Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #7
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 759
Reason Read: Buddy Read
Rating:
My Thoughts
I can’t believe I know the outcome of this series–a series that has meant the world to me and helped me discover the wondrous world of reading. It feels surreal for it to be done. I’m sad that it’s over, but I’m so happy that I’ve been part of the journey.
When I started reading HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, I just wanted to know what was going to happen. I devoured it and finished in two days. I was so anxious the entire time and was on the edge of my seat until the last page. And, I cried. I couldn’t help it. There were so many emotions I felt as I read this book. I cried because some of my favorite and most beloved characters died. I cried because it was the end of a story. I cried because of the adventure, an awesome adventure I was able to be a part of. I absolutely adored this story. It was everything I wanted the final book of my favorite series to be and more.
I felt so bad for Harry when Hedwig died. He had no time to mourn her. It was so sudden and there was so much going on at the time. She was his only link to the wizarding world during the summers when he was with the Dursleys. She was one of his only links to Sirius when Sirius was on the run. She meant so much to Harry. I was really sad and angry when she died. I wish she had just been set free so Harry didn’t have to worry about her when he was hunting Horcruxes. But, people and animals die in war. I’m glad Rowling didn’t take the coward’s way out and keep everyone alive, even though I didn’t want any of them to die (on the good side anyway).
Despite how sad I was that Hedwig died, Dobby’s death was even harder for me. His was the hardest. I know he was the “Jar Jar” of the Harry Potter universe, but I loved him. I loved his unwavering loyalty to Harry. I loved all the help he gave Harry over the course of six years. And, I think he died how he would’ve wanted to die–saving Harry. The burial was so tender and so heart-wrenching. I sobbed.
As soon as Lupin and Tonks made Harry Teddy’s godfather, I knew they weren’t going to make it out in the end either. I knew Rowling was going to mirror Harry’s life with Teddy’s, but with a happier childhood because of Teddy’s loving grandmother and Harry.
I loved learning about Dumbledore’s past and family. I knew that Rita Skeeter would have some truth in her book. But, I also knew she’d have it wrong and make it worse than it really was. After Aberforth and Dumbledore told Harry what happened, it made so much sense. It also made Dumbledore seem more human and made my love and admiration for him grow.
I also loved learning more about Snape. We only saw tidbits of his past here and there and they were usually jaded because we saw it through Harry’s eyes and didn’t get the full picture. I loved learning the truth about Snape and all it entailed. Not only did it show us how much Dumbledore understood Voldemort and how much Voldemort didn’t know anything at all, we also got to experience some of Lily and Petunia’s childhood.
I loved the epilogue. I didn’t find it cheesy. My only disappointment was that I wanted to know more about more of the characters.
Deathly Hallows is now my favorite book in the series. I just loved seeing all my questions answered. Before it came out, I reread the entire series and made a list of all the unanswered questions, no matter how insignificant I thought they were, and I loved finding out the answers. I love the complexity of this series and how much detail is involved in everything right up until the end.
Ravenwood
Author: Susan Evans McCloud
Genre: Historical Fiction, LDS Fiction
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 184
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
I first read RAVENWOOD when I was about 15. I remember enjoying it, so I decided to read it again. It was a very short book being only 184 pages. It was set in Scotland from 1707 to 1843 and followed the life of three women. After reading the book for the second time, I felt each woman’s story was too short. I wanted more. However, even though I was left wanting, I still enjoyed reading it and I’m glad I found it and read it again.
The Golden Compass
Author: Philip Pullman
Series: His Dark Materials #1
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 399
Reason Read: Buddy Read
Rating:
Also in this series: The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass
My Thoughts
I adored THE GOLDEN COMPASS. I loved the mystery, the political and religious intrigue, and I absolutely loved the idea of daemons. I really wish I had one of my own. I also loved how different and similar Lyra’s world was to our own. There was so much adventure, magic, heartbreak, and betrayal in this one story. I can’t wait to read the next book and see where this story goes.
Seventh Son
Author: Orson Scott Card
Series: Tales of Alvin Maker #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback
Pages: 241
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:
Also in this series: Red Prophet
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed SEVENTH SON. I loved the premise and story. I especially loved the alternate American History and how things might’ve happened if magic were real. I really enjoyed the allusion to Joseph Smith’s childhood. I can’t wait to read the sequels to see what happens.
Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: Twilight Saga #3
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 629
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
Also in this series: Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Life and Death, Midnight Sun
My Thoughts
Even though I wanted to throw my book across the room at one point, I absolutely adored ECLIPSE. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire book.
