So what do you think of it? (I can hardly believe I'm the first to post.)

I thought it was uneven, and I hope her great success isn't spoiling Rowling. There were marvelous chapters, but other chapters seemed perfunctory. Why didn't Rowling give more space to the Dark Arts classes? I kept waiting for more, after the initial confrontation, but it never came. (Sorry if I'm a bit vague, but I don't want to include spoilers.) The scene in the cave, though moderately chilling, was less intense than it should've been. There seemed to be a general lessening of intensity throughout the book. The final chapters were magnificent, Rowling at her best, and I thought the romances very well realized. What's your opinion?

[ July 29, 2005, 06:53: Message edited by: Cernak ]

I can't believe so many people are in such a rush to read it so quickly. Hardback books are far too expensive for me, so I will wait until it appears in the library or I can borrow it from someone else.

Is this a spoiler thread? If it is, can you indicate so? Because I want to rant.

If you want to rant, please do. Just put [SPOILER] at the head of your post.

[SPOILER]


It was, in my opinion, very predictable. Harry+Ginny and Ron+hermione were obviously going to happen, and as for Dumbledore.. pfft. well, I'd bet 100 to 1 that she finds some way for Dumbledore to mentor Harry from beyond the grave. Like Obi-wan with Luke in Star Wars. And while we're on the subject of "borrowing" content, the Horcruxes are taken straight from LOTR and I have no idea why she bothered to rename the zombies Inferi.

Apart from all that, it was quite good. LOL.

I assume you're refering to Sauron not dying because of his ring?

I'll post some thoughts now but not before providing a huge spoilers warning. I don't want anyone complaining that I've ruined the book! So...

DO NOT READ ON UNLESS YOU HAVE FINISHED THE BLOODY BOOK!

Right, my immediate reaction was that Dumbledore's killing has to be taken at face value. Snape was able to hoodwink the kind old duffer because he understood that one of Dumbledore's greatest attributes was also his greatest weakness. Remember in Chapter 2 when Snape comments that Dumbledore's weakness is that he has to see the best in everyone? On the other hand, Voldemort doesn't trust anyone and is supposedly the greatest Legilimens ever. I find it more likely that Snape could fool Dumbledore than Voldemort.

But then I have my niggling doubts. First, what can we make of the hushed conversation between Dumbledore and Snape in which Snape confesses that he doesn't feel he can go on anymore? What had Dumbledore asked him to do? Is it somehow linked to the pleading part you mention? Was he pleading for his life, or pleading Snape to carry out something that was pre-agreed? What is the significance of the unbreakable vow Snape made with Narcissa and Bellatrix? Why would he risk everything for Draco?

There's definitely a possibility that Snape and Dumbledore remain in cahoots (even though the latter is dead) and there's another twist to come. Dumbledore, we know from the book, was getting old and losing his sharpness. His hand had been damaged beyond repair. Perhaps he felt that getting Snape to kill him would eradicate any doubt (in the mind of Death Eaters) than Snape was on their side, thus allowing Snape to stay close to Voldemort, perhaps to help Harry at a later time? It allowed Snape to fulfil a role that not even Dumbledore could?

Why was Snape so enraged at being called a 'coward' by Harry. This man barely shows the slightest trace of emotion for six books, yet became hysterical when called a coward. Was it because he'd just done the hardest thing he'd ever had to do: kill the one man who always trusted him (on that man's orders) because it was for a greater good?

Too many questions...

One final thought: Taking the book at face value means accepting that Harry has to defeat Snape, Voldemort and all the other Death Eaters, whilst also finding the remaining four Horcruxes, pretty much on his own. Certainly, he no longer has any allies with power equal to Dumbledore's. It seems pretty inconceivable really, unless there's a twist to come....

PS. As you can see, I quite like the Harry Potter books with an enthusiasm verging on the sad :p .

I thought it was better than 5; jk rowlings IMO is suffering from being too popular to be edited, but there was less waffling in this book. I'm with barmy army - I have doubts about whose side Snape is really on... after all, he is in Slytherin. Any means to an end!

