Deathly Hallows

Two days it took me again to finish a Harry Potter novel. One of those nights became an all-nighter of reading. I try to tell myself to savor the book and don't finish it within a night. But, there is another voice in my head that says if I don't finish it now, I will be spoiled. I must have feared being spoiled further on this book especially, that I finished it in a night. I was upset with the fact that I ended up downloading the leak on Tuesday, read the first chapters or so, then (stupidly I must admit) read the last chapter thinking that this couldn't possibly be the real book. There was SO much security on this book that it was impossible that the book was released too early, someone got their hands the book early and shared it with everyone. The book seemed to be perfect, as written by JK herself, and come to find out it was. But, even as I read the end of the book, I did find out more about that ending as I read the book. The biggest spoiler was the the location and the people that were introduced, but the main spoiler of Severus Snape, which I will not spoil for anyone. Let's just say it was someone people thought they knew about Snape, but didn't to the extent they did. That's all I'll say. The title of the story did play a very large part of not only the story, but the backstory of one Albus Dumbledore. This book could have very well been "Albus Dumbledore and the Deathly Hallows" as much as HP, but this story is more about Harry than Dumbledore. The book was wonderfully done and played out perfectly. This book did, however, in turn ask some new questions about the series and never fully answered them. We were once again left in a cliffhanger, but this time I know we won't be as left in the dark as we have in the past. It will probably happen that every unanswered question we have about the series will be resolved by Jo herself, either on her site or through another interview; I tend to have faith in that statement. The book was so much full of death it wasn't funny. People tend to come up to me and wonder why I love a children's book so much. I look at them and tell them to read it sometime, since they will figure out that there are so many themes that are not children oriented. Death, true love, betrayal, pain, murder, and loss. Those are things that children will be exposed to (more than others) in their first 10 or so years, but will not have a clear understanding of why it is happening or what it truly is. These books draw more of a teenaged/adult audience than children, but children can read and still enjoy. There were some deaths that I found to be thrown in their as extras. I won't mention who, but it did seem odd that so many had to die when they really shouldn't have. But that's war and there are causalities. The final battle in Hogwarts (which isn't a spoiler, because if you read the chapter titles, you know it happens) was wonderful. It was pulled off perfectly and the final showdown between Voldemort and Harry was perfect as well. The road to the final battle was full of so many twists, turns, and revealed secrets that made it wonderful. Jo is the master of suspense and mystery, and planting everything about this book in the previous six. People will now go back through all six and find every piece of the final story in those books now that they know the ending. Well done Jo, it was almost flawless. However, I do not want it to be over. I want more of the world of Harry Potter. I want to know a History of Hogwarts. I wouldn't mind the book entitled "The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore". An encyclopedia of spells, creatures, and characters would be wonderful as well. But, now I depart. The saga of Harry Potter being complete, I must find something else to fill my time. But, it has been a wonderful journey in the life of the Boy Who Lived, and a fitting end to his journey finally complete. That's all I have to say.

Leaked

Apparently, someone thought it would be funny and leak the latest Harry Potter book online. It doesn't come as a shock to me, since I am used to the internet doing this to me. The thing I found more shocking was the article I read before I found the leak. This Harry Potter phenomenon is out of control. I posted about the latest movie already, but I have to touch on the books. The books are much better than the movies, and those who read the books can agree. So it wasn't a shock that I was, along with many others, more excited to get the book than see the movie. The article I read before I found the leak was about the security on this book. So much security was placed on this book, it would make you think that this book was what was stored in Fort Knox. People watching over the book at all times, and checking to make sure that people weren't leaving the plant with the book. So, it comes to a surprise that Scholastic noted that someone sent the books out three days in advance. Sending something that is so popular in this sense before it is supposed to be released IS NOT A GOOD THING. I have seen the sites. I know of the people who patrol the net. There are people out there who find it so pleasing to ruin something like this for everyone. Therefore, it wasn't a shock that someone posted a picture of every page of the book and sent to everyone who knew where to look. I was just surprised it took this long. I have only read 7 chapters of this leak. I am still skeptical, but it is hard to be when the writing style looks similar, it's laid out the same as every book in the series, and the story sounds reasonable. I don't know, maybe I agree with some conspiracy theories and claims of hoaxes. Little glimmer of hope. Anyway, I still have book 6 to read before I read either this hoax or the real thing. Let us wait til Friday to see.

