I finished the book around 1am last night. Read a little slower than the night before, but as I stated all day yesterday, I was freaking tired. Anyway, I liked the book. And that's all you get right here because I'm going to be a good boy and use the magic of inviso-text to talk further about the book. So highlight only if you dare to be spoiled!
So... is Snape really evil, or what? I had a good idea it'd be Dumbledore to bite it this book, but I honestly didn't think Snape would the one to do it. And I can't decide if it was a sacrifice, to get Snape truly in amongst the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort's good graces so they'd have no reason to suspect his allegiance, or if he is truly lost. I imagine that's going to be a major plot thread come Book Seven, and it'll inspire a lot of drama on Harry's part. The part that troubles me with working that theory out is the fear that Harry hears in Dumbledore's voice as he "pleads" with Snape at the end. I don't have the book on me but I'm wishing I did so I could scan over JKR's choice of words here again. I remember Dumbledore was saying Snape's name repeatedly. Was Dumbledore intimating to Snape to do it or not to do it? I can't remember what we read of the argument between Snape and Dumbledore either that Hagrid overhears. All passages I'll have to go back and scan. If Snape truly is lost to his evil impulses, then, the message that JKR is relating, that our heroes are fallible and can misplace their allegiances, is suprising and not where I expected her to take us.
However, I think in the end Dumbledore's trust in Snape will be vindicated and Snape will be crucial in aiding Harry's quest. And damn, was Alan Rickman a lucky bastard in landing the role of Snape or what? Snape is far and away the most interesting character of the series for me, his progression from geek tormented by Harry's father and friends as a child to having christened himself the "Half-Blood Prince" and aligned himself with the Death Eaters before but then having become horrified by what that wrought (or not?) to become a sneering teacher and possible double- or triple-agent in the new wizarding war... Snape rocks. Or, sucks reaalllly hard. We'll know next round, I guess.
Had a major-geek moment when Harry and Ginny finally kissed, and found myself tearing up. Lame, I know. I didn't think I'd come to like Ginny so much, but she seems a perfect foil for Harry, strong and smart. So of course, JKR tore them apart in Spider-Man fashion at the end. Still, my geek out at Harry kissing Ginny is NOTHING compared to the unrepressable squeals I will emit when Ron and Hermione kiss. I knew it wouldn't happen here, that's a storyline for the final act, but it will happen and I will freak the fuck out. Because I am, as stated, lame. Anyway, I liked the romantic entanglements the characters dealt with this time around, it was horrifyingly accurate of the way I remember teens dealing with relationships, JKR's got a great gift for capturing the real behaviors and attitudes of kids.
Kids... well, Harry's no boy at the end of this story anymore, if he even has been for awhile. I really got the feeling of his development into a man this time around. Dumbledore allowing Harry to come with him to find the locket springs to mind as a turning of that corner, with people's treatment of Harry getting the idea across that he's not a little boy anymore. All of which will lead us to Book Seven, which I will undoubtedly fly through in another mad two-day read-a-thon of bad sleep and saggy-eyed workdays, and greet the finale with elation followed by the crushing realization it is no more. I hate endings!
Anyway, book's great. I think I liked it more than Order of the Phoenix. Though Goblet of Fire is and always will be my favorite, most likely. Man, I can't wait for that movie this Fall. Saw the preview before Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and got goosebumps.
JKR better hurry up with Book Seven, though, those actors aren't getting any younger. And what's this I hear about Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson dating??? That is so wrong.
So... is Snape really evil, or what? I had a good idea it'd be Dumbledore to bite it this book, but I honestly didn't think Snape would the one to do it. And I can't decide if it was a sacrifice, to get Snape truly in amongst the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort's good graces so they'd have no reason to suspect his allegiance, or if he is truly lost. I imagine that's going to be a major plot thread come Book Seven, and it'll inspire a lot of drama on Harry's part. The part that troubles me with working that theory out is the fear that Harry hears in Dumbledore's voice as he "pleads" with Snape at the end. I don't have the book on me but I'm wishing I did so I could scan over JKR's choice of words here again. I remember Dumbledore was saying Snape's name repeatedly. Was Dumbledore intimating to Snape to do it or not to do it? I can't remember what we read of the argument between Snape and Dumbledore either that Hagrid overhears. All passages I'll have to go back and scan. If Snape truly is lost to his evil impulses, then, the message that JKR is relating, that our heroes are fallible and can misplace their allegiances, is suprising and not where I expected her to take us.
However, I think in the end Dumbledore's trust in Snape will be vindicated and Snape will be crucial in aiding Harry's quest. And damn, was Alan Rickman a lucky bastard in landing the role of Snape or what? Snape is far and away the most interesting character of the series for me, his progression from geek tormented by Harry's father and friends as a child to having christened himself the "Half-Blood Prince" and aligned himself with the Death Eaters before but then having become horrified by what that wrought (or not?) to become a sneering teacher and possible double- or triple-agent in the new wizarding war... Snape rocks. Or, sucks reaalllly hard. We'll know next round, I guess.
Had a major-geek moment when Harry and Ginny finally kissed, and found myself tearing up. Lame, I know. I didn't think I'd come to like Ginny so much, but she seems a perfect foil for Harry, strong and smart. So of course, JKR tore them apart in Spider-Man fashion at the end. Still, my geek out at Harry kissing Ginny is NOTHING compared to the unrepressable squeals I will emit when Ron and Hermione kiss. I knew it wouldn't happen here, that's a storyline for the final act, but it will happen and I will freak the fuck out. Because I am, as stated, lame. Anyway, I liked the romantic entanglements the characters dealt with this time around, it was horrifyingly accurate of the way I remember teens dealing with relationships, JKR's got a great gift for capturing the real behaviors and attitudes of kids.
Kids... well, Harry's no boy at the end of this story anymore, if he even has been for awhile. I really got the feeling of his development into a man this time around. Dumbledore allowing Harry to come with him to find the locket springs to mind as a turning of that corner, with people's treatment of Harry getting the idea across that he's not a little boy anymore. All of which will lead us to Book Seven, which I will undoubtedly fly through in another mad two-day read-a-thon of bad sleep and saggy-eyed workdays, and greet the finale with elation followed by the crushing realization it is no more. I hate endings!
Anyway, book's great. I think I liked it more than Order of the Phoenix. Though Goblet of Fire is and always will be my favorite, most likely. Man, I can't wait for that movie this Fall. Saw the preview before Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and got goosebumps.
JKR better hurry up with Book Seven, though, those actors aren't getting any younger. And what's this I hear about Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson dating??? That is so wrong.
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