Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

published	2007 by Arthur A. Levine Books
binding	Hardcover
isbn	0545010225 (isbn13: 9780545010221)
pages	784
description	Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles,...more [close] Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed. Luckily, Rowling has prepped loyal readers for the end of her series by doling out increasingly dark and dangerous tales of magic and mystery, shot through with lessons about honor and contempt, love and loss, and right and wrong. Fear not, you will find no spoilers in our review--to tell the plot would ruin the journey, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an odyssey the likes of which Rowling's fans have not yet seen, and are not likely to forget. But we would be remiss if we did not offer one small suggestion before you embark on your final adventure with Harry--bring plenty of tissues. The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. Attentive readers would do well to remember Dumbledore's warning about making the choice between "what is right and what is easy," and know that Rowling applies the same difficult principle to the conclusion of her series. While fans will find the answers to hotly speculated questions about Dumbledore, Snape, and you-know-who, it is a testament to Rowling's skill as a storyteller that even the most astute and careful reader will be taken by surprise. A spectacular finish to a phenomenal series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a bittersweet read for fans. The journey is hard, filled with events both tragic and triumphant, the battlefield littered with the bodies of the dearest and despised, but the final chapter is as brilliant and blinding as a phoenix's flame, and fans and skeptics alike will emerge from the confines of the story with full but heavy hearts, giddy and grateful for the experience. --Daphne Durham
date added	02-21-07 edit book

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | more...

discuss this book

topics	replies	last activity
The Battle of Lexicons	1	19 days ago, 05:27AM
sorry again!! can't comment!! reply to comment about Harry possibly being evil	9	04/11/2008 06:47PM
Reply to Percy's children (I can't post a comment, apologies!)	3	28 days ago, 12:28PM

new topic | see all topics »

groups with this book

view all groups »

friend reviews (0)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 88701)

Arthurbookhouse rated it:

02/06/08

The Evil of Harry Potter

“She lov’d me for the dangers I had pass’d; And I lov’d her
that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have us’d.” --Othello, from “Othello, the Moor of Venice,” by William Shakespeare
Forgive the author for the little witchcraft. For alchemists, sorcerers, and witches ruled the world during the Middle Ages. And still do today. Because about now a Catholic faithful in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico or Lourds, France, i...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

5 comments

Stephanie S. rated it:

02/11/08

Read in June, 2007

recommends it for: EVERYONE!!!!!!

OMG! Harry Potter 7 is the best book in the whole world! It was a great book but now I'm really sad that it's over. The whole series is done with. So sad. I almost cried after I finished reading the book. Not because it was a sad ending, but because it's so sad that the series is over now. I've been reading those books for half my life! Harry Potter has been such a big part of my life for so long it's sad to see it end. Anyhoo, here's my summary of the book and if you don't want the book spoiled...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Alexis rated it:

07/30/07

Read in July, 2007

From an interview with Rowling on the Today show:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19...
**SPOILERS:

Rowling said her original epilogue was “a lot more detailed,” including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. (Victoire, who was snogging Teddy — Lupin and Tonks’ son — is Bill and Fleur’s eldest.)

Harry, Ron and Hermione
We know that Harry marries Ginny and has three kids, essenti...more

Like this review? yes (16 people liked it)

8 comments

Eleanor rated it:

07/30/07

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: those who like epics, fantasy, magic, school

(shamelessly cross-posted from my livejournal entry) Spoilers below!

I remember picking up Harry Potter around the time that book 3 had come out. There had been buzz about the books in the post with a picture of JK standing by railroad tracks and some inside joke about "muggles." I probably wouldn't have read them had I not babysat for my nextdoor neighbor's kids who were 7 and 10 at the time, and asked me to read it to them as a bedtime story. What is so compelling about these chi...more (shamelessly cross-posted from my livejournal entry) Spoilers below!

