Addendum!

[pandonkey]

Oh, yeah! I can't believe I almost forgot this. Overheard in the "computer hardware and software" section of the bookstore last night:

(Five teenage boys approach a shelf, read the subject label, and then announce earnestly:)
"All right, web design! We can make some viruses!"

I almost snorted Mocha-Malt Frappuccino out my nose. I genuinely could not contain my laughter and had to flee to the children's section.


Things I Didn't Like So Much About the Book

• Cho Chang's constant crying -- she seemed like an entirely different character, but I suppose that's just supposed to represent the shallowness of teenage crushes, or some such. Still, she was annoying. She seemed much brighter than that before.
  
• The death of one of my favorite characters, godfreakingdammit.
  
• That it's going to be another how many eons before the 6th one, which only promises /more/ torture.
  

Things I Did Like About the Book

• That it wasn't Ron, Hermione (I knew it wouldn't be, though), Hagrid, Neville, or my beloved Lupin, who is drawn quite ickily in the chapter-header illustrations, I think.
  
• More Ron and Hermione not-quite-flirtation. (I'm boring and like canon.)
  
• Snape getting some fairly interesting fleshing-out as a character.
  
• Harry doubting his sainted father for the first time.
  
• Ginny getting some backbone (although I did feel there was something just a /tinge/ off about it, but I can't put my finger on it).
  
• Neville getting to do something right.
  
• McGonagall vs. Umbridge
  

Comments

[dcsmrgun.livejournal.com]

so much anger in this book. Everyone is yelling at everyone else. And Harry's constant "You don't know what its like to be me!" outbursts.

Having said that its still my 2nd favorite book thusfar :)

Alas, I had similar experiences in my tech section while we were watching the wackos go by.

[pandonkey.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we were just talking about that. Gotta admit that it's authentically teenage behavior, though. ;) Hopefully he'll be over the hormone-hill by the next book... well, or at least a /little/ mellower.

[dcsmrgun.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it is definitely authentic, but some parts of it read like a fanfic instead of JKR's normal work :)

In any event, it was quite good, finished it yesterday :)