HBP

[rynne]

So I got to Barnes and Noble in time to be in the "first fifty to get the book" slot, managed to be one of the first ten to actually buy it, and was home and reading it at 12:10.


Basic reaction after having finished it: YES. I liked it so much better than OotP. SO MUCH. There were some things I didn't like, of course--okay, what was the point of that Remus/Tonks bit? Oh well, at least it wasn't that bad, and I can still console myself with a past R/S relationship--but on the whole, whee!

The first half was a bit...hmmm, I dunno, blah. But the second half more than made up for it, and this book has exceeded my expectations. (Which weren't all that high, considering the spoilers I've read and my...lukewarm reaction to OotP, but still. Good book.)

A few things concerning ships: I'm glad Ron and Hermione didn't obviously get together in this book (or at least not until the very end...must reread that bit). Means they'll probably be together in book seven, and since it's so late in the series, I think it's entirely possible they stay together through the end. And Harry/Ginny...I'm just as satisfied with that, and how it didn't really end but was more put on hold because Harry doesn't want her hurt...it's definitely something that'll have to be resolved by the end of book seven. Ron/Lavender had about the same effect on me as it did on Hermione, but I think that was what JKR was going for, so that's all right. Bill/Fleur...I'm glad Fleur still wanted to marry Bill, scars and all. Go Fleur! As for Remus/Tonks...I'm sure there will be a resolution of some sort in book seven, and until then, I'm withholding judgment. What I'm really not looking forward to is what the CS R/S-ers will be doing, and that blasted R/T vs R/S debate thread...bah. I'm tempted to follow ceilidh and resign from modding VENOM, but I'll stick on.

Now for more general things...dammit, I don't like Snape! Why did he have to be the Half-Blood Prince? I do feel a bit sorry for him, though...I know that none of the characters themselves are supposed to know about what his Unbreakable Vow consisted of, so they think he killed Dumbledore because he really was a Death Eater, and I bet things really won't be pleasant for him the next time he encounters an Order member, and I don't think he deserves that. So, even though I don't like him, I feel sorry for him. And I bet he dies next book.

Speaking of Snape...I think "There's no need to call me 'sir', Professor" is my favorite line in that whole book. Harry, I love you. BEST LINE EVER. I don't care that you did get detention for it, that was a brilliant response.

Also, speaking of Snape and giving Harry detention...dude, Harry's been on the Quidditch team for six years, Gryffindor has gotten to the championship match all of those years except when there was no Quidditch, and Harry's only made it to one. One. Geez.

And Dumbledore, you have redeemed yourself in my eyes. I didn't like you much in OotP--then again, I didn't like anyone much in OotP (aside from Remus, who was barely there)--but when you realized that Harry being informed was a good thing, and then worked to inform him, I liked you better. Especially when you gave him responsibility and let him live up to it, and go with you to find that fake Horcrux.

I never considered that Hogwarts would be closed for seventh year...if it really happens, that will be interesting.

BOOK SEVEN PREDICTION: R.A.B. is Regulus Black.

There's probably other things, but I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

*wants book seven right now OMG*

Comments

[moony]

I actually thought the Tonks/Remus was sweet. I can still see the R/S (omg, the Christmas bit with that Celestina Warbeck song playing?) but the T/R could be very nice, if done right. Poor Remus, he does need someone. She is quite young, though - he has a point.

And I thought the same thing about RAB - Regulus Black. :->

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

I loved it. Thought it was great.

Yeah, there were a few things I didn't like but ot of everything else, this book has made me like Snape. He's just so wonderfully complicated.

I think "There's no need to call me 'sir', Professor" is my favorite line in that whole book. Harry, I love you. BEST LINE EVER. I don't care that you did get detention for it, that was a brilliant response.
That line made me laugh out loud. I also adore it.

I loved Dumbledore in this book, also. I almost cried at the end.

Dude, I agree entirely about RAB. Is so Regulus.

Overall, I think I really liked this book. And I can't wait for all the great fic that is going to be written about it.

[foresteyes.livejournal.com]

See, I looked at the Remus/Tonks as... Tonks wants Remus, Remus keeps getting cornered by her but doesn't have the nerve to tell her that he's gay because he doesn't want to break her heart. She finally gets him in her grasp and holds onto his hand at the end of the book. Remus is very upset.

[arislanchan.livejournal.com]

Yes!

I loved this book. <3 Wandered over to FAP, already the "It reads like bad fanfiction!" "I'm so disappointed!" comments have started, just like after OotP. :P

But...wow, it was great. And you're right, RAB is SO Regulus.

...the Wotcher Wolvie shippers are going to be insufferable.

[marauderthesn.livejournal.com]

If we treat them with courtesy, the Wotcher Wolvie shippers won't be able to be insufferable without sounding like a bunch of jerks. *grins* I can accept Remus/Tonks if my shipping of Remus/Sirius isn't insulted (which it will be, by someone).

[adrenya.livejournal.com]

RAB, totally Regulus!

[dreamingreader.livejournal.com]

I feel so bad. I...was a little weirded out by the book. There was no subtlety at all. No elusive hints, no real aura of mystery. But then again, maybe I expected too much.

[adolph-loos.livejournal.com]

I realized my love for Dumbledore during the potion-drink. Then, twenty pages later, he died. I remained in denial til the book ended.

"There's no need to call me 'sir', Professor" is my favorite line in that whole book. Harry, I love you. BEST LINE EVER. I don't care that you did get detention for it, that was a brilliant response.

I KNOW. I was howling on that.

[notions.livejournal.com]

AHH. I totally want book 7 as well - I cant picture it not at Hogwarts though. Aside from the whole Voldemort-isnt-dead thing, the end of HBP seemed a bit to me like it could have been the end of the series.

Totally with you about Dumbledore. I was finally like, dude, he's a good guy - talking to Harry, treating him more as an equal - and then he had to go and die. alkdhf. I *just* finished and mostly, my reaction is muuuuuuuush.

I could not believe the Remus/Tonks though - I'm eager to read the 7th book and (hopefully) hear a better explanation, and finally see the R/Hr that has been threatening to happen since the first book!

[marauderthesn.livejournal.com]

Sorry for being thick, but...I thought Snape really was a Death Eater. However, I finished it really late last night...this morning...*yawns*

Remus/Tonks had better develop a lot better than it has so far. I'm still shipping Remus/Sirius to the end and beyond, because I don't think there's any reason to think that Remus/Tonks started before Sirius's death.

You have my deepest respect for being a V.E.N.O.M. mod. I know I couldn't do it.

[ladylestat.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I don't like Snape either. I was really disappointed when I read that he was the HBP. Hmmppph. I don't like the shipping in this book either. I was really sad about Dumbledore. I hope it wouldn't happen but it did -- and even in that WAY - pleading, weakened, with Snape AK-ing him with the hatred and revulsion in his face. Waah.

I still want Book 7 to be set in Hogwarts though.