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

[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 :)