So how did you like Harry Potter 5? ***Beware Spoilers***

[mrsv98]

LOVED IT! ok, here are my random thoughts:

- I too, was not hugly moved by Sirus's death. I was actually sadder later when Harry was talking to Nick and trying to convince himself that Sirius was coming back as a ghost. However, I don't think we have seen the last of him.

- I loved the character development, especially Neville. Let me be the first here to predict that Neville will die a tragic hero in Book 7. I think it is part of the Prophecy and Dumbledore still hasn't told Harry everything. I believe there are bigger things to come with Neville.

- Umbridge was a great villian! I loved the scenes with her and McGonagall. " 'I wonder,' said Professor McGonagall in a cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, 'how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.' " Priceless!

- I loved Hermione explaining girls to Harry and Ron, really funny!

- As JKR has done in the past, I think the Hagrid/Grawp story line will be important later.


Overall, my favorite along with #3, Prisoner of Azkaban. I don't think we will have to wait another three years, but it can't be soon enough!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I kind of felt like this whole book was just a set up for the next one! The way I see it there is going to be major violence in the wizard world in Book 6 as obviously Voldemort will have to start attacking now that the secret of him being back is out.
I wonder if the Voldemort-Harry Potter battle will happen in book 6 or if it will get stretched out farther.
I think the revelation was significant. We didn't know that it has to be Harry that fights Voldemort and only one can survive.

 

[BrerMom]

A good book, but not one I'm dying to re-read like the others. Maybe given time. I agree, this book's main job seemed to be to give us background information and set things up for the next book.

I loved Ron's comment at the end when he tells Ginny to pick her boyfriends more carefully next time while glancing at Harry!

I was expecting a conversation between Harry and Professor Snape where Harry apologized for a) seeing the memory when he knew he shouldn't and b) his father's behavior during that scene.

Cedric's death was much more upsetting. I didn't really feel the sadness until Harry was back in Dumbledore's office discussing his loss. and the discussion with Nick...

He's still friends with Ron and Hermione, obviously, but they weren't the three musketeers in this book. Maybe Harry's withdrawal will push the Ron/Hermione relationship along.

If the movie critics thought three hours was long, I wonder what they'll say when this one is turned into a movie? Any guesses on how long it'll be?

 

[Dancind]

While not the most action-packed of the series, a lot happened in this book. For starters, Harry grew up (and we saw the growing pains), and now we've got a pretty good idea of what kind of adult he will be. I enjoyed the other character's development too. Ginny came into her own in this book, and I think we will see much more of her and her brave & slightly rebellious spirit. I think she'll be on the Quidditch team in the future, and wouldn't be too surprised if something develops between her and Harry. And the beginnings of Harry's "posse" is being shown too. There will be a huge showdown in book 7, (hey, it's part of the prophecy), and Harry will need more help than just Ron and Hermione to triumph.

But I'm most enjoying my DD 12's reaction to this book. She gets horrified, laughs, murmurs "how sweet", all in the same half hour. She loved the kissing scene between Harry and Cho. And her new favorite phrase is "hem, hem", delivered in a perfect imitation of Jim Dale doing it. She's been into "teen" books lately (Traveling Pants and the like), but this book has her enthralled. Good job, JK! Diana

 

[mtemm]

Just finished! Its so much harder to find time to read with a toddler around. I thought the book was great, and definitely a total set-up for the next one. My sympathy to JK Rowling! work on something for over a year, have people devour it in a few days (if that) and clamour for more!

I was very sad at Sirius' death. Totally expected it to be Percy. Umbridge was a great villain. Liked that it didn't work out between Harry and Cho...very realistic. I was laughing at some of the innocence in the 15/16 year olds. Wouldn't find that at too many schools in America at least. Nice to see, though.

 

[DemonLlama]

I loved the explanation Hagrid gave of having to talk carefully and slowly to the giants:

" -- overload 'em with information an' they'll kill yeh jus' to simplify things." (429)

I think I may know folks with giant blood!

I loved Dobby with all of Hermione's horrible hats. I've been wondering where Rowling is going with the house elves who prefer slavery since book 2.

When Harry thnks that he will have to wait 6 more weeks to find out the results of his O.W.L.s I snorted -- try three years!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I finished the book, but I want to re-read it again (after my ds is done w/it - he's already reading it).

I also enjoyed this book, but it was a little painful to read because Harry was so angry in a great part of the book.

I really enjoyed the forming of the DA, Hermione's hex on whoever snitched, and how the students took charge themselves to learn some skills under Harry's tutelage - just another demonstration of what he is capable of doing. I also really liked how JKR showed how much Neville has improved. I also think he'll play a crucial part in the last two books, but I hope he doesn't die.

I thought Neville was going to die, so when it turned out to be Sirius I wasn't as upset, although it was so sad for Harry, and for Dumbledore - I think that Harry will be able to talk to him through the veil.

Professor Umbridge was a fun villain - except when she made Harry write those lines - I was hoping that the words wouldn't "sink in" because he wasn't telling lies. I loved how McGonagall dealt with her, and how the other teachers handled her, too.

