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There will be no spoilers in this post.

I've been debating writing about this at all. There are so many strong opinions in all directions about the final installment of the Harry Potter saga. I've heard everything from it being the most original tale in a long time to it being a direct rip-off. Here is what I have taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Epic tales are bound to have some repetition and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is no exception. An author must always remind their readers of what's happened in the prior books. For some it's been a long time since they've read the prequels. For others, it's just too much to remember. One big difference in Rowling's writing from, say, Robert Jordan is that she tends to weave these reminders into the plot rather than stepping back and re-explaining. She uses context in such a way that if you've forgotten something you're okay.

The fact is that this and all other Harry Potter installments have been plot-filled. Others might disagree, but I really think that this was something that kept me coming back to read more.

One final note: the climax of the story. I've seen it opined that this scene was too short and abrupt. My opinion is that it was absolutely perfect - it was the culmination of everything that had happened in all of the prior stories. It tied everything together, it filled in minor plot holes, answered questions, and made perfect sense. I do not believe that length of a scene is what defines it, I feel it's about the believability, and this was something that, despite figuring many things out (and some before the book was even released), I did not see coming and was thrilled by.

And that's about all I can say without spoilers.

I finished reading The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan a few days ago. It's the third book in his Wheel of Time series, and I'm loving it. The beauty of this book, like the others, is that Jordan illustrates a whole world. He is verbose and every detail is accounted for. Thoughts and emotions are followed. So many characters are involved, so many plot lines. The whole thing is thought provoking. I find myself trying to unravel the plot, staring into the book.

I'll admit it - I had trouble getting into the first book. It's wordy and detailed. It was intimidating to say the least. The reader needs to remember a few things, though. This is not a trilogy. Thus far it is an eleven book long series, and if I've heard right, there will be a twelfth. Now that, too, might seem intimidating but the story is still very fast paced. I find myself engrossed in the book, easily reading fifty pages or more a night and wishing I could stay up later to read more. I'd recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of fantasy literature.

I just finished reading Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus by Orson Scott Card last night. This is my second time reading this book. I would warn that if you're not mature or don't like novels that'll make you think, this book may not be for you. That being said, it was definitely for me.

Per usual, Card fleshed out his characters to the point of making them seem real and tangible - one of my favorite attributes of his writing. There's nothing quite like relating to people who never have and never will exist.

I found that this book flowed nicely, and took perspective breaks regularly enough to to keep the reader wanting more but far enough apart to be satisfying. The story itself was solid, the interactions human, and the history (yes, history) had sources. Not being a historian, I can't say how accurate it was but it all seems plausible and, again, there were sources.

This book's genre would cross between historical fiction, science fiction, and time travel. It's like nothing I've ever read before, and remains a favorite.

I just finished reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I found it quite excellent and enjoyable, and a challenge to read in some spots. The story had enough twists to keep me interested, but nothing obnoxious or annoying. Just a really fun and enjoyable novel, and definitely worth my time.

I just finished reading Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card. This is book six in the Ender series.

Orson Scott Card talks about Isaac Asimov as an inspiration, someone who took him away from the world in which he lived and showed him another world, a grand world, and yet still a version of the world in which we all live. Orson Scott Card is, then, my Asimov.

Reading his novels has taken me away from my life and transported me to another version of Earth. I fantasize about what it would be like to live in that world, to interact with those characters. I can feel myself thinking as them, being ready to say the things they say before I read their speech. For me, this is the mark of an amazing author, one who can flesh out a world that appears real and characters the reader feels like they've known all their life. To me, reading Orson Scott Card's books is a profound experience.

This book was no exception to that rule. It comes with my highest of recommendations.

I just had to stop in and write about this before I send the laptop off.

According to this, J.K. Rowling is considering writing an eighth Harry Potter book. According to the quotes in the article, J.K. Rowling simply doesn't want to say never just incase she changes her mind later. Isn't it amazing how such a vague hint hits the front page of CNN.com? How long it'll stay there is anyone's guess.

Anyway, I haven't actually read any of the Harry Potter books yet. I know, I know. You all hate me now. But I will! One of these days, I will. Lately I am reading the second half of Orson Scott Card's Ender series. But then again, lately I really haven't been reading at all. I guess I've just been slacking. But I do plan to read them. The films are excellent, and no film can ever compare to a book. So I need to read them eventually.