Having finished it again... it's good, at times great, but not the best book in the series, imho.
Legolas Send a noteboard - 26/12/2010 08:19:47 PM
Among the things that I really liked are the references to the earlier books, particularly the first, to show how far Harry's come since then, the Dumbledore backstory, and the character development of the Trio.
On the less positive side, character development for most other characters is limited and I found it odd that one of the major themes of the series, the way the good guys find strength in love and friendship and cooperation against Voldemort's evil mastermind merely using his DEs as pawns, is essentially thrown by the wayside here. Not only do the Trio cut everyone else out of their plans - only partially reversing that decision at the very end - but then Harry decides to go it entirely alone. Understandable considering the circumstances, but it seems to me a climax in which his friends could play a larger role would've been more fitting. And then of course there's the Hallows and particularly the Elder Wand that I don't much like.
In all, it's a mostly satisfying conclusion to the series, which must've been challenging enough, but I don't think it's as good a book as Half-Blood Prince.
On the less positive side, character development for most other characters is limited and I found it odd that one of the major themes of the series, the way the good guys find strength in love and friendship and cooperation against Voldemort's evil mastermind merely using his DEs as pawns, is essentially thrown by the wayside here. Not only do the Trio cut everyone else out of their plans - only partially reversing that decision at the very end - but then Harry decides to go it entirely alone. Understandable considering the circumstances, but it seems to me a climax in which his friends could play a larger role would've been more fitting. And then of course there's the Hallows and particularly the Elder Wand that I don't much like.
In all, it's a mostly satisfying conclusion to the series, which must've been challenging enough, but I don't think it's as good a book as Half-Blood Prince.
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book 7 - The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:47:44 PM
6292 Views
Suggestions - tell us what we could do better for this final discussion.
- 24/11/2010 07:48:22 PM
2568 Views
The series as a whole: overall thoughts about the Harry Potter universe and all it contains
- 24/11/2010 07:49:21 PM
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Overall thoughts for The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:50:12 PM
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This might be the only book other than the first where I actually like Harry.
- 30/11/2010 03:13:25 PM
2549 Views
Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 03:45:24 PM
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Re: Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 10:33:03 PM
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Going all the way back to the beginning in a number of ways, all of them so far excellent.
- 07/12/2010 10:19:33 PM
2758 Views
Having finished it again... it's good, at times great, but not the best book in the series, imho.
- 26/12/2010 08:19:47 PM
2789 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Dark Lord Ascending, In Memorian, The Dursleys Departing.
- 24/11/2010 07:51:29 PM
2706 Views
Characters: Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Harry, Dodge, Dumbledore, Skeeter & the Dursleys
- 24/11/2010 07:52:55 PM
2738 Views
Snape, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Ms Burbage, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys.
- 24/11/2010 11:46:16 PM
2809 Views
Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:44:36 PM
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Re: Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:53:25 PM
2738 Views
As Katie said, the husband is still around.
- 26/11/2010 10:56:30 AM
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Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:47:43 PM
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Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:48:52 PM
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Dudley
- 30/11/2010 03:16:25 PM
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Agreed, but she just went overboard too far early on for it to be credible now.
- 06/12/2010 08:44:48 PM
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Plotting, writing, early themes.
- 24/11/2010 07:53:33 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
- 24/11/2010 07:53:46 PM
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other stuff
- 24/11/2010 11:47:54 PM
2538 Views
I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 25/11/2010 04:26:58 PM
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Re: I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 27/11/2010 01:20:44 AM
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Chapters 4-6: The Seven Potters, The Fallen Warrior, The Ghoul in Pyjamas *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:27:53 PM
1354 Views
Characters: Harry, the Order, Hedwig, Mr & Mrs Tonks, Voldemort, etc
- 26/11/2010 07:29:48 PM
2679 Views
Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 27/11/2010 11:56:17 AM
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Re: Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 30/11/2010 02:52:12 PM
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The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 26/11/2010 07:30:35 PM
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Re: The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 27/11/2010 11:59:36 AM
2897 Views
Yes, Dumbledore gives a very complex answer about the wand thing
- 01/12/2010 08:44:57 PM
2525 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:30:49 PM
1361 Views
Chapters 7-9: The Will of Albus Dumbledore, The Wedding, A Place to Hide
- 29/11/2010 06:39:52 PM
2509 Views
The characters: usual suspects, Scrimgeour, Doge, Krum, Luna, Xenophilius, etc.
