HBP

[emmagrant01]

I read it! I spent the whole day reading it. Wow, wow, wow.



I haven't read anyone else's comments yet, on purpose. I wanted to write down my own thoughts before hearing what other people have thought. As a caveat, this is literally my impression after a first reading, and my ideas will probably continue to evolve. Feel free to comment, disagree, and so on as you like. This review will focus on two things: my thoughts about the book itself, and how it affects my view of the fandom, especially the slashy side.

I had the weirdest feeling that I was reading fan fiction the entire time I was reading the book -- very well-plotted, well-written gen fan fiction, but fan fiction nonetheless. This just goes to show 1) how many truly talented fanfic writers there are out there, and 2) how much fan fiction means to me as a HP fan.

I don't feel like this book added very much to the HP universe. It wasn't as ground-shaking a read as any of the other books have been for me. I was impressed by two new additions to the magic: non-verbal spell-casting (which explains why the adults in the films spend so much time waving their wands and getting nice results with no spells) and apparition. I was disappointed with the way apparition played out, though, I have to say. I thought it would be better explained than it was. It felt like JKR just sort of waved her hands at it because she had to. But other than that, I'm not sure what this book really added to the magic of the universe.

I guess my general reaction to the book is one of acceptance. We're on the downhill slide of this story, and the plot lines are going to be wrapped up. I almost dread the last book now. But I have to say it felt like not a lot happened in this book. It felt so slow-paced compared to the others. The whole point seemed to be to give Harry and Dumbledore a chance to rebuild their relationship before Dumbledore was inevitably bumped off. But more on that later.

Harry: He certainly grew up a lot ofter OOTP, didn't he? He was almost a different character altogether. It was definitely time for him to start acting like an adult, but I wish we could have seen a bit more of that transformation. Only a few weeks passed between the books, but Harry had transformed. Perhaps people really do change that quickly, but it seemed a little much to me.

Ron/Lavender & Ron/Hermione: Can I just say that I love horn-dog Ron? Man, when he decided it was time to get some sexual experience, he just went out and got it. I adored the scenes about his schmoopy relationship with Lavender! It's like JKR was making fun of every bad fic on FFN. I also like the fact that he and Hermione dated other people, because it adds something to their relationship.

Harry/Ginny: I've seriously been rooting for this pairing ever since CoS. So, so happy to see it appear here. I love Harry and Ginny together -- they're so very well matched. Harry even says it at the end. He knows Ginny will understand why he has to go, and she does. That was an interesting gesture, and I doubt their relationship is really over.

Draco: I was enraptured by Draco in this fic! All of his sneaking around and angsting about what he had to do were, frankly, a fangirl's dream. This has to be the slashiest Harry/Draco book yet. I mean, hell -- Harry even admits to obsesssing over Draco! The moment Moaning Myrtle said a boy would come to the bathroom and cry to her, I knew it had to be Draco, and it totally blew my mind. And Draco tries to kill Dumbledore and can't! He's even on the verge of accepting Dumbledore's offer before the DEs come out. I was like, "Hello, when did JKR start writing fanon!Draco?" He just needed to be gay and it would have been the cherry on top! So, so much potential for H/D slash here.

I should say that I spent a good chunk of this book convinced that Draco was a werewolf, and that was what he had been up to. I was relieved it didn't turn out that way, but I'm still suspicious. There were too many physical symptoms described, and the moon was definitely not full when he escaped with Snape into the forest. I'm just sayin'.

Oh, and the dark curse Harry cast at Draco in the bathroom! Harry's sense of horror and remorse at what he had done really spoke volumes to me, not so much about H/D, but about who Harry really is deep down. He couldn't even cast a crucio at Bellatrix in book 5 because he doesn't have that much hate in him, so it shouldn't be surprising that he instantly regrets what he's done to Draco. Of course, he forgets it pretty quickly and becomes self-centered again, but still. That was a very cool moment! I was surprised that there wasn't more vitriole from Snape at that. He really seemed to believe that Harry didn't mean to hurt Draco.

sistermagpie has a fantastic essay about Draco's role in the book here.

