I went with my daughters to get our copies of the latest installment of the Harry Potter franchise - HP and the Deathly Hallows. We got ours at about 12:40AM and went home to read. I instituted a 3AM curfew, so we could all get some rest. We all read, on and off, on Saturday and finished on Sunday.

I was of mixed emotions when I finished the book. I felt as though the ending was to "nicey-nice" and the epilogue was too cliched. I was disappointed that so many possible threads in the series were not followed up on. For example, at the end of Half-Blood Prince when Harry is chasing after Snape and attempting to curse him, Snape flicks his curses aside and repeatedly tells Harry that he must do wordless magic to face Voldemort or any truly powerful wizard. So, since this is included, I thought JKR word definitely follow up on it in Book 7 (but, no).  

Also, so much is made of Lily - her powerful potion-making, her charm, her great spells, and - most importantly - her EYES and how they resemble Harry's. Why no more background on Lily? The only thing we get is Snape's pensieve memories. That "flashback" chapter was powerful, but it seemed a bit cheap to put the entire Snape unrequited love bit into one memory chapter.

As the book has sunk in and I have talked to others about it, I like it more and more. It was brave of JKR to depart from Hogwarts and the school calendar year to go on the Horcrux/Hallows quest. I liked the way it lent focus to Harry and his journey.

OK, here's my list of dislikes followed by likes:

 

Disliked:

* Snape's quick death and his little time in book

* Hagrid was shorted in the book

* Ginny was left out of the fight!

* A bit too much of the traveling campout with the trio

* Needed more info in the epilogue

* the ending was to tidy - I wouldn't have minded if Harry had died. It would have been bold and powerful.

* seemed mean to kill Fred and not kill George too.

* the Gringott's break-in was way too easy.

 

Liked:

* Battle of Hogwarts was OUTSTANDING.

* Dobby's sacrifice made me cry like a baby.

* Loved going to Malfoy mansion

* Ron and the sword scene

* Kreacher becoming good.

* McGonagall kicking a$$

* Molly taking out Bella

* Seven Harry's escape

* Dumbledore family background

* Section with Harry walking to his death with parents, etc. Big time emotional!!!

* Super creepy Nagini in Godric's Hollow section!

* Crazy flying Voldy!

* Seeing the Ravenclaw Common Room

 

I am part way through a reread and, like I said, I am digging it more with time. It will make an AMAZING movie.

 

When it comes down to it, I love the series SO much that it will be very hard for me to dislike the last book. My kids and I have enjoyed this series so much and we have been able to bond with it. Thanks, Jo! You have left us all a great gift. Thanks to you, Harry. I would have killed you, but you deserved a happy ending, mate.

For the love of Merlin's baggy Y fronts - it's been a great ride.