<p>I thought the first two books were boring and contained a number of direct steals from other storys. Hobbits under the hill and Harry under the Staircase. Then I think she made enough money to get some writing assistance and the books got better. The last book makes me think she watched Lord of the Rings too many times (the dead floating under the water) and if Dubledore shows up as a white wizard in the next book.....Does anyone else think that Snape is really a good guy still?</p>
<p>4/5</p>
<p>Postives: Yes, I liked it. The characters are growing up, and it's exciting. Sure, the book might have been a little slow, saving the bulk of the action until the last two or three chapters, but I actually enjoyed reading more about the history of Voldermort and his nasty little family. These sorts of things are what makes the series more complete, in my eyes. I think (hope) that HBP was meant to be a little slower than the rest, perhaps even a little dreary, just to work up to the explosive bang the final book will bring. All the little details and background information we learned in this book will probably be very important for the 7th. It happens to me every time - I ignore certain aspects of previous books, only to realize that I missed a slew of clues and hints that could have helped me predict the plot of the next installment. </p>
<p>Negatives: I was initially not a fan of the pairing in this book. I knew Ron and Hermonie would eventually get together, but I was kinda crossing my fingers that they wouldn't. But, after reading this book, the couple grew on me. I still don't really understand or approve of Harry/Ginny, but we'll see. Except at the end, when Harry told Ginny he couldn't be with her because she would always be in danger, I thought of "Spiderman", and that was kinda strange. Also, the snogging was a little much for me at first, but ended up being kind of cute. </p>
<p>I'm excited for the last book, but too bad we have to wait so long. I too believe Snape is a good guy. I have a theory about why he killed DD..heh</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>Yes: 4.5/5</p>
<p>Then again, maybe I'm just comparing it to the 5th book, which I absolutely hated. I really liked the plot twists of the 6th book, but JKR could have left out some of the romances (Filch and Pince? Get real!). I'm definitely in the Snape-is-still-good club, so I want to see what happens in the 7th book. </p>
<p>Who else can't wait for HP movie #4 in November? It should be the best one yet...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I knew Ron and Hermonie would eventually get together, but I was kinda crossing my fingers that they wouldn't. But, after reading this book, the couple grew on me. I still don't really understand or approve of Harry/Ginny, but we'll see.
[/quote]
101% agreed with you.</p>
<p>warblersrule86
yeah i hope #4 movie doesn't embarrass the #4 book..which was the BEST book out of series so far.</p>
<p>4.5/5</p>
<p>I thought it was all reaaallly good except for the end bit with Harry and Ginny at the funeral. That was just lame.</p>
<p>3.5/5.</p>
<p>I felt this book was too stretched out for marketing purposes. Most of the book had no action in it. The only parts worth even reading was DD and Harry's ventures into memories.</p>
<p>I would give it a 3 out of 5. It was not as good as the other ones. It had something like a "Huck Finn" ending--didn't feel like there was a resolution.</p>
<p>About Ginny: Can someone please explain to me what a "HARD BLAZING LOOK" is like? So far Ive conjured up a rocky face literally with flames sprouting out...</p>
<p>Yeah, the "hard" part gave me some problems too. I think it's just supposed to be an intense that's not soft. Now that was helpful. In other words, not like Hermione's emotionalness, but passionate anyway.</p>
<p>4.5/5</p>
<p>I liked the book because it provided so much background info on Voldemort, which I found fascinating, and gave Snape something to do besides being rude to Harry & Co. </p>
<p>I'm taking off a half a point though, 'cause I LOATHE the word snogging.</p>
<p>WHY ON EARTH DID DUMBLEDORE HAVE TO DIE? What kind of sick and twisted hero's journey is Harry on where everyone in his life leaves him? </p>
<p>This is getting ridiculous. I'm torn to pieces and I'm 19. I can't imagine how a 9 year old would feel...</p>
<p>A 9 year old is going to go into severe depression and end up committing suicide...perhaps?</p>
<p>Well, that's the point. Harry has to deal with his problem and realize that people aren't invincible, even Dumbledore, and people around him are at risk just because some evil guy wants to kill him. And that's what the point of this book was. His life won't always remain friendly and he won't always have someone to guide him.</p>
