( The "Spectacular Seven" - my first 4 were children versions ; last 3 were adult versions . Equally Precious! )Those were the last 3 words in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - the final of the seven books that has charmed the world over with its magic to surprise, excite and touch. Ya, as you can tell, I've finally finished the fantasy-epic (on Thursday, 26th Jul 07); and it is with great respect, awe and a tinge of sadness that I write this (informal) review on arguably the most enjoyable book I've read so far in my life.
I guess there's no need for introduction, right? Even those who don't have the patience to sit-through brick-sized books would at least know that J.K. Rowling (all hail the queen) is the writer of this immensely popular series about The Boy Who Lived ... his adventures, turmoils and finally, triumphs at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry.
Where do I even begin?
Oh well, guess I shouldn't borrre you guys too much with the heavy details and over-analytical plot-lines ... suffice to say, the last book is - as noted by critics worldwide - a tremendous, rip-roaring success. Deathly Hallows is brimming with Rowling's signature pulsating thrills, humour and dangers right from the first page till the very end. Readers can expect to be surprised by the numerous plot twists along the way and at the same time, sadden and grief over those who lost their lives. Despite finding the ending a little cliche, it is still sweet, nevertheless.
The rest of my review shall contain snippets of memorable quotes - along with my comments - from the book. For those who mourn (and scorn) the lives lost in the book, I have also compiled an orbituary list for those main characters who have perished along the way.
So dudes and dudettes, here's the last journey down Harry's lane - lap it up while you can! =)
"He said She said"
#1: "Take care, Big D" by Harry (pg40) - Harry said this to Dudley in a surprisingly touching farewell. Turns out the Dursleys did have an affection for our poor Harry afterall. Awww
#2: "If I don't (survive) - well, I think I've cast a good enough charm to keep them (Hermione's parents) safe and happy." by Hermione (pg84) - Two of Harry's closest friends - Hermione and Ron - are willing to risk their lives to accompany him on his quest for the Hocruxes. This quote was muttered by Hermione: she cast a charm to alter her parents' memories so they would completely forget they had her as a daughter, so they would not need to worry if she died. This selflessness was one of the most moving moments at the beginning of Hallows, which made me very worried that one of them might die.
#3: "How wonderful! Gnome saliva is enormously beneficial!" by Xenophilius Lovegood (pg117) -Rowling's humour is downright quirky and outright funny. The Lovegoods (Xeno and his daughter, Luna) are probably one of the most amusing characters Rowling created. This quote was muttered when Luna told her dad that she had just got bitten by a garden gnome. Weird but hilarious.
#4: "The ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming." by Kingsley Shacklebolt (pg133) - This quote came right at the end of Fleur and Bill's wedding. It was delivered in the form of a Patronus. It was so unexpected it was shocking - and that is when the book really picked up its pace. Exciting stuff!
#5: "...but the fact remains that he (Voldemort) can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo." by Fred Weasley (pg360) - You can trust the Weasley twins to come up with such witty lines that never fails to make us laugh. The image of Snape running away from a bottle of shampoo will sure be hilarious. This quote helped release the heavy tension of the writing at that point.
#6: "...with a little shudder the elf became quite still, and his eyes ... sprinkled with light from the stars they could not see." Descriptive (pg385) - Rowling ended the chapter 'Malfoy Manor' with the death of loyal house-elf, Dobby. I just feel that the writing here was sincere and affecting. Sob. (Nah, but I didn't cry)
#7: "Sometimes you've got to think about more than your own safety (and) ... the greater good! This is war!" by Harry (pg458) - This was exclaimed by Harry to Aberforth, Dumbledore's brother (surprise, surprise!). Aberforth was being all negative about fighting it out with Voldemort, but Harry insisted otherwise. Said like a true medieval Hero. Hail Harry! (K, cheesy)
#8: "We're supposed to practise the Cruciatus Curse on people who've earned detentions" by Neville Longbottom (pg462) - I gasped when I read this line in the book, causing my army buddy to turn over and look at me. K, maybe I overreacted but c'mon, it's sick, right? That's what happens when Death Eaters take over Hogwarts. Sh*t them.