I remember picking up Harry Potter around the time that book 3 had come out. There had been buzz about the books in the post with a picture of JK standing by railroad tracks and some inside joke about "muggles." I probably wouldn't have read them had I not babysat for my nextdoor neighbor's kids who were 7 and 10 at the time, and asked me to read it to them as a bedtime story. What is so compelling about these children's books? The well-woven archetypes, the mystery, the imaginative combination of fantasy and fancy? As another blogger put it, the books are overflowing with story. Never once are they a method for JK to assuage her vanity as a writer, because the writing itself isn't deep, their success is a result of Rowling being an increadibly steady storyteller whose approach has more than a few similarities to classic storytelling. Her main three characters account for the three things Aristotle named as the only necessary ingredients in successful rhetoric - Ethos (Harry) Pathos (Ron) and Logos (Hermione). She extends this to all aspects of the Harry Potter world, to houses in Hogwarts, their respective teachers, as well as borrowing latin for names of spells and words from other languages as names for characters-- Malfoy (quoting wikipedia) is derived from Old French "mal foi" or "mal foy," which means "bad faith" or "bad trust". The Old French mal foy itself is derived from Latin mala fide, which as a judicial term means intentional mischief, ill will or evil intentions.(/quoting wikipedia) Grimmauld place is also a pun on "grim old place." As far as the pacing, it takes into realistic account the rest and hunger the characters go through with no detail spared as to when and what the characters eat. For some reason this makes a story more effective to me, call me weird, I like reading about people eating. Though while I read the Odyssey this made me put the book down more than a few times because it made me hungry. Anyhow, the constant thread through these books was the final showdown that had to happen between Harry and Voldemort, though I think I would have read them anyway for her generously detailed fantastic world...

I was surprised Harry didn't die. I really thought it was going to happen and was a little disappointed with the end, mostly because the meeting with Dumbledore in the train station purgatory was a bit much of a deus ex machina for me. I know she had to vindicate Dumbledore and I thought that was fine but something about it was too clean and easy without her usual foreshadowing. I knew Snape would be vindicated in the end! I loved how she rounded out his story, all that was perfect. I was a huge fan of the way in which Rowling discredited the phrase "for the greater good" probably much to the confusion of most of her younger readers. Was a little taken aback at the vague comparison of that to the holocaust, how she wrote something like "for the greater good" was on the gates of a place where Grindewald killed people but it drove the point home. The Elder Wand ownership thing was...it was like she painted herself into a corner and had to get it resolved before she could finish the book, made the final duel a bit too, er, complex. But my favorite moment in all of these books came at the end of chapter 35 right before Harry regains consciousness for the final battle. It was the most elegant way to finish out this series that has made millions of children into avid readers:

"Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry's ears even though the bright mist was descending again obscuring his figure.
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"...less

Like this review? yes (11 people liked it)

4 comments

Loren rated it:

08/05/07

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: don't ask stupid questions

grrr. *spoilers*
This book was meant to be a masterpiece.
It wasn't. I was VERY disappointed with the last portion of the book. But the criticisms are for later.
I've always thought that JK's writing was admirable if a little underdeveloped, but the paragraphs just don't seem to flow together as well as they used to.
They finally leave school. I never thought they would, but it sure as hell was an exciting notion. However the lack of supporting characters (that you might find at Hogwarts) me...more grrr. *spoilers*
This book was meant to be a masterpiece.
It wasn't. I was VERY disappointed with the last portion of the book. But the criticisms are for later.
I've always thought that JK's writing was admirable if a little underdeveloped, but the paragraphs just don't seem to flow together as well as they used to.
They finally leave school. I never thought they would, but it sure as hell was an exciting notion. However the lack of supporting characters (that you might find at Hogwarts) means that this book is darker and the lack of humour makes for a depressing hundred pages around pg200.
The deaths... a little weird how the human deaths are less effective, maybe that's just me but Hedwig and Dobby's deaths broke my heart. With mad-eye... well, he was an asshole so i didn't care. With Fred... well, there is another one so the impact is lessened. With Lupintonks... well if they were stupid enough to name Harry godfather (even THEY should have seen the parellalism!) then they deserve to die. No i don't mean that, but as we didn't see them die it seems less horrifying.
So much more interesting and original than the others this daring new direction led to some bad writing which didn't go anywhere in the end (wtf was the hallows about?).
The Hallows was a ridiculous idea and frankly i was horrified that Rowling was attempting to introduce such a 'major' theme in the last book with only one brief reference in book six. They were pointless, in the end what did it matter who had ownership of the elder wand? no one used it in 'the final duel' anyway.
I no longer like Dumbledore, JK dragged him through the mud and didn't thoroughly wash him off. Harry forgave him but i sure as hell didn't (and who didn't see the 'Harry is a Horcrux' thing coming?
The chapter 'King's cross' made me cry. But not because it was well written, rather the opposite, it didn't make sense at times (where the hell were they?) i had to reread the section on harry's 'phoenixlike' ability several times and i still hate it. It was so weak. This sequence was nothing like the other 'endofbookharryanddumbledore' explanations we have come to know and love. Nothing was explained in this chapter everything was re-explained and slightly embellished.
The chapters immediately preceding this were the real treat of the book, Snape is finally redeemed (although after ten years of waiting i did expect a better ironclad reason for trusting him than loving lily). Harry facing his mortality is heartbreaking even though most of us have imagined it countless times. The moment right before his death is about as perfect an HP moment there is. He should have stayed dead and the narration flick to another.
Voldemort's Invincible Army is defeated too easily and Bellatrix's death is unsatisfying as Molly has no real motive for revenge (nono Fred's death doesn't count). Harry should have done it. He also should have performed at least one killing curse in the book, he performed the other unforgivables, so why not?
Voldemort is killed by a reflecting spell.
What?
WHAT?
Are you KIDDING me?
Could it possibly be more anticlimactic?
What was the point of the elder wand then? Why the elaborate buildup when Harry doesn't even perform the execution?
Anyone could have duelled to a reflection, and since when can that happen?
A true HP fan must take alot on faith to enjoy this ending.
The less said about the epilogue the better. Probably been written since book one and it shows. There is no depth, any hp fan could guess (or assume) this ending, its not even worth reading. Albus Severus was the only icing on this unsatisfying and dry cake.
If you do read this book close it at the end of 'the forest again' and write your own ending.
OR wait for JK to realise her mistake and re publish with an alternate ending.
This was not a rant....less

