Review of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on Wednesday, 5 April 2017, 20:58 by Alexandra

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #7
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 784
Published: 2007, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 horcruxes

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

It’s no longer safe for Harry at Hogwarts, so he and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, are on the run. Professor Dumbledore has given them clues about what they need to do to defeat the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, once and for all, but it’s up to them to figure out what these hints and suggestions really mean.

Their cross-country odyssey has them searching desperately for the answers, while evading capture or death at every turn. At the same time, their friendship, fortitude, and sense of right and wrong are tested in ways they never could have imagined.

The ultimate battle between good and evil that closes out this final chapter of the epic series takes place where Harry’s Wizarding life began: at Hogwarts. The satisfying conclusion offers shocking last-minute twists, incredible acts of courage, powerful new forms of magic, and the resolution of many mysteries.

Above all, this intense, cathartic book serves as a clear statement of the message at the heart of the Harry Potter series: that choice matters much more than destiny, and that love will always triumph over death.

MY REVIEW

These past months have come to an end, all the Harry Potter books are read and I feel a little bit empty. Will the next book I take on be as good? Rereading these books was a really good choice and now I kind of feel like rereading other books I truly enjoyed when I was younger, like His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.

I have written before that there were so many things I forgot from the books and was constantly surprised. In the first four books there were small things here and there, but as the story progressed, I remembered fewer and fewer things and when it came to The Deathly Hallows, I remembered probably no more than 5 things. I couldn’t remember why one of the chapters were called The Malfoy Manor for example. I also had no idea what the last three horcruxes where until it was written out in the book. It was like reading it for the first time, being on the edge of the chair or wherever I was sitting, all the time.

Everything is explained so well, and everything makes sense, and as before, Rowling is excellent at making everything coherent. The red thread is present. And The Deathly Hallows is the perfect ending to the story about Harry Potter. I can’t wait for the next time I will reread them. (Do I really have to write out the grade?)

Chip

Posted on Friday, 31 March 2017, 23:33 by Alexandra

In August 2007 we ended up with a friend to Stuff, the extremely charming Chip. Like a chocolate chip because he was so dark brown. I do remember calling him a squirrel/terrorist/vampire/something else which I can’t remember now (maybe teddybear?). His tail was the bushiest I had ever seen, his teeth were big and showing and kind of scary looking sometimes, and he was an energetic kitten and always up to no good. He would always try to scratch my feet under the cover while in bed and I woke up so many times with long scratch marks under my feet. He calmed down though and became this huge, fluffy, tolerant and hugable pillow. He got big, 8kg, but still he was always my small Chip (lilla Chip). I remember we playing fetch when he was young. I remember him sleeping in my bed almost every single night. I remember not being able to play beach volleyball for a week because he gave me scratch marks on my foot sole the size of my entire foot one night. I remember him climbing up on my shoulders from the ground so many mornings because he wanted the ham I put on my sandwhiches. I remember him pulling down my sweatpants every morning for several months after that when he got too big to climb up on me. I remember him being super scared of birds and even insects. I remember mom telling me that he spent every day in my room after I left for San Diego, but after a couple of weeks of me being away, barely set his foot in there. I remember him being my tolerant subject of hugging during a rough breakup. And now I will also remember the candles the veterinarians put in the room where we got to say goodbye to him.

Even though Stuff will always be my first cat, Chip was the unusual cat who was always there. Stuff is a typical cat: “sure, pet me, but only under my conditions!” and she kind of always was her own persona; a cool cat. Chip was the opposite, enjoyed attention and always wanted to be close (not on you, but as close you could get, I guess it got too warm for him with all that fluff), and always stayed if you needed comfort from him. He was so charming, and so clumsy, he talked a lot, and followed you around everywhere. He was the perfect, fluffy, and caring cat!

I can’t believe that I will never lift him up again and compare him to weight-lifting equipment. I can’t believe he will never again come and greet me whenever I visit mom. I can’t believe he is gone…

I try to find comfort in that he was just diagnosed with diabetes and would have to live the rest of his life getting injections twice every day and also regular blood tests. At least he doesn’t have to go through that. And hopefully, wherever he is now, he is cured of all the things that troubled him. I am sure he will charm the pants off of everyone! He literally did that with me on several occasions. I am going to miss him so much!

