doctorwho said:
I didn't think the book was bad, but I'd say it was the weakest of the six I've read so far. This is the equivalent to saying that certain U2 albums aren't as strong as others. We all have a least favorite U2 album - but when compared to other artists, that album shines. Same is true with this book. I feel it's a solid book, but the weakest of her "Potter" work to date.
I have no problem with limited action. All her books are that way, having a climactic finale. I fully expect the same in Book 7, with perhaps a final chapter to close things up.
Unlike you, I knew Dumbledore was doomed after reading Book 5. He readily was able to handle Riddle/Voldemort. That alone suggested that he had to be "removed" if we are to see the big battle between Potter and Voldemort. I was disappointed, however, in how she had him die. Seems a somewhat ignoble way for what is arguably the most powerful wizard alive to pass on - an apparent attack from one he trusted.
Of course, this leads to what may be the most interesting theory of them all - perhaps Dumbledore trusted Snape so much because he wanted and fully expected Snape to kill him when the time came. Maybe Dumbledore's pleas weren't for mercy or for Snape to help him, but rather for Snape to fulfill the "contract" he might have made with Dumbledore years earlier. Perhaps Dumbledore knew that in order for Voldemort to be defeated, he (Dumbledore) had to die. Perhaps Trelawney made another prediction that got to Dumbledore's ears.
So it leads to a whole array of interesting plots. Was Snape the apparent traiter he now appears to be? Or was this all pre-arranged by Dumbledore? Hmmm...
Well, I guess I should start out by saying that Dumbledore has always been my absolute favorite character, and although I predicted it (it also fits the classic hero's journey archetype for the mentor to die (see: LOTR; Lion, Witch & Wardrobe)), I was very upset to see it actually come to pass (and I agree, in such an ignoble way!). I also cling to (call it denial, I suppose) to some faint belief that like the mentor's in those two books, Dumbledore might not really be dead...
*hopes desperately* (His death was just too easy, especially for one of the greatest wizards of the age).
Weakest or not, this is my favorite installment of the series... Yes, JK could have spent more time with the 'Half-Blood Prince' and the action is pretty much contained until the end - but I guess that's not a problem to me... Instead of action, I was sitting there mentally trying to work out all these questions the book was giving me, and I really enjoyed that. Plus, I loved the way this was written, and was extremely glad to see Harry the brat was left in Book 5.
To respond to the above, however: JK has already said that she's going to have a last chapter that kind of summarizes what happens to the characers...
I'm not sure if I agree with your theory that Dumbldore needed to die so Harry could tackle him - it is very clear that Dumbldore has no intentions of killing Voldemort himself - he knows Harry must do so. Knowing this, it's not exactly necessary for him to be booted.
As to your theory regarding Dumbledore & Snape, however - now, that's pretty interesting. It's a twist on something I myself have been pondering... I think there's something there between Dumbldore and himself - but I think his "death" (believe it or not, haha) was somehow prearranged like that - it would allow Snape to fulfill his vow he made to Malfoy (Malfoy would have failed, and Snape was obligated to assist) - and by doing so, all suspicion regarding his loyalty to "the Dark Side' has now been lifted. This would allow him to continue his "work" on the other side (assuming he was always a spy to begin with).
If all of this is false, and Snape is truly evil, and if Dumbledore was THAT stupid, I'd be dissapointed... I can't imagine Dumbledore being THAT blind... And in that case, I'd say Snape is worse that Voldemort... At least you know what's Voldemort's goals are; there is no question as to his intention.
Ok, all this speculation sounds quite dorky, and there's little else I'll ramble on about - but yeah, I'll stop.