SPOILERS (yeah, I read it too...)

1) Why I think Dumbledore will be back (a la Obi-Wan, perhaps): the guy's familiar, Fawkes, is a phoenix, which as we know from an earlier book, dies and is reborn in flames. What better rebirth image is that? During the funeral, Dumbledore's body disappears in flames, and Potter thinks for a moment he sees a pheonix in the flames. Plus, the "good guys" are part of the Order of the Phoenix; how many more hints do we need that some kind of rebirth will happen? And wouldn't this function well as a foil to Voldemort's immortality?

2) Potter is a Horcrux. Seems to make sense. Also, only one can live in the end...

3) Snape is still in consort with Dumbledore's plan, and will help Potter kill Voldemort in book 7. Slytherin isn't necessarily the "evil" house, but rather performs a vital function in maintaining the good. Exactly how prepared is anyone from the other houses to being a double agent or spy? Potter and the other Gryfindors are frankly sh*te when it comes to subtlety or underhandedness.

4) Potter and Draco will have to do something involving trusting eachother and working together in book 7.

5) Snape's relationship with James Potter and Lily will be important to book 7, especially Lily, who we now know was a prodigy in potions like Snape.

6) R.A.B. is Regulus Black, and 12 Grimauld will be an important location in book 7.

My wife is convinced Snape will flop onto the Good side in the end, for intuitive reasons. And she may well be right. The posts by B.A. and Bion are certainly suggestive.

By the way, Bion, great job pegging R.A.B., while most of the rest of us are still saying "Huh?" I'm not so sure about Harry being a Horcrux though; Voldemort was very unhappy being in Harry's body at the end of Book 5.

I'm also wondering what happened to Snapes' book; it's sloppy to just let it drop as Rowling did. Shouldn't Harry go back and get it--insight into the enemy--or decide never to touch it again, now that he knows who it belonged to?

[ July 19, 2005, 06:28: Message edited by: Cernak ]

SPOILERS

1) R.A.B. *is* Regulus. Hey, Bion, when did you finish the book and what time zone were you in? I want dibs on the idea. :mad:

2) Horcruxes: Voldemort's soul is incompatible with Harry's, as Cernak noticed at the end of Book 5 when Voldemort tried to posess (sp?) Harry. I think that mysterious Horcruxes #5+6 are an artifact of Ravenclaw's, and the snake Nagini.

3) What does everyone think about Fawkes? Did he die with Dumbledore or does he remain to be a symbol to the Order? (I think he's dead.)

4) I think that the way Dumbledore was killed is kind of lame. Anyone agree?

5) I think Harry will leave the book with McGonnagall or the Potions Master, whatsis name.

I still like the Harry as Horcrux idea; I could imagine Rowling coming up with some kind of elaborate explanation of how Voldemort's attempt to curse the infant Potter transfered a peice of his soul in to Potter. We already know Potter has some kind of innate connection to Voldemort (the scar, the ability to sense Voldemort's thoughs, the ability to speak Snake, the fact the Hat thought he was Slytherin, even the fact that V couldn't possess Potter; can anyone possess someone who shares the same soul?). And the Horcrux is the only mechanism Rowling has described that could explain someone having a part of someone else's soul. I think Rowling included the snake as a possible Horcrux just to point out that Horcruxes could be living creatures as well as inanimate objects.

An idea that didn't make the cut: perhaps Snape and Potter's mother Lily shared a little bit more than skill with potions:

Snape: I am your father Harry.
Potter: Noooooo!! I'll never join you! :hahaerr:

@Bion
The connection is Harry's mother's blood and her love. This is explained in the first and second books. Also check out Rowling's website (http://www.jkrowling.com) for some rumors like your Snape idea that she popped.

V is now using Occlumency on Harry so that Harry cannot gain access to V's thoughts. V knows that Harry will be wise to what V did before with sending him a dream, so I don't think that V will have anything to do in Harry's mind in Book 7, unless they are dueling.