Order of the Phoenix

Well, I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night and must say "I confess myself disappointed." Don't get me wrong when I say that I love the idea of putting words to visuals in the respect that the novels are being put onto film. But, when you transform a book that was over 850 pages to a movie that was two and quarter hours long, you might have some issues. Order of the Phoenix was the five book and movie in a seven part series. It was one of the more darker books in the series, mainly due to the fact that Harry was being possessed by Lord Voldemort the entire book and Harry never knew it. Also because Harry was very emo the entire book, lashing on everyone he could. It also introduced Dolores Jane Umbridge, the evil dictator-like character from the Ministry of Magic sent to look after Hogwarts. The reason being that the Ministry and most of the wizarding world don't believe Harry and Dumbledore are telling the truth of Voldemort's return at the end of the fourth book. The mood of the book was transformed to the movie somewhat well. Harry was full of angst and anger the entire movie, but it really wasn't evident throughout the entire movie. The movie does play on the aspect of Harry feeling like an outsider and alone throughout the book, but most of all, it wasn't that great. I am one that can split myself into the three types of Harry Potter fans. Those who just read the books, those who just watch the movies, and both. I can make myself look at through the eyes of the latter two types and break down the movie to tell you how much it sucked. Which, it really did. For those on the book and movie side, this movie left you feeling blank. The movie cut out a lot of the more fun parts of the movie and left you feeling like you wanted more. This book was massive and their was a lot of subplots to fill the book, but they really didn't focus on any of them. Quidditch was missing, the house-elves weren't there (with the exception of Kreacher, which is interesting on a whole other level), and Harry's true relationship with Cho was missing. There were mentions of Harry wanting Cho and the other way around, but they never really went into detail of why they were together, the whole torn feeling Cho was feeling for Harry, and their eventually (true) breakup. The Department of Mysteries was nonexistent; there were only apparently two rooms there. Dumbledore's Army was there, but it really wasn't explained how they met (the Galleons Hermione created), the challenges of meeting (like Quidditch and other after-school activities), and the eventual demise (which isn't Cho like they said in the movie). There were some good aspects of the movie. The final battle between the Order and the Death Eaters was definitely worth the money. It definitely a great battle between the sides, especially Voldemort and Dumbledore. On the movie only side, I believe those people were the most confused. The other four movies were up-to-par on advancing the plot of the series well, the first and second being the best. The third was great and the fourth was lacking, but still advanced nonetheless. This movie was too fast, didn't allow anyone to gather any information, and was generally confusing. At the end of the fourth movie, you are never really told that Fudge doesn't believe Harry or Dumbledore. The beginning was ok, advancing somewhat smoothly. The dementor attack, the advance guard, and Grimmauld Place were all there, but never explained on why Harry was moved or even where. I think the most confusing part would be why Harry was having dreams throughout the movie. It was explained a little with Snape in his Occlumency lesson, but never explained after. Dumbledore is nonexistant in this movie, but for the most part he was in the book. The Prophecy of Harry and Voldemort was never explained, so those watching the sixth book are going to start out confused. Sirius dying was kind of anti-climatic, since he wasn't shot with Avada Kedavra, but a stunning/disarming charm. That pretty much gave him a way of "coming back" possible. I am ranting on and on. But, on the whole, this movie was bland. It was too fast, tried to teach you too much, and really didn't explain a lot. I was rather disappointed. So, that's all I have to say though.

Journey Part 3

The Journey continues... very slowly. I am currently on Goblet of Fire Chapter 20. So, instead of reading while I have the chance, I am on Blogger talking about it. I suck. I have been taking a lot of notes on things I've noticed that bug me. Like Bagman having no idea what's going on at the Quidditch World Cup during the Death Eater scare. He is a Ministry Wizard... he should know what's going on. I am losing the contest with my sister. He is up 6 points, I believe. Not too good for me. We have upped the question count to two per chapter. Gives me somewhat of a chance now. 6 days til the movie... 16 til the book. Getting so close I can taste it.