The HP Reading Challenge… concluded
It has already been one week since I finished the final book in the Harry Potter series (I blazed through Deathly Hallows in two days), and it has taken me about this long to come down from the emotional high.
To bring you up to date, I read back through Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the week leading up to Book 7’s release, literally finishing it on the day before. I then dutifully waited for my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to arrive, as I had ordered it rather than ventured to one of the many midnight release parties, which admittedly sounded like quite a bit of fun. Then, I spend all day Saturday and Sunday reading, more out of my inability to put the book down than anything else.
I will find some time later on to post my full (and spoiler riddled) thoughts on the book, but I wanted to note a few quick impressions first.
- I’m probably going to be saying, “Merlin’s pants!” a lot now.
- I want a T-shirt that says, “Mudblood and proud of it!”
- Luna may very well be my favorite character of the series, but I think Kreacher might have stolen the show in this one.
- Neville is pretty badass, too!
- Yes, I admit it, I teared up for one of the (many) deaths in this book. I won’t say which one yet, but I will say I was surprised both by the death and my reaction to it.
- How old can wizards live anyway?
- I do not envy the screenwriter who has to adapt this sprawling epic if they keep trying to make these movies shorter.
- Though one of the most satisfying ends to a series I can think of, with all the (unavoidable) references and influences via Tolkien, the least J.K. Rowling could do is give us a proper Appendix as well.
And while we are on the subject, I caught Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the IMAX over the weekend. It’s worth it just to see the entire wizard battle in 3-D. As much as I noticed they left out, I am incredibly impressed by how it was adapted. Also, after reading Deathly Hallows, go see it again or see it for the first time if you haven’t already. There are a few references to Book 7 that I’m still trying to figure out whether they were planted by Rowling (well, at least one I know has to have been) or whether they were just happy accidents. Still, there is at least one thing they cut that I am trying to figure out how they’ll get around how it plays into Deathly Hallows. Also, it might not be John Williams, but I love Nicholas Hooper’s score!
I’ll give it a little longer so as not to spoil it for everyone who has not yet finished. Then, I’ll tell you all how I really feel.