Book 7 and the Movie!

I am a huge fan of all the Harry Potter books and movies. And I have loved all the games too. Book 7, the final chapter in the Harry Potter saga, is about to be released. And the next Harry Potter movie, based on book 5, is also about to come out. Book 7 is called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this final chapter, we find out whether Harry lives or dies. My personal opinion, and it's an opinion only because the book's plot is so closely guarded, is that Harry lives. My viewpoint is based on an interview done by author J.K. Rowling in which she said she was toying with writing more Harry Potter books that would follow his adult life. He can't have an adult live if he dies.

I am 31 but these books are so great. They may be technically classified as children's novels, but they totally read on an adult level. And, truth be told, if I had kids I wouldn't let any of them read these books until they were 13. At least not from the fourth book on. For those of you reading my blog, this next part is going to contain spoilers to explain why. So if you haven't read the books or seen the films and you don't want to know what's gonna happen, don't read on. For those of you who have read them or don't care about spoilers, proceed.

Books 1 through 3, The Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban have no deaths. NO ONE DIES! There are some harsh concepts such as betrayal, but nothing a kid under the age of 13 can't handle. But from the fourth book on, that changes. In every book, except book 7 because I have no idea what happens, someone dies. Someone important. And the people who die become people who are more and more close to Harry. My guess is important people are going to die in book 7 too, but that's just a guess.

In book 4, The Goblet of Fire, Harry's name somehow gets dropped into the goblet of fire, even though he is too young. And his name is chosen, thus Harry by law is forced to compete in the Deadly Triwizard Tournament. He must survive three deadly tasks, and things are worse than he knows. He survives the first two tasks. The last one is a maze. And that maze leads him to a trap designed to use his own blood to bring back his deadly enemy, Lord Voldermort. Both Harry and another Triwizard competitor end up in his clutches. Fellow student and champion Cedric Diggory is ordered killed, and Voldemort's minion carries out the murder. That's the first death.

Book 5: This book is extremely dark. And even though the most shocking death happens in book 6, I think this book, The Order of the Phoenix, is hardest to handle. Harry returns to school only to find out the Ministry of Magic has proclaimed him a liar about Voldermort being back. And to ensure Harry shuts up, they install a horrible woman as the new defence against the dark arts teacher. Only, she won't teach them how to defend themselves. And every time Harry insists Voldermort is alive, she holds him for detention and uses her wand to painfully write sentences on his arm. She tortures Harry. And because she works for the ministry itself, no one can stop her. Harry and his friends decide to teach themselves defense which prepares them for the final battle with Voldermort himself at the ministry. But, in the final battle, Sirius Black, Harry's godfather and the only member of his family who actually loves him is killed. Death number 2 and closer to home this time.

Book 6: The Half-Blood Prince features the most shocking of deaths. Fudge, the minister of magic who hadn't believed Harry, has been sacked. Snape now teaches defense against the dark arts. There is a new potions teacher. And yes, the truth about Draco Malfoy that we always suspected is confirmend. Draco is a deatheater just like his father. Draco's assignment this year, kill Dumbledore the headmaster of Hogwarts. However, much of a tick as he is, he is unable to bring himself to do it. Meanwhile, Harry and Dumbledore discover that to destroy Voldermort once and for all, they must find and destroy the seven sections of his soul. Two sections have already been destroyed. 5 to go. Dumbledore and Harry are attacked by deatheaters led by.....SNAPE! Yes, even though Dumbledore stood up for Snape and protected him, Snape is the ultimate betrayer. Harry gets away but Snape himself kills Dumbledore. Then he himself escapes. Harry returns to the Dursley's for the summer as he knows he'll be safe there, but says he won't return to school the following year because he has to find the last five pieces and destroy them. Also, it isn't even certain, now that Dumbledore is dead, if the school will re-open.

Book 7: The Deathly Hallows is anyone's guess. I hope Snape gets what's coming to him for his betrayal. But there are some clues that J.K. herself have said will help you figure out what may happen. The title itself, The Deathly Hallows is a clue. The fact that Harry has his mother's Lily's eyes is important. And if you watch the movie the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. says there are some clues hidden in the movie that shadow what's to come. Also, Rowling has confirmed that Dumbledore really is dead. Some people had speculated on whether he really died or not. He did die. I have this book on pre-order. But these events are why I don't think anyone under 13 should read the later stuff. Or if they do, they should read them with their parents so they can discuss what goes on.