Like this review? yes (11 people liked it)

6 comments

Sammy rated it:

05/01/08

bookshelves: the-best

Read in July, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Was this book so awesome because it finally addressed all those long unanswered questions? Yes. Was this book just fantastic because we finally know what happens to everyone? Yes. Was this book wonderful because Rowling was ruthless and took no prisoners? Yes. Was this book splendid because we knew all the characters and cared about them like they were real? Yes. Was this book so great because it made you laugh, cry, gasp, emote out loud? Yes. That was one of my favorite thin...more Was this book so awesome because it finally addressed all those long unanswered questions? Yes. Was this book just fantastic because we finally know what happens to everyone? Yes. Was this book wonderful because Rowling was ruthless and took no prisoners? Yes. Was this book splendid because we knew all the characters and cared about them like they were real? Yes. Was this book so great because it made you laugh, cry, gasp, emote out loud? Yes. That was one of my favorite things about the book. Regardless of where I was, whether it be sitting on the couch next to my roommate, alone in my room, or standing in my shop, I found myself cheering and gasping and all other sorts of reactions, I was just that into the story.The most emotional part for me, one of them at least, was when Dobby died. I don't know what it was about that, but I was sobbing and had tears streaming down my face. When they describe putting the socks on his feet, that was the part that opened the floodgates. I am one of those people that supports the theory that socks are a very imporant symbol in the Harry Potter series. I even did a report in one of my high school English classes on it. "Ron sat on the edge of the grave and stripped off his shoes and socks, which he placed upon the elf's bare feet. Dean produced a woolen hat, which Harry placed carefully upon Dobby's head, muffling his batlike ears." Rowling, master of subtle detail, still includes that brief mention of socks. It was that which really did me in.Another thing that impressed me was how well the story flowed. Probably a combination of being a good writer and knowing, without a doubt, where the story was going and what she wanted to have happen allowed Rowling to keep the story smooth and not jerky. So easily, especially in the beginning/middle chapters in Harry, Ron, and Hermione's search for Horcruxes things could have become so choppy. And while time did pass quickly in brief sections it still flowed. A lot of writers, even good writers, can't seem to make something like that work, yet Rowling did, proving herself yet again.I was also really impressed by her ballsy moves of killing off several main characters, especially right in the beginning. I thought it was going to be in the big final battle ('cause c'mon, you knew it was coming) that we lost all our favorites, not within the first few chapters. RIP Hedwig and Mad-Eye. That was one major way you got sucked in because you're thinking, "Oh my God! Characters I love are already dying! What the-" and then you keep going because you need to know if anyone else is going to kick it. For some reason though Rowling just loves killing off my favorite characters, Dumbledore, Moody, Fred (and George too in a way), Lupin, Tonks. I was especially angry over the Lupin/Tonks death. It felt like a sort of snub because, yay they're married! Yay, they're having a baby! Yay, he's a little metamorphmagus. Boo, both parents are suddenly dead. Rude. But I guess it made the whole thing hurt a lot more, and it did.Honestly, I felt Rowling tied things up beautifully and not in that harried, "Oh yeah about that? Um... this happens! Yeah, that's it!" I think many fans feel vindicated (i.e. the Snape/Lily shippers, those who thought Harry was a Horcrux, don't mess with Mrs. Weasley) after reading this book. Of course there are probably some who are broken down and upset that what they thought was going to happen didn't. In the end we all got one hell of a story and went on one fantastic adventure. No matter what happened, no matter who died or who ended up with who this book was more than I could have hoped for, I was not disappointed at all.All I can say now is: Jo, thank you....less

