted he will have people surrounding him with love but it's still sad.
Anyways, for now, that's is from me. To sum up. It wasn't a bad book but I don't think it will ever be my favorite book out of the series. For now, I'm just going to sit down and re-read it to make sure I caught everything. Maybe my opinwion will change after reading it again.
No comments yet.