This is my very first time to read any of the Harry Potter series, and although I would rather have been able to read the series in sequence instead of reading the last book first, I do have a different perspective to offer, perhaps, than those students who have read the entire series. One thing that really struck me about this book is Harry's passionate hate and desire for revenge on those who are his enemies. True, his enemies are cruel and some may say deserve their fate, but some of the spells Harry casts and the torture he invokes on others seems a little excessive, and a little far removed from the lovable boy who I assumed Harry must be. Perhaps if I had seen his character develop from the beginning, I would not be so taken aback by his meanness. Harry does seem to grow and mature throughout the book, but taken as an individual book and not as an entire series, I am not sure if I am able to see his true character development.