Deathly Hallows in Two Days
I just can’t help myself but to give five stars.
And I just can’t believe, either, finishing the last installment of HP series in just two days. Imagine: PDF.
I couldn’t say more but ‘Congrats’ to Rowling…and ‘I love you! See ya soon in London."
So ended her masterpiece, beginning in SS, the one I happened to read eons ago…back there in Nosci. Ah, the memories…I’ve had Potter Fever for the last eight years and it was good bein sick with it. Too much of my HP history. So what can I say ‘at the close’?
Actually, I dunno where to start. Hmm…
*As for the whole book (or PDF, harhar), I can say that it’s fast paced, page turner (or page scroller, harhar), full of action-packed plots and twists and oh…I’m bein cliche. Neways, yeah, I’m imagining the book transformed into a movie a few years from now and I think it might (MIGHT!) garner an Oscar. This is not a hyperbole. DH could make you leap to your wildest imagination: the battle in the air with the seven Potters, the mess at the Weasley-Delacour Nuptial, the trio’s escapade in search for the Horcruxes…OMG…I never thought it would be that exciting.
*Ah yes, everything was dark. There have been a few scenes with someone laughing (ironic to Bella of course). Voldemort lurked everywhere, though he was off havin his own business. Those damn Death Eaters were annoying but what choice they’ve got? Some of them were pure evil. But some were just forced. They’ve taken the Ministry, Hogwarts, Azkaban…the hell, they were such gluttons of dark power.
*Deaths…so many deaths. You’ll get tired of deaths that, somehow, you would no longer mourn for the rest in the end. There were legends behind the falls, and that’s what pleases me. Moddy, sacrificing himself knowing that Voldy would strike him first. Dobby, who had helped the one who freed him one last time. Fred and Lupin and Tonks…well, they were such brave heroes. Et cetera. There were minor characters who died but then, I wonder who among the majors who were said to be the two mains who died. Who’s who?
*In the Order of the Phoenix, I admit that I’ve been bored in the earlier chapters which made the book as thick as that. The real action was in the end and it was depicted well in the movie. In DH, though there were some parts quite boring (explanations and seemed-hopeless-search for Horcruxes), there were also intervals of great adventures that were really satisfying. These might be the breath-taking scenes for the would-be movie: the Seven Potters escape, the pandemonium at Bill and Fleur’s Wedding, the dangerous entrance to the Ministry, the visit in Godric’s Hollow, the disaster at Lovegood residence, the escape from the Malfor Manor, the breaking at Gringgots, and last but not the least, the Battle of Hogwarts.
*Old characters resurfaced. That’s a Rowling style. You must not forget some minor characters mentioned in the books because they might turn important in the end. Griphook - who would have thought he would help Harry steal from Gringgots? Ollivander - who would have thought he would explain to Harry the wonders of wandlore? Gregorovitch - who would have thought that he’s more than just a wandmaker? Grindelwald - who would have thought he had the Elder Wand? the Grey Lady - who would have thought that she’s the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw? OMG! There were a lot. You’ll just get surprised.
*I particularly love the Tale of the Three Brothers, ya know, how they got the amazing Deathly Hallows. It’s cool, the fact that children’s stories conceal secrets that need understanding. Clever. The ‘eye’ symbol of the hallows reminded me of Dan Brown. But then, the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, the Cloak of Invisibility…they were all by J.K. Rowling! I was actually shocked when the meaning behind the symbol was revealed by Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna’s father. Awesome. I wish I was there listening with the trio.
*Wandlore. Why isn’t this ancient branch of magic not taught at Hogwarts? What I mean is…it’s very helpful. After all, wands…wands….wands…everything was about wands.
*At last, the redemption of SNAPE. I kinda predicted it. Somehow, what was explained in the book was plain confirmatory. Though, it exceeds expectations. I never thought that Snape had actually feelings for Lily…and they were best friends…and he swore to protect Harry at all cost. And oh, how much I loved him when everything was clear. Stereotypes, after all, should be disregarded. He’s worth it, one of Harry’s sons named after him.
*And speaking of ALBUS DUMBLEDORE. I kinda hated him at first…like what Harry did feel. Curse Rita Skeeter. All those years, secrets enveloped the great Hogwarts Headmaster. But then, he had reasons behind. O to the M of the G! He also planned everything! It made him the most clever fictional character I’ve ever known…stay away Gandalf! I can’t believe it. I thought Voldy had outwitted him. but it was otherwise. How I envy his friendship with Grindelwald. That was surprising. And oh, the things he left to the trio. It was great knowing the secrets behind those heritage.