Yeah, I know the "mother's love" thing (and the Snape idea was only a joke!), but that doesn't explain how V was imprinted so deeply into Harry's mind. Again, I would expect some kind of greater explanation of how the "mother's love" thing interacted with V's curse. Another bit of evidence: the prophesy holds that only one of them can survive, and this would also work very well with the idea that Harry has some of V's soul.

@Bion: Not really, in fact, its going to be very hard for Harry to defeat Voldemort if he himself is a Horcrux. Being a horcrux would mean that Harry himself contains part of Voldemort's soul, meaning that the Big V can never die unless Harry dies first.

Again, that is in direct contravention with the prophecy which states that to live, Harry has to kill Voldemort...which can never happen if he is a Horcrux.

The actual prophecy:...

`The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies . and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not . and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives . the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies .'

...only mentions 'the other' which leaves me thinking there could be someone else involved.. could it be nevilles big day?!

I don't think Harry could be a Horcrux at all.
In both book 5 and 6, Voldemort tried to finish Harry off in the end, if Harry is a Horcrux, and Voldemort indeed had given him a part of his soul, then 1) Why would he want to kill a part of himself, 2) why couldn't he posses Harry in the same way we know he possesses Nagini?
In my eyes it would make no sense at all to willingly give a part of your soul to the only one whom you know could kill you!

I don't think Dumbledore'll be tutoring Harry from beyond the grave in book #7; and if he does, then I'll be greatly disappointed with Rowling. It's just not, well, imaginative enough :-P
Remember, Sirius and how Harry hoped for a way to remain in contact with him from beyond the grave? It is not possible unless Dumbledore had 'chosen' to become a ghost, like nearly-headless Nick told Harry in book #5.

I believe that Harry WILL be on his own (well, with the exception of Ron and Hermione), and that he will have to go search for the answers on his own.

As with the Snape-Dumbledore dilemma, I somewhat believe, or want to believe that he was, partly, acting on the orders of Dumbledore.
1st of all: There is NO way Dumbledore would EVER beg for mercy, and I believe he rather begged Snape to finish something he had been assigned to do. 2nd: In book #4 Snape was very determined on convincing Fudge about the fact that Voldemort was back, and that something had to be done, precautions had to be made. 3rd: As mentioned earlier, Dumbledore really trusted Snape despite the fact that no one else did; and had several times told both Harry and others that he had his reasons to trust him so blindly (And I really think he did). Lastly: Despite the fact that Dumbledore had gotten old, and his reactions had gotten poorer, he still had his sharp brain; very seldom did anything happen without him knowing. Look at the entire Draco situation. Harry mentioned his supicions with Draco to Dumbledore. Dumbledore did, kind of, the same he had done everytime Harry had mentioned his suspicions towards Sanpe to him: He played it down. However, in the ending chapters we finds out, that Dumbledore had indeed known what Draco had been planning from the very beginning. And I also believe he had known about the unbreakable vow. Of course, Harry told him about this, but I don't believe Harry himself was his source of information on that particular point. He knew these things from someone else prior to Harry mentioning it.

No matter how much I despises Snape, I somewhat believe that he really is with the 'good guys' (Or want to believe).

The fact he reacts as he does when called a coward(Snape that is), is either that he is really sorry about what he had to do, or that he has some memories from school (Think 'back to the future' and how whoever, forgot his name, reacts when being called a chicken), or some kind of remorse about having given up Lilly and James to Voldemort, e.g. Harry hid a soft spot.

I enjoyed the book thouroughly, and I'm looking much forward to the 7th and last book. (Wherein I believe we will get much more facts concerning the lilly/james-Snape relationship. Also, as someone else mentioned, I believe Draco will side with Harry, and lastly that Harry will come to a point where Dumbledores lessons will pay off)..

EDIT
'Tarron', the prophecy also sayed that Voldemort would himself mark the boy who could defeat him as his equal. As Dumbledore told Harry in book #5: Voldemort choose Harry, not Neville. Voldemort marked Harry as his equal, thus creating his own bane.

