there was no need to get up at 5:15 am
So.
I finished Deathly Hallows yesterday in approx. 7 hours, because I am a winner.
First off...I feel bad for JK Rowling in that she has had the story planned out for like 12 years or something and had no idea the Internet existed, let alone that it would play such a huge part in the frenzy surrounding her books, and that kids in Uzbekistan would be predicting plot points five years ahead of the release of the final book.
Therefore, I think that this book would have been more enjoyable had I not spent time (around the release of OotP, mainly) online with the predictions and whatever, etc. Because if it hadn't been dissected so minutely, if it hadn't been discussed to death by people all over the world, I think The End would have been much more satisfying. For me, anyway.
Aside from that, I really liked the book, and I think it's probably my favorite of the seven.
I liked that she condensed it down to Ron, Hermoione, and Harry in the woods/at Grimmauld Place (although, wtf were they doing out there for months?! No wonder Ron got fed up and left, srsly) as opposed to at Hogwarts or even at The Burrow, it tightened up the story well, I think, to not have school or Mrs. Weasly or Fleur around to distract and contribute B-stories.
Related: I loved Ron and Hermione (and Ron/Hermione, v. realistically done, for the most part) in this book. LOVED. They were basically perfect.
Also loved: McGonigall, Neville, the fact that both Dean and Seamus survive, Percy's entrance, Trelawny, Potterwatch!, Dudley, the twins (poor Fred.), and the ambiguity of the Malfoys.
LAME:
1.) THE EPILOGUE. omfg, so lame. No new information, aside from (*gasp*) Harry and Ginny end up married, as do Ron and Hermione (I was surprised, were you surprised? I was surprised. -_-) but not, apparently, Draco and Pansy. Alas.
2.) Ginny being told she is 'too young' fight in the last battle, and not putting up more of a fight about it. WTF. (Movie!Ginny >> Book!Ginny)
3.) Lupin. Good God. I loved him, but now...I don't know. I also hate that he died.
4.) Harry = horcrux. >_<
5.) One last expository chat with Dumbledore! Even though he's dead! And it's all in Harry's head! And we already knew everything they talked about! Oh well. Must keep with the established pattern, I guess.
6.) Lily's patronus being a doe. O RLY?!
6a.) Snape's patronus being a doe. What-everz.
7.) The ultimate uselessness of James Potter. Thnx for giving Harry life and then conveniently dying and doing nothing else cool.
Anyway, for all the things I didn't like, I think it was well done overall - you can tell that this was where it was all supposed to lead. So many of the things that were just mentioned (The Grey Lady and the Bloody Baron, for example) in previous books end up playing an important role - wherein, I think, lies most of JK's talent, her ability to plan out seven books with so much detail and clues sprinkled throughout. Say what you will about her writing style (best described as "sturdy") and the mistakes she makes (hello, seven books to plan out! I'd like to see you try it.) but I think she did a really good job. I don't know if these books will stand the test of time or not; (I think yes, but their popularity will fade considerably, but seeing as how they have captured the entire world for ten years I don't think anyone has anything to worry about) it was a good ride while it lasted.
I'm holding out for the day when she writes Hogwarts, A History, though. You know it's coming.
I finished Deathly Hallows yesterday in approx. 7 hours, because I am a winner.
First off...I feel bad for JK Rowling in that she has had the story planned out for like 12 years or something and had no idea the Internet existed, let alone that it would play such a huge part in the frenzy surrounding her books, and that kids in Uzbekistan would be predicting plot points five years ahead of the release of the final book.
Therefore, I think that this book would have been more enjoyable had I not spent time (around the release of OotP, mainly) online with the predictions and whatever, etc. Because if it hadn't been dissected so minutely, if it hadn't been discussed to death by people all over the world, I think The End would have been much more satisfying. For me, anyway.
Aside from that, I really liked the book, and I think it's probably my favorite of the seven.
I liked that she condensed it down to Ron, Hermoione, and Harry in the woods/at Grimmauld Place (although, wtf were they doing out there for months?! No wonder Ron got fed up and left, srsly) as opposed to at Hogwarts or even at The Burrow, it tightened up the story well, I think, to not have school or Mrs. Weasly or Fleur around to distract and contribute B-stories.
Related: I loved Ron and Hermione (and Ron/Hermione, v. realistically done, for the most part) in this book. LOVED. They were basically perfect.
Also loved: McGonigall, Neville, the fact that both Dean and Seamus survive, Percy's entrance, Trelawny, Potterwatch!, Dudley, the twins (poor Fred.), and the ambiguity of the Malfoys.
LAME:
1.) THE EPILOGUE. omfg, so lame. No new information, aside from (*gasp*) Harry and Ginny end up married, as do Ron and Hermione (I was surprised, were you surprised? I was surprised. -_-) but not, apparently, Draco and Pansy. Alas.
2.) Ginny being told she is 'too young' fight in the last battle, and not putting up more of a fight about it. WTF. (Movie!Ginny >> Book!Ginny)
3.) Lupin. Good God. I loved him, but now...I don't know. I also hate that he died.
4.) Harry = horcrux. >_<
5.) One last expository chat with Dumbledore! Even though he's dead! And it's all in Harry's head! And we already knew everything they talked about! Oh well. Must keep with the established pattern, I guess.
6.) Lily's patronus being a doe. O RLY?!
6a.) Snape's patronus being a doe. What-everz.
7.) The ultimate uselessness of James Potter. Thnx for giving Harry life and then conveniently dying and doing nothing else cool.
Anyway, for all the things I didn't like, I think it was well done overall - you can tell that this was where it was all supposed to lead. So many of the things that were just mentioned (The Grey Lady and the Bloody Baron, for example) in previous books end up playing an important role - wherein, I think, lies most of JK's talent, her ability to plan out seven books with so much detail and clues sprinkled throughout. Say what you will about her writing style (best described as "sturdy") and the mistakes she makes (hello, seven books to plan out! I'd like to see you try it.) but I think she did a really good job. I don't know if these books will stand the test of time or not; (I think yes, but their popularity will fade considerably, but seeing as how they have captured the entire world for ten years I don't think anyone has anything to worry about) it was a good ride while it lasted.
I'm holding out for the day when she writes Hogwarts, A History, though. You know it's coming.