Yeah okay - so its popular...... But its the sort of book I've always enjoyed, so bugger the overall mega publicity machine that always surrounds any Harry Potter book - this is one I've wanted to read having read the others.

So far overall impressions are good. I was a little disappointed with the Prisoner of Azkaban and also at times, although not quite as much with the Goblet of Fire (I just found them both a little convoluted at times).
This though seems much better so far, and while it does have some nice twists and turns, you can easily follow them. I suspect even if you haven't read the other books, you could read this as a stand alone and still enjoy it.

But I ain't giving any spoilers for it.

:rofl

I won't give and spoilers. But I loved about 400 pages of it. OK, a spoiler...








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She could have scrapped 200 pages of them sitting in a soggy tent arguing with each other and I really wouldn't have minded.


But I loved how it was all tied up. Even if the last chapter read like bad fanfic :P

I have been visiting Hogwarts since I was 11, and still love the place. That's what I really missed about the last book, the day to day oddities of life at Hogwarts. I did love the bit where McGongagall ran past with some charging desks... I just grinned and thought "classic Harry Potter!" :D

I agree about the lack of Hogwarts in the book Neepster..... I did think it could have easily been brought in earlier because it did lose a little something in the middle of it all.

But overall, I did think it was very neatly tied up and its a shame to think this is indeed the last in the series of books.

What I found interesting is the transition to adult behaviour by the main characters and how that was written, I think I wouldn't mind reading a book by JKR that is written purely for adults, could be a good read!

I liked the book, liked some of the subtle humour that was present, found that (as with the others) some bits got a bit too tangled up ... Mainly the issues of how Harry and Voldemort were connected .. However I would think that was as a result of that issue being a bit convoluted in the other novels as ILMJN has hinted at ..

I think in a way this has been my favourite book of the series!

OK, question for folks ...


I may have missed the answer while reading due to half closed eyes at the end as I battled sleep .. BUT ...

How the HELL did Longbottom end up with the sword of Gryffindor at Hogwarts after it was taken in the bank vault at Gringotts by the goblin?

I guess it was the magical power of the hat that summoned it.... At least that is how I read it, but I admit I did think it was all a bit tenuous at the time.

On reflection (and I do need to read it again, as with any book of this kind) I am disappointed in a couple of areas.
Mostly, the ending pages were too rushed. It would have been nice to find out who was the new headmaster at Hogwarts? Was it someone we knew? That's just an example of a couple of aspects I just felt could have been brought in very readily.

And thinking on it more - I wish they had used Hogwarts and the Forest more. Some of the hiding out using the tent - couldn't they have done some within the forest or nearer Hogwarts? I think it could have been used.

But it didn't detract from the enjoyment of the book, just wondering if it could have been achieved more.

I was pleased to see the humour was kept through the pages! It could have easily been lost.