Thinking along plotlines and how the characters have developed; why does Dumbledore have to be dead? After all he is the greatest wizard of his day. Surely, it would easy for him to fake his death and disappear without a trace -- not even the most talented wizards would be able to find him (as he proved in a previous book).

From a writing standpoint the characters are fairly well developed. Voldemort is wary to act with Dumbledore present, so would instead continue to build his allies until he is positive he would triumph. This would be devastating to the wizard population -- hundreds would die in the onslaught. However, with Dumbledore out of the way Voldemort may act sooner. His confidence would be his undoing (and perhaps the only chance the wizarding community has against him). This would be especially true if Dumbledore is in hiding and not dead.

Thinking more about this, Rowling could easily conjecture that Dumbledore saw his continued presence as preventing Voldemort from striking early. In dying he is moving the Dark One's plans forward enough to expose a weakness. A weakness which would not be there if Voldemort was anticipating a fight with Dumbledore. In this case Dumbledore's sacrifice would make victory possible (making him a Jesus figure or cultural hero).

@ Olimikrig, i agree with you, but the way the prophecy is worded suggests there is more to it than first sight. why is 'the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord...' repeated twice. another thought is the mention about being born as the 7th month dies. Everyone but 3 people took apparition tests, harry, neville and ... draco. could this be a way to re-incorporate draco back into the story.

Even so, i for one want a one on one duel between harry and voldemort. But one thing is bugging me, why is the significance of Harry having his mothers eyes? Could it be to do with his being a descendant of godric gryffindor? any thoughts?

@ Tarron: Harrys mother is muggle born. How could she be a descendant of Godric Gryffiindor? However, now you mention it, it may have some significance after all. I do not, though, have any idea as to what it could possibly mean.

Your thoughts on Draco are very interesting. Personally I believe he will have a big significance on the further development of the next book!

As to T2Brunos thoughts on the death of Dumbledore, or rather the lack of it; it makes a lot of sence, but personally I truly believe DUmbledore to be death.

What bugs me the most is the fact that someone had already removed the first Horcrux, and replaced it with this pecular note, and a signature saying: R.A.B.
Has more Horcrux' been replaced? Who is he? What effect will his actions have on the outcome of an eventual final battle in book 7? And finally: WHO IS HE??? argh... I may have to read the bloody books once more. Might read all of them in English this time (a lot of names and such has been altered in the Danish editions, which is quite confusing when having to read the Half-blood prince in english, and when discussing on boards like this :@ ).

I think R.A.B is Regulus Black. his middle name could well be Albert, as he talks of an uncle albert who lent him a bit of gold. another reason i think this is that when cleaning 12 grimmauld place they find an amulet no-one could open, which could well be the stolen horcrux. Plus the letter is addressed to the Dark Lord, the name the death eaters call him.

I still believe Harry is somehow connected to Godric Gryffindor, after all his parents were living in a village called Godrics Hollow...

Bring on the next book already!

That does it: I'm reading the bloody books again. I remember absolutely nothing about any Regulus Black (Weren't the Black's mostly supporters of the Dark Lord?).

Regulus Black became a death eater, but panicked about what he was being asked to do so backed out, and so Voldemort had him killed, or so we're told by sirius. (By the way I've been reading fan sites, i don't know all of this off the top of my head!)

I don't think Harry could be a Horcrux at all.
In both book 5 and 6, Voldemort tried to finish Harry off in the end, if Harry is a Horcrux, and Voldemort indeed had given him a part of his soul, then 1) Why would he want to kill a part of himself, 2) why couldn't he posses Harry in the same way we know he possesses Nagini?
In my eyes it would make no sense at all to willingly give a part of your soul to the only one whom you know could kill you!1) Haven't we already seen the Tom Riddle diary (horcrux #1) used as a weapon (and thus treated as expendable)?

