Alright, as a 19 year old who loves thick, juicy books...this book TRULY delivered!!!

I was a little worried at first b/c people were saying that this book was just a set-up for the next one...

and I am happy to say that they were dead wrong. It had a clear beginning, climax <several in fact...and who can boo several climaxes in one sitting :mischief:) and an amazing ending.

The only thing that concerns me is just how dark the books are getting. The violence is turning into less of Wand-up-troll's-nose CGI-lence to more of Mr.Weasely-lying-in-a-pool-of-blood real-life-ence

The first book was a fun, child's book that adults could enjoy. The second one showed signs of maturing and the 3rd one confirmed it.

I understand that Harry is growing, and as an older child < ;) ) I can appreciate the changes and admire how the character is growing up and noticing things.

But this is a child's series. And I would be upset if my lil kids were reading it. And then the movies will be coming out. Who wants to take a 5 year old to a movie to witness the fate of Cedric Diggory???

There's a reason why Harry Potter walked away scarred.

If the kids that first picked up the books were the same age as Harry in the first book, then they get to enjoy growing up with him. And again, can properly appreciate all the teenage angst and pounding hormones that is Harry Potter today.

So, all fingers up for Harry Potter as a young adult and adult series...hands behind the back for Harry Potter the children's series.

That being said. Let's spec!!!

Who thinks Percy will be a Death Eater or is being coerced into it??? OR!!! He could be part of a plot to get close to the Ministry of Magic. Hence, his sudden promotion and etc.

As far as it being a children's series goes, I don't think that Rowling necessarily ever intended it to be a children's series. That is how publishers chose to market the first books, and now they're stuck with it. Also, it got permenently relegated to the "children's" booklist because certain people were bitter that all of her books had the top spots on the New York Times bestsellers list. And it's hardly fair to ask her to change her story just because certain people are stupid. But I do see your point, and I myself kind of miss the carefree good old days.

This book was excellent, though. And it had me fuming well over the first half of it. Certain characters had me ready to apparate within the pages and Avada Kedavra them, I was that mad! Or at least give them jelly legs. It's probably not healthy to get that involved in a book.

I would like to say this about Sirius's death: Did it seem to anyone else to be uncannily similar to Moiraine's "death"? Not that I'm saying that he's gonna come back, or that he isn't relaly dead...although I thought maybe that was the case for severel pages.

I don't know about Percy going to be a Death Eater. I think his promotion at the ministry was like his family said, and Fudge wanted to use him to spy on people close to Dumbledore. I think now maybe that Voldemort is out in the open, with official Ministry backing, Percy will be "good" again, at least for a while.

I think we will see a crumplehorned snorkback by the end of the series. I must say, reading the Quibbler articles had me in tears. That was absolutely hilarious.

My sister is borrowing my book, so I can't check on this, but wasn't there a scene with Luna in the Gryffindor common room? What's up with that? I was under the impression that non house members weren't allowed in common rooms. Also, I am wondering if maybe Luna is supposed to be the one Harry ends up being with instead of Ginny.

Very good book, all things considered. :)

Luna in the commons??? Can you be a lil specific about how far into the book???

hmmm...

Anyway, okay...so Percy is not a Death Eater, what about Percy being a secret Order of the Phoenic person posted at the Ministry of Magic in order to keep close tabs on possible Death Eater sympathizers...such as Fudge...

Fudge I think is on the brink of being a DE or is being coerced into it.