Be wary of the linked article and this blog as it reveals "spoilers" about the end of the Harry Potter series.
Let me begin this by saying that I have never been a tried and true muggle. I only read the last two books in this series. Honestly, I feel no remorse for not reading the previous 5 books. I want to go on record saying that I did enjoy the two books I read, but felt that in many ways Rowling was not holding the Elder Wand for this reader.
I have to agree with the writer of the linked review. Harry's path never really challenged him as a true protagonist should be challenged. He lost many people that he loved, but was never really faced with a challenge of moral standards. In fact we could even challenge the fact that Harry never actually had to face killing anyone but Voldemort during the books...how did that work out? We see Dumbledore in the end as a man who "tricked" Harry into following his ideas that was sorry for never really being honest with him, so I guess Dumbledore grew in his death where he could not in his life. Still Dumbledore is not supposed to be coming of age I thought that this was the Harry Potter story not the Dumbledore, Snape story of growth. How did Harry change more than succeeding in surviving puberty?
Since I started reading the books I have been saying, "too much death, too much death" and I hold true to this statement. It seems that other than his parents, and later Dumbledore's death, really had little bearing on his growth as a character. Harry knew and understood the pain of losing those he loved very much, so taking them from his life later only added to his feeling of loneliness. I was sad to see Sirius leave and I think his was the first death that could have accomplished more with continuing through the story. It felt like Rowling was doing this just for the shock factor of death - that it had little purpose. I can honestly say that I did not cry during the last two books. Considering my fondness for ancient wizards that remind me of Gandalf this says a lot. The deaths were rushed and the characters undeveloped. For example, why kill Lupin and Tonks and not delve into the grim reality that Harry, who is only seventeen, may be his caregiver. Does this change Harry? I didn't think so...Harry walks into his death not even considering the idea that he may be the caregiver for Teddy - the boy he told Lupin he should never abandon. Why go after the Weasley's - AGAIN? Really I think the pain and suffering they endured on Harry's behalf was more than excessive and lost it's power.
I loved the characters of Neville and Luna, but they were never given their due credit in the last book. Luna was not even mentioned in the last meager effort to flash forward. Luna's father played an unnecessary role in explaining to Harry about the Hallow's because anyone could have given Harry that information, Ron and Hermione were well versed in the story. He was a fun character and it's too bad we didn't hear more about his paper and ideas. He would have made a great researcher to help them along their journey...learning maybe to accept those whose ideas are not like your own. Which leaves me to my last complaint. What the hell was with all the time in the woods "planning"? It was too reminiscent of the slow parts of Lord of the Rings, where they did little more than suffer and walk. This however was much more frustrating because Ron, Harry and Hermione weren't going anywhere, they weren't advancing on their quest, and Hermione was not true to her quick witted character who assisted Harry instead of waiting for him to divulge his true plan. It shouldn't have taken Hermione months to show Harry and Ron the random symbol in the child's book which she read over and over again. The whole deluminator thing was also kind of silly could she not think of a better magical gift for Ron. However, I would venture to guess Ron's tendency to be selfish is something I have clearly missed by not reading the books. My last big complaint...the names of their kids were fairly atrocious.
Anyway I'm off my soapbox now. The book did keep me interested and for the same reason I chose to read them now and that is I really wanted to know how she would end it all. For that I think the book is great and I keep in mind that it is/was a book for young adults. The complexity and movement is appropriate for this age group. I guess I just think it could have been much more, and as most of you know my feelings, I can now truly say "It's no Lord of the Rings".