2) First, we don't know whether or not Nagini is a horcrux, so we don't have any firm rules on whether a living horcrux can be possessed. second, I wasn't saying that Voldemort purposefully tried to turn Harry into a Horcrux; I would say that if it is the case, it was an unintended effect. It hasn't really been explained how the love of Harry's mother not only made him immune to V's death curse, but also rebounded back onto V nearly killing him. So I would suggest that perhaps inadvertantly some kind of soul-transfer took place, effectively making Harry a horcrux.

IIRC, V's soul is now supposed to be split into seven. The ones we know of, then, would be 1) Voldemort himself; 2) the Tom Riddle diary (destroyed); 3) the Marvolo ring (destroyed); and 4) the Slytherin locket (stolen by R.A.B, who is perhaps Regulus Black, and who might have secreted it at 12 Grimmauld).

This leaves 3 unknowns. Possibilites are 1) Hufflepuff cup V stole from the old witch; 2 and 3) unnamed artifacts from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor; 4) Nagini; and (I would suggest) 5) Harry Potter.

Oh, and Regulus Black is mentioned a few times in book 6...

@ Bion...

1) As Dumbledore explained in book #6 this was the doing of Lucius Malfoy, who didn't knew what it was he dealt with. Lucius thought Voldemort to be gone for good, and all he really knew was that the diary held the secret of how the chamber of secrets could be opened. Voldemort did not order Malfoy to do what he did, he acted on his own; and it was also explained that if Voldemort had known what malfoy would do, he wouldn't had approved of it.

2) That could be an option. However, we are also told about this special power Harry possesses, which Voldemort knows nothing about - love. And personally I rather believe that it was the love of Harrys mother there made him immune to the spell. Yet again, the fact that some of the Dark Lord's powers were transferred to Harry could prove you right and I wrong.

Olimikrig -

It's part of Dumbledore's argument that V must have several Horcruxes that he can treat them as expendable, as he did with the diary. He makes the point that V had been intending to use it as a weapon at risk to the Horcrux itself, so his original plans for it can't have been far off what Malfoy ended up doing with it.

I think it was suggested Voldemort would have been angry with Malfoy for either not placing the diary carefully enough, or for doing it too soon, since it would be more effective after his return - but it had been intended to be used that way, whether Malfoy was aware of the significance or not.

You're quite right! Just re-read some of the passages, and it's correct that Dumbledore says that it was indeed intended for it to be used as a weapon, but not until much later on.

Sorry, I rushed to conclusions(It happens some times :p ).

No worries, it happens to the best of us :)

[potter nerdism]

here's the passage that constitutes the best evidence I think for the Harry as Horcrux thesis (p 506, US edition):


"The snake?" said Harry, startled. "You can use animals as Horcruxes?"
"Well, it is inadvisable to do so," said Dumbledore, "because to confide a part of your soul to something that can think and move for itself is obviously a very risky business. However, if my calculations are correct, Voldemort was still at least one Horcrux short of his goal of six when he entered your parents' house with the intention of killing you.
"He seems to have reserved the process of making Horcruxes for particularly significant deaths. You would certainly have been that. He believed that in killing you, he was destroying the danger the prophecy had outlined. He believed he was making himself invincible. I am sure that he was intending to make his final Horcrux with your death.
"As we know, he failed. After an interval of some years, however, he used Nagini to kill and old Muggle man, and it might have then occured to him to turn her into his last Horcrux..."Note that 1) he only made Horcruxes with significant deaths, and 2) that he was prepared to make one when with the death of infant Harry. So perhaps he had prepared the spells at that time (maybe having stolen the Gryffindor sword that Dumbledore says is the last remaining artifact of Gryffindor!), but then inadvertantly turned Harry into a Horcrux when the spell backfired. And finally, wouldn't it have been lame to choose Nagini the snake, as he already had a Slytherin object, and the death that would have produced it was an insignificant old Muggle?

Actually, now I like the idea that Gryffindor's sword was recovered after V attempted to kill Potter...