Like this review? yes (11 people liked it)

7 comments

Crazy Uncle Ryan rated it:

05/13/08

bookshelves: books-that-rock

Read in July, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Well, here we come to the final review of this great series. My wife and I were about to celebrate our second anniversary. The name of book 7 seven had been announced and the release date for the movie version of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix had also been released. I thought for sure that we were going to still have to wait a while before Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows would be released because I figured they wouldn’t want to release the latest movie and the latest book s...more Well, here we come to the final review of this great series. My wife and I were about to celebrate our second anniversary. The name of book 7 seven had been announced and the release date for the movie version of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix had also been released. I thought for sure that we were going to still have to wait a while before Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows would be released because I figured they wouldn’t want to release the latest movie and the latest book so close together. I was obviously wrong. So, on the evening of July 20th my wife and I headed to the bookstore for my first Midnight Harry Potter party. I would like to say that I did not dress up in any funny costumes. I did however; lose the Harry Potter trivia competition because I mixed up the Creevey brothers. Just before midnight we all lined up and eventually we got our books and we headed home. I read for several hours. When I could no longer keep my eyes open I went to bed. I finished the book the next evening. I had to go back and re-read the part at the end where Harry and Voldemort face off because I got a little confused by the whole thing with the wands.

So, before this book came out J.K. Rowling indicated that there would be deaths in this book but that it wouldn’t be a “blood-bath.” OK, let’s list the deaths in this book: Charity Burbage, Hedwig, Mad-Eye, Gregorovitch, Bathilda Bagshot, Dirk Croswell, Ted Tonks, Dobby, Peter Pettigrew, Tonks, Lupin, Colin, Snape, Bellatrix, Voldemort, a bunch of Death Eaters, the fifty good guys who died in the battle of Hogwarts and all the people who died who didn’t have names given to them in the book. If this isn’t a blood bath I don’t know what is.

The thing that most obviously sets this book apart from the rest is the fact that Harry, Ron and Hermione are not at Hogwarts. In some ways that kind of makes it almost not feel as much like a Harry Potter book. However, the fact that it essentially ends at Hogwarts along with it just being a really great book make up for that detail.

There were several things that I really loved about this final book. The whole thing with Dudley making up with Harry was really nice. I’m glad that he did that as it brought some resolution to the whole Harry versus Dursleys conflict. I also really liked seeing Percy show up at the end and the way the Weasleys were able to come back together. I thought that the fact that Harry didn’t destroy all the horcruxes was really great as a way of showing that Voldemort’s overthrow was not managed by a single hero. Along those same lines I loved how much Neville shined in this book. He is such a great character. I was also happy in the epilogue to find out that he was teaching Herbology at Hogwarts. Just for the record I predicted that. Ron and Hermione finally got together! We finally understand why Petunia was so Anti-wizard. I liked how we found out the reason for Snape’s turnaround. I remember when book 6 came out there was a lot of speculation that Snape was really good and that he had killed Dumbledore on Dumbledore’s orders. I always thought that was a possibility but it seemed really unrealistic. However, when we find out that Dumbledore was going to die anyway it suddenly made perfect sense. The Battle for Hogwarts: awesome! I can’t think of much more that I could say on that one.