*The Battle of Hogwarts, though few people were involved, still equals that of the Battle of Pelennor Fields (LOTR). I’m not being biased. The Battle of Hogwarts was perfect, I mean, being the finale. I wasn’t expecting that the final battle would be in Harry’s school, which he had deserted, along with Ron and Hermione. And whoa, what turmoil was in that school before the battle began.Old characters began showing up…it was like a reunion! I had goosebumps readin that part. McGonnagal was too good bein Hogwarts’ Headmistress, after Severus (though it wasn’t actually revealed in the end). Speaking of her, she stunned me! Yeah, she did kick some ass. That old woman was such a fighter! not to mention the other teachers. Even that clumsy Trelawney…she threw her crystall balls to the Death Eaters (think: bowling). And the ghosts did well too…and Peeves! Those statues surrounding Hogwarts burst to life (like the Fountain of Magical Brethren…unfortunately, not shown in the movie). Students fought too, though some fled to safety. The combined forces of Dumbledores’ Army, Order of the Phoenix, and old Gryffindor Quidditch team! It almost brought me to tears when Percy returned to the good side, so touching. Everything were bein used…Minerva transfigurated the chairs to become armies, and oh, the mandrakes of Prof. Sprout! They’ve got nothing to lose. The centaurs helped, and the house-elves led by Kreacher. Oh…it’s like watching Return of the King…same excitement but another world.
*VOLDEMORT. He was such a MORON! That was one disappointment. I thought he was clever enough. He ended up like a scientist who felt something wrong with his invention. But then it was his tragic flaw. His overconfidence betrayed him. He was too focused for greater power, too silly neglecting some important details. He was an idiot. I admit I felt a small (super duper small) pity for him. He had killed a lot. Good for him. Argh!
*BELLATRIX. She’s an imbecile. Gaga. Lukaret. Whatevs. I just can’t stand with her loyalty to the Dark Lord. They were tortured (at the Malfoy Manor) but, how come she still served him? That’s her tragic flaw: loyalty. Was she in love with Voldy? Argh! Neways, stupid of her to touch Ginny. Molly had enough…finished her off. Applause!
*HERMIONE. She’s damn intelligent…second from Dumbledore at being clever in the book. It’s a fact that her mind always saved the trio. But gee, it was exaggerated in DH.
*RON. At first I hated him. Not because he left his other friends for themselves but because he only mind his stomach. Food! Gee, everyone were on the verge of death and he could still think of food. Nice.
*NEVILLE. He had come out of himself at last. That clumsy, forgetful, Potions-fearing boy had become a valiant warrior, slicing Nagini’s head…sixth Horcrux down. Oh, he became a Herbology professor at last! Was he with Luna?
*THE BOY WHO LIVED. Harry was a Horcrux! Nah…I just pretended bein surprised but I wasn’t. I always knew he was (after HBP)…and I was, somehow, spoiled by some fanfics and rumors in the internet. Harry was just the hero and that’s it. He did his job…though, the 50% of the account should go to Albus. Neways, it was good that everything was clear to him…at least he knew that everyone loved him. Voldy was stupid enough to kill Harry as soon as he surrendered, not thinking that it was his Horcrux whom he destroyed, not the real Harry. That twist was so astonishing. And then Harry sa Dumbledore again…sweet. Actually, I only pitied Voldy because for the very last time, he still couldn’t defeat his nemesis. Duh?! Harry’s the hero…not him.
*THE EPILOGUE. I agree with my friend Thea that the epilogue was good as nothing at all. Though it shows what happened to the main characters nineteen years later, it became a cliffhanger for all of us to know what happened to the other characters. Sighs.
*OF DEATH. Now I know it. The tale of Harry Potter isn’t about the goodie-goodie…the magical ek ek chorva…but rather DEATH itself. J.K. Rowling is wise enough not to explain well how death works in her earlier works because children by then knows only a few of it. And then as the tale grows darker…that’s it. Death has to be revealed. And death is never a bad thing. Rowling would want to express that it is a natural process, an inevitable phenomenon which all of us must accept. It’s like Tolkien saying that death is God’s gift. It’s true. The only way to master death is by being brave enough to face death. That’s what Harry did.*
