that new harry potter book i think its the last one
I've been following Harry Potter since the fourth book came out. Not right from the beginning, but six years is still a long time. I didn't find the books particularly great at that time but when you're 15 years old fanfiction makes everything awesome. It wasn't until the sixth book that I started really enjoying it because of the layers and depth of story accumulated from all the previous books, as well as the increased action and violence and dark themes.
... which is to say I was pretty psyched up about the last book, expecting the epic showdown and the final reveals and plot/character payoffs and lots of characters getting killed!
Verdict - satisfactory with "HELL YEAH" moments and "THIS IS STUPID YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME" moments. Lame lists to follow.
Things I hoped would happen and eventually did:
• Harry is a horcrux and needs to sacrifice himself in order to kill Voldemort. (Rowling denied this speculation when HBP came out and I was very disappointed. But she lied!)
• Fred or George dies. Because it would be the saddest thing. Now I can just imagine George attempting to be ok and still coming up with jokes in front of other people, and quietly suffering when he's all alone.
• Snape turns out good, or at least not a simple goon of Voldy's. Also the secretly in love with Lily thing.
• Neville asskicking.
Sorely disappointed:
• That we don't get to meet a totally awesome badass Regulus. I was so looking forward to it, instead we get a flashback. Not good enough.
• The reason Harry's green eyes were important - I don't mind it but I hoped it would be some kind of crazy magic-related revelation.
• Wanted more explanation on ghosts.
• DEUS EX MACHINA a wizard did it lol (but it's like that in the other books too so should have been expected). I'm talking about stuff like the wand ownership and Harry Potter becoming Jesus Christ thing.
• I really hoped Harry would die and "19 years later" would have people remembering the dead characters and Ginny ending up with some guy.
• Epilogue what the hell. Maybe the Harry Potter encyclopedia book will explain what happens to all the other characters and the Ministry and Hogwarts after the end.
Awesome bits:
• Harry crucio-ing a Death Eater. Able to do it because he meant it.
• Neville and the DA.
• Harry rescues Draco (only because in the back of my head I still love Harry/Draco).
• Dumbledore backstory. Now I want to draw pictures of 16 year old Albus and Grindlewald plotting world domination.
• 10 year old emogoth stalker Snape. Also from OotP that was his worst memory not because of the bullying but because he called Lily a mudblood and that ended their friendship.
• The Ministry overpowered by evil and the good people having to go underground. One of the reasons I liked fanfiction back in those days is that serious stuff like this happens.
• McGonagall and Hogwarts teachers fighting.
Beautifully touching:
• Dudley growing up a bit.
• Hermione cutting off ties with her family so she can go on an uncertain mission to save the world.
• Kreature's change of attitude.
• Here lies Dobby, a free elf.
• The fact Harry survived was partly due to Narcissa's love for her son.
Favourite part was probably Harry's walk leaving Hogwarts to meet his own end, silently saying goodbye to friends, familiar places and happy memories. Should have known that when it gets built up so much it usually happens the other way. Now I'm picturing him walking up to the forest with a cross on his back or something.
Albus Severus Potter? I feel sorry for the kid.