I read it and enjoyed it but it's not great literature. The Hidden Room nonsense bothered me too. Everyone and his mother had been in there. Why not Harry?
The sword was back in the hat? Huh? I thought the goblin ran off with it?
Best image? McG herding a roomful of desks through Hogwarts and screaming "Attack!" I hope they use that in the movie.
Favorite character? The blind dragon. Did anyone else see him as a symbol of Harry? Burned and scarred and tired and trapped not knowing where he was going or why but getting the hell on with it.

The Epilogue: Cynical. Perfect. They lived happily ever after. Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty - they all ended up with balding accountants for husbands and a slew of snotty nosed kids. So did Harry. So do we all.