I've read that the cats are significant, and thought that there would be an explanation of that (but, I read the book so fast, I may have missed it).

I love how the portraits are "alive."

I have more thoughts that I'll write later.

 

[mtemm]

the lines creeped me out so much! what a great, horrible idea! ick.

 

[becka]

Well I stayed up way too late and finshed last night although I have to admit that the last hundred pages or so I read really fast so I probably missed some things. I will have to go back and read it all again and try to pick up on things the second time around.

*I was not all that disappointed in Sirius' death. I just really didn't feel much of an emotional connection with him in this book. I am used to being shocked at some of the twists in these books and Sirius dying was just not a huge shock. I agreed with some others that Cedric's death was harder to take in book 4 than this was.

*I LOVE Neville's character. I agree that he is being set up for something big. It is great to finally have some understanding of his back story. I think his death would have been the hardest to take.

*I still LOVE the Weasley's (we except for Percy ). I was really worried when Mr. Weasley was attacked and I felt so bad for all of the kids. I was very relieved when he recovered. The twins were great for some big laughs. Ginny is a great character and I would love to see her end up with Harry.

*I really wanted Ron and Hermoine to get together in this book as well but I guess we will just have to wait a little longer.

*Professor Umbridge was a great villian. I really hated her. She was very well written and was just pure evil.

*The back story between Harry's father and Snape has been growing in the last few books and I think it is going to play a part later on although I don't really know how. I think Harry is going to have to learn to work with Snape and vice versa but I hope they never really get too chummy with each other.

*I have mixed feelings about Harry's growing pains in this book. It is very real but it is hard for me to start not liking him at times. It did make the middle sections of the book a little harder to read. I think his anger needs to play a big role in this and future books but it is kind of depressing to read. I felt bad for Ron and Hermoine when they were trying to deal with him.

*The professors were great. Lots of laughs from them which is different that the previous books. McGonnagal is a big favorite of mine and I am interested to see how her promise to help make Harry an Auror plays out.

*I am curious about the grades on the O.W.L.S and to see which career paths Ron and Hermoine choose.

That is all I can think of right now of the top of my head. Overall a good book but not my favorite.

 

[Dancind]

Oh yes! McGonagal swore to help Harry be an auror to spite Umbridge, now she's committed. Harry took her quite seriously. And one thing about Harry's anger in the book, I think by the end of the book he was controlling it pretty well. That was just one of the ways he grew up in this book. Diana

 

[Jockaroo]

I loved the book. I was really sad that Sirius died though, which many of you aren't. Sirius was the only person who was "family" who cared about Harry. I think you see a dual frustration set up with both Sirius and Harry being powerless to aid the Order. Sirius can't leave the house and Harry can't be told the whole story. Sirius is entitled to be bitter--in prison for 12 years for a murder he did not do. Hunted man on the run. Yes, I was sad. But I thought it would be Hagrid who died.

Cedric's death affected me more also, but it was because he was a young student. It is like seeing the news and hearing about a teen dying right before graduation. Whether you know the child or not, it is painful due to the huge loss of the life that could have been. Sirius was able to die a hero in battle. He cleared his name with those he cared about, so he had less unfinished business.

Harry is not the likable "perfect" little boy in this book. He shouldn't be. He is a teenager and is acting like one. Plus there is the little issue of the wizard who killed his family being back. I think the attitude of Harry in this book gave more depth to the character. In order to use his strongest asset, his heart, he must learn to both feel anger and control anger. If not, he will end up like Voldemort.

I am guessing that Harry will have a very rough senior year. Having to take his N.E.W.T.s and kill Voldemort at the same time...

I loved the development of Neville and Ginny in this book. I hope Harry and Ginny wind up together. Harry is basically an honorary Weasley anyway. I was glad to see Professor Lupin back and hope his character is developed more in 6 and 7. And I really love Luna. She is so great. Every high school has that one kid that doesn't fit in--and doesn't care! She really hears her own drum.

And Umbridge was so nastily evil. I was glad to see her get it in the end.

Book 3 is still my favorite though.

 

[Zurg]

.. am guessing that Harry will have a very rough senior year. Having to take his N.E.W.T.s and kill Voldemort at the same time...

Well he should do OK on the practical for the Dark Arts test, getting rid of Voldemort once and for all has to count as bonus points of NEWTS if a patronus counts extra for OWLS.



So how does Umbridge just walk out of Hogwarts at the end after sicking the Dementors on Harry? There has to be some kind of violation of the Ministry rules for attempted murder - right?

 

[kasar]

Like everyone, I loved it! I'll need a few days to catch up on sleep, though. I agree with so many of your comments. Loved the fact that Harry is flawed and so are his friends. It will be so interesting to see them become adults. For a while there I thought that Dumbledore was possessed by Voldemort! When he couldn't look at Harry and always seemed to missing - glad that didn't happen.

I still think that Goblet of Fire was the best - the Quidditch World Cup and the whole contest thing, are so memorable to me. This book seemed to drag a bit (how many times did we have to hear about that darn hallway, anyhow?) in spots but it was still very much worth the wait.

