Ok so it's already October which is three months late to make a review about the latest Harry Potter book and to be honest with you, I wouldn't have cared. Except for several things:
1. I loved the book. The first Harry Potter I actually liked!
2. The way the book ended it made me speculate a few things especially about Severus Snape and his intentions.
3. I nearly cried (ok I did cry) while reading the chapter on Dumbledore's funeral. It was so solemn.
4. I've been going to http://mugglenet.com not only because of the updates regarding Goblet of Fire (and the pictures, which are awesome!) but to see what they thing about HBP. This already became a habit that my co-worker wanted to beat the crap out of me...this is of course an exaggeration.
Moving on...
I put on a reservation on HBP since February of 2005 not for me, but for my sister who is the one reading the Harry Potter books. I also wanted to make some of my colleagues who are fans of the book envious since the book itself is very expensive.
By July of this year, I got the book on an amazing discount...saving me almost 50% of the total cost. I was the one who read the book first before my sister and I wasn't able to put the book down until I reminded myself that I have to rest since I was going to work at that time.
The book itself is very good, first time I appreciated the series. Like the rest of the Harry Potter fans, I was shocked that Dumbledore was killed but not as shocked as to who did it. While Snape is not the nicest guy on earth, I didn't expect him to kill Dumbledore in cold blood. I guess he has to if he wants to save his and Draco's ass. There's the Unbreakable Vow to consider. He doesn't kill Dumbledore, he dies along with the entire Malfoy family.
Funny how some people feel sorry for Draco. I do in a way, but was relieved to see that he is capable of human feelings like fear and desperation.
I don't intend to analyze the book but I wanted to give my opinion on it. I've been seeing reading forums about Snape or the HBP and there is clearly a division between the Good Snape and the Bad Snape. Honestly, why would he make the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa? Well for him to prove to Bellatrix that he is loyal to the Dark Lord, she's not exactly believing him and his reasons for not going back to the Dark Lord ASAP. Did Dumbledore know about this? Maybe. Ol' Dumby wouldn't know that Draco was trying to assassinate him for the entire year in Hogwarts if he had no idea unless he is omnipotent. He might've some information to know such things from someone who is constantly updating him on the happenings in Hogwarts.
Dumbledore's death and Snape's part of it was a shock and to some an outrage. Why him of all people? Was this something done to make Harry learn some sort of twisted lesson? Snape was revealed to be a double agent, for how long? Would the reason why Dumbledore gave Snape his absolute trust when eveyrbody else (like Harry, but that's biased) thinks he's going back to Voldemort when he comes back from the near dead.
Have you noticed a pattern of deaths here since book 4? Most of the ones who get killed off were the people closest to Harry. Ok, so Cedric and him are not exactly good friends, but they helped each other out during the Triwizard Tournament. Sirius of course is his godfather, the closest person he has for a family. Dumbledore was his mentor and confidante. I mean he first lost his godfather then his mentor...I wonder if either Ron or Hermione or worse Ginny would be killed in the 7th book? Maybe Draco...but that would be just wishful thinking.
Who knows? I can't wait for the last book.