#9: "Everyone in here's proven they are loyal to Dumbledore - loyal to you." by Neville (pg467) - The sense of comraderie is impressive here. All the more excitement builds up as you know that everyone who has cared (or admired) Harry Potter are geared up for a big fight to the end.
#10: "Hogwarts is threatened! ... Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!" by Professor McGonagall (pg484) - Things are really heating up. This came from my favourite chapter: The Battle of Hogwarts. She was giving instructions to those previously statue-like armour of suits that lined the halls. It's so cool that practically everything - living, dead, or non-living - came to live just to provide back-up army against the invading Death Eaters.
#11: "IF WE DIE FOR THEM, I'LL KILL YOU, HARRY!" by Ron (pg509) - Harry, Ron and Hermione were battling to escape from a room of uncontrolled, fatal flames when Harry insisted on turning around to save Malfoy and his gang, who had initiated the fire. Ron was infuriated that Harry was risking all their lives to rescue the enemy. I didn't know whether to laugh or fret over that quote. Fortunately, though, none of the three died so Ron didn't have to kill Harry. (On the other hand, if three of them did die, how was Ron going to kill an already dead Harry?) Trick question.
#12: "But this is touching, Snape ... Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?" by Dumbledore (pg551) - Harry was looking at Snape's memory (after he died) and this line stood out for all the right reasons. Snape was the best unsung hero of all. Read the chapter The Prince's Tale. You'll understand.
#13: "Death was impatient." Descriptive (pg555) - When Harry found out he was the seventh Horcrux, and that he had to die to end all of this, he was basically stupefied. Your heart pounds with him as he marches to find Voldemort and seek his final fate.
#14: "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" by Molly Weasley (pg589) - This quote just left me agape. It was quite uncouth for a supposedly children novel. But what the heck - everyone's excited to see a woman-on-bitch showdown. In this case, it was Mrs Weasley vs Bellatrix Lestrange (when Bellatrix was duelling with Ginny). Scroll down to the obituary to see who was the loser of the battle.
#15: "Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounding curse" Descriptive (pg596) - Alas, one quote that wasn't quite as impactful as it should have been. Quite a predictable death also. But anyway, aren't you bloody glad he's finally dead?
#16: "I've had enough trouble for a lifetime." by Harry (pg600) - We couldn't agree with you more, Harry. But your troubles did make a good read.
#17: "The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well." - This is the last line of the last chapter of the last book. I closed the book and couldn't help thinking that my brother was right.
O R B I T U A R Y
( Only main deaths are noted. Deaths are in chronological order. )
1) Professor Charity Burbage : First death. Brutal way to die.
2) Hedwig : First animal death. SPCA should be angry with Death Eaters.
3) Madeye Moody : A brave warrior till the end.
4) Rufus Scrimgeour : Bad leader = Kiss goodbye.
5) Gregorovitch : Wandmaker.
6) Bathilda Bagshot : Poor, old woman.
7) Ted Tonks : Minor but sad, anyways.
8) Wormtail : Too little, too late.
( Get your Kleenex ready )
9) Dobby : He deserved his dignified burial. 100%.
10) Crabbe : Crappe
11) Fred Weasley : Shit man. Really heart-wrenching. Condolences to the Weasleys.
12) Severus Snape : Easily the most shocking death in the book. His revealed sacrifice and loyalty to Dumbledore (and Harry) proves that Rowling knows how to tell a bittersweet story of the power of love.
13 and 14) Remus Lupin + Tonks : They belong together. A bit cruel though, to leave their newborn behind.
15) Colin Creevey : Bloody hell. He's only a kid.
( Get the wine and streamers ready! )
16) Nagini : Vain-pot snake deserves to die.
17) Bellatrix Lestrange : I would have killed her myself.
18) Lord He-Must-Be-Named Voldemort : Good riddance. At Last.
* * * * *
And so, there you go. Hope the review was insightful =)
Just came back from Tekong, where one of my Staff Sergeant (Siva) brought the 7th book to read. I was so tempted to read it all over again.
It's the end of an era.
Guess it's going to be tough to find another series as engaging as Harry Potter was to me. (Read today's Life! ? China has this Harry Potter and the China Porcelain Doll. It sounds irresistably stupid and a must-read) Ha ha.
P.S. I'm finally posted OUT OF SISPEC! Signal operator in Khatib Camp. Yay.
"Wilson, out."
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