OoP thoughts (review)

[Charles Phipps]

No: HPFGUIDX 61727

*spoiler space*
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Well my thoughts on the story are rather widespread and diverse.

The Book overall: This is the Harry Potter book that I enjoyed the 
least out of the series. Mostly because its the License to Kill of 
Harry's Bond series.  Yes the violence and death is no worse really 
than anywhere else in the series but its not interrupted by wonder.

There's no real magical beauties to marvel at with the only one the 
rather morbid subject of death and the Black House which resembles a 
rather nightmarish parody of how evil wizards live. (He even had a 
Sunset boulevard butler!)

Harry furthermore falls into the Dalton syndrome in the fact that the 
entire time he's rogue, arrogant, distrustful, and angry.  I forgave 
him a good deal of it because of horomones but really he was being 
childish.

It seems Snape's prediction came true. The attention of earlier made 
him no longer the unbruisable teflon that had weathered the Dursleys 
for most of his childhood.

Luna Lovegood, Nympha....aside from their Bond girl names (Harry I 
hope becomes a dandy during his sixteenth year-it would be a nice 
change I think) they were some interesting characters. I like Luna 
alot and thought she'd make a nice character for interaction with all 
around.

I didn't dislike the Cho thing falling apart, as an idealized image I 
don't think anyone SUPPORTED a HP/her relationship at 15 forever but 
I would have appreciated more her being developed beyond her crying 
for Celdric.  Thankfully it was nipped in the kabosh.

The plot with the Ministry was quite interesting all round though I 
must say that it stretched credibility just a wee bit. The 1984, 
Torquemada, and other bits made Cornelius Fudge seem like he'd lost 
his mind rather than being a weak minded fool.  The fact he tried to 
ruin harry's life with his trial was another point that was 
absolutely shameful.

I also think that frankly people are (Rowling included) making 
perhaps too much of Sirius, Lupin, and James Potter's actions.  As 
the victem of Snape's like teasing I am not at all surprised.  

1. Hogwart's inter-house rivalry for starters
2. The fact that Snape is a pureblood elitist (James had traumtized 
Sirius and a werewolf friend)
3. The fact that Snape is a student of something offensive
4. The likelihood snape played quidditch and was probably the 
opposite number
5. The unconsious fact that likely James viewed Snape as an enemy to 
his group due to tattling or some other percieved flaw

The fact Sirius and Lupin very nearly killed Snape in their last 
prank was something that no doubt cemented their distaste.  I 
personally think Snape has no reason to still hold a grudge (save 
perhaps against Sirius and Remus) unless there is some deeper grudge 

Such as Lily love but that's unlikely and hints would have been 
dropped by now I think.

More probably I think we're seeing what amounts to a later rivalry if 
I want to be psychological about it. James ended up wealthy, married, 
and beloved in the community after fighting Voldemort with a son. 
Snape seems unmarried (note his treatment of Draco), neither poor nor 
wealthy, without job satisfaction, and despised by most of the 
wizarding community I'd wager.

He is bitter over lacking validation for his own spywork.

In any case I thought the climax was a bit insane.  If I was 
Voldemort I would kill the lot of my followers for gross stupidity.  
I did think the final battle with Dumbledore while not very flash and 
bang was very well done.

In any case I hope we get a bit more mystery and fantasy to lighten 
the dark mood next book. Sixteen is the year when a young mans fancy 
turns to love after all.

I know this as an author-look me up on amazon or barnes :-)

-Charles Phipps