Goodreads | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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Jason rated it:

(review of isbn 0747595836)

02/08/08

Read in August, 2007

recommended to Jason by: J.K.Rowling
recommends it for: any Harry Potter fan

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

Lord Voldemort and his followers plan to ambush Harry Potter when he leaves the protected Dursley home with the Order of the Phoenix for the final time. Voldemort also seeks a new wand to defeat Harry's. Members of the order escort Harry to a safe house, making use of Polyjuice potion to produce 6 Potter decoys. Nonetheless, they are attacked en route by Death Eaters. Harry narrowly escapes, but George Weasley loses an ear, while Hedwig and Mad-Eye Moody are killed.
At the Burrow,Minister of Ma...more Lord Voldemort and his followers plan to ambush Harry Potter when he leaves the protected Dursley home with the Order of the Phoenix for the final time. Voldemort also seeks a new wand to defeat Harry's. Members of the order escort Harry to a safe house, making use of Polyjuice potion to produce 6 Potter decoys. Nonetheless, they are attacked en route by Death Eaters. Harry narrowly escapes, but George Weasley loses an ear, while Hedwig and Mad-Eye Moody are killed.
At the Burrow,Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour arrives to give Harry,Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger bequests from Albus Dumbledore's will.Ron receives the Deluminator,and Hermione is left a children's book,The Tales of Beedle the Bard.Harry inherits Godric Gryffindor's Sword and the Snitch he caught in his first-ever Quidditch match.The sword,however,was confiscated by the Ministry,claiming it to be 'an important historical artifact'.The trio, while puzzled,presume the items will help them in their Horcrux hunt.
At Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding reception, Kingsley Shacklebolt's Patronus arrives,announcing that Scrimgeour is dead and the Ministry of Magic has fallen under Voldemort's control.As Death Eaters approach,Harry, Ron and Hermione Disapparate,escaping to a Muggle cafe. However,they are promptly attacked by more Death Eaters. They do not know that the name Voldermort has been tabooed and Hermione mentions his name in passing. They take refuge in 12 Grimmauld Place,the former headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.It is also Harry's inherited property.
While at Grimmauld Place,Harry deduces from a door sign that Sirius Black's brother Regulus was the "R.A.B" who removed the Locket Horcrux from the sea cave.Hermione recalls seeing a locket whilst cleaning the house in the fifth book,they discover the house-elf Kreacher had stolen the locket from the items to be thrown out.Kreacher admits that he had placed the Locket Horcrux in the cave as ordered by Voldemort,and Regulus later died retrieving it. The Horcrux has since fallen into Dolores Umbridge's possession by Mundungus Fletcher who had raided Kreacher's possesions.The trio successfully infiltrate the Ministry of Magic and recover the locket,but Grimmauld Place is compromised during their escape.Yaxley hangs onto Hermione when Harry disapparates into Fedelius Charm's protection set around Grimmauld Place.Shaking off Yaxley,Hermione immediately disapparates to the countryside.Ron suffers severe splinching as a result.
Hermione erects a tent for shelter.Protective enchantments are cast over the tent.Overhearing a discussion amongst Griphook and several others,the trio learn that the Gryffindor Sword confiscated by the Ministry is a fake. They must find the real one to destroy Horcruxes with,but a frustrated Ron leaves the group.Harry and Hermione seek the sword in Godric's Hollow,but they are ambushed by Voldemort's snake,Nagini.She had taken posession of a deceased Bathilda Bagshot.During their escape,Hermione accidentally breaks Harry's phoenix wand with the explosive defensive spell 'Confringo'.