Snape: Dear GOD, the potential for Snape/Draco slash! Snape taking a frickin' oath to protect Draco at all costs, knowing that it meant he would have to kill Dumbledore? JKR has handed us that one on a silver fucking platter. I'm not really a Snarry fan, so I have no idea how this book affects those folks. I'm so completely intrigued by the role Snape is going to play in the last book. I also like the fact that he has Draco with him wherever he is and has Draco's trust. I really, really want Draco to be redeemed, and though I doubt I'll get it, the book at least leaves that possibility open. Oh, and Snape being the one who revealed the prophecy to Voldemort? Oooooooh.

And Snape is the half-blood prince? I thought about that early on, but the date of the book threw me off. Very clever... Oh, and I thought Snape was pureblood, but apparently his father was a Muggle? I thought I remembered something about the Snape family being very old, from the tapestry at 12 Grimmauld Place. Need to re-read OOTP still.

jedirita mentioned the irony of Snape and Harry bonding through the book. That seems like an Snarry shipper's dream, doesn't it? ;-)

Lupin/Tonks: That was entirely unnecessary, and seemed to be a deliberate dig at the Sirius/Remus shippers. Or is it just me?

Blaise Zabini: Is black and extremely good-looking. Oh, let the Draco/Blaise fic fly! And why does Blaise being black bother some people?

Dumbledore: This character is such an enigma, and I wonder if we'll learn more about him. Even though I stayed away from spoilers, I knew he would die in this book, because he HAD to. It's Joseph Campbell all over again: the wise mentor has to die before the hero finishes the journey, because the journey is ultimately something that the hero must undertake alone. I was really intrigued by what Dumbledore suffered while drinking the green potion, too. And I was also intrigued by his bond with Snape. I really, really hope we learn what that is.

R. A. B.: Regulus A. Black. Duh?

Okay, and what does the new book mean for fan fic and slash fandom? It means whatever the fuck we want it to mean. I'm sure there'll be a chorus of "Oh, all these fics are AU now, boo hoo!" But they were always going to be. It doesn't affect STG or LMH for me. It will probably affect what I write in the future, but I really don't see that any doors have been closed as a result of this book. At least, none of the doors I care about have been closed, and a couple of new ones have been opened.

The biggest impact I see on the fandom is the hint that the seventh book may not take place at Hogwarts. Which makes post-Hogwarts H/D fic SO fucking awesome! I mean, think of the possibilities! But I know Hogwarts-based fic is really popular, and I'm sure this will have an impact on that genre of fic. Of course, there are so many opportunities for shippy fic from this book. The sheer amount of sex one could write set in HBP is mind-boggling!



Edit: more thoughts, the morning after

Reading other people's comments has been a lot of fun, and it's got me thinking more about certain parts of the story. I really need to read it again, but I'm thinking of re-reading GOF and OOTP first.

On Harry/Ginny: The Harry/Hermione folks are being particularly snarky about this one. I've seen a few posts that say that H/G makes no sense because it seemed to come from out of the blue. Well, I don't think it did, actually, because JKR's been hinting at it for a while. But it's certainly true that Harry didn't realize it until he saw Ginny kissing Dean. And that's completely realistic! It happens very often that people suddenly realize their attraction for someone they've known for a while. In fact, that's true of me and my husband, and of my sister and her husband. It comes across as sour grapes, IMO. Just grab that life preserver folks, K?

Snape is a good guy: I was really surprised to read that so many people aren't sure that Snape is a good guy. It was so completely obvious to me that he was following Dumbledore's wishes at the end! But other people have explained this much more eloquently than I ever could. I particularly like jedirita's post on the topic (see link below). And maeglinyedi has a fascinating theory that it will be Snape who kills Voldemort, not Harry (Part 1, part 2). It's a really, really interesting thought.

Lupin/Tonks: While very sweet, it still seemed a bit superfluous to me. But I really do like the arguments people are making for this being something Remus really needs. I'm still thinking something more was going on with Tonks, though. She wasn't just lovesick.