I also have to admit that there were some things in this book that kind of bothered me. The whole thing with Harry and McGonagall using unforgivable curses. I understand that they were in extreme circumstances but, sorry if this sounds a little sanctimonious, when situations get really difficult that is when you see the type of person someone really is and that seems more like the behavior of a Slytherin than the behavior of a couple of Gryffindors. Another thing was the deaths of Snape and Voldemort. I thought they were a little bit anticlimactic.

An interesting thing in this book is that I didn’t find Voldemort all that scary. I think that is because throughout the rest of the series he has been somewhat in the background. Since he was featured so much more prominently in this book you realize that it really is the idea of Voldemort that is the most scary; not the man himself. The more you see him in this book the more you realize how deluded and flawed he is.

One of the most effective things about this book is the way that it really did wrap up all the loose ends. I love how Rowling kept referring to information from all of the earlier books and showing so well how it all related to the overall unwrapping and conclusion of the story. Harry Potter is an incredible series and I firmly believe that history will remember J.K. Rowling as one of the first truly great writers of the 21st century....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Amber rated it:

08/13/07

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: everyone who's read the previous books

[THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!]

I must say that the time waiting for the book was a lot more torturous than the actual read. there were all those forums and newsletters wondering 'would harry live or die?' 'is snape good or bad?' 'what if hogwarts burns to the ground and everyone dies?!' and furthermore, 'how long would it take for spoilers to come out in the media and from random mean people?'

The book didn't arrive on my doorst...more [THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!]

I must say that the time waiting for the book was a lot more torturous than the actual read. there were all those forums and newsletters wondering 'would harry live or die?' 'is snape good or bad?' 'what if hogwarts burns to the ground and everyone dies?!' and furthermore, 'how long would it take for spoilers to come out in the media and from random mean people?'

The book didn't arrive on my doorstep till the following week 'cause I chose free shipping at amazon, but miraculously enough I avoided all spoilers. the ones on my newsletter were easy enough by just scrolling real fast with my hand on the monitor as the thread appeared and disappeared. this easy avoidance of spoilers had me worried the book had no thrills whatsoever. especially reading enough at first to know people liked the book. no one would like if Harry were dead.

I was not one of those fast readers who finished it in about one second. no, it took me about four days which is a miracle to me. I fell asleep a lot during the camping phase of the story... well, at least till Harry had to jump in and get the sword and Ron showed back up. that made me loosen up a bit.. become one with the characters again. for awhile, it was just a surface read. see, I also wasn't one of the ones who reread the old books before starting, so I really needed a refresher on some of the lesser characters thus stopped in the midst of reading several times to google this info. at least I read enough threads from those who did read the other books over again, to keep certain clues in mind for the big finale.

Towards the end, when things heated up, I got a tad worried for Harry 'cause his death would seem courageous and the whole walking ghosts beside him through the woods bit really brought a tear to my eye.. this would be acceptable to all who read if he died this way, right? I thought about having to walk in (since it was around 6am by this time) with a tear in my eye to say Harry died. this idea sounded pathetic, but c'mon, climatic bit! too early to still be awake and reading! the Dumbledore appearance in 'his head'! (I liked this line most of all: "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" mom constantly tries to tell me that there isn't a difference between your inner world and your outer world.. what's the difference? what difference would it make if all life were just one big dream? anyway, I won't get too philosophical with this, but beyond what certain people may've thought about how Dumbledore was brought back to talk to Harry -- I had read this wasn't necessary -- I really enjoyed it)

So yes, it may've been a bit weak to bring Harry back from possible death, but I'd rather Harry live and get his happy ending than naught. I mean, who would've defeated Voldemort otherwise?

One small issue I had--though I am happy I got the Trust Snape sticker at Borders.. I knew better!-- was that Snape wasn't brought to rest at the end. he was just left apparently at Whomping Willow. does this mean he could possibly still be alive? ..the epilogue kind've proves otherwise though. I felt after all he did, he deserves more respect than just to have a namesake. I felt the most compassion for him during 'The Prince's Tale' chapter especially.