- 29/11/2010 06:41:41 PM
2633 Views
I just realized something about Krum.
- 06/12/2010 09:00:28 PM
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The action.
- 29/11/2010 06:42:10 PM
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Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 02:23:51 PM
2535 Views
Re: Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 03:24:06 PM
2613 Views
I think this was a Rowling mistake. It happens
- 01/12/2010 08:32:25 PM
2627 Views
Agreed, though a rather blatant one that someone should have caught... *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:18:58 PM
1307 Views
Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
- 06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
2760 Views
Er, I posted this in the wrong place. That's what I get when I try to catch up.
Sorry. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
1352 Views
Sorry. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
1352 Views
Please, sir, may I have some more? *NM*
- 29/11/2010 06:44:14 PM
1278 Views
I love the use of Patronuses (Patroni?) as messengers.
- 30/11/2010 02:59:04 PM
2607 Views
Chapters 10-12: Kreacher's Tale, The Bribe, Magic is Might
- 01/12/2010 11:41:40 PM
2508 Views
Characters: more of the trio, Kreacher, Mundungus, RAB and Umbridge
- 01/12/2010 11:42:34 PM
2500 Views
Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 02/12/2010 09:11:21 AM
2788 Views
Re: Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 04/12/2010 10:55:34 PM
2829 Views
Seconded. Righteous anger is more fun than whiny angst-anger. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 09:41:16 PM
1295 Views
I'm not sure why we're supposed to be surprised about Scrimgeour.
- 06/12/2010 09:46:27 PM
2823 Views
Two things about Mafalda Hopkirk.
- 06/12/2010 09:54:53 PM
2607 Views
Weaving the plot, the writing, and thematic matters.
- 01/12/2010 11:43:25 PM
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The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 09:14:21 AM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:12:29 PM
2701 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:35:06 PM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 04:16:14 PM
2707 Views
And? And? And? *NM*
- 01/12/2010 11:43:46 PM
1344 Views
Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:21:42 PM
2712 Views
Re: Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:32:17 PM
2591 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, The Thief, The Goblin's Revenge *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:01:25 AM
1467 Views
Characters: Ministry members, the trio, Ted, Dean, Dirk, Goblins, Phineas Nigellus
- 04/12/2010 11:07:57 AM
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Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 04/12/2010 09:59:45 PM
2807 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:41:08 PM
2735 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:45:17 PM
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Plotting, writing, theming.
- 04/12/2010 11:08:47 AM
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Apparating and the fidelius charm, some good plotting and the food problem.
- 04/12/2010 10:01:16 PM
2811 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:10:52 AM
1364 Views
It may be a stretch, but with all the Nazi references, any WW2 reference is gonna catch my eye.
- 06/12/2010 10:09:04 PM
2589 Views
Re: It may be a stretch, but with all the Nazi references, any WW2 reference is gonna catch my eye.
- 06/12/2010 10:17:42 PM
2561 Views
Chapters 16-18: Godric's Hollow, Bathilda's Secret, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
- 06/12/2010 09:57:00 PM
2595 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Bathilda, Dumbledore and others
- 06/12/2010 09:57:52 PM
2752 Views
Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:02:13 PM
2721 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:14:26 PM
2790 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:18:15 PM
2922 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:34:15 PM
2588 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:36:18 PM
2622 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:39:58 PM
2831 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:42:27 PM
2540 Views
I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:47:11 PM
2590 Views
Re: I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:55:54 PM
2552 Views
Lights! Camera! Action!
- 06/12/2010 09:59:52 PM
2569 Views
But wait! There's more!
- 06/12/2010 10:00:34 PM
2572 Views
Chapters 19-21: The Silver Doe, Xenophilius Lovegood, The Tale of the Three Brothers
- 08/12/2010 08:47:04 PM
2609 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lovegood ... and not many more. *NM*
- 08/12/2010 08:49:28 PM
1393 Views
Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 12:01:57 AM
2734 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 03:04:11 PM
2780 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 08:03:05 PM
2665 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 11:48:08 PM
2838 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 08:44:01 PM
2681 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:00:44 PM
2620 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:16:48 PM
2620 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:19:38 PM
2594 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 19/12/2010 06:58:04 PM
2571 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 20/12/2010 09:36:17 AM
2645 Views
What was that again about Hermione not being so good at thinking on her feet?
