juushika

I just finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. What follows are therefore my first incoherent thoughts and immediate impressions. SPOILERS, OH SO MANY SPOILERS.

Regarding Snape: I was surprised she left all this to the very end, and I was also surprised by how accurately, I mean word for word accurately, fandom predicted Snape's case. His love for Lily, his bargain with Dumbledore re: the latter's death, the fact that he provided the final secret for killing Voldemort, etc. I predicted some of this, and fandom definitely predicted all the rest and more. That chapter of Snape's memories read like a hundred pieces of various fanfiction. We are, on the whole, one clever fandom. ^_^
Regarding R.A.B.: Likewise as with Snape insofar as fandom's predictions went for both RAB's identify and the locket, as well as Kreacher having a connection to the locket. Some of it was pretty obvious, but still. I give JRK major major points for: Kreacher's "sacrifice" make him an enduring character, RAB's cleverness in learning about the locket by his command to Kreacher , and the very real, selfless sacrifice that RAB made in order to get the locket. His own death sealed it for me—I came out loving two characters I never knew I'd love: a crazy filthy house elf and a faceless dead boy.
Regarding Horcruxes: Did these seem to constantly, confusingly grow in number to anyone else? Voldemort's soul was all over the goddamned place. The diary and the ring, of course, but...
Slytherin's Locket: Wonderfully paced in terms of character development (re: Kreacher and RAB, as discussed, as well as Ron and Snape) and plot (giving earlier part of story a sense of direction but also showing difficulty of task, clues about doe patronus, etc); wanted to smack them upside their heads for wearing the thing. This one was predictable.
Hufflepuff's Cup: The break into Gringotts was an exciting bit of adventure but didn't really stand out as a great part of the whole book. I wish we knew more about the destruction of the cup, but mostly I wish we saw more of Ron and Hermione in this book. It surprised me that the Gringotts scene makes up the British cover... doesn't seem major enough to warrant it, yanno? Wish this had had more to do with the overall plot.
Ravenclaw's Tiara: I know why Voldemort expected them to go to Ravenclaw tower, but I don't know why didn't guard the Room of Requirement. Hell, I don't know why he didn't know others knew about the RoR. After all, it was filled with other people's discarded junk, the silly boy. I liked the involvement with Draco in this section, and wish we had seen more of it in the rest of the book.
Harry Potter: Predictable! Confusing! Weird! but probably necessary, because of the prophecy and because of the... gravity of the book. I think I'll have better and more coherent opinions of this after a second readthough, but I can't say I was... won over by it.
Nagini: How did we end up with eight pieces? How do Horcruxes get created on accident? What's an accidental horcrux like? But all in all, Nagini was pretty predictable as one, though I don't think she should have been one. However, it was all worth it to see Neville have his great moment. ^_^
Regarding the Deathly Hollows: It surprised me that this was a series of things rather than, as I expected, a place. I think it was interesting that it was introduced so late and mattered so little to Voldemort, even if it did have a big impact on Harry's story. It nicely complicated the shining figure of Dumbledore, which was necessary, but it still seemed a bit rushed. However, as far as drawing the line between Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Harry as characters, it was wonderful and essential. The chapter containing Harry's conversations with Griphook and Ollivander was one of my favorite chapters in the book. It was great to see him mature as a character—moreover, as a person.
Deaths:
Hedwig, Moody, and Dobby: I know why—because it fit into the plot easily and had wonderful emotional appeal. But seriously. JKR is one coldhearted bitch. I fully applaud it, but still. These were miserable, heart-wrenching deaths. Wonderfully done, but very, very cruel.
Ted Tonks: I think little sideline deaths like this, as well as seeing character like Dean Thomas on the run, helped show the wide-reaching impact of Voldemort's plans. They were just familiar enough to make us know who they were and just distant enough that they represented... everyone. Wonderful choices.
Fred: Called it! Wish I hadn't, because that was pretty miserable. However, it would have been more effective if we had seen more of George afterward ... killing just one twin is so cruel, and she should have capitalized on that. Oh, and bravo to Molly Weasley for taking her stand afterward.
Remus and Tonks: Too quick, not enough after effect, and just plan miserable. Necessary. Could have been used to better dramatic force. Left me feeling a bit empty, but that was, I will admit, in the awful broken-hearted "how could they?" way.
Snape: Predictable! And awful. See: Regarding Snape.
Harry: You'll have to come back to me on this one.
Voldemort: Effective. Again I'll need to reread, but Harry's conversation with him beforehand showed a lot of maturation as character, and by this time we could really sense Voldemort's own weaknesses come crashing down in the form of his defeat. Well paced, aptly dramatic, but I think it'll get better upon reread.
Other Various Thoughts:
Favorite Characters: Harry, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and at the very end, Snape. Oh, and Kreacher! Kudos to JKR for making Dumbledore complex and faulted, and for giving Voldemort failures to go with his power (oh, if he only had a brain...).
Least Favorite Characters: Ron you are an arse. Lovable, but still an arse. Griphook gives a bad name to goblins everywhere. Still disliked Hagrid as much as ever.
Favorite Part: Hermione's super magic bag of all things. Seriously. She was wonderful, and that bag was brilliant.
Least Favorite Part: The epilogue! Oversimplified! Cliche! Normal! Boring! Had no emotional import. The continued existence of the houses really bugs me—they've caused unnecessary enmity and harm. Skimmed over everything, didn't delve into characters, didn't look out for cyclical dark lords (which seems a real threat, looking at their history). Just awful bad and icky.
Things I wish were different: More from the Slytherins, or at least more emphasis and better resolutions regarding the Malfoys. Also, I really wanted the Sorting Hat to be irreparable. I wanted to see the houses disbanded.
Percy: Called it! The coming back, at least. Tying him to in Fred's death was drama and heartstrings pulling enough in that department, I suppose.
I loved the tone, the darkness, and the deaths in this story. I wish we had seen more of the overall battle and the actions of Hermione and Ron in particular at the end of the book. I will need to reread Harry's ... death scenes a time or two in order to really figure out what I think of them. The pacing was good. No one writes canon like the author... the characters and plot were utterly believable, especially coming from Rowling herself. There was a little too much going on at once (Dumbledore's backstory, the Horcruxes, the Hallows), but she juggled it well enough.
All in all:I loved the book. ^_^ It was a joy to read and will be a joy to reread, and I am satisfied in very many ways. The book built up to a lot and delivered a lot. It was atmospheric, went in no-holds-barred, and took on a lot and managed it well. Loved it. Recommend it. Look forward to rereading and really learning it.