Yes, I know this post has nothing to do with video games, but I think it's just as geeky, so hopefully, everyone will forgive me.;)

Harry Potter book seven came out last week. Big news to any technologically impaired hermit living on a remote island, I suppose, but it's pretty safe to say the rest of the world knows. Unlike what seems to be the rest of the world, though, my response is less of an "EEEEEEE!" and more of a "hmmm." In fact, I'm only two hundred fifty pages into the book so far.

So why the lack of excitement? Two major reasons, having to do with past Harry Potter books-shallow characterization and the rigidity of the good vs. evil mentality. There have been shades of moral gray with Sirius Black in book three, the marauders' cruel treatment of Snape, and Snape himself. However, as soon as a hint of the moral ambiguity shows itself, we get a lovely stereotypical Slytherin.

Ah, Slytherins. They have no depth. They trump around, yelling at people, torturing younger children (and once assumes, small animals). It's like someone took the definition of "evil" and tried to fit characters around it.

As for the two characters in Slytherin that do show touches of humanity , Draco and Snape, we are never given more than glimpses into their backgrounds. It's a testament to Rowling's talent that she has created so many fascinating characters. They are just so interesting, though, I can't help but wonder more about their stories.

The Gryffindors have better characterization then the Slytherins, but they often seem bland. Ron and Hermione's romance was about as shocking as milk in cereal. And Ginny with Harry is about as stimulating as a lukewarm bath. So far, this book hasn't done much to change my opinion about this at all.

So, what I am hoping for in book seven:

I want to see Harry's concepts of good and evil (such as that Snape is horrible) get challenged more. And no, I am not suggesting Snape suddenly adopt twenty starving children or get a cute poodle. I do want Rowling to continue with the hints of Snape's ambiguity (where do his loyalties lie?), though.

Oh,and no more "Drama Mama" Harry. Angst does not make him more interesting, just annoying. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I CANNOT TAKE THE PAGES OF HARRY YELLING IN ALL CAPS, IT IS NOT EASY ON THE EYES. DO YOU UNDERSTAND, J.K. ROWLING? DO YOU?!!

The details of the world of Harry Potter have so much imaginative potential, which is the reason for so much fan fiction. I just wish that more of that imaginative potential would be capitalized on by the quality of writing. J.K. Rowling's writing is certainly adequate, but I still feel it only skims the surface of what could be... so much more?

And with that being said, I will now go back to playing Dragon Warrior 8. On the last boss, but he is so freakin' hard (any strategies for Rapthorne, anyone at all?)