In the Forest of Dean, a doe-shaped Patronus leads Harry to an icy pond containing the real Gryffindor Sword. As Harry attempts to retrieve it, the Locket Horcrux tightens around his neck, strangling him. He is saved by Ron, who was guided back by Dumbledore's Deluminator. Ron destroys the Locket with the sword. He warns that Voldemort's name is now Tabooed: speaking it reveals the speaker's location to bounty hunters, known as Snatchers.
Xenophilius Lovegood,Luna's father,told them that the cryptic symbol they have repeatedly encountered represents the three Deathly Hallows:the Elder Wand,the Resurrection Stone,and the Invisibility Cloak.When pressed about Luna's absence,Lovegood admits that Death Eaters abducted her in retaliation for supporting Harry in his paper,The Quibbler. Hoping for Luna's return,he has alerted Death Eaters of the trio's whereabouts,but they escape.
Snatchers later capture them when Harry utters Voldemort's tabooed name.The snatchers suspect that they have apprehended Potter.Luna,Dean,Ollivander,and Griphook were also held there.Finding Gryffindor's Sword among the trio's possessions,Bellatrix Lestrange fears they have broken into her Gringotts vault,and tortures Hermione for information. Help arrives in the form of Dobby,who apparates into the cellar and rescues Luna,Dean and Ollivander.The noise made by Apparating prompts Peter Pettigrew to investigate.He throttles Harry,but reminded of his life debt,Pettigrew loosens his grip,causing his own silver hand to choke him to death in punishment.Harry and Ron rush upstairs.Ron disarms Bellatrix and Harry takes Draco's wand.Dobby reappears,and they Disapparate to Bill and Fleur Weasley's Shell cottage.Bellatrix's knife pierces Dobby's chest during the escape, and he dies.
At the cottage,Ollivander confirms the Elder Wand's existence and says that a wand can transfer allegiance if its owner is defeated or disarmed.Ollivander also utters a caveat:although the Elder Wand is undefeatable,its master is not and must always guard against a surprise attack. Bellatrix's behaviour convinces the trio that another Horcrux is hidden in the Lestrange vault.Aided by Griphook, they penetrate Gringotts'defences and retrieve Hufflepuff's Cup Horcrux,though they lose the sword to Griphook in the process.

Meanwhile, Voldemort steals the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb, believing that its possession would allow him to defeat Harry. Dumbledore had captured the wand after defeating the Dark wizard Grindelwald in a duel. Informed by Bellatrix, Voldemort realises that his Horcruxes are being destroyed; his mind link with Harry unintentionally reveals that another Horcrux is hidden at Hogwarts.
In Hogsmeade,Aberforth Dumbledore smuggles the trio into Hogwarts.Harry's return reignites Dumbledore's Army and members prepare to fight.Harry had no intention of leading an all-out revolt against Voldemort;he only planned to find the Horcrux,and leave.But when word is sent that Harry is at Hogwarts,more D.A.and Order of the Phoenix members arrive,and battle is imminent.
Harry, looks for the final Horcrux.Luna Lovegood suggests it could be Ravenclaw's lost diadem.The duo travel to Ravenclaw's common room,but are confronted by Alecto Carrow,who called upon Voldermort.They are saved by Professor McGonagall.She promptly sent out warnings to other members of the staff via Patronuses about the impending battle with Voldermort. Severus has been alerted via the Dark mark,but escapes Hogwarts after being overpowered by McGonagall and company.Harry recalls seeing the diadem in the Room of Requirement when he hid his Potions book there.Hermione destroys the Cup Horcrux with a basilisk fang that she and Ron retrieve from the Chamber of Secrets.The trio go to the Room of Requirement and are attacked by Malfoy,Crabbe and Goyle.Crabbe mishandles the powerful Fiendfyre spell,killing himself and destroying the diadem,but the others escape unharmed.
Harry glimpses Voldemort's mind again and leads the trio to the Shrieking Shack.They witness Voldemort kill Snape with Nagini,believing it will make him the Elder Wand's master. As Snape dies,he gives Harry memories that prove Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore,motivated by his lifelong love for Harry's mother Lily.
Resigned to death,Harry approaches Voldemort's camp in the Forbidden Forest,alerting none but Neville.Along the way, he finds the Resurrection Stone inside the Snitch and summons the spirits of his parents,Sirius Black and the recently killed Remus Lupin,who accompany him to Voldemort's camp.Voldemort strikes him with Avada Kedavra.
Awakening in an ethereal place,Harry is unsure whether he is alive or dead.Dumbledore appears and explains that Voldemort's Horcrux within Harry has been destroyed.He says that just as Voldemort cannot die while his soul fragments remain,Voldemort cannot kill Harry because he used Harry's blood in his resurrection.Harry glimpses at a possible outcome for Voldemort:A weeping child that Albus describes as'dead and beyond help'.Harry is also given an explanation why his wand acted on its own accord against Voldemort:The double blood connection and that of the mind battle as a result of the intertwined twin cores allowed Harry's wand to imbibe Voldermort's.Hence,it was able to recognize Voldemort,and conjure Voldemort's spells against him.
Harry revives,but feigns death.Voldemort orders Narcissa Malfoy to check Harry.Although she realises that Harry is alive,She Lied,and said he was dead.Harry is carried to Hogwarts as Voldemort's trophy by the captured Hagrid. Supporters of Harry fall into agony.When Neville Longbottom defies Voldemort,the Sorting Hat is thrust onto his head and set aflame.
A sudden disturbance is brought about by Grawp,the