Shannon
I was on the fence about whether to read this. Since it is a play, ideally it would be seen performed first. Since I know there is no chance of my being able to see it anytime soon, I decided it was better to read the script. Additionally, I was a theatre major. I've read lots of plays, and performed in staged readings. So I was probably more prepared than many who will be opening this book for what to expect.
I just finished reading this. I enjoyed it very much. While it was not the sort of thing I would want or expect in a sequel novel to the Harry Potter series, I think it was a very good Harry Potter play. SpoilerThe use of time travel and flash back dream sequences allowed us to see familiar moments and characters that we love. The new characters were great stage roles, and there was plenty of lovely dramatic dialogue that I would have enjoyed performing.
As for the story, if it were a novel, I think I would be somewhat disappointed. Since it was a play, I really liked it. With all the time travel high-jinks I felt a little like it was a Harry Potter version of Back to the Future. But that was okay. (note: I love Back to the Future)
The first thing that surprised me was that Scorpius Malfoy was a sympathetic character. I was excited when Albus chose to befriend him. I was not expecting this to be a time travel story, and it very much was. I really liked the portrayal of Draco Malfoy. I think that he was definitely changed by the end of Deathly Hallows, and that is the way he was written. He was definitely not his father. That alternate universe scene where Voldemort had won, while terrifying, was also pretty amazing. Seeing Snape was a treat, and I enjoyed the shock of Umbridge being there. “You're ruining Voldemort Day.”
By the way, I thought it was a little strange that in 20 years, no one at the Ministry had made more time turners. Why were they there in the first place? Did they decide it was too dangerous to replace them? Oh, well. Willing suspension of disbelief.
The bit I had the most trouble suspending my disbelief for was Voldemort having a child. I thought the character of Delphi was wonderful, but I just can't get past the idea of Voldemort having a child with anyone. Maybe when he was still handsome Tom Riddle. I half expected a time travel related explanation for her. It was a twinge more believable when it was revealed that her mother was Bellatrix Lestrange. It's still weird, and wait a minute she was married. But the Lestrange were severely twisted in their serving of Voldemort. Radolphus probably volunteered to share his wife with the Dark Lord. So creepy. Also just wanted to point out that this makes Delphi Draco's cousin.
The end scenes were lovely with Harry and company getting to witness his parents' sacrifice. Seeing Hagrid meet Harry for the first time was especially nice.
It looks like a good show, and I hope to be able to see it one day!
I think this really was the last book in the series, this time. It's funny reviewing it. When I read the first books in this series, I was 19 or 20. Now, by the magic of book time, I think I'm older than Becky. When I read Mini Shopaholic, I was pregnant with my daughter. Now she's four, but Minnie is still two years old. Funny how things work out.
The previous book wasn't my favorite, but it ended on quite a cliffhanger. Even then, it took me a while to feel “in the mood” to read this book. I think it's the fall release. Shopaholic books just don't seem like fall reading to me, I guess.
I do hope this is the finish of the series. It had better pacing than the previous book. It solved the mystery, had nice character moments, and even some actual character growth from Becky. It really seemed like the book gave closure for the series.
Spoilers. I'm going to check the box to hide the whole review, so hopefully that works properly and no one gets spoiled.
I just re-read this story as part of my chronological-ish Shadowhunter books re-read. I thought that I remembered this one pretty well from when I read it six years ago. It was November then, too!
I've been remembering sadly through much of this book/series, that George doesn't make it. One thing that I didn't remember was that Simon takes the Shadowhunter name of Lovelace. I really enjoyed the brotherly relationship between Simon and George, and Simon telling George he was a brother, and then taking his name after he died made it really sweet.
Also, the audio version for this was one of my favorite performances. I remember thinking this when I read and listened the first time, and being surprised to see that the narrator was an actor from Agents of SHIELD that I wouldn't have expected.
Fun and easy read. I liked the new main character and her family with the portrayal of adult America and Maxon.
SpoilerI was surprised about the ending! I saw that there wasn't much space in the book left and figured that we weren't going to get a completed selection in the end and prepared myself for being upset about that. I wasn't upset, though. I thought the ending was really lovely. Also, my feelings were as mixed up as the princess'. I wasn't shipping any one selected boy, there were good things about many of them. I guess that was the point.
Read with Guinevere, age 4.
Me: Did you like it, really like it, or love it?
Guinevere: love it!
Me: What was your favorite part?
Guinevere: I think every single one.
Me: Was there a part you didn't like?
Guinevere: shakes head No, there wasn't. I like every single part.
Me: Who was your favorite character?
Guinevere: Actually, Ramona. Ramona's my favorite. Ramona's just like me, isn't she?
Me: How is Ramona just like you?
Guinevere: Because she cries like me, and yeah. And stuff.
Not having read this book since high school, I decided to reread it so that I could read the “new” Harper Lee book.
It was definitely better than I remembered. One thing that made it more personal for me, is that my husband is from Alabama. As a Californian, this part of the setting did not stick in my mind when I was in high school, since all southern states were pretty interchangeable in my mind. Now I've been to one of them, and it's that one!
As I read the first few chapters, I was surprised by how well I remembered it. I could tell right away that the writing style was one that I would enjoy.
What I didn't remember well was the very end.
I'm glad that I took the time to read this book again, outside of school. I look forward to reading Go Set a Watchman.
