There is a lot of political turmoil.

Yeah I figured, from the ending of the last one this is obvious. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

Darker, yes. Not Steven King, but certainly not book 1.

I can't help but like the light-hearted approach of the first book better than the latter books, but it's not my story so I don't have a say! Plus it seems everyone I know likes the darker stories better.

Lots of surprises

Surprises are expected by now (does that make them still "surprises"?), so I'm anxious to see what new amazing events are revealed. Thanks for the "uncompensated endoresement", you're the first person I've talked to (written to?) who's read it and it's been a little difficult reading between the lines of some of the reviewers. We'll be getting our copy soon and I'm interested to read it (after my wife, of course, who's the real HP fan).