Derpad USA

What a way to end a seven-part tale! I think J.K. Rowling ended the Harry Potter series with a bang when "Deathly Hallows" was released. So much sadness and suffering, yet so much cheerfulness and friendship. Trust and lack of trust. However, I really took it in when she emphasized (particularly when Dumbledore would speak to Harry) the importance of love. The love Snape had for Lily. The love Voldy lacked and never understood, which was responsible for his downfall. However, the love that Dumbledore had, which J.K. Rowling said was his greatest tragedy. Harry, Ron and Hermione's journey was something! Yet, there's still more references the author provided, particularly of the "Iliad" by Homer, in "Deathly Hallows."

Although I read this and appreciated what it offered . . . I never noticed that a film could be so much better than a book until "Lord of the Rings" was brought to my attention. J.R.R. Tolkien was an amazing writer and the adventure within the 1000-page-or-so trilogy really brought life to the story. The languages he introduced made the adventure more realistic, particularly the way characters such as Aragorn, son of Arathon, were named.

I find myself fortunate having read "Journey to the Center of the Earth." However, I still need to get my hands on Jules Verne's other novels. His biography is so remarkable. This soft sci-fi not only introduced insight into potential scientific breakthrough but insight historically into the author's time as well as the historic society's culture. "Journey to the Center of the Earth" included adventure as well as growth in characters, especially Professor Lindenbrock and his nephew (both remind me of Doc and Marty McFly from "Back to the Future"). Never a dull moment!

"Order of the Phoenix" proved to be the best of the series, for me, because of the detail, adventure, comedy, and length in the book. The duel between Dumbledore and Voldy in the "Only One He Ever Feared" chapter was probably well-written. When Fred and George Weasley caused comedic chaos for Umbridge while the professors enjoyed it was a comedic experience.

Mary Shelley did a good job writing a narrative within a narrative - beginning with a letter (which is an interesting way to start a story in first person) - and continuing with the monster's perspective. Her writing brought me back in time. What amazed me also was the work that she and her husband, Percy Shelly, shared. Also, her references to Milton's "Paradise Lost" gave me an interest in looking at his work as well.