Actual Rating: 4.5 
 Yeesh. This book was really, really close to not getting 5 stars, and while that sounds fine for any other book, this is Harry Potter we're talking about here. It's not supposed to be close to getting 4 stars. The ending was enough to satisfy me, though, because of... well, you know what. Just because of that, this book managed to sneak past and retain the record. I'm not going to let up too easy on the last book, though -- I generally have high expectations of conclusions. 
 I remember from my first read-through of this series that I thought of the two final books as very unsatisfying, compared to the first five. Apparently I still think that, because I had two major issues with this book. One, it was on a bit of a rinse-and-repeat schedule. Everybody knows that's not how Harry Potter goes. It's supposed to be unexpected, and you're not supposed to know what's going to come up next. Two, the characters were starting to grate on my nerves. 
 Like, seriously? Why do Ron and Hermione have to keep shifting back and forth? First they're fine with each other, and then they hate each other so much they make purposeful moves so as not to even look at the other? Then suddenly they're fine again? I get that "teenage relationships" go back and forth a lot, but seriously. Ron is so annoying. I'm sorry, but he is. I seriously want to punch him in the face. 
 On the other hand, Dumbledore was my favorite character in this book. I'm well aware that J.K. Rowling was probably just building up angst because of what happens to him later... but still. He was a well-developed character in this book, and a character that rarely ever irritated me. And for that, I thank him. 
 Also, the book was just so boring. As I previously stated, it was on a rinse-and-repeat schedule. Ron and Hermione either get into a fight or make amends. Things are mentioned about the "Half-Blood Prince", or classes. Then there's another lesson with Dumbledore. Then brief things about Voldemort. Sometimes you get the occasional Quidditch. (Speaking of which, we played Quidditch in P.E. Monday. I was so hyped.) Then Ron and Hermione have another intense confrontation/conversation. Things are mentioned once again about the Half-Blood Prince, either that, or it's something about Slughorn. Then we have brief mentions of how hard classes are. And we have another lesson with Dumbledore, which sends Harry into some brief state of euphoria. When I say brief, I mean brief. And then after that, people discuss about Voldemort, or something major centering either Voldemort or the Ministry of Magic is announced. (Yes, I consider Stan Shunpike's arrest "major".) It just goes on... and on... and on... 
 But there is a reason why it's rated 5 stars. 
 First of all, it really shows well the time of war going on. It shows how even in wartimes, life continues, and while I haven't really experienced it, I can tell it from this book. There's romance. There's Fred and George's popular wizard jokes shop, which is getting many customers even though the most powerful Dark wizard of all time is back. Alas, I still wish that we discussed more about the Order of the Phoenix (I mean, come on, last book was named after them), but I guess you can't have everything. Too bad some of my favorite characters are in the Order of the Phoenix... 
 Also, I found the ending incredible. I powered right through the ending, and it was so wonderfully written in a way that tugged at your heartstrings. 
 Pretty decent book, I suppose. However, there's a bit of a sour taste in my mouth from it, and I really only gave it 5 stars due to my reverie of the previous books.