pauraque_bk | Radio silence lifts.

Well, I'm done. For some odd reason I actually received the book at about 4pm on the 15th, which happens to be the time it was supposed to be released in the UK. Everybody didn't have that, did they?

I read about two thirds of it last night, and polished it off just now. It didn't feel very long to me. Wasn't, of course, not compared to OotP.

So. *steeples fingers together*

I had a theory that the odd-numbered HP books are quite good, and the even-numbered ones can be done without. I don't think my theory has been disproven.

There were parts of this book that I liked, and lengthy stretches of it that had me either bored silly or squirming uncomfortably. I remember remarking that I knew we'd have some relationship crap in this book, but I held out hope that we wouldn't have to sit through too much of it. Well, we did. I'm sure a certain contingent was thrilled to death -- I was not. Primary problem, I'd say, was that I didn't believe Harry's interest in Ginny for a split second. It came out of flipping nowhere, and there was barely any attempt to make us really *feel* that he felt something for her. Cho was a less likable character, but I *bought* that Harry had a crush on her. More on that in a minute.

You guys know Tonks is my least favorite character, right? And Remus/Tonks my least favorite ship? Yyyyyyeah. Felt a bit slapped in the face by that.

So, obviously I wasn't going to like any of that, that's just me. Other primary problem: What was with the way this book was written? I've never felt more detached from Harry's experience. A few chapters in, I actually thought she was trying to show us how numb Harry was, numb from grief that... well... got a few sentences of lip service, I guess. We clearly miss Sirius more than Harry does, and that surprised the hell out of me. OotP was far more emotionally engaging.

Let's see, what else. I was fairly sure pretty early that Snape was the HBP. The only thing that gave me pause was Hermione's repeated comments that the handwriting looked girly, when Harry's remarked on Snape's handwriting several times in the past and never mentioned any such thing. Let it pass, I guess.

Snape's supposed to be evil then, is he. I've gone on so many times about how utterly *stupid* I thought that outcome would be that it hardly bears repeating. Well, we've got one more book left, maybe something else is going on there.

Well, I said there were parts that I liked. Gotta say I was into the Life of Riddle. I love that stuff. (

aithopa got her wish!) Also, hey, check it out, Draco got to do stuff. About time.

Heh, Peter. Always stay sassy! You're not his servant! Now pour me another drink. I don't know, maybe I was deluding myself, but I really did think he'd have more to do in this book. Throw him a bone, man.

Overall... yeah, no, not really working for me. I was pretty excited in the first few chapters, because it seemed like things were in motion, Draco was kicking ass and taking names, Tony Blair [ETA: Er, John Major?] was there, there was a Slytherin who wasn't unremittingly evil... then, I dunno. Got bogged down. So little going on that made any kind of difference. Like the middle of GoF! When I realized I was three-fourths done, I was like... so, shit's going to *happen* soon, yeah?

Luckily, the last book of the series is odd-numbered.

And now I go to see what the rest of you thought.

ETA 1:49am

I have to say I'm a little stunned that anyone's calling this a brilliantly-written new favorite. I'm also terribly envious. I want to feel squeeful too, dammit. :P

Oh, I almost forgot. Snape Manor? DENIED! *snaps*

ETA 2:07am

The first person on my flist to finish the book appears to have been

lycoris. Just a fun fact to know and tell. You read fast, my dear. :)

ETA 2:31am

Okay. Can't carry on like this. Death of a thousand spoiler cuts. Sleep is necessarzzzzzzzzzzzz