Min lilla, älskade och underbara Chip! ❤

Review of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on Monday, 20 March 2017, 16:40 by Alexandra

Title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #6
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 607
Published: 2005, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 potions

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys’ house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can’t quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys’ of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks’ time? Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine…

MY REVIEW

The Harry Potter story is getting darker and darker and I definitely felt sad during the last two or three chapters. I knew what was coming, but still, I felt so unprepared for it when it happened and the events following. I am surprised at how little I remember from this book as well, I kept being surprised everywhere, only knowing what would happen in the end. The first four books have very clear separate stories, while the fifth, sixth, and seventh is all one long story and is only in different books because it would be a too big book to hold and read in one go. I think that is why I find it so difficult to tell them apart, mixing the stories together and remember even less than from the first four. It has been like reading the story for the first time, kind of. For example, R. A. B., I can’t remember who it is! I have a vague memory, but it doesn’t match with the initials. So exciting! I almost went to Google to look it up, but I decided that it would be a more fun surprise to read it.

The book is brilliant even though it is very dark, Harry has matured and is not whiny like he was in the fifth book, thank someone for that! There is surprisingly much love in this book, it feels a little misplaced but I guess that is the beauty of love, it happens when least expected. One thing that I thought about while reading (I think this question has popped up during previous books, but I just didn’t remember it) was the spells the Half-Blood Prince came up with. How do you invent a spell? And how can another person use the same set of words, without knowing what they do, but still come up with the same result? Are all spells registered somewhere? And how would Sectumsempra ever be allowed? I would very much like the answer to these questions if anyone knows them.

Even with the minor tears and horribleness at the end, I still enjoy this book very much! Highest grade!

Review of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on Sunday, 5 March 2017, 14:07 by Alexandra

Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #5
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 766
Published: 2003, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 prophecies

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His best friends Ron and Hermione have been very secretive all summer and he is desperate to get back to school and find out what has been going on. However, what Harry discovers is far more devastating than he could ever have expected…

MY REVIEW

I have to say, that this is probably the book that I remembered least from. I was surprised everywhere. Maybe because the book is so thick and contains a lot of stories? I also might have put more focus on the other books since this one has a very sad ending. I knew what was going to happen, obviously, but I didn’t feel too sad when reading it, not like when I read the latest Throne of Glass book where I openly cried twice. The ending was written kind of emotionless honestly.

It is a great book which feels like the start to explanations. If I remember correctly, the 6th book is where Dumbledore uses the Pensieve to show Harry a lot of old stuff? Or is it the 7th? Anyway, pieces are starting to fall into place in the Order of the Phoenix.

One thing that actually bothered me was Harry in the beginning of the book, and some in the end. I have heard some friends saying they hate the Harry Potter series so much because Harry is such a crybaby. I couldn’t understand at all what they meant by saying that and up until this book I feel that Harry is very easy to sympathize with, it is easy to understand why he is acting the way he is because the situation he is in is very relatable. But then there is the Order of the Phoenix… In the first part of the book, up until he has spent a little time at Hogwarts, he is a crybaby! It bothered me so much. Why, all of a sudden did he have so much emotions to being mistreated and left out? That’s been pretty much his whole life so far, why now? Is it because he is now 15 and a teenager with a lot of emotions? It put a different edge to the story than the previous ones, but I didn’t like it. He could have continued to be the modest hero he was before and it wouldn’t have been boring, in my opinion.

This crybaby thing (I hope he is not continuing this in the last two books!) is still not big enough to drag the grade down from a 5. Rowling has an incredible imagination and is amazing at writing and connects all things so well. Even if this book is super thick and full of so much information, everything is connected. It is a delight to read these books!

Review of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on Saturday, 18 February 2017, 17:15 by Alexandra

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #4
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 636
Published: 2000, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 dragons

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Harry Potter is midway through both his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn’t happened for hundreds of years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he’s not normal – even by wizarding standards.
And in his case, different can be deadly.

MY REVIEW

18 hours of reading doesn’t sound like too much. But this was a thick book. It feels like ages ago I read about when the Weasley’s picked up Harry through the fireplace at Privet Drive to bring him to the world cup in Quidditch (a very funny scene in the beginning of the book, which was something I didn’t remember at all from the first time I read it 14 years ago). More than 700 pages means a lot of content, lot of detailed descriptions which were not present in the previous books, at least not in the first two. The Goblet of Fire feels more alive than the previous ones. Although, I can’t really say that lack of descriptions in the Philosopher’s Stone didn’t make me picture everything which happened, it is a livid story and I have also seen the movies many many times, long time ago though. I guess this is a world which just stuck in my head like no other world would.

