I thought it was a wonderful book: by far my favourite. It showed me she wasn't writing sequels, she really had planned out the arc from beginning to end.

They're growing up. Ginny is noticeably older, and three-dimensional.

Hermione saying V-Voldemort. Hermione making a mordant remark something like that perhaps they'd both been trying to make eye contact but at different times: a subtle wit she wouldn't have had when younger.

Snape explaining to Harry what occlumency is, and have to pause and reflect over the difficult problem of why Harry is so special.

Less Quidditch and balls and jollyhockeysticks, less Hagrid.