Top Ten All-Time Favorite Fantasy Books

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten All-Time Favorite Books in X Genre.

1. The Dead-Tossed Waves (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, # 2) by Carrie Ryan
2. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, # 6) by Richelle Mead
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, # 6) by JK Rowling
4. Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, # 3) by J R R Tolkein
5. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, # 1) by Suzanne Collins
6. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, # 3) by George R R Martin
7. Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, # 2) by Cassandra Clare
8. Morning Star (Red Rising Trilogy, # 3) by Pierce Brown
9. Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin, # 3) by Robin LaFevers
10. The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, # 1) by Rick Yancey

I've been in such a contemporary mood lately that I really wanted to feature some of my all-time favorite fantasy books. If you're a long time follower of my blog then none of these picks will be a surprise. What are your favorite fantasy books? Let me know!

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 Movie

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Director: David Yates

Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay) & JK Rowling (novel)

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Released: July 15, 2011

130 minutes

Production: Warner Bros, Heyday Films, Moving Picture Company

( Amazon )

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Midnight showing was great...and crazy. Our movie theater here didn't have the organization down for this midnight showing. I've been to see 4 midnight showings now (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, & now HP7-2) and this was the craziest yet. Plus we got stuck on the second row which was the pits. I was getting sick during the previews due to the rapid movement from one shot to the next, plus I'm extremely far-sided in one eye--which means I see better far away--but once the movie started up it was better. Still not as good as sitting at the top, but acceptable.

The movie was really, really good. I was genuinely impressed overall. They really stuck to the book with the beginning of the movie. Of course when it comes to a book making it to the big screen, changes are made for the sake of time and visual appeal and sometimes just because. This movie was no different. There were some things I really wish they had not changed and others that I suppose I can understand. But that's the way it always is. If the movie was exactly the same as the book, there would be a lot less to talk about.

My biggest complaint of the changes they made in the movie (SPOILER ALERT) is that Harry tells Hermione and Ron before he goes to the forest to meet LV in the movie, which he does not do in the book. It only bothered me so much because while going through the book that was the most emotional scene for me. Harry's just witnessed Snape's memories in the pensive and he realizes that he has to die. So he goes to face his death alone...very alone. He has the resurrection stone and he sees his parents, etc, but even they vanish before he actually faces LV. And my impression while reading the book was that of him being utterly alone. I didn't QUITE get that from the movie. Sometimes I think movies and tv shows accidentally protray the main character as being a superhero and above what they are, when in truth Harry was really scared (not to the point of refusing to do what he had to) and truthfully he winged it A LOT, but that's what we love about him. He's real, and he's human--or well, wizard, but you get the point. I don't know, I didn't get the same feeling from the movie in that scene that I did in the book.

Oh and I wish Harry had been able to tell LV off in front of everyone, but they changed that up a bit too. Not too devastating though. And loved the scene with Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix. Last thing (I think), Harry and Jenny's kiss...awkward. They totally could have done another take for that one. Not nearly as good as Ron and Hermione's.

Well pleased. Sad that it's over. Want to see it again.

*Updated: September 6, 2013

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, # 7)

By: JK Rowling

Expected Publication: July 2007 by Arthur A. Levine Books

759 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.

The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.

To stop Voldemort, Harry knows he must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them. He will have to face his enemy in one final battle.

So yes, as you can tell, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows has received the coveted 5 star rating (coveted by...? I don’t know). This book is packed with information and one thing happening after the other from cover to cover. The second half was the most enjoyable for me because it was the only part of this entire series that I’ve not seen in movie version before hand and I really think that makes a world of difference. Seeing the movies first gave me enough information to remember the big twists and turns but left me without the crucial information to fully understand and appreciate the big twists. I’m glad I finally went through the actual books, but I have to say, finishing this series, as is the way when I finish most series, has left me feeling lost. I don't know what to do with my life. :) Also, in case this helps you, I’ve added the paperback books and the audiobooks to my Amazon Wish List.

JK Rowling does an excellent job keeping the reader in suspense. Even when you think you know what’s going to happen, or in some cases what you think has already happened, and even a specific character’s motivation, she keeps you unsure that what you’ve predicted is really as it appears. This is good. You all know I have a hang up when it comes to books being predictable. It just bugs me to the point of wanting the book to do the exact opposite of what I predict despite how crazy it might be just to catch me off guard. However, even when my predictions were true in this book, I was still happy they were true because she brought them about in such an artful way that it really could have gone one way or the other.

I really like the whole conclusion of the story and I feel quite sure that I need to go through all the books again because I’m sure there is crucial information that I might have missed out on the first time—typical for me when reading such complex series. She does tie it all together quite nicely bringing in things that have been building and building for several books now to where it all makes sense and it all fits together in such harmony. It’s quite like a symphony.

I enjoyed the character development throughout the whole series. Though, I would have liked to have seen Jenny more in this book, I suppose I understand. Oh and I think I might have mentioned this in the review of the last book, but Snape is quite possibly one of my favorite fictional characters. He’s very complex and I just love the development of his character throughout the series. I felt one way while watching the movies. Changed my opinion when reading the books. Then got to a certain part in book 6 where I felt at peace and then immediately changed my opinion. And then was unsure until the very end of this book, though I still leaned more toward one way than the other. This is exactly what I’m talking about with how you can predict something but still be unsure and even if you’re right or wrong, whatever the conclusion, you’re okay with the way she handled it all. Brilliant.

Very good read and a well deserved 5 Star rating. Looking forward to seeing Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows when it comes out in July.

Oh and I actually laughed out loud in one part, which is a much added bonus and another reason why this book deserves the 5 star rating. I don’t usually do that so anytime a book can make me laugh out loud and make a fool out of myself to others around me, gold star.

Updated: July 7, 2018