The book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows releases July 21st. The movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix releases one week before the book. I am looking forward to both. The game based on the Phoenix movie releases for all formats at the end of June. I'm looking forward to that as well.

Next Game

The next game in the ever popular Nancy Drew series is about to be released for the PC and it looks awesome. Nancy Drew and The White Wolf of Icicle Creek is the 16th title in this popular mystery solving series. Once again, you as the player must step into the shoes of teen sleuth Nancy Drew. And this time it's for some thrills and chills in the Canadian Rockies.

Nancy Drew has been invited to Icicle Creek Lodge, not for the winter fun, but to solve a series of accidents. Before each accident, a ghostly white wolf is seen. And, after the accident, the wolf can be heard howling mournfully. Are these events just a series of unfortunate accidents or is sabotage afoot? It's Nancy's job to find out.

Nancy has been called in by the lodge owner, Chantal, to go undercover as part of the housekeeping staff. Just as Nancy arrives, a bunkhouse explodes. You, as Nancy have barely set foot on the lodge grounds and already there is trouble. Can you solve the mystery, or will you end up a frozen icicle yourself?

In this game, players will be pulling double duty as both a detective, and maintaining the cover story of being a maid. You'll have to search for clues while cleaning rooms and preparing meals. It looks totally exciting and I can't wait. Nancy Drew and The White Wolf of Icicle Creek releases in stores June 12th.

Oh Please!

Give me a break. Paris Hilton was found guilty of violating her probation for drunk driving and sentenced to 45 days in jail. She was found driving on a suspended license, not once, but twice while on probation. Now Miss Hilton is crying foul declaring the sentence is unfair and unjust. She has declared she intends to appeal.

As if that were not enough, she has a petition up on her myspace blog for people to sign to be sent to California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, asking him to stay her sentence. Now come on. One, it's only 45 days. It's not like she got the book thrown at her and is going away for even a year. It's just a few days over one month. Two, she's the one who chose to get behind the wheel of a car after she had been drinking which caused her to be on probation in the first place. And three, she chose to drive on a suspended license while on probation.

Now, Ms. Hilton has claimed that she didn't know her license was suspended. And, indeed, her manager, whom she fired after the jail sentence was handed down, has admitted he failed to inform Ms. Hilton about the status of her license. But I say that's a bunch of bunk. The judge would have told Ms. Hilton on the day he granted her probation what the terms of her probation were. Also, why on Earth would anyone else need to tell Ms. Hilton about the status of her own driving rights? Is she truly so STUPID that she can't manage one thing in her life outside bars and parties on her own?

Personally, I think Ms. Paris Hilton is getting off light. She endangered not only her own life, but that of everyone else of the road the night she chose to drive drunk. And she then showed her total lack of respect by then driving on a suspended license during the time of her probation. Ms. Hilton thinks her money makes her above the rest of us and yes, even above the law. It does not. Maybe now she will think twice before driving drunk or driving on a suspended license. One can only hope. Oh, and one last piece of advice Ms. Hilton...STOP blaming your actions and your poor choices on other people. Grow up and accept responsibility for what you do.

Buy Buy Buy!

Today is totally going to be an awesome day. I get paid today and I'm going shopping. Normally I don't enjoy shopping even when I have money. But I am so looking forward to today's shopping spree. I'm buying BOOKS! Lots and lots of books. I don't enjoy anything more than a good book. The picture I attached to this blog entry is one of the books I am buying today. It's an ebook. I have held out against ebooks for a long time. I like to actually be able to hold a book and read it.

But I have discovered some really awesome authors and stories that are only available in ebook format. So, I'm giving in. In fact, I'm buying 6 ebooks today alone. Have other things I have to pick up at the store as well. Data cd's for the ebooks for one. Printer ink, cat food and litter, and a few other odds and ends. But I am so excited. I can't wait. I'll also be looking at Mother's Day's cards. See if there is any I like for my mom. I love you Mom.:-)

Also, my all time favorite of Christine Feehan's Carpathian books is now out in audio format. The cover for Dark Melody is gorgeous. If you'd like to check it out or get your own copy, click on the link I have for Books In Motion. It's totally spectacular.