Beyond that, I didn't regret reading it (since I didn't really have any real wants and needs beyond the quality of the writing) or throw it across the room as apparently some people did (wtf?). one day I'll reread all the books again since I hear it's fun to see how connected they all really are. I think that's brilliant. this is the best children's / YA series I've ever had the chance of reading and am glad I picked it up when I did even if I didn't grow up with Harry....less

Like this review? yes (5 people liked it)

add a comment

Marty rated it:

02/06/08

bookshelves: front-room-bookshelf

Read in August, 2007

Phew. I just felt as if I finally got the vaccine for a deadly epidemic going around. The epidemic, of course, would be all those people who want to talk about Harry Potter without me having read the last book. The vaccine, then, would be finally reading the book. I suppose that last comparison isn't exactly flattering, but don't let my poor comparison interfere in any way with the greatness of this book/series. In my last review of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I complained about havi...more Phew. I just felt as if I finally got the vaccine for a deadly epidemic going around. The epidemic, of course, would be all those people who want to talk about Harry Potter without me having read the last book. The vaccine, then, would be finally reading the book. I suppose that last comparison isn't exactly flattering, but don't let my poor comparison interfere in any way with the greatness of this book/series. In my last review of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I complained about having to set apart time for reading Potter books since my life grinds to a halt until I finish. Last time it was a week of scout camp that came to my rescue. This time, however, I knew there was no way I would last until summer without a major plot point being revealed, but I was so dreadfully busy I could not fathom how I could find any time to squeeze the Deathly Hallows in. Cue an ugly stomach sickness. I never thought I would be so glad to be sick in all my life. My churning, volcanic stomach was the perfect excuse to pick up Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And this time I didn't need a week; I only needed two days (which for me, usually a deliberate reader, was quite an accomplishment). Ever since the Prisoner of Azkaban, I've always known that the Harry Potter books were a unique endeavor and a noted acheivement. But it wasn't until Deathly Hallows, after being zipped around, yanked from one place to another, rocketed towards the finale, and then masterfully escorted through a complicated, yet brilliant and succinct climax, that I realized that I was reading one of the finest pieces of literature that I've ever set my hands on--not a conlcusion that I came to lightly. It wasn't until the conclusion that I realized that the Harry Potter series is more than just a really great story with an extremely clever plot--Harry Potter is a written work that exposes truths of human nature and experience in a way that few other authors, contemporary or "classic," are able to achieve. As I read through the final chapters, I realized that I was reading something that would be attached to my inner core for the rest of my life, and while I might forget details, I would never forget that Rowling really struck the right note, really revealed truths ... and who would have thought she would have done it with a seventeen year old wizard and his friends? As for the book itself, it starts out quickly and already, even with the Dursley's, hints towards the reconciliation that you find throughout the book. The middle part of the book plods, but even as I read and recognized this, I knew it was on purpose. The slowing of the plot reflected the experience of Harry, Hermione, and Ron and sets the reader in the mood for what the characters are going through. And just when you are about to say that you've had enough, Rowling starts the quick unraveling until the very end. Momentum picks up, problems are solved, but even more remain unresolved, the escapes and close calls mount until you feel as if you're reading one per page. Everything is set up for an impressive, epic, and final showdown, and this is where Rowling takes her masterful stroke. She stops everything. In the thick of the action, she stops it all and has some time for reflection. Certainly daring, but such a move in any other circumstance might be considered unwise at the least and extreme folly at the most (I believe Ron would call it "mental"). In this case, it's brilliant. It refocuses the story on what really matters, why it matters to us as readers, and makes all of the epic preparations seem paltry compared to the thoughts and reflections of the protagonist that we feast on at the end. When the climax comes, you're already satisfied--you don't even care how it turns out because Rowling has taught you something true that will ring true no matter what else happens. And, while she did skim over some of the loose ends in the plot extremely quickly after that point, I think I prefer that to a long, drawn out explanation at the end. She made her point, and I didn't need to see anything else. For that matter, neither do you. If you haven't had the vaccine yet, get it. Thank you, J.K. Rowling.
...less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Witchybat rated it:

03/30/08

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: Teens and Adults, It is not for ALL CHILDREN

IT IS NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN some SHELTERED CHILDREN might not be permitted by parents to read such harsh language and killing scenes.
Some CHILDREN might not be educated enough to understand the plot and deep messages this book does have, which are intended for adult readers.
Yes, some CHILDREN may be ready for this type of story, but many are not, due to parental restrictions in their lives.
I firmly believe if a child has lived through horrid events then they will be able to read this.

