21-06-2003 20:29									#1
	Harry Potter reaction thread Got spare money?

Ok, i'm in the middle of the fourth chapter right now, and I'd like to jot down some notes, share with fellow fans, yadda yadda yadda...

#1 - Physical descriptions - The characters are physically changing and she makes it quite clear that this is important - ron's taller, his mum is thinner, dudley is a bit stronger, and even aunt petunia seems to be taking on a different nature.

#2 - DARKER. More mature. Much more mature. The whole advance guard thing reminds me of real life - of my parents friends coming over to my house and interacting with them. Love it!

	21-06-2003 20:44									#3
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Why would someone who has no interest in Harry Potter open a "Harry Potter reaction thread"? Go out and play in the traffic or something, Bods.

I'm at the same part of the book as you monolith and I agree with your observation so far. It's also noticeable already how Harry's character is changing, he's much more of an angst-ridden teenager in this one - he's got an urge to get rid of his frustration through physical violence, is insecure about his friends not telling him stuff and doesn't want to get out of the loop.

Good stuff so far. The Advance Guard bit was cool.

Since I don't trust certain people on this forum not to reveal spoilers I won't be visiting this thread again (I trusted you, monolith ) until I've finished it, which probably take 5 or 6 days.

	21-06-2003 20:46									#4
	Re: Harry Potter reaction thread Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by monolith94 even aunt petunia seems to be taking on a different nature.

The howler she got was very intriguing ... I wonder what's going on there? All sorts of consipracy theories are coming to mind.

PM me if you wanna discuss anything to do with the book over the next few days - just put the chapter number you've read up to in the title so I know whether I should be opening it or not.

	21-06-2003 21:27									#5
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5-6 days??? Last time book 4 was released, I stayed up all night reading it, and was done, at most, in three! This time I just had to go to bed... I was too exhausted... I'm gettin' old!

Also - Percy has become of new importance!
I LOVE the return of Fleur Delacour! One of my favorite characters.

I don't really consider those last two sentences spoilers.

	21-06-2003 21:27									#6
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quote: Why would someone who has no interest in Harry Potter open a "Harry Potter reaction thread"?

To be amazed?and to point and laugh (j/k)

Nope, I'm intersted to see what you all will come up with.

	21-06-2003 21:32									#7
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quote: Originally posted by monolith94 5-6 days??? Last time book 4 was released, I stayed up all night reading it, and was done, at most, in three!

* FrustratedPoet checks that no evil people have posted in this thread.
* FrustratedPoet opens it.

I finished book 4 in less time (including staying up all night to finish it), however back then I didn't have a job. I'll read alot of it this weekend, but will be at work for 8 hours on monday and won't be able to stay up late that night.

I've not got all that far in Book 5 yet, though, so it remains to be seen have it'll grab me. It might be necessary for me to come down with some kind of mystery illness on Monday

	21-06-2003 21:34									#8
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quote: Originally posted by monolith94 I don't really consider those last two sentences spoilers.

Nor do I (and I haven't got that far yet).

Actually, what the fvck am I doing here?

* FrustratedPoet switches off the PC and opens the book.

	21-06-2003 22:47									#9
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Just read a few more chapters before dinner, and had to come here to share this.

Not a real spoiler, but I'll use the tags anyway to let people see it for themselves. About the character of the 'evil' house-elf:

spoiler(highlight to read): Is it just me or is Kreacher almost EXACTLY like Gollum? If you swapped "blood traitors" for "Bagginses" and "mistress" for "precious" then it would read like a section of The Two Towers. I'm not complaining - I think it's funny - just wondering if anyone else noticed.

	21-06-2003 23:48									#10
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Amazon.com hasn't come through for me yet. C'mon Amazon, shake a leg!

	22-06-2003 00:10									#11
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http://www.exposingsatanism.org/harrypotter.htm

	22-06-2003 01:17									#12
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Just read Chapters 1 & 2. I agree about the 'darker' and realistic angst-ridden parts. Harry is frustrated and jealous that people don't hold him up. He is definetly growing older. And evil in the first two chapters? Wow... started with a bang!

	22-06-2003 01:29									#13
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There's also quite a bit of arrogance about him now, an "I've saved the world 4* times so people had better pay me more respect in future!" attitude - which seems realistic and good character development.

* - or three times, depending on how you view the end of GoF

The way the characters talk now seems a little different. I notice that Ron calls Harry "mate" a lot, which is consistent with how young English males express affection for each other. I expect both of them (and Hermione too) to have more advanced romantic relationships later in the book - there was some of that in book 4 but I get a definite feel that the raging hormones of puberty are getting a hold on our heroes.

	22-06-2003 01:32									#14
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quote: Originally posted by Zkribbler Amazon.com hasn't come through for me yet. C'mon Amazon, shake a leg!

I was expecting the delivery of two other books from them today, but they never showed up. It looks like the HP shipments are taking top priority over here - everything else has been pushed to the back of the queue.