- 09/12/2010 07:52:23 PM
2598 Views
Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 08/12/2010 08:50:53 PM
2717 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 12:04:37 AM
2645 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 03:25:53 PM
2703 Views
I don't think it works that way. They aren't "used up".
- 09/12/2010 06:52:29 PM
2535 Views
up up down down left right left right b a select start. look at me I have 99 horcruxes!
- 10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
2318 Views
- 10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
2318 Views
They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 06:56:46 PM
2490 Views
Re: They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 11:52:02 PM
2666 Views
Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2653 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2653 Views
Re: Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2765 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2765 Views
Chapters 22-24: The Deathly Hallows, Malfoy Manor, The Wandmaker.
- 10/12/2010 09:11:32 PM
2481 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Malfoys, Dobby, a number of others. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:12:30 PM
1369 Views
Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 10/12/2010 11:23:09 PM
2848 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 08:47:27 PM
2650 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 09:26:58 PM
2853 Views
On a side note about wands
- 14/12/2010 06:05:13 PM
2635 Views
Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2662 Views
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2662 Views
Re: Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2714 Views
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2714 Views
Plot, writing, themes. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:13:37 PM
1342 Views
An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 10/12/2010 11:24:05 PM
2501 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 01:00:38 PM
2699 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 07:32:48 PM
2697 Views
Chapters 25-27: Shell Cottage, Gringotts, The Final Hiding Place
- 13/12/2010 10:03:15 PM
2534 Views
Characters *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:03:29 PM
1316 Views
Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 05:16:51 PM
2701 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:04:09 PM
2669 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:19:04 PM
2759 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
2601 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:45:36 PM
2739 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 03:33:49 PM
2762 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:51 PM
2914 Views
Plot, action, etc. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:02 PM
1297 Views
red herring, fidelius charm information and full circle.
- 14/12/2010 05:17:11 PM
2502 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:23 PM
1228 Views
Film stuff
- 14/12/2010 05:17:18 PM
2555 Views
Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:05:01 PM
2528 Views
Re: Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:09:53 PM
2563 Views
Sometimes Rowling's parallels are far too simplistic and unsophisticated.
- 20/12/2010 03:39:50 PM
2566 Views
Chapters 28-30: The Missing Mirror, The Lost Diadem, The Sacking of Severus Snape *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:20 PM
1350 Views
Characters *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:31 PM
1277 Views
Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 16/12/2010 11:52:46 PM
2827 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 05:16:13 PM
2636 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 11:02:45 PM
2653 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 26/12/2010 08:43:03 PM
2670 Views
Writing, action, plot, theme, yadda yadda yadda. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:04 PM
1322 Views
red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 16/12/2010 11:53:56 PM
2627 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 05:38:46 PM
2602 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 11:06:01 PM
2838 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:25 PM
1337 Views
Chapters 31-33: The Battle for Hogwarts, The Elder Wand, The Prince's Tale
- 19/12/2010 07:56:39 PM
2591 Views
Characters: far too many to mention.
- 19/12/2010 07:58:41 PM
2493 Views
Too many to mention, indeed.
- 20/12/2010 09:30:54 AM
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The action, and plot advancement and completion.
- 19/12/2010 08:00:09 PM
2635 Views
memories, cinematic moments and parallels.
- 20/12/2010 09:32:27 AM
2421 Views
Chapters 34-36: The Forest Again, King's Cross, The Flaw in the Plan
- 20/12/2010 07:31:27 PM
2495 Views
Characters: Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, et al.
- 20/12/2010 07:32:15 PM
2553 Views
Harry, Dumbledore, Neville, the Malfoys, Molly and Voldemort
- 20/12/2010 11:28:19 PM
2663 Views
Tying up the plot.
- 20/12/2010 07:33:00 PM
2506 Views
Narnia, blood, revenge of the downtrodden, sacrifice, plans and souls
- 20/12/2010 11:29:44 PM
2637 Views
Epilogue: the future.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:06 PM
2584 Views

