I just finished it. Wow. I'm glad I was spoiled for that ending. I was able to comfort myself with theories. The last few chapters were intense but I did get one unexpected laugh. "Snape!" ejaculated Slughorn, who looked the most shaken, pale and sweating. More careful wording there, JKR.

Ron "ejaculated" in book 5 as well.

While I did not spoil myself immediately as I was walking out of B&N yesterday, I couldn't help but rush to the end while in the middle of chapter 2. I'm glad I did. That way, I could slow down and 'get there' with more focus.

As I was plowing through, I kept startling myself by laughing outloud, or shouting "NO!", or offering a big "HUH!"

I was worried after Pheonix. I didn't love it so much. Prince has completely won me back to the fold.

As I was plowing through, I kept startling myself by laughing outloud, or shouting "NO!", or offering a big "HUH!"

For such a serious book, it did have a lot of laugh out loud moments.

I didn't want to be spoiled, and couldn't wait to get to the end, so I had it finished by yesterday afternoon. I'll go back to it in a few weeks, I think.

Overall I had the same feeling I got from book 5 - that nothing had really been achieved by the end of it. It's all foreplay. I'm assuming it'll all come together in the last book, but I don't want to wait that long.

My favourite unintentionally funny line - "I need to know what Malfoy is doing inside you".

Jars and I are one in this, including the favorite unintentional funny line.

It may just be the looooooong wait between books, but I feel like she needs to get to the frelling point already. Books 1-4 all had their own storylines in addition to the overall arc. Books 5-6 have mainly been Harry running around saying "The sky is falling!" and nobody believing him, and then a tiny piece of sky really does fall in the last 50 pages. Maybe HP7 will be nonstop action, but I'm losing faith.

I also still think Rowling can't write this age range as well as she could the pre-teens.

I want book 7 now!

I finished. I loved it. I was prepared for Dumbledore's death, but it still just slayed me, especially Harry remembering his silly words during the service.

I have more to say, I'm sure, but I think I need a re-read.

Also, in regards to Harry's conversation with Ginny at the end. Did anyone else think, "yeah, I saw Spider-Man 2 too, Rowling."?

I loved the bit where Harry remembers Dumbledore's words too. That other thing seemed familiar but I thought it was more something I'd read in FF. Although you could be right. It could be that I remember it from Spidey 2.

What killed me was "Dumledore's man, through and through" both when it made Dumbledore tear up and when Harry repeated it at the end.

Not that I didn't eat it up, sumi. I just, you know, wanted her to know that I know.