Is Draco a werewolf? There were so many hints dropped about Draco, and they reminded me a lot of the ones that were dropped in POA about Lupin. I have a hard time believing that just his task would have taken such a huge physical toll on him. Maybe it would, but the intertwining of werewolf hints and Draco's story set me on edge. Even for his obsession, Harry missed a lot of what was happening with Draco. Does Draco have a dark mark, or was that wound on his arm something else? Why was his mother so afraid for his life that she begged Snape to intervene? It seems like there's more going on there than was shown. I'll have to think about it some more.

Blue-ghostie!Dumbledore: The portrait of Dumbledore appearing in the headmaster's office got me wondering how much we will see of Dumbledore in the last book. Is he going to advise Harry like Obi-Wan advises Luke? The portraits in Dumbledore's office seem to be very special ones, after all. And it was interesting that Dumbledore's portrait was asleep when McGonagall was questioning Harry. Was he pretending? I'm thinking yes. It was too soon for Harry to face talking to him in a portrait.

Voldemort's redneck roots: Did anybody else hear the theme from Deliverance playing during that memory of Voldemort's grandfather? Holy fuck. This is why we don't marry our cousins, you know?

The horcruxes: nchurricanes10 says. "in OOTP there's a mention of a heavy gold locket that no one could open at Grimmauld Place." Eee! And there's discussion that not Harry himself but Harry's scar may be a horcrux. So... what, plastic surgery for our boy?



Links to others' comments:

marksykins here
maeglinyedi has a list of links here.
darththalia here
daily_snitch has a great list of links here
primroseburrows here
jedirita talks about Snape as the HBP, his continuing efforts to teach Harry, and his sacrifice here.
maeglinyedi has a fascinating theory that it will be Snape who kills Voldemort, not Harry (Part 1, part 2)
fictualities gives a great analysis of Harry's "homework" from Dumbledore as a lesson in how to be a Slytherin here.
sistermagpie has a fantastic essay about Draco's role in the book here.

Comments

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

I had the weirdest feeling that I was reading fan fiction the entire time I was reading the book --

THANK YOU! I so felt that way, and frankly, I should have given my money to you because I think I liked LMH more than this. I mean, it was good, but that was better.

And I so feel H/D wins at canon now. *gloats around*

[littleroo27.livejournal.com]

Wow, you wrote my thoughts out so much better then I did myself. I also had a feeling of "did JKR read fanfic while writing this?" And Draco - OMG, yeah, he was soooo fannon, it made me giggle.

My only hope is that in book 7 we get Snape/Dumbledore history.

I really did love the Tom Riddle history provided in this book, and I loved the book as a whole. *cuddles HBP*

[sciencegeek.livejournal.com]

anise_anise had the same thought about the Werewolf!Draco.
As for Snarry, I was a bit worried about it since I'm a bit of a Post-Hogwarts Snarry person. But...I read some essays that work with the book and such that basically say he may not be all bad.

and linkage

the_bitter_word has an interesting point on the Harry Potter series here
lilith_morgana has an essay on Snape, Harry, Dumbledore and Redemption
midnitemaraud_r has a theory that Harry is an accidental Horlux

maeglinyedi has a list of theories here and here

My thoughts here and here

[catchmelike.livejournal.com]

Lupin/Tonks: That was entirely unnecessary, and seemed to be a deliberate dig at the Sirius/Remus shippers. Or is it just me?

I felt that way too. It just didn't seem like there would be *any* other reason for it that I can think of.

[killerxlove.livejournal.com]

i completely agree that this book seemed like i was reading another fanfic. and it also seemed that JKR was trying to fit in hints of, or slight mentions of as many ships as she could, which i think gave off an odd effect...

overall i thought the book was incredible though, but i do agree that the transition in the characters moods from book 5 to 6 was far too drastic... it went from ungodly ammounts of angst to very mature, serious, and somewhat dry. but then again, whats to be expected? at this point in the story, it NEEDS to be more mature and serious, and not angsty.

i honestly cant wait for the next book.. because just the possibilities of whats going to happen that were shown in HBP are just amazing, such as the fact he may not return to hogwarts, which i feel would add an excellent twist. and as far as dumbledore being knocked off... sadly i wasnt shocked by that, as some asshole posted it in harry/draco communities in massive font, with scanned pages. i didnt look at the pages, but seeing the huge font was inevitable when i opened my page, so i had that part of the book spoiled for me.