I am now 25 years old, I was 12 when I read it the first time. I don’t know if I go back to the age of 12 when reading it, or if the story is just so well-written that I still can relate to it. I understand it better as well, Rowling is very good at foreshadowing and small hints instantly makes sense, like for example in the end when Dumbledore asks Snape to do something for him. I got teary-eyed. It does not have to be mentioned, but she is an amazing writer who not only make the story alive, but the characters. She brings out so many emotions while reading, sympathy for Harry because you understand how hard certain situations can be if you had something similar in your own background. But also hate towards Rita Skeeter and Cornelius Fudge for example. I dislike Rita Skeeter as much as the writers for The Daily Punctilio newspaper of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. And that brings forth some feelings towards the media today in our society. I won’t go into it, but Rowling and Snicket’s representations of journalists are very much spot on today!

Some questions arose in my head though while reading. How did Hagrid’s dad manage to get a giant pregnant? How come Harry did not see the horses dragging the Hogwarts carriages at the end of the book when they went to the train to leave school? Or why didn’t he see them before since he faced death as an infant?

There is a reason why the Harry Potter series is a classic after only two decades. Or maybe it is not “only”? Maybe I am just getting old. This story is not old however, it will keep staying alive forever and ever! I can’t wait to read these books to my children in the future, or at least the first ones so that when they are old enough to read by themselves, they will continue to read the books. I love Harry Potter! One of the absolute best book series of all times. Do I even have to write the grade out? (Okey, FIVE, without a doubt!)

Valentine’s Day 2017

Posted on Wednesday, 15 February 2017, 22:07 by Alexandra

img_20170214_215039 Valentine’s Day came and went this year again. My thesis partner was nice and told me to stay home and enjoy it with my boyfriend, so that’s what I did. We had breakfast in town, we bought a bag of red candies and he spent some time with his dad so I could do a little bit of work at home. When he came home he brought me roses. He is so sweet, I love roses, they smell soo good and they are pretty. The cats liked them too so they can’t be on the table unfortunately, but they are pretty high up on the shelf above the TV.

The big plan for the evening was dinner at Fiskekrogen, a seafood restaurant in downtown. I am not an expert on restaurants in Gothenburg (more like the opposite since I rarely eat out), but I have got the idea that it is one of the finer restaurants in Gothenburg. The atmosphere was so romantic, the food was delicious and the service amazing. The price accordingly as well. But it was worth it, we had a night of luxury and shellfish buffet. I felt spoiled. We ordered a bottle of sparkling wine which was delicious, Billabong Wines, an australian non-alcoholic. I know what I want the next time I am celebrating something.

When we got home, we ate red candies and watched Deadpool. We saw it in the movies last year. Maybe this is a new tradition? It is a very funny movie, but at the same time very sad.

It was a nice Valentine’s and I am glad I had Jesper to spend it with! ❤

Nintendo Switch press release

Posted on Saturday, 4 February 2017, 0:28 by Alexandra

Yesterday was a pretty cool day. Jesper’s mom’s husband had called in to a radio program and won two tickets to the press release of the new Nintendo Switch press release. He couldn’t go (I guess?), so we got the tickets and got to see and play on the new console one day before the public. The real pre launch party is today and tomorrow and I have heard that the lines are sick to get in! Perks of being there yesterday, it wasn’t overly packed, everyone got a goodie bag and we all have a chance of winning one Switch. And Jesper and I have a bigger chance to win than most since we are 2 of 20 (the people from the radio contest) who can win, while the other “normal VIP’s” have a much smaller chance to win. Let’s all cross our fingers that we win.

The new console is a very cool little thing. You can pick it apart and play it in several different ways. Either as its own console, without the TV, or you can connect it to the TV and play on the small hand controls which are normally placed on the side of the screen. Or you can buy external controls, bigger ones and connect it to the TV and play. Or build your own bigger handcontrol with the two smaller one. Many possibilities.