I know a lot of people don't like Snape, but I find him to be one of the most interesting and intriguing characters. I'd love for him and Harry to have a real knock-down, drag-out and then become friends. Okay, I'm sure that won't happen. I hope Harry gets to become an auror - how interesting. Love all your comments, keep 'em coming.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I read the whole book on Saturday, and while I liked it, I think I still like 3 the most, followed by 4

I'm really surprised that we didn't see more of Lupin's reaction to Sirius's death- he just lost the last of his old school friends- how sad! I was really upset by Sirius's death- he was one of my favorites. I think I would have handled it better if he had died jumping in front of Harry to shield him from an Adava curse or something, but the way he went just felt so unjustified- no last words to Harry or anything!

I think JKR did a great job of writing a 15-year-old boy in this one, too! I wanted to smack Harry around at times because he was being such a teenager

I'm wondering how this one will translate into a movie. Its so long, they would have to cut a lot, and the action isn't your typical movie type action. It will be interesting to see how they handle it.

One of my favorite lines is when someone (ron?) tells Harry not to upset Malfoy, or he will make his life difficult, and Harry says something like "Wow, a difficult life, I wonder what that would be like?" This book certainly reminds us of how much he's been through at such a young age!

Am I the only one who thinks that Petunia might be a squib?

I'm still mourning Sirius, but once I can handle it, I want to go back and re-read this one.

 

[Dancind]

OK, Harry fans, I'm going to ask you some trivia questions. Not that I know the answer myself. Has there been any mention in any of the books of Harry's grandparents? His maternal grandparents must be dead or he would have met them through Aunt Petunia. And I guess at least one of them was a muggle? There have been several references to the fact that Harry isn't a "pureblood". Since James' family hasn't turned up either, I guess they must be dead too, has this been said? Since it's come out that wizards and witches live long lives, they must have all met untimely deaths.

The other thing I woke up wondering this morning (I know, I need a life), is the vocation chosen by James and Lily. It seems like it would have come up in this book, with Harry thinking about his own career. I always assumed they were aurors, and that's why Voldemort was after them, but we just found out he was really after Harry because of the prophecy. Diana

 

[Rexfan]

I have another question too. Is Fang dead? I was getting choked up when they were trying to take Hagrid away.

Oh, and I loved Sirius. I got so attached to him in the earlier books that it carried over into this one.

 

[skuttle]

just finished the book and really enjoyed it. Three is still my favorite, but I think this one comes in second.

I agree that there is something more to petunia.

Umbridge was a great character, very well developed. I HATED her so much! I could hardly stand it! Loved everything that happend to her once Dumbledore left! LOL!

I'm still waiting to learn more about Snape. There seems to be so much going on w/ him that we just haven't been told yet.

I was sorry to see Sirus die. He meant so much to Harry.

 

[Jen D]

I know a lot of people don't like Snape, but I find him to be one of the most interesting and intriguing characters.

I love Snape! I mean, he's a nasty git, but he is facinating and complicated and damaged-- one of my favorite moments in all five books is Snape pulling up his sleeve and showing his Dark Mark to Fudge. It was a great moment. I want more, more Snape.

I'n not a big fan of the movies, and when I read the books, I don't really "see" the actors from the films, except Alan Rickman. His Snape just sticks with me. Well, and Robbie Coltrane. Can't quite help that one.

Although I've been burned twice, I'm somewhat optimistic about "Azkaban"-- great director, good casting for Sirius, and I think Book Three has the most movie-ready plot- good mystery, and the completely cool time travel stuff at the end.

 

[nhrenee]

Great book! It took me a bit to adjust to Harry's angry mood but it defenitely seems age appropriate. One of my favorite parts was when Harry is "in " Snape's memories in the pensive. I think it was good that Harry got to see his dad in a less perfect light. It seemed to tell Harry he needs to be careful of his own actions. But I also loved how Lilly (did you notice how JKR didn't write out Lilly's entire maiden name, only the initial E? Wonder if it's significent) didn't think much of Harry's dad at one point. But just when I started to feel sorry for Snapes, he rebuffs Lilly's attempt to stick up for him.

My favorite funny moments were "Harry swearing her overheard McGonnagal whispering out of the side of her mouth to Peeves, 'it unscrews the otherway'" and her shouting match with Umbridge.

Good questions about Harry's lineage. Hopefully she reveals more in the next book. My dh thinks the bad blood between James Potter and Snapes is because Snapes was in love with Lilly, but James married her.

This is a fun thread.

 

[Sharon A.]

I agree, good questions about Harry's lineage. Lily's parents were definitely Muggles. Aunt Petunia talked about it in book 1 I think, when Hagrid picked up Harry. It was then we saw how jealous she was of Lily.

I don't think they've EVER mentioned James' parents once, except that the Mirror of erised showed them in the back. I got the impression they were wizards, but I'm not sure why. The fact that they had so much money saved up for Harry makes me think that his family was one of the old wizarding families, but I'm probably wrong.

There is definitely some early connection between Thomas Riddle and at least one of Harry's parents. For all we know James and Voldemort are half-brothers. Once Thomas' mom ran off, maybe she got married again and had James and Thomas was so hurt he became Voldelmort.