9 - yes, yes, yes. And I'm totally with you on 5 and 6 too. And 7. I agreed with nearly all of these in fact. The only one I'm not sure about is 10, but that's probably because I'm used to seeing all the books as flawed in different ways. I loved the Spinner's End chapter in HBP - it was SO refreshing to have a glimpse into a totally new environment and surprising characters interacting - it perked me up no end. Whereas the opening of OotP - yawn. Not that surly, moody Harry kicking around Little Whinging wasn't fun in it's way but ... it could have been tighter.
Don't get me wrong, I love OotP for lots of reasons - not least because *more* is always better ;) - but I think HBP had the edge on it for pacing at least. I agree that some of the scenes seem truncated though. I remember reading the scene in the cave for the first time and thinking how 'join the dots' it seemed, especially compared to the wonderful atmosphere of Spinner's End, and to the After the Burial scene with Harry on Felix Felicis with Hagrid and Slughorn. Actually, that scene is possibly her best writing of the entire series so far, IMO.
no subject
Don't get me wrong, I love OotP for lots of reasons - not least because *more* is always better ;) - but I think HBP had the edge on it for pacing at least. I agree that some of the scenes seem truncated though. I remember reading the scene in the cave for the first time and thinking how 'join the dots' it seemed, especially compared to the wonderful atmosphere of Spinner's End, and to the After the Burial scene with Harry on Felix Felicis with Hagrid and Slughorn. Actually, that scene is possibly her best writing of the entire series so far, IMO.