...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

6 comments

Suzie rated it:

(review of isbn 1551929767)

07/25/07

bookshelves: books-i-own, british-obsessions

Read in July, 2007

“I’m going to keep going until I succeed — or die. Don’t think I don’t know how this might end. I’ve known it for years.” — Harry Potter

Most seventeen-year olds don’t view the possibility of an early death as being, well, possible. But then again, most seventeen-year olds haven’t come face-to-face with death almost half a dozen times before their first kiss either.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final installment of the ridiculou...more “I’m going to keep going until I succeed — or die. Don’t think I don’t know how this might end. I’ve known it for years.” — Harry Potter

Most seventeen-year olds don’t view the possibility of an early death as being, well, possible. But then again, most seventeen-year olds haven’t come face-to-face with death almost half a dozen times before their first kiss either.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final installment of the ridiculously popular Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling brilliantly ties up every loose end that she has planted over the last ten years since the very first outing of the series was published in 1997. Truly, Rowling has learned exactly what her fans want and subsequently delivers a book that answers every Potterhead’s questions — and then some.

Not only does Deathly Hallows revisit key places and characters from all of the previous six books, but Rowling even manages to make clever references to previous bits of dialogue from her earlier books. Case in point: near the end of the first Potter book, after Hermione fails to see the magical solution to saving the trio from a nasty patch of Devil’s Snare, Harry’s best mate Ron bellows “HAVE YOU GONE MAD? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?” Now, six years later, Hermione finally gets her revenge on her red-headed friend when Ron believes that all is lost until Hermione yells to him “Are you a wizard, or what?” thus reminding Ron to use his wand to solve their problem. Subtle references such as this are a large part of what makes Rowling’s books so enjoyable to re-read as there are always deeper meanings and additional allusions that are often only discovered via multiple read-throughs.

Harry’s bold statement regarding his own potential death is also a prime example of how much Rowling truly wrote Harry’s last tale for her long-time fans. This line seems to read as a secret “shout-out” to the Potterites who have also known for years that the series might not end happily ever after. The prophecy in the fifth book revealed that “neither shall live while the other survives”, and therefore by the end of book seven either Harry or Voldemort had to die. Rowling cleverly fills her last installment with so many twists, turns and complications, however, that it becomes practically impossible to determine which way this book is going to end.

More than any of the other Potter books, Deathly Hallows is a true quest narrative, with the trio spending the majority of the story hunting for horcruxes and hallows whilst evading capture by Voldemort’s Death Eaters. The multiple close-calls that all three main characters find themselves in throughout the book add to the tension that continues to build until the predictably bloody battle at the end of the tale. The book does, after all, chronicle a brutal war, so be prepared for a lot of killing and, consequently, a lot of tears.

This is not to say that Deathly Hallows doesn’t offer up a great deal of laughs as well. The hilarious twins Fred and George Weasley make several appearances to ensure that the book isn’t all doom and gloom. By far, the funniest part of the story is the secret radio show Potterwatch, anonymously hosted by former Hogwarts Quidditch commentator Lee Jordan with special appearances from Fred, George, and ex-Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin. Rowling perfectly mixes this blend of humour, tragedy and adventure so that her epic-length novel never lags or drags.

To write a 607 page book that millions of die-hard fans around the world are able to devour in less than 24 hours is no mean feat, but Rowling’s farewell to the Boy Who Lived is an incredibly gripping page-turner that will leave all Potter lovers immensely satisfied....less

Like this review? yes (21 people liked it)

add a comment

Rion rated it:

08/28/07

Read in September, 2007

recommends it for: Big nerds

***SPOILERS:

From an interview with Rowling on the Today show:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19...

Rowling said her original epilogue was “a lot more detailed,” including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. (Victoire, who was snogging Teddy — Lupin and Tonks’ son — is Bill and Fleur’s eldest.)

Harry, Ron and Hermione
We know that Harry marries Ginny and has three k...more

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

add a comment

Brahm rated it:

07/21/07

bookshelves: fantasy

Few books, if any, have recieved as much hype as the Harry Potter series- whether deservedly or undeservedly is a question better asked of the series as a whole, rather than this one book. Deathly Hallows is radically different from its predecessors. Rowling has rid herself of the Harry Potter set formula- a refreshing change, as at this point in the series, games like Quidditch and grades seem rather irrelevant. The plot follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they search for the Horcruxes and later...more