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I’ve put off writing this review because it’ll be the last time that I talk about Harry for a while *sniff sniff*. I will have a re-read at some point, but somehow I don’t think it’ll be the same. I’ve actually never re-read a book because I feel like the magic is gone after the first read, but this series has changed my mind. There’s no way that I couldn’t read this series again; It feels like I’d be letting go of Harry forever. These books have been a life-line to me during the past few (very difficult) months and I’ll always be grateful for how they managed to take my mind off things and give me perspective.
Throughout this whole series I’ve felt like I’ve been a part of things. I never felt like an outsider, simply observing events. Every time that Harry suffered a loss, I felt his pain, or when he went back to the Dursleys at the end of the school term, I felt his frustration. That’s not to say that there weren’t bright moments, because there were, and I joined in his elation at those.
I must say though, even though I loved Harry, it was Hermione that stole the show for me. Well, her and Snape. They couldn’t be more different, but they shared a similar complexity that I didn’t find in the likes of Ron, who was there most of the time to offer a humorous slant. That’s not to say that I disliked Ron, far from it. The humour he interjected was well received and I never tired of him.
Back to this book though.
This one felt even darker than its predecessor. It also had a finality about it that altered my perception of it, for good or bad.
I found it a bit oppressive at times, for example when Ron, Hermione and Ron were camping, and I wished for the first time in this series that a segment would end.
I had a suspicion pretty early on that Snape would play a larger role towards the end. This may have been wishful thinking on my part or the fact that Dumbledore trusted him so much, but nevertheless, it did happen. Snape’s involvement was revealed in a very clever way and even though I was frustrated that he was
already dead and therefore couldn’t add anymore to the story,
I thought it was excellent in terms of inventiveness.
A lot happened and although large portions were sad, which was to be expected, there was enough hope to even it out. There were also several large plot twists and moments of surprise, which is the only thing that I felt was slightly lacking in some of the other books.
I’m not a great fan of heavy action sequences in books, so it did feel like the final battle dragged on a little long, but regardless, I thought it was well-done and the book finished in a way that seemed fitting.
As I said, these books gave me a distraction when I desperately needed it. It made me feel like I was a part of something and to be honest, I still need that, so any suggestions of other books that might offer me something of the same would be more than welcome.
I’m going off to cry now lol!
The book consists of three short stories based on Irish, Hindu, and Zoroastrian folklore. The Zoroastrian-based story, Hatchling, was by far the most intricate and my favorite. Laini Taylor has the kind of imagination that makes the writer in my green with envy. Each story is about how a kiss can change a life, for better or worse. Preceding each short story were illustrations that gave nothing away. I enjoyed reading the stories and figuring out how the illustrations fit in with moments of the plot. My favorite thing about Laini Taylor's writing would have to be how she doesn't info dump, but instead weaves the past in with the present through flashbacks that don't feel like they've been suddenly placed with no rhyme or reason. They make sense, they flow. It was superb. The only part about Lips Touch that I didn't like was that the stories were so short. I would have loved to keep reading about these characters I came to love in such a short time. But I suppose that's the point of short stories, so I'm satisfied and without complaint.