and i dont think JKR has really been consistent with the feel of her books... such as the first 3 have this magical, mostly care-free feel about them, 5 sobered a little, but still care-free till the ending.. 5 was filled with angst, and then this one was just.. i think she tried to put far too much information in this book. i believe she left too much open in the first 5 books, and suddenly filled this one with a lot of it, such as voldemorts history. he was always made out to be just some guy who went bad with hunger for power, but then suddenly this book is telling us how he was always like that, and giving a lot of this history. just a little too much at once for me.

sorry for all that if it doesnt really pertain to your entry.. i just havent had anyone i know finish the book, and i saw your entry as a good opportunity to discuss and vent my feelings of the book.

[kiarene.livejournal.com]

Er, I must say -- thank you for the spoilers. ^___^;;

From the first couple of books, I was head over heels for Draco. And Slytherins. Draco did seem redeemable, but he would never be a goody-pansy. I love that. I like non-straightfoward characters. But I was disappointed with how the fourth and fifth book went and I wasn't planning to even read the sixth. Just hide my head in fanfiction...

But now I'm really curious, based on the spoilers you mentioned. And cheered up about Draco. =P

[yaycoffee.livejournal.com]

I had the weirdest feeling that I was reading fan fiction the entire time I was reading the book . . . This just goes to show 1) how many truly talented fanfic writers there are out there, and 2) how much fan fiction means to me as a HP fan OMG--me too! I'm glad someone else thought this. I kept reading it going, "Wow--is she doing this on PURPOSE???!!!"

Only a few weeks passed between the books, but Harry had transformed. Perhaps people really do change that quickly, but it seemed a little much to me. Well, we did see the beginnings of this transformation at the VERY VERY end of OotP after Harry stops screaming and throwing things. Really, after his convo with Luna. We do see this starting to happen--Harry starting to grow up. I did expect a little more Sirius wangsting on his part, but I did like how Rowling did this. I love the maturity Harry showed, and I loved that his thoughts weren't always as mature as what he actualy said. He now has a Filter. Yay for the Filter!

Werewolf! Draco--I didn't even think that, but now I do. Hmmmmm. Interesting. I will give this my upmost attention during the re-read.

On Lupin/Tonks--I don't think that this debunks the puppies AT ALL. In fact--the Christmas scene. . .she fuels the puppylove fire with Celestina Warbec's song lyrics. I pretty much mourned for the pups during this entire scene. Woe! TheirLoveIsSoTragic!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm wondering if my feeling of it being fan fic is a result of the fact that I read the first five books before I got into HP fanfic? But still, it felt surreal to read it, and there were so many things in there that seemed fanon to me -- especially all of the romantic parts. There was never a point where I was anxiety-ridden while reading this, and that was basically my experience of reading OOTP, you know?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

God, fanon!Draco! So much so that it mad eme go WTF? a few times!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links!

Oh, I don't but that Snape is a bad guy, not at all. My guess is that Dumbledore knew about the vow and told Snape to kill him if it became necessary.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

That was supposed to be "I don't think Sape is a bad guy."

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes -- it was just out of the blue!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

He now has a Filter. Yay for the Filter!

Yes! I was very happy about that.

the Christmas scene. . .she fuels the puppylove fire with Celestina Warbec's song lyrics.

Yes, me too! That's exactly what I was thinking. And I guess Remus never really says Tonks' feelings are reciprocated, does he? ;-) Oh course, current Remus/Tonks does not contradict prior Remus/Sirius. Good point.

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

I don't know? I did the same thing, but there were so many things in this book where I went, oh, I knew that. The twins going to buy Zonko's, that kind of thing where I went, omfg, that's so fanon I'm crying.

Though I do love that this book completely validates what was put up for H/D on the shipper_manifesto.

Good stuff: here

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I can't believe someone spoiled for Dumbledore's death. I'm sure they used sock puppet LJ to do it, too. I'm so glad I didn't see it!

You have an interesting point abotu this book being a lot of information dump. It was interesting, but it made this book feel so different from the others.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

It's an interesting read, certainly. But it still feels like fan fic to me!