So, finally, my tally of the Horcruxes: 1) Voldemort himself; 2) Tom Riddle's diary (destroyed); 3) Marvolo's ring (destroyed); 4) the Slytherin locket; 5) the Hufflepuff cup; 6) some yet unnamed Ravenclaw object; and 7) Harry Potter.

[/potter nerdism]

The sword is not the only remaining gryffindor artifact, prof D forgot the sorting hat, which was taken off godrics head as sung by the hat itself.

This could be the gryffindor artifact, but i feel Harry potter is also a horcrux, and could possibly think that Dementors will have a big part in the next book, since they suck out someones soul.

Is Harry a horcrux? That would certainly give weight to the persistent rumors that Rowling intends Harry to die in the last book. It would take some wriggling to let him live if he's a horcrux. (It would make a great Daily Prophet headline though: "Chosen One Kills Voldemort, Snape, Self!") The arguments here seem pretty balanced. Personally, I hope Harry and Ginny live happily ever after, but Rowling has proved herself a pretty tough-minded person in these situations.

Which is why I think Dumbledore is dead and gone. Rowling, I believe, is above bringing him back a la Obi-wan Kenobi, where death is merely a bright blue outline. Probably some sort of message or memory, to convince Harry that Snape must be trusted. Snape-as-Hero is the only consistent explanation of his behavior, as several posters have pointed out. Fawlkes has alway shown a partiality to Harry, and he may well not be gone. Draco's unhappy discovery that he has a conscience will be important. But I don't think Slitherin's locket will be found at 12 Grimmauld Place; it's probably in Mundungus Fletcher's briefcase.

Well, number seven will be out in a month or so and we can quit speculating.

Ahhh, but if you go back to Chamber of secrets, Dumbledore makes a point of saying he will never truly leave Hogwarts whilst someone there is loyal to him. In HBP, Harry reaffirms his loyalty to Dumbledore several times, including after his death....

But I think he's dead anyway.

Did Snape have a thing for Lily? She stood up for him, was good at his best subject. Then she goes off with someone he loathes and they have a kid who has her eyes, but the face and attitude of the guy who "took her away".

Well, number seven will be out in a month or so and we can quit speculating. The seventh book is actually being released only a month or so after the sixth book was released? How did they manage that?

I thought she was taking a break for a while?

Cernak, I don't know where you heard that, but it's not true. The seventh book is not scheduled to be released anytime soon. No online retailers even have it available for pre-order yet, and there's no word about it anywhere. And it would make no sense whatsoever to release it so soon after the 6th either. Momentum over several years needs to build before the release of every HP book. People need time to pre-order them, publishers all over the world need time to secure enough copies to meet the demand, translations need to be made, printers need time to print millions of copies, etc.

Off Topic: Wow, look at the new Taluntain. Nice.

[There's a thread to discuss it in SS.] -Tal

[ July 26, 2005, 17:05: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

Just a bit of humor, folks. (He who laughs last has usually had it explained to him.)

Love the new rags, Taluntain.

[ July 29, 2005, 06:36: Message edited by: Cernak ]

The scene of Dumbledore’s death was all very elaborate and ‘played out’ if you know what I mean. Why did Dumbledore freeze Harry when he could have helped him against whoever was on the other side of the door? It seems obvious that Dumbledore froze him there to bear witness but not interfere. This suggests that he knew what was about to happen, and Harry’s being there was completely intentional.

As for Draco, I agree he will play a slightly more substantial part in the final book. He was shaken by his inability to kill Dumbledore, he gave in to his weakness and lowered his wand before Snape killed D. Does this mean he’s finally deciding that following in his father’s footsteps to Azkaban might not be such a good idea? Remember that Draco Idolises his father, and to see him taken to prison was probably a big shock for him. His first reaction was violent- become a death eater and get his revenge. Now he’s had a taste of real evil, and he doesn’t seem to like it much.

