User blog comment:SayuriDarling/The Mark of Athena Official Discussion/@comment-5301337-20121008025247/@comment-4517591-20121008041605

Yea I've realised this too. Its nice his darkening the theme even though its just a bit. After all our main characters are getting to that 'young adult' stage now.

Its one of the main reasons I liked the HP books. As you read through each book, the themes becomes a bit more deeper, darker and more mature. But overall RR's books is good how it is. Its his style. He doesn't need to change it.