Musings on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

[kiyakotari]

Well, I got the book at 12:47 am today, and I'd finished it by 07:53 am. This includes time for things like driving, eating out at a restaurant, and talking to friends (and random, unknown, annoying people who walked up to me and started asking me questions about the book AS I was reading it). So I'd estimate that, all told, it probably took me about five-and-a-half to six hours of reading to get through all 784 pages. Not bad. It was more dense than the previous books, but I liked that.



First off, I would like to say that I am very, very pleased with the way Snape went, and with the way that ALL of my theories about him proved completely true (I feel very vindicated right now). Even the little side theory about his connection to Lily, though I hadn't expected it to have it's origins quite THAT far back in their youth.

I think that Rowling's little "19 Years Later" additive was a very nice way to (hopefully) avoid sequels by other authors, and much better than the option she'd apparently been considering, which was to kill off Harry. Of course, there's always those kids...

So yes, that answers that question. She doesn't kill Harry. Or rather, she does to some extent, but not permanently. That particular bit - with Albus, in Harry's mind - was a bit corny, but I still appreciated it.

I am anticipating a great surge in both Snape fanfiction and Weasley Twins fanfiction (both twincest and non).

I am so absolutely delighted by the alteration of Harry's perceptions (and thus, our perceptions) of Dumbledore that I can't even really articulate it. It's just...perfect. And Grindelwald. Oh, that was wonderful. I'm also anticipating the creation of a (likely small) Grindelwald/Albus fanfiction surge.

Also, the bit with Dudley at the beginning and his little "I don't think you're a waste of space" moment...anyone who DIDN'T see that coming needs to get their Spider-senses checked.

I loved this book. I am far too tired to say much of anything else right now. I think I will go watch some Tekkaman Blade II and then sleep. Or perhaps I'll starting hunting for decent HP Fanfiction.

Comments

[lionhearts.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed it.

Except the part where she killed a bunch of people all at once and in kind of an "oh yah they died" kind of way. Especially Remus. Remus deserved more. Tonks? eh... not so much. No heartstrings tugged there.

Snape was perfect though!!! I forget when I figured out the Lily thing, but it was a book ago or so, I think... it's lovely.<3

I didn't care for the 19 years later bit though, really... As much as that cuts off other options, it, well... does just that. I think some things need to be left to other imaginations. ^^;

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

**grin** Yeah, I don't really like the "19 Years Later" thing. But it's better than what she was apparently considering, which was to just kill off everyone simply so that others couldn't write about them, and not because it was right for them to die.

The way people were just dying right and left, with no dwelling on it...that annoyed me. The way Remus & Tonks just up and ended up dead, no indication how they got that way...if felt like she was just doing it for the "Awwwwwww" factor, what with them leaving behind a kid and all. It didn't parse all that well. Fred dying...THAT was good. Would have loved to have seen more of George's reaction to that. Can't WAIT to read the fanfiction it spurs.

The Lily thing was suggested in Book 5, when Harry looks into the Pensieve and sees Snape's memory of being harassed by James and Sirius. Lily defends Snape. That's when it really clicked.

Dumbledore's character evolved a lot, and I liked that. I liked that he didn't evolve until AFTER he was already dead. It just seemed fitting. Would love to know more about Grindelwald.