In regards to Voldemort using Harry as a Horcrux, I wouldn’t push this idea aside too quickly. Voldemort is a genius and he knows about the prophecy. If he knows Harry is the only one who can kill him, then turning him into a Horcrux induces catch twenty two. He can’t die while Harry is still alive, but Harry can’t kill him if he’s dead. (Personally, I don’t think Harry’s death is too far from the truth- I have my doubts he’ll survive the final book.) In this way, the prophecy is proved right- Harry is the only person with the power to kill Voldemort, by dying. In doing so, he renders Voldemort mortal once more and leaves him open to attack from anywhere.

In regards to Fawkes, in book two, Dumbledore tells Harry that it was his undying loyalty to Dumbledore that summoned him. Could this have something to do with the fact that the line ‘Dumbledore’s man, through and through’ has been repeated several times in this book?

And for the record, I don’t think Dumbledore will come back, but Harry’s desire for revenge will be enflamed anew etc.

That book could have been a *lot* better. There were too many things that were just skimmed over in order to get to the point. Far too many loose things which only showed up when they were immediately relevant to the plot (I mean, come on, what was Crookshanks doing that whole book? And how many Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons did we see? And why precisely was the DA disbanded just as the Dark Lord rises up to start taking over the world? Why were there only Quiddich games when it was against Gryfindor?)

This book could also be called 'Harry Potter and the Raging Hormones' - that was all very badly written. The first time he started wanting to kill people because they were kissing Ginny I thought he was under some kind of spell...

More detail was needed, more using/tying up of loose ends which are no longer strictly relevant to the plot, but interesting to see how they progress anyway.

Bion - about Regulus Black, it's good to see someone else's thought of that, too :D

SPOILERS?? I dunno

If you thought Dumbledore's death was kind of lame, I agree, but if you look at it a different way, it was shocking and blunt. I liked his death and I was angry at Snape, like the author intended. It was just BANG he's dead, so people were shocked. I really wanted Harry to use Avada Kedavra on Snape and Drace when they were running, I'm sure he'd have the willpower to do it now, unlike book #5.

I think what's there is tight and well written, but what's not there--the "loose ends"--is a problem. The book is about 200 pages shorter than "Order of the Pheonix", and lacks the wonderful "asides" that gave such life to the earlier novels. Rowling is perhaps hurrying a bit to "get through", perhaps focussing on other things in her life, as she certainly has every right to do, but in doing so, abandoning the kaleidoscopic life of her great model, Charles Dickens.

I too have to admit some disappointment with this book. Even having avoided spoilers, I found it lacked tension and real surprises.

Interesting speculations about book 7. Can't wait.

It waws... weak..

(So okay I was spoiled byy some jackasses but still)

Some bits werte good, some brilliant, and sopme made me go slihghtly "wtf". I liked Slughorn, and hope we hear more about Blaise Zabini's mother.

I want to strangle that Fernir nbastard... actually, I hope Lupin gets to kill him. Much love for the Lupin/Tonks pairing.

BNo comment ont he Phyl.... err, Horcruxes. Right.

*just spent the last 5 hours reading the book*

Spoilers and ruminations...

This book, much like #3, was setting the scene. A few important things happen, sure, but you can't rush the climax or overstuff it at the expense of long-term storytelling.

My first reaction was "that backstabbing [BLEEP]!", but now, Snape-as-hero is the only explanation which makes much sense to me. His actions and behaviour throughout the book - even to the point of telling the other Death Eaters to leave Harry for Voldemort, that Harry hasn't the will for Unforgivable Curses and must master silent spells - suggest that either Snape had fooled Dumbledore all along, or that it was necessary, as others have said, to convince Voldemort that Snape could be trusted.

I think that Snape's reason for converting was solely to do with Lily and her death as a result of Snape relating the initial prophecy to Voldemort. After all, Voldemort didn't care about killing Lily - he just wanted Harry. The response to being called a coward makes sense as well - if Snape wanted to, he could have taken Harry apart for that comment. Turning your back on Voldemort (presumably for the sake of a woman you cared for and unwittingly endangered) takes stones the size of grapefruits as everyone else in that position ends up dead.

