... and I've got to tell you, late as I am on finally reading it, that I came on the boards to look for old threads about it to see if there was anything redeeming about it.

The fact that several people here said it was the best book they'd read, that it was fantastic and wonderful... well, that made me think there must be something more. By the time I got to the middle, I was already done with examples that showed how rotten and nasty Umbridge was, and how messed up the Ministry was. It seemed every chapter simply showed her pi$$ing off another teacher or them doing something ridikulus.

It was getting to be a dull and monotonous read....

And then the second half started... with the DA meetings, and the other real action... wow! I found myself reading the last 300 or so pages last night because I was hooked! Much, much better... much.

Sappy conclusion at the end by Dumdledore, though... interesting, but a bit rushed.

Looking forward to the Goblet of Fire movie next... and perhaps picking up Half-Blood Prince, so I can get to be less behind the times [img]smile.gif[/img]

Yeah, the book really starts moving in the second half, and I was on the edge of my seat for the Ministry stuff.

I even like the first half. It carried on with the edgier feel from Goblet of Fire, which fits right in with the kids' aging process and the darkening days.

Kids books they may be, but they also have (for the most part) that gripping effect that most authors seek for in vain. I think I read each one, on the first perusal, in a single sitting.

As an author, you know you're on to something good when the New York Times revises its bestsellers list so that somebody else can break into the top 3. :D

[ 11-19-2005, 02:28 AM: Message edited by: Aerich ]