ebonlock | (no subject)

I wish I could derail my brain enough from HBP to write up a more intelligible post today, but alas, I cannot. Saturday and "A Camel in Summer" was a lot of fun, though utterly exhausting. The heat always makes it so much worse, you know? At the end of the day I was dehydrated, headachy and vaguely ill. Didn't feel any better until I stood under a torrent of cold water at home, at which point I felt well enough to actually eat something (which I hadn't really done since about 9:30 that morning). I believe there were some pictures taken, if so they can be shared later. A bit thank you to the always gracious

tamago for coming up with this mad idea and seeing it through so beautifully...and for sticking me in the nice, shady palace all day :)

Friday night, after helping a little with set up, I zoomed home and did obscene things to my hair (again, pictures later) for my Trelawney costume. I thought I looked pretty damn close to the Emma Thompson version and got recognized by most of the kids so go me. The contests were mildly cute, but I've run more interesting and entertaining events like this with one hand tied behind my back. They could've done *so* much more than print off a few sheets, fill a jar with Bertie Botts and play a recording. The bookstore folks also had only a vague idea of how they wanted traffic to work in their store that night which left lots of people milling around aimlessly.

It really was all about the kids, though, and seeing how into they were was a downright joy. The best costumes were probably the two little girls dressed as House Elves, they were beyond adorable. I think I got a shot of them with the girls dressed as students with big S.P.E.W. buttons on. I was sad to note not a single Lupin or Snape to be seen, though the Dumbledore who showed up later on was superb, and the McGonnagal looked fantastic (though god she must've been *sweltering*). Of course everyone was just hanging out until the books were released and the line went incredibly quickly (for pre-sales anyway). The funniest moment was ending up standing in front of the door behind which were all the crates. The guy ahead of me yanked out his cell phone and took a shot of the pile of crates in the little room for posterity I guess. I just had to laugh, this is fan insanity at its best.

I couldn't resist looking at pictures and reading chapter titles (the latter was done while standing in the store itself...yeah, I have no willpower), and from that I gleaned a great deal of the plot without even trying. We'd figured out before we left for home Friday night that Albus indeed dies by the end of the book, but didn't know who'd done it at that point.

The chapter "Snape Victorious" could only be one thing, which was obvious to me from the moment I read it. Bye-bye Potions Master, hello Dark Arts. And when we finally started reading at 9 a.m. or so yesterday I'd also guessed the Half Blood Prince's identity just from the textbook (there is only one character with enough skill, intelligence and cajones to correct an Advanced Potions textbook, it's pretty obvious really). And of course it all makes more sense if you don't read the title as "The Half Blood Prince", rather as "The Half Blood, Prince", then most of the pieces fall into place rather easily.

Without nattering on too long (I'm only as far as about page 500, which is where we gave up last night, but I know the outcome), I will say definitively that this is the best book of the series. Hands down. I mean just the number of "Oh my god!" and the times we all broke down laughing, convinced me of that. Jo could still use a slightly more on the ball copy editor, and her run on sentences are a bitch to read aloud, but this one so makes up for Order of the Phoenix. Oh my god does it ever.

And regardless of how this all turns out in the next novel I just have to say that after the events of this one, Snape is without question the greatest wizard in the series. Because he has either a) totally fucked over Dumbledore or b) totally fucked over Voldemort, in either case...damn. I am choosing to keep the faith at this point and believe that in the finale of book 7 it's going to be Lord V- who's in for a nasty surprise.

Ok, must stop now and try to get some actual work done. I'll finish reading tonight and may have more to say tomorrow. Wait, make that *will* have more to say tomorrow.

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Speaking of copy editors, I noticed an error within the first ten pages, IIRC. ("Site" is not the same as "sight", children.) On the other hand, that was the only one I noticed, perhaps because it was all between 1 & 6:30AM Saturday morning.

I thought JKR did a nice trick - with all the careful attention paid to Tom Riddle's mixed heritage & background, I figured him for the HPB, and was wondering "Why is this so obvious?" That was pleasant literary misdirection, andd I don't know how many of its "intended readers" - the teens and younger crowd - will refuse to follow the red herring that snagged me.

Speaking of copy editors, I noticed an error within the first ten pages, IIRC. ("Site" is not the same as "sight", children.) On the other hand, that was the only one I noticed, perhaps because it was all between 1 & 6:30AM Saturday morning.

Yeah we caught that one too, I think there was also an "effect"/"affect" screw up later on, and oh gods the run-on sentences from hell. You don't notice them that much when reading them silently, but try reading them aloud...

As for the HBP, yeah she was definitely leading you down Red Herring St. with all the Tom Riddle stuff, but deep down I just knew who it had to be, though the rest of the stuff about his background was just fascinating. So many fans are going to have to revise their fics now it's not even funny. But oh the shippers are doing little dances...well some of them, others are wailing and gnashing their teeth.

Wait, page 500? Okay, we are definitely holding off all discussion until tomorrow then.

Not necessary, I have to read about the Horcruxes, but I know the general gist of the rest of the story and oh my god have I got a theory. It involves Snape, another Unbreakable, and what exactly is at the center of his wand. If it's what I think it is then Lord V- is in for it big time.

You're tempting, but I still think we ought to wait until tomorrow. i'd hate to be quoting passages you haven't reached yet. :)

You're tempting, but I still think we ought to wait until tomorrow. i'd hate to be quoting passages you haven't reached yet. :)

If you insist...

I'm not trying to be stubborn or anything, it's just that my favorite pet theory involves a part you're not to yet. Though you may have read it on my LJ. But how, HOW can anyone be reading Snape as evil? There's just too many clues to the contrary for me to think that anyone can be falling for this (other than Bellatrix and Cissy).

Also, I am in love with Luna. Madly. Looking for good Luna fic. None found yet.

Also, I am in love with Luna. Madly. Looking for good Luna fic. None found yet.

Best. Quidditch. Commentator. Ever.

Best. Quidditch. Commentator. Ever.

I might have to just reread that passage tonight.

due to wedding fun, I haven't even opened the spine of the book yet.

~pout~

Um, if you can clear your schedule for the rest of the week you may want to. Once you pick this book up you won't put it down. Seriously, it is superb.

I'm still at uncracked book.

I'm still at uncracked book.

Read it already! There's so much to discuss!

I know, I haven't had a moment of free time.

the two little girls dressed as House Elves
I'm guessing they were house elves who had been freed? Because aren't they usually naked?

I'm guessing they were house elves who had been freed? Because aren't they usually naked?

They actually had flesh colored smocks on.

No, the house elves are frequently described as being dressed in sheets or tea towels or things. I believe their indenture is broken when they're given an actual article of clothing.

I think it's quite elegant that Snape may have appeared to fuck over Dumbledore while complying with Voldemort's wishes, when in fact the opposite may be the case.

I think it's quite elegant that Snape may have appeared to fuck over Dumbledore while complying with Voldemort's wishes, when in fact the opposite may be the case.

It's so..well, Snape, isn't it? I can't believe how much everyone's underestimated him so far, I mean damn the man truly is a genius and the best Occlumens in the freakin' world no matter how this turns out.