I loved Charlie and how he pushed the story forward between the main three. I totally got where he was coming from in regard to Edward, but I do hope Charlie can forgive Edward at some point.
Even though I had a hard time with Jacob, I really enjoyed meeting the other wolves and learning about their history. I thought the story of the “Third Wife” was intriguing. I also thought the idea of imprinting was interesting. I felt bad for Leah, Sam, and Emily because of their situation, though.
I loved that we got to see a little more of the Cullens and how they interact with each other. I loved learning both Jasper’s and Rosalie’s backstories. I thought they were really interesting and shed a lot of light on how they act toward Bella and humans in general.
I loved the mystery of trying to figure out who was after Bella. I was a little frustrated that it took the characters so long to figure out it was Victoria because I thought it was kind of obvious. I mean did they just expect her to go away after what happened in NEW MOON when the Cullens came back. I’m sad we missed the fight in the clearing between the wolves, newborns, and Cullens. It’s times like these that I wish the story was told in third-person.
Can I just say how much I dislike love triangles? I honestly just want Edward and Bella to be together unencumbered. I know that would make for a very boring book in most readers’ eyes so let’s just make the conflict the Volturi instead of Jacob. Even though Bella chose Edward over Jacob, it felt like she was settling and I felt like Edward wasn’t the eclipse that Meyer meant him to be. I hated that feeling.
Despite my issues with the limitations of the first-person narrative and the love triangle, I still loved ECLIPSE. I’m really excited to read the final book when it comes out. It’s going to be torture waiting for it, though.
Update: When I read this for a third time, I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I thought both Ilyana Kadushin and Matt Walters did an amazing job.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #7
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 759
Reason Read: Buddy Read
Rating:
My Thoughts
I can’t believe I know the outcome of this series–a series that has meant the world to me and helped me discover the wondrous world of reading. It feels surreal for it to be done. I’m sad that it’s over, but I’m so happy that I’ve been part of the journey.
When I started reading HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, I just wanted to know what was going to happen. I devoured it and finished in two days. I was so anxious the entire time and was on the edge of my seat until the last page. And, I cried. I couldn’t help it. There were so many emotions I felt as I read this book. I cried because some of my favorite and most beloved characters died. I cried because it was the end of a story. I cried because of the adventure, an awesome adventure I was able to be a part of. I absolutely adored this story. It was everything I wanted the final book of my favorite series to be and more.
I felt so bad for Harry when Hedwig died. He had no time to mourn her. It was so sudden and there was so much going on at the time. She was his only link to the wizarding world during the summers when he was with the Dursleys. She was one of his only links to Sirius when Sirius was on the run. She meant so much to Harry. I was really sad and angry when she died. I wish she had just been set free so Harry didn’t have to worry about her when he was hunting Horcruxes. But, people and animals die in war. I’m glad Rowling didn’t take the coward’s way out and keep everyone alive, even though I didn’t want any of them to die (on the good side anyway).
Despite how sad I was that Hedwig died, Dobby’s death was even harder for me. His was the hardest. I know he was the “Jar Jar” of the Harry Potter universe, but I loved him. I loved his unwavering loyalty to Harry. I loved all the help he gave Harry over the course of six years. And, I think he died how he would’ve wanted to die–saving Harry. The burial was so tender and so heart-wrenching. I sobbed.
As soon as Lupin and Tonks made Harry Teddy’s godfather, I knew they weren’t going to make it out in the end either. I knew Rowling was going to mirror Harry’s life with Teddy’s, but with a happier childhood because of Teddy’s loving grandmother and Harry.
I loved learning about Dumbledore’s past and family. I knew that Rita Skeeter would have some truth in her book. But, I also knew she’d have it wrong and make it worse than it really was. After Aberforth and Dumbledore told Harry what happened, it made so much sense. It also made Dumbledore seem more human and made my love and admiration for him grow.
I also loved learning more about Snape. We only saw tidbits of his past here and there and they were usually jaded because we saw it through Harry’s eyes and didn’t get the full picture. I loved learning the truth about Snape and all it entailed. Not only did it show us how much Dumbledore understood Voldemort and how much Voldemort didn’t know anything at all, we also got to experience some of Lily and Petunia’s childhood.
I loved the epilogue. I didn’t find it cheesy. My only disappointment was that I wanted to know more about more of the characters.
Deathly Hallows is now my favorite book in the series. I just loved seeing all my questions answered. Before it came out, I reread the entire series and made a list of all the unanswered questions, no matter how insignificant I thought they were, and I loved finding out the answers. I love the complexity of this series and how much detail is involved in everything right up until the end.