#23 of 52 – 52 Books in 52 Weeks
Of course, it’s all spoilers from here on.
So this is the end.
I really enjoyed the final book in this wonderful series–I’m so glad I finally read it! I think that the quality of Rowling’s writing was the best in this one. My favorite portion, and a part that stayed with me, is near the end when Harry walks into the forest to (what he believes is) his death–this was beautifully written and I had prepared myself to say goodbye to Harry. And then he survives. The Boy Who Lived, and all that. Well done, JKR, well done.
Other random thoughts:
- I was really bummed that Hedwig was killed! And early in the story, too. I knew there was lots of death around the corner after that.
- Which brings me to Dobby! Okay, I never even liked his character throughout the whole series–but when he was killed, I cried. A lot. No really, a lot. Sobbing and weeping over him and I had no idea why. I mean, it was sad and everything, but I just didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did. JKR just wrote the scene so beautifully.
- Snape’s death was so sad, but I was relieved to learn the truth about him. I had had a feeling earlier–maybe in Order of the Phoenix?–that he had been in love with Lily, but I wasn’t sure. It explains his resentment toward Harry throughout the series. And I loved how he was redeemed in the end, after the constant ambiguity surrounding his motives throughout the books.
- I was glad that Percy reconciled with the Weasleys, but thought it was so random that Fred was killed. It wouldn’t have bothered me as much if Percy had died instead.
- Tonks’s and Lupin’s deaths seemed random as well, like a footnote in the story.
- Of course, the epic Battle of Hogwarts was…well…epic. I can’t wait to see that come to life in the movie.
- I loved how Molly was the one to kill Bellatrix.
- Part of me would have been okay with Harry and Voldemort killing each other in the end. I mean, Harry dying and staying dead, that is. That would have seemed more…fitting? I know the fans would have rioted in the streets if JKR had killed off Harry after everything, but the tragedy-loving part of me would have been all right with it. I think.
- I didn’t like the epilogue very much. While I was glad about a happy ending, I didn’t like certain things…
- I really thought Hermione would have made an excellent professor at Hogwarts–stepping into McGonagall’s shoes, maybe. And I read somewhere (possibly on Ravelry) how cool it would have been if Harry had gone on to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. But I was glad to see Neville as a professor.
- And call me insufferable, but I still think Harry and Luna would have made a nice match. Or Harry and Hermione, for that matter! (haha.) I’m just really not a Ginny fan. I’m not sure why.
- I kind of liked the names that Harry and Ginny gave their kids. In theory.
I’m going to say that this series is up there as one of my favorites ever. This was a case where the books lived up to all the hype constantly surrounding them. And I can see myself rereading the books in the future. The movies are a wonderful complement, and I’ll be just as sad when the movies are finished, too. I’m kind of sad that I didn’t jump on the HP bandwagon when the books were first published–I think it would have been nice to be part of that (really large) group who were experiencing them for the first time, in real time. But nevertheless, I’m just happy that I read the books, have seen the films, and am now part of this truly magical world of Harry Potter.
My favorite part of the book was Harry walking through the woods too. That’s the part that made me cry, actually!
I HATED the epilogue. I choose to ignore it for the most part.
Snape is my favorite character in the books because of his characterization in the last few books.
And I loved how Molly was the one who killed Bellatrix and that Neville was the one to kill Nagini.
I didn’t like the scene in the Ministry when they needed to get the locket from Umbridge, and I didn’t like the scene in Gringotts either. Both scenes seemed pretty out there and a little over the top to me. A lot of people didn’t like the chapters the trio spends in the woods, in the tent, but I didn’t mind them much.
In all, like you said, it’s a great book, probably one of my favorites of the series.
I agree with you on most of your points, I think that Harry had to live b/c it resounds her message throughout the book that love and goodness conquer evil – not avoid it entirely – but conquer in the end… if he had died then I don’t think that would have been as strong. I mainly like Ginny/Harry b/c he gets to be in the Weasley family for real
where he belongs 
I wish you had *coughlistenedtomecough* joined the HP fans earlier too… it was extremely fun and exciting waiting for the new books to come out! but better late than never 
Aubrey: oh yeah, Umbridge–I generally don’t like any scenes involving her, ugh. She’s probably the character I hated the most throughout the whole series. I didn’t mind the camping scenes much, either!
kc: I know, I wish I had listened to you sooner, too!
But at least there are two more movies to look forward to!
both the boys commented about what molly said when she battled bellatrix : not my daughter, you bitch! i think that’s the ONLY real swear word in the entire series. and so entirely apropriate.
believe it or not, i think my favorite scene is with the old lady, who was actually the snake. the intense fear through out was incredibly written.
very good, indeed. i miss the feeling that a newone is coming soon.
I never thought of Harry and Luna together, but that does seem really fitting now that you mention it. I don’t really like him with Ginny either. I always saw Ginny with Nevil actually.