Contains hints and teases, but no specific spoilers…

10:15am It’s arrived! Hooray! Time to settle down with a good book for the next few hours. “I suppose we won’t be seeing much of you for the rest of the day” says my Dad. Oooh, I open it and there are quotes at the front. I wonder whether the first one is a hint that the founders of Hogwarts will somehow come to the aid of Harry and friends? Anyway, I’m sitting comfortably, so I’ll begin…

Chapter 1
Who’s the source among the Order passing information to the Death Eaters? I heard a theory beforehand McGonnagal is a spy for Voldemort, which I think is rather unlikely, but I don’t have any definite ideas on who it could be yet. The score at the end of chapter one: one wedding, one death.

Chapter 2
Some revelations about Dumbledore’s background. Interesting, but nothing that appears at first glance to be particularly significant. The last bit with the mirror, though, is very intriguing…

Chapter 3
Ah, some changes at the Dursley household, and a change of heart from Dudley. Good stuff.

Chapter 4
Out of context amusing quote: “You look much tastier than Crabbe and Goyle, Harry”, said Hermione, before catching sight of Ron’s raised eyebrows. A clever plan, followed by a great action sequence, very exciting. Oooh, the peril – and there’s another death, oh no!

Chapter 5
A title like “Fallen Warrior” doesn’t bode well, and sure enough, things haven’t gone well for someone. J K Rowling was right about the final book being a bloodbath. What of the golden sparks from Harry’s wand, though? That sounds phoenix-like to me. Perhaps it’s something to do with Dumbledore’s “Gleam of Triumph” in The Goblet of Fire.

Chapter 6
Harry faces an attack that’s quite different from one of Voldemort’s, but no less terrifying! Gosh, it’s really something what Hermione’s done to her parents. So many plans and details to be worked out for all the characters to try and protect one another from Voldemort. More exposition on the nature of Horcruxes, how to destroy them, and, most interestingly, how a souls can be put back together. Will that piece of information prove to be significant later?

Chapter 7
Ron’s birthday present to Harry – hilarious! “You’d be surprised, it’s not all about wandwork”. Anyway, one prediction of mine seemingly proved wrong in this chapter.

Chapter 8
A happy occasion, with more revelations, and a big cliffhanger at the end of the chapter. No time to stop and comment, I want to read on!

Chapter 10
Ah hah! One of my predictions at least was right.

Chapter 11
Regime change in the Wizarding World, and it’s all very Nazi Germany. I wonder if there’s any connection between Dumbledore’s sister and Aunt Petunia? No, I don’t think that works, but I’m intrigued about what exactly the story is on both counts.

Chapters 12-14
Really getting into it now, hence the lack of comments. Really good sense of oppression and menace with Harry, Ron and Hermione on the run. More questions being raised – what is Voldemort after from the wandmaker?

Chapter 15
Flash of inspiration – I’ve got a theory about what Voldemort is after now.

Chapter 16
Punch the air moment from me on reading what’s written on James and Lily Potter’s gravestone.

Chapters 17-20
More twists and turns. I thought it rather obvious that something was up with Bathilda. Anyway, time to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch…

Chapters 21 to the end
Blow this for a lark, I’m too gripped by it to stop after each chapter to make notes for my blog!

3:50pm – Reached the end. A satisfying ending, particularly since I’d guessed several key points correctly (though was mistaken on other points). A proper review to follow later!