<p>i think the last book proved that with sirius' death! harry's a bit slow if it took 2 deaths of father figures to figure that out, and that's well.. stupid.</p>
<p>I really didn't enjoy this book as much as the last two. I should have known when I saw that it didn't have as much girth as I anticipated. The fourth is still my favorite. I expected dumbledore's death (Harry has to lose all of his protection, and finish dumbledore alone, blah, blah, blah), so HBP really didn't do anything for me suspense-wise. In the fourth book, I never expected Cedric to die. That book was a kicker.</p>
<p>I am in denial; I refuse to believe that Dumbledore is dead. This is the world of magic; like soap operas, you can never be certain people will never come back. Look at Voldemort. Personally, I feel that Snape told Dumbledore about the unbreakable vow, and the two of them had an arrangement in the event that Snape was ever faced with fulfilling the terms of his vow. Until J.K. Rowling tells me otherwise, I'm going to believe the essence of Dumbledore is living somewhere else. Look at how long Voldemort lived without a body, and Dumbledore is supposed to be more powerful than him. </p>
<p>Anyway, I think Snape's killing Dumbledore would undo the lessons of the first book, where we all thought Snape was some evil person and it turned out he had saved Harry's life and was protecting the stone. It was a valuable lesson about not judging people on appearances but getting to know them first, and what kind of lesson would that be if five years later it turns out, oops, Harry was right the first time. </p>
<p>As the saying goes, de nile ain't just a river in Egypt. :-)</p>
<p>Okay, my theory...</p>
<p>The way I see it, Dumbledore and Snape had an unbreakable vow between them. In the sixth book, we learn that Snape had originally come to Dumbledore when he was still involved with Voldemort. After learning of the prophecy by eavesdropping, Snape tipped Voldie into going after Harry. When Snape returned, declaring that he was no longer on Voldemort's side, Dumbledore agreed to take him in, but under one condition - he needed to make up for what he had done (basically revealing info that led to the death of Harry's parents) and agree to an unbreakable vow that he would protect Harry's life. If Harry died in Snape's presence, Snape would loose his life. We see evidence of this vow when in an earlier book, Snape saves Harry on the quidditch feild, and then again, towards the end of this book, after DD dies, Snape keeps Harry from directing spells towards the death eatters, which could have resulting in immediate death for Harry. </p>
<p>I also believe that DD made snape promise to 'kill' him (I'm not sure he's really dead), perhaps to detour Voldemort. Remember, in the middle of the book, DD and Snape are overheard talking, and Snape keeps telling DD that he doesn't want to do something? I think this was in regards to the staged killing that would soon come.</p>
<p>DD probably asked Snape to look over Draco as well. We all know what happens when you murder someone - DD wanted to keep Draco from experiencing the consequences for such a heartless crime, so he made sure that Snape would 'do it' for him. This act could also increase Voldemort's trust in Snape, which could help in the future.</p>
<p>Okay, I'm done.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>i thought i said not to post long theories. haha. jp. do want you want...but at least say yay or nay...or rate it.</p>
<p>i already rated it. and i know you said no long theories, but the person above me started something similair and i wanted to expand. and i like to ignore requests.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>I'm sorry about my long theory coqui... I couldn't help it. :-) For me to simply give a yea or nay about Harry Potter and leave at that is impossible!</p>
<p>YES.... aside from the raging hormones i give it a 5/5....i thougth it was the best yet</p>
<p>What I really missed was Hermione's cleverness. It seemed she spent the entire book sulking, trying to make Ron jealous, or nagging Harry about his textbook (which she had every right to do). I had a few rough years around those ages where I was all hormones too, so I can see where J.K. Rowling was going with Hermione, but I miss the girl who got Harry through the potions/poisons in the sorcerer's stone, or figured out the basilisk in the chamber of secrets. :-( Because of that, I think I'm downgrading my rating to a 4/5.</p>