HBP - first impressions

[Barry Arrowsmith]

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Firstly - Bugger.
Bugger bugger bugger.
The fans have been running round in circles and vanishing up orifices  
again.
Felix Felicitas - not a person at all,
The leonine character - nothing to do with GG, it's another scummy  
politician!
No  cull of the Weasleys; ah, well - maybe next time.
Sevvy is HBP! That's going a bit far - credulity stretched somewhat  
there.
And ole Snapey gets the DADA job - for  less than the standard year.

Apart from serious outbreaks of totally unnecessary slushiness (Jo  
seems determined to pair absolutely *everybody* off - even Filch and  
Pince), this one is the best in the series so far IMO. Opening  
chapter totally unexpected but strangely believable when recalling  
some of the oddballs that have lurked around 10  Downing Street in  
the past few years.

Lots of deaths off-stage providing a very dark atmosphere, almost  
brooding, a touch of the old Lovecraft unspeakables in the cave  
(liked Harry trying to revive DD with corpse soup) - though the whole  
was leavened with some nice humorous touches. Enjoyed the female  
bitchiness - reminds me of a dept. I used to run. Children's book? I  
bet there'll be many that don't think so.

Haven't changed my opinion of Snape - he's still anti-Voldy, I think.
RAB? Yep. Agree with mooseming - Regulus is favourite for that slot.
Harry as Horcrux looks good too - it keeps Possession Theory on the  
boil.

(Carry over from previous post - sort of - plurals: Patroni - as with  
hippopotami and shouldn't Horcruxes be Horcruces? Yes, pedantry lurks  
here. Perhaps Jo doesn't think that kids get a decent education these  
days.)

There were little bits and pieces that seemed to modify or qualify  
statements that have appeared in previous volumes - must re-check.  
And there's  that very devious plot twist to nail down that had Jo  
chortling to herself.
Need a re-read. Sort out a few details, make sure I haven't misread  
something.
When the golf has finished.

Kneasy