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I actually finished HP the sixth yesterday, but didn't get back on the net afterward
I think it is good that the story is maturing as the tale goes on. Some people say this is a children's book. I don't think so, though droves of them no doubt have already read it. It's a book for teens. HP6 isn't really a good story for younger kids, and I don't think it was intended to be. I can't imagine the average ten-year-old boy doing anything, but gnashing his teeth over the many loves of Ron and Harry. Understanding it isn't really a problem, but wanting to read it is a different matter. But those who were kids when the first book came out are getting the story properly (one a year or so), have grown with it and can well appreciate where the gang is in their lives.
Rowling's storytelling is interesting in that it so transparent that it both gives away the main events, if you are paying attention, and makes it easy for you to get wrapped up in one of her numerous red herrings. If you didn't know since HP2 that Harry and Ginny were going to be an item some day, you haven't been paying attention to Rowling's storytelling. Whether or not you think Ginny is, as she's been drawn, a good match for Harry is a matter of taste. (I sort of think she isn't, but I'm not that concerned one way or the other.) I won't tell you what I got confused on in this book, but I doubt I was the only one.
I'm not sure I'm really looking forward to the last book. Harry has some serious growing up to do before he finishes his task. Much of the charm of the series has been the innocence about it, and much of that may have to be put aside in the final book. It could be it's going to continue to be about Harry's personal vengeance, but I hope it isn't. Others have been saying what I've been thinking about the implied possible direction of the next story, so I won't repeat it.
I think it is good that the story is maturing as the tale goes on. Some people say this is a children's book. I don't think so, though droves of them no doubt have already read it. It's a book for teens. HP6 isn't really a good story for younger kids, and I don't think it was intended to be. I can't imagine the average ten-year-old boy doing anything, but gnashing his teeth over the many loves of Ron and Harry. Understanding it isn't really a problem, but wanting to read it is a different matter. But those who were kids when the first book came out are getting the story properly (one a year or so), have grown with it and can well appreciate where the gang is in their lives.
Rowling's storytelling is interesting in that it so transparent that it both gives away the main events, if you are paying attention, and makes it easy for you to get wrapped up in one of her numerous red herrings. If you didn't know since HP2 that Harry and Ginny were going to be an item some day, you haven't been paying attention to Rowling's storytelling. Whether or not you think Ginny is, as she's been drawn, a good match for Harry is a matter of taste. (I sort of think she isn't, but I'm not that concerned one way or the other.) I won't tell you what I got confused on in this book, but I doubt I was the only one.
I'm not sure I'm really looking forward to the last book. Harry has some serious growing up to do before he finishes his task. Much of the charm of the series has been the innocence about it, and much of that may have to be put aside in the final book. It could be it's going to continue to be about Harry's personal vengeance, but I hope it isn't. Others have been saying what I've been thinking about the implied possible direction of the next story, so I won't repeat it.
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From:
Spoilers below
The Ginny/Harry romance didn't surprise me. I've been expecting it for some time, but I'd have to reread the earlier books to know what made me think that. But I do think she's a good partner for him. She's smart, brave, and no-nonsense, and she understands Harry.
I wasn't surprised at the ending - I expected D's death (especially once it was clear his blackened hand wasn't healing and he was so weak in the end) and that Snape would be gone (they never keep the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher beyond a year). And, as mentioned on ATP, the way the book started, with Malfoy's mom forcing Snape to make the Unbreakable Vow, it seemed
pretty clear how it would go in the end.
I agree with some of the other posts on the ATP board about Snape, mainly because I can't believe Rowling would make Dumbledore so wrong about Snape and the situation. I also think there's something to be said about Harry's mom and Snape. And there's something about Alan Rickman - he can play the nastiest bad guy and I still like him! I just looked him up on IMDB and was pleasantly suprised to learn we share the same birthday. ;-)
I liked what Rowlings did with Malfoy. I've always thought of him as a sympathetic character, stuck between what was expected of him and what he really wanted.
What did surprise me was the identity of the half blood prince and that Harry won't be going back to Hogwarts next year since I just assumed all seven books/years would take place at Hogwarts. I'm sure it will still be an important part of the last book and I expect the school to remain open.
I'm both looking forward to and dreading the final book. I know it will be even darker than the last, but I'm hoping for a happy ending.
From:
Spoilers below here, too.
I think the business with Malfoy is also a tip off about Snape. If someone so thoroughly vile and perverse as Draco, can have a decent side, It's believable that Snape is what Dumbledore believed him to be. That and the fact that the one person Harry has always been totally wrong about in books 1-5 is Snape. If it doesn't seem that way in #6, few of us would be shocked if that's how it turns in #7.
I think a happy ending for #7 is more likely than not.