Sleepy, yet unable to sleep - so I'll chime in with (without bothering to read the posts above):

I'm not entirely sure I needed the epilogue. I like to read and leave my own imagination to come up with an "ending." A bit too much cheese, in my opinion - though I do see new story lines of it. I don't have an inclination to know further, even without the epilogue. I'm sated. Sad, for the many losses (I rung out tears from my eyes until there were no more - the beauty of it being 'that time' while reading this book), but satisfied.

While halfway through the book late this morning, I went to a coffee shop to do a little reading outdoors. Mentioned the part of the book I was at to the quick-reading barista and she complained that the first part was so boring and dreadful.

To which I didn't say, though I felt it then, and believe it still - it was Rowling's intent to leave the reader in a state of emotional drought. To drag the reader through the day-to-day, the loneliness. I think it's brilliant. The first drops of water with Ron's return... it was the real turn of the book. Then cascades of action and character movement, on and on and on.... Wow. And I love Snape, simply, absolutely, love him.

And yeah - epilogue - meh.

I thought the epilogue was somewhat touching. I loved that Harry and Ginny's second son was named Albus Severus. I would have liked to have known more about their lives and the lives of others, but what I really wanted for Harry this entire series was for him to get a happy, normal (for a wizard) life after everything was done. And I got it from the epilogue.

I loved the entire Snape part. I really wanted to hate him when he took George's ear off, but I still clung to a shred of faith that he was good. It wasn't until he ran out of Hogwarts that I expected him to be bad after all.

So many deaths. The part where Hagrid was carrying his body was so moving. I loved how hard everyone fought after they thought Harry was dead. I think Voldemort would have been defeated even if Harry hadn't been there. I also loved that Harry never Avada Kedavra'd anyone. Just not his style. I was disappointed that he used Crucio.

Neville was so fantastic. I'm so glad he got so much glory in this book. It was so appropriate that the final battle happened at Hogwart's. And all the headmaster's cheering. Sigh...

To answer Alex's question...I think she'll leave it alone. I hope she'll leave it alone. She's written other books?

Just finished. Off to bed.

I'll be back when I've gathered some thoughts.

He did not mean to- I think in the memory chapter it refers to him aiming at a DE and missing.

Not that I know of, but if she is a writer and not just a Harry Potter biographer she will. And odds are against them having any great impact on society.

I've not read a spoiler yet, I'm up to chapter 12 and all I can say is, lots of action in the book so far. Lovin it. Back once I've finished.

Done.

I was very, very happy with this one. Erica's explanation of the book helped. I was about to agree with her barista until I read on. I think Rowling did want us to feel it. No doubt about it.

I was glad to read the chapter about Snape. Wonderful. I knew he was good. I just knew it. :)

Poor Fred.

In a way, I'm glad she killed off Hedwig. Now kids won't want owls as pets. the lesson being, don't buy owls... they explode.

So Harry sort of died. Okay, whatever. I'm just glad that the main three weren't killed.

I liked the way that saving Draco helped Harry save himself in the end. Had he finished him off, Mrs. Malfoy may have given it away that he was still alive.

Mrs. Weasley rocks. I can't wait to see that scene in the film.

I also can't wait to see Helena Bonham Carter as Hermionie sneaking into the bank. She could pull that off.

I wanted Umbridge to explode or something. Evil character...

I'm glad Neville didn't die. Grandma rocked, too.

I liked the Epilogue.

All in all, I'm happy with the last book and with the series as a whole. No idea what Harry's doing on the cover of the book. Anyone have any ideas? Where's he looking? Is this as Voldie is hit by his own spell?


This is the fastest that I have read any book. I read all day Sat and Sun. Outside of doing some shopping and laundry and planting cactus, I did nothing else this weekend but Harry Pottering.

The midnight line at Barnes and Noble in Burbank was maddening. I'll discuss it more when I have time to write more.

Long Live Harry Potter!
:)

Great book. I'm still exhausted from the adventure.

I don't know how I am going to get through the movie. Snakes and spiders! OH MY!

I thought that Hagrid was a goner when he was carried off. Loved the ending and the epilogue. I was hoping that there would be nothing left open to carry on the series. But I see it going on and on and on. Adventures of the Potter/Weasley kids for sure.

I heard someone say that it is the scene in the final battle in the Great Hall as Harry is reaching up to take the Elder wand and Voldemort is reaching out as well having just lost the wand.

That's what I figured. I like the cover a lot. Not much given away and NO synopsis on the jacket cover anywhere. I love that. :)