I think there might also be another intended consequence from Dumbledore's death; he died protecting Harry. My gf and I disagree on this one, but I believe that this will come back into play when Harry faces Voldemort. Voldemort made a great song and dance about being able to overcome Harry's protection in book 4; he does not know that Harry was present when Dumbledore was killed, nor that Dumbledore's actions saved Harry.

I'm glad that Harry and Ginny got together, even if it couldn't last. Ditto for Tonks and Lupin - a bit of happiness in a morose ending.

Can't wait to see Fenrir get his... I'm guessing it will be from either Lupin, Mrs Weasley or Fleur.

No comment on the Phyl.... err, Horcruxes.Was thinking the exact same thing when I read it. It's just a matter of easier pronunciation.

Dumbledore will definitely be back...At the end of the book before the funeral, the narrative said a painting of Dumbledore was already in place in the Headmaster's office showing Dumbledore asleep in a chair...All the other paintings can talk, walk, and visit other paintings, Dumbledore will use his to talk to Harry.

Although I like the Harry Horcrux idea, I don't think he is one. If he was, he'd have to die before Voldemort could be killed. It's going to be an object of Griffyndor we haven't seen yet, IMHO.

If Snape is still a "good" guy - I will be blown away. I've never trusted him, never liked him, and Harry should lay him out!!

*SPOILERS*

I just finished the book this wee morning, since I was cheap and waiting for it to be available at the library. ;)

The Harry+Ginny 'romance' is coming across as very contrived. I can understand the newfound feelings when Harry sees her with Dean in the hall. But didn't he sense 'something' during his stay at the Barrows? As for Ron+Hermoine, very disappointing. They may be friends, but could Hermoine really standing being around Ron? He needs to grow up more and get a backbone.

Sevurus Snape was also a disappointment. His actions and reactions are predictable. Why his big blow-up at being called a coward? :hmm: As someone pointed out, he's not emotional until then. Finding out about his Muggle father and Witch mother makes more sense as to why he's Voldemorte's 'favorite'.

I also feel that Harry is one of the horcruxes (or phyl or phylatrecy ;) ).

Overall, there are too many story hooks not explored or explained poorly. I enjoyed it, but I'm left with too many questions. :bad:

SPOILERS *

I, too, just finished this book after taking it out of the library :)

The last line of Kuemper's post sums up my thoughts too. Also, I found this book more predicable than the previous ones. Chapter 1 hints that Snape will betray the Order openly soon. And soon we learn that Draco turned Death Eater is plotting something at school where no bad guys could help him - what else can happen at Hogwarts except danger to Harry (not likely - that's Voldemort's job), and to Dumbledore? Then we get hints of Dumbledore weakening. Anyways...

I agree with Dumbledore continuing to help Harry in some way or another. The phoenix fire around his tomb was suspicious....

I hope Hogwarts remains open for the last book. It's the perfect setting to end the series. I wonder who will head the Slytherin house - Slughorn stays put? And another new Defense against dark arts teacher?

But I can't see how Harry can find the time to study there for his 7th year N.E.W.T's AND track down the Horcruxes and battle Voldemort and his death eaters. It seems like either Rowling will have to rush through the destruction of a few horcruxes, or the book is going to be long long long. Who do you think the two dead characters will be? :p

And some other loose ends.... Agreed with the Half Prince's potions book. Since Harry marked its location, I can see it being used again, and not just for potion lessons. And also agreed with the other DA people... especially Neville and Cho; both were treated in this book like they had served their purpose and aren't important anymore. No more funny Neville moments, nor embarassing ones with Cho. I was disappointed that Firenze didn't play a bigger role, after making such an entrance in the last book. And what about Hermoine and Victor Krum... are they still writing to each other?

And what's with Grawp and the giants? They were shoved into the plot last book but made no immediate impact. We were reminded of them again at the beginning and the end of this book, but nothing more. I bet they'll be back in the last book, with Grawp fighting with the evil giants.... maybe to retrieve one of the horcruxes. Hmm... anyone remember what gift was given to the giants by the death eaters?