[yaycoffee.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think Remus/Tonks is a good ship. I like it and always have (which sets me apart from most puppylove people), and I do think that Remus reciprocates Tonks' affections, but my point was really about prior Sirius/Remus. She does not discredit that possibility at all. Tonks is the future. . .er. . .or something. (I actually don't ship Sirius/Remus in canon, but do understand the argument, and I think JKR did a fine justice to the ship--she is moving Lupin on--which NEEDS to happen)

[darthrami.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they're all linked elsewhere at some point, but I've been collected reactions and such in my memories.

[shudaizi.livejournal.com]

Just thought you might be interested in this by pandarus. It discusses the whole "it reads like fanfic" wave of comments that started from the first review practically.

I do agree with some of your comments, I love the book, even though I kept feeling that the sceens in the pensieve were slowing the book down. It was interesting getting that glimpse of the past, and I'm sure it will be relevent in book 7, I just felt...I dunno. I haven't finished figuring it out yet. I also think the book needed about 200 more pages as tightly written. The reason I say this is because I dont see how she can tie up all the loose strings and answer everything we need answered in one book.

And what was up with that entire first chapter? That space could have been used to show how Harry developed, or something. She didn't need a chapter to tell us Fudge wasn't minister anymore.


I LOVED LOVED LOVED Draco in this book. He is so much edgier than before, developing a real character, I wish we could have seen more of him. He has grown up some, seen a darker side of life and it's effecting him. He doesn't pull those childish pranks anymore, and I don't count the sceen on the train as a childish prank. That was getting some of his own back plain and simple. He saw an opportunity for revenge, and took it and left and that was it. He doesnt really hound Harry at all this book. If anything, it's Harry going after Draco. For the first time, Draco is a threat, and not a just a nuisuence. I loved that he cried in the bathroom, it gives Harry a chance to see another side of Draco, even if doesnt last more than a few seconds, Harry saw it and will be effected by it. I loved that he poured his heart out Moaning Myrtle, it made him seem approachable. Oh my favorite ship will have a field day with this new Draco. (NO! NOT Moaning Myrtle. Sheesh. It's Harry/Draco)

I loved the way Harry stood up to people who thought they coould dominate him simply because they had some type of authority. When he told Scrimgeour that the Ministry had their chance for his support and blew it I actually chered. I LOVED when he told Snape that Snape didn't have to call him 'Sir'. (Oh the tension that the Snarry slashers will turn in to UST. Lovely.)


I actually lifted some of that from my reaction post found here

I've been looking for people to just chat with the book with, but none of my friends read as fast as I do. :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I'd forgotten about the first chapter, but yeah -- what was up with that?

Oh, Draco! I really never thought we'd get so much from JKR, but she made him into such a real character, finally. The H/D shippers will have a field day, and I can't wait!

[kiarene.livejournal.com]

You never know... perhaps JKR has been reading fanfics too! ;)

[yaycoffee.livejournal.com]

For the first time, Draco is a threat, and not a just a nuisuence. I loved that he cried in the bathroom, it gives Harry a chance to see another side of Draco, even if doesnt last more than a few seconds, Harry saw it and will be effected by it.

This reminds me a lot of Harry seeing "Snapes Worst Memory." He sees these great insights into the people whom he loathes, and begins to feel sorry for them, and then something truly awful happens, and he doesn't act on his sympathy. Instead, circumstantially, he acts in defense of the reaction on the part of the other party, and it always ends very badly. It's a great parallel, I think.

[yaycoffee.livejournal.com]

Hee! That's my theory.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Oh, good point! I need to re-read OOTP now as well. I don;t have a good sense of how the two books fit together.

[abbycadabra.livejournal.com]

I had the weirdest feeling that I was reading fan fiction the entire time I was reading the book

And Harry/Draco at that!

But seriously, I STILL feel like I've just read an amazing piece of fanfic. Draco was very, very nearly redeemed (I think he will be soon enough), somebody died, and there was so much freakin' snogging! I agree, just goes to show how amazing some fanfic writers are in interpretting and predicting the characters' actions. I felt like I'd seen most of it before (the Draco parts particularly).