HBP - Still Spoiler-Free Here's a quote from a review I just read that seemed to capture part of what I disliked about the book:

The odd glumness of this novel is partly a consequence of its loss of a satisfying plot, its lack of shape. There is, I think, a clear reason for this, evident from the amount that we have been hearing about Rowling's plans for her characters. We must not think that she is making her stories up on the hoof, even though the idea of there being seven books, one for each of Harry's years at Hogwarts, must have come to her only belatedly. She has become so fixed on the overall sequence of her novels, that the narrative shape of this one book is no longer a concern. She is working out some prophetic scheme. But it has become a hard task. It is difficult not to think that, rich and adored, JK Rowling's gusto has gone. Now she is just, like her hero, set on completing the grand scheme. Into the gloom she is determined to take all those devoted readers.

John Mullan is senior lecturer in English at University College London.

Here's exactly why I have not been updating Lies, as well. I have no interest in taking my readers with me "into the gloom." I'll get through the gloom and then write, thanks. :-P  ¶ 7:54 AM