nekare

I've spent a ridiculous time writing this review, mostly because I kept on being distracted by checking the newest wank at F_W and laughing at all those people that actually lit green candles with roses to Snape prvious the release. Er, no offense if anyong who reads this actually did that, it just sounds incredibly hilarious XD (also, it appears that the Harmonians are wanking under flock, isn't it? Too bad, they've always been awfuly entertaining.)

- The first chapter was incredibly creepy. Sure, there was not that much emotional resonance with the murder of what-was-her-name teacher, but it doesn't matter -- it's the tone of the chapter that matters, the way it's just dark and unrepentant and doesn't allow any hope.

- The Trio. I want to draw hearts around them. ♥ ♥ My favorite part of the book was while they were in hiding, apparating desperately with no food and no idea where to go and wanting to throttle each other while they could do nothing to help the crumbling Wizarding world. There was such a sense of isolation and desperation in all that part - it felt war-like, bleak, oppresive, and I loved it. Them being proactive and getting into the Ministry and Gringotts (aw, my ickle little spies, they're so awesome, even if their plans are somewhat dodgy sometimes), it was just so awesome.

Ron leaving broke my heart a bit, but I do think it fits with his character - he's too rash, sometimes, and I'm sure all the time he spent looking for Harry and Hermione were hell on him and his conscience. Besides, his return was so so incredible that I don't mind one bit. The Ron/Hermione, too, was just lovely, very well told, in my opinion. In any way, I just loved how the tension level was so high - it really kept me at the edge of my seat all through it (especially because it was so fast-paced and there was so much action all the time) with my heart beating wildly.

- Remus. I've heard a loooot of criticism about him and while in a way, I agree (he did act in a pretty rotten way) I don't really think it was completely OOC, he's always had a huge inferiority complex and he's never been the charming and saint-like person fanon has made him to be. I dunno, I've always found him very human, and being afraid and wanting to run are very human things to do. In any way, I'm mostly sad that he didn't take his last chance of happiness but well, the Remus/Tonks was treated incredibly badly. I don't really mind it per se, it's just that if they had at least looked happy, it'd made their deaths far more resonant. And really, poor Tonks, she was such an amazing character reduced to a pregnant lady on the sidelines calling out for her runaway husband. Boo. BUT seeing Remus all enchanted with his kid did make up for it a bit. Especially his shouted 'HERE, I HAVE PICTURES!!' XDD In the end, I'm just glad he's happy in the afterlife. He's always been my favorite character, though, and oh, Remus John Lupin, it's been such a ride. ♥

- NEVILLE AND LUNA KICKED ASS. Especially Neville, oh my, he went HARDCORE, YO, and fought Death Eaters with PLANTS. SO MUCH LOVE. ♥ And that's another part of the book I liked - the Battle of Hogwarts, in which everyone was a hero and amazing and McGonagall SICKED DESKS ON THE BAD GUYS and Trelawney THREW MAGIC BALLS ON GREYBACK and Ravenclaw proved to be THE COOLEST HOUSE EVER. I kinda wanted to hit Harry for a while because he wouldn't. remember. about the. diadem. That and him not figuring out Ron and Hermione had gone to the Chamber of Secrets. But all is well. (er, no pun intended?)

- Man, it was a bloodbath! o_O Fred I'm still mourning, Tonks died innecessarily, Lupin was probably intended to die all along although it's still quite tragic and, surprisingly, it was Dobby's burial and his epitaph what made me cry the hardest. Heart-breakening, all of it.

- I'm kinda meh at the whole 'Harry was a Horcrux!' and the 'Snape was in love with Lily!' But I don't mind it that much. I liked Dumbledore's backstory and him and Grindelwald are so very OTP. ABERFORTH FOR THE WIN. AS SO IS GRAN LONGBOTTON.

- All of the mentions of the Marauders were, of course, pure WIN. Sirius and his muggle bikini-clad girls! Lily writing about how Harry had nearly killed the cat! The photo! *happy sigh*

- The Malfoys. People are complaining (but really, when have they not?) about Draco not redeeming himself in the end and blah blah blah. I, for one, found it perfect - The Malfoys are really in just for themselves, and the fact that Lucius and Narcissa really do care about his son more than they do about anything else doesn't negate the fact that they're horrible persons that have killed and maimed and lied. They're pretty selfish, and JKR shows it very well.

- Albus Severus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. *dies laughing* Yes, they are awful, awful names (AS/S, LOL LOL LOL), but really, what can we expect from the woman that decided that Bilius would make a dashing middle name?

(I've heard a lot of complaints about Hugo too -- perphaps it is because it's a rather normal name in here (pronounced uh-go in here, though) and that I know several people named like that (one of them a guy I liked soooo much) that I don't really mind it. I prefer the Spanish pronuntiation, but that's all.)

- The epilogue. Granted, not the best epilogue ever and it rather doesn't fit with the tone of the rest of the book, it's too happy, but let's not forget that it is a kid's book, and it was only fitting that it had a happy ending. So yeah, I'd prefered it if it'd been a bit less fanfic-tastic, but I don't mind it all that much, and really, what matters to me is, the Trio is still together, still best friends, and more than that, they're family now, all of them, and it just makes me incredibly happy. I don't have anything against Ginny, but I do have to admit that her being Harry's free ticket into family bliss was the greatest reason on me not minding Harry/Ginny. Er, yes, I am aware it sounds rotten of me, but I love the Trio best and foremost, they and the Marauders, and if the latter couldn't find happiness in the end, then by God but the Trio is.

So, they still love each other, and that's all that matters. ♥ ♥

Also, and I know no one will care right now but no matter, I've made my peace with OotP. I truly liked it this time around, it's quite complex and creepy.