There were not too many games to try yesterday, but the new Zelda was there and set up, Super Mario Kart 8 deluxe, Arms, Splatoon 2, 1-2 Switch, Super Bomberman R, Snipperclips, and another one which I don’t remember. The point of Super Bomberman R was to place bombs and kill the other players on a field. I won once at that one. That game was played on the small hand controls and it was hard, even for me who has small hands. You also used those small ones, but in another angle when playing arms, which was a pretty cool boxing game where the arms could be extended very very much. I had a very hard time clicking on the two buttons on top when you went into frenzy (fury?) mode, and even though you didn’t use the buttons in front of you, I still felt like they were in the way. Otherwise, it was a fun game.

In this version of Splatoon it was possible to play many people together, which you can’t in Splatoon 1 (I don’t think at least, we have tried on our Wii U, but couldn’t get it to work with multiplayer). It was hard with the gyroscope, but still fun.

The weirdest games I have ever seen was one which was in 1-2 Switch (many small party games, kinda like Wii Party). The only thing you did was milking a cow. Very weird and random.

Food was served at the event and we also saw a celebrity, Lasse Kronér, if I am not completely mistaken, haha! It was a fun event, and after seeing the crazy lines which were today, I feel VIP who missed that.

Review of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on Saturday, 4 February 2017, 0:24 by Alexandra

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #3
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 317
Published: 1999, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 cats

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Harry Potter is lucky to reach the age of thirteen, since he has already survived the murderous attacks of the feared Dark Lord on more than one occasion. But his hopes for a quiet term concentrating on Quidditch are dashed when a maniacal mass-murderer escapes from Azkaban, pursued by the soul-sucking Dementors who guard the prison. It’s assumed that Hogwarts is the safest place for Harry to be. But is it a coincidence that he can feel eyes watching him in the dark, and should he be taking Professor Trelawney’s ghoulish predictions seriously?

MY REVIEW

The books are getting longer, that is noticeable now. It is also noticeable that J. K. Rowling is putting more focus on the descriptions on the environments. Still, lots of stuff are happening right after each other, but the descriptions of them are fuller and it is really nice! The longer environment descriptions also followed along with my own reading skills. I was 10 when I read the first one and it was a very easy read, I was 11 when I read the third and had developed my reading skills and could easily read the thicker book. And as the rest of the series was released I also got better at reading. And from what I remember, Rowling’s style of writing followed her maturing readers.

Something that does not change in the books is the connection of all the events. It is so clear that she put a lot of thought into the whole story, and now when I know (pretty much at least) what will happen, it is easy to spot the minor things that Rowling put in the story that connects one thing with another. I love reading something well-written and well-worked through.

I am glad I decided to do this project of re-reading all the books. Not disappointed at all! Like with the first two, there are things that I have forgotten about and was surprised while reading. I am not going to change my grade from 2002, it is still a solid 5!

A mix of pics

Posted on Wednesday, 25 January 2017, 19:30 by Alexandra

Not too long again the river that runs next to our neighborhoos was very very flooded! One morning on my way to school, this beautiful sunrise took place! It took a while for Ramses to get used to the new drinking fountain, at first he was afraid of it, then he slowly started to get near it, then he drank the spillwater Cleo had played with and now he is drinking from the running water like nothing. We redid our hall, looks much nicer now. And Cleo approves! The same week as the sunrise (it might even have been the day after), we had an incredible sunset.

Review of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on Tuesday, 24 January 2017, 7:48 by Alexandra

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 251
Published: 1998, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 snakes

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls’ bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone, or something, starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects: Harry Potter himself?

MY REVIEW

Still as good as I remember it from my childhood. Similar to The Sorcerer’s Stone in that sense that something is always happening. But not quite as much, because this book gives more environmental descriptions. Most of it I remember from reading the book and watching the movies countless times, but I still got surprised here and there. For example, I had completely forgot how Moaning Myrtle died or how Lockhart ended his time at Hogwarts as a professor or what happened to Mr. Weasly’s flying car.

It makes me happy that a story so well-known by me can still surprise me and entertain me like I was 12 again. I am so glad I decided to finally reread these books (in its original language). My original plan was to read one book, read another one between. But these are too darned good to be skipped. I will read all of them in one go! I should be done in the beginning of March or mid-March depending on how much time my master thesis will take. Now it is time for the Prisoner of Azkaban, a rather dark book if I don’t misremember.