	22-06-2003 01:34									#15
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quote: I expect both of them (and Hermione too) to have more advanced romantic relationships later in the book - there was some of that in book 4 but I get a definite feel that the raging hormones of puberty are getting a hold on our heroes.

As long as we don't get 'teen porno' it'll be alright .

	22-06-2003 01:35									#16
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I wasnt gonna pay $30 for it hardcover, but this morning I found it at sams for 15 so I picked it up. I havent even opened it yet!

	22-06-2003 02:24									#17
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I'm done. It's ****ing awesome.

Yea, I know, 17 hours post-release, that's pretty sad, but I finished IV even faster (8 hours post-release)

I'm gonna try to be the first fan in the world to finish all 7.


I'm gonna say some general stuff so no real spoiler worries here. My first thoughts:
1. Wow, Umbridge is an awesome character.
2. The acclemency lessons allow Rowling to do some excellent character development.
3. The Harry and Cho story was the part where I needed most suspension of disbelief. Not the crazy stuff involving Harry and Voldemort.
4. I cried twice in the book. Once when a certain thing happens, (you'll know it when you come to it) and once when Peeves saluted Fred and George when they left.
5. The action starts quick, but I found the section at the hideout to be extroardinarily boring for what I consider to be the best book yet.
6. Rowling's descriptive ability has improved greatly since book 1.
7. The loose ends were tied up astoundingly well.

Very very very minor spoilers: (I've been vague on purpose)

spoiler(highlight to read): 8. I really like the idea of the wizarding community splintering into two. (Three if you include Death Eaters.) 9. I love the poetic justice in Dumbledore's midyear teacher appointment. 10. I also love the choice of person for Harry to share fate with. (That's a really awkward sentence, but I'm trying to give little away.)

Except this loose end bothers me. (You really should be at the end before reading this):

spoiler(highlight to read): How come Sirius didn't just tell Harry to use the mirror instead of the complicated "floo powder in Umbridge's office" trick? Also, unrelated, but I didn't expect it to be Sirius. I'll really miss him.

That's all I feel like writing for now.

	22-06-2003 02:26									#18
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui quote: I expect both of them (and Hermione too) to have more advanced romantic relationships later in the book - there was some of that in book 4 but I get a definite feel that the raging hormones of puberty are getting a hold on our heroes. As long as we don't get 'teen porno' it'll be alright .

It was pretty tame...

but Ginny... how many boyfriends did she have over the course of 890 pages?!

Hermione Spoiler:

spoiler(highlight to read): Hermione doesn't get any in this one... I was sure that Hermione and Ron would be involved with each other when Harry met them. After all, they had been together, all alone, trapped indoors, with nothing to do...

Smileys appear in my spoilers whether you highlight it or not. Hope I didn't give anything away.

	22-06-2003 02:32									#19
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NOTE: You can see through the spoiler tags when you try and quote somebody. I only narrowly avoided reading JW's Hermione spoiler. Be careful!

quote: how many boyfriends did she have over the course of 890 pages?!

Interesting. My copy is 760-ish pages.

	22-06-2003 02:42									#20
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So far so good. I was surprised that

spoiler(highlight to read): Ron was made a prefect

I'm at the point where

spoiler(highlight to read): Neville cause the cactus to 'splode on Harry in the Train, with Cho walking in

But the best part so far was when

spoiler(highlight to read): The Bloods wasted the Dursleys in the drive buy shooting. Who knew the gangs were in Britain?

	22-06-2003 03:04									#21
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Gaaaar! I can't stand the sight of all the spoilers!!! I've gotta go finish it NOW!

	22-06-2003 03:49									#22
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from what I have seen on TV lately I would call it "Harry Potter OVERreaction thread"

	22-06-2003 03:59									#23
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Some pretty weird posts in this trhead with all the spoilers...

	22-06-2003 05:13									#24
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quote: My copy is 760-ish pages.

Yeah, the American version has bigger text apparently.

And JW, that list STILL had spoilers in them... you should label that better (even if the spoilers were a bit vague)... especially with Ginny and her b/f's .

--

I'm up to page 140 (or something) and it is really getting fun. Of course [*minor spoiler*] I'm eagerly awaiting the school year (I pretty much know the result of what happens at the Ministry).

	22-06-2003 05:17									#25
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quote: Originally posted by FrustratedPoet Why would someone who has no interest in Harry Potter open a "Harry Potter reaction thread"? Go out and play in the traffic or something, Bods.

I believe he was expressing his reaction, wasn't he?

	22-06-2003 05:19									#26
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Yes, he revealed himself as another who wants to make others miserable because he isn't "in" with the group.

	22-06-2003 05:27									#27
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5:30 p.m. and still no Harry Potter.

Attachment: bawling.gif
This has been downloaded 192 time(s).

	22-06-2003 05:45									#28
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I'm up to the same point that Lonestar said he was at now. I love the new character of Luna!!!

	22-06-2003 05:50									#29
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ZKrib

I feel for you man! HANG IN THERE!

	22-06-2003 05:55									#30
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Hahaha what are we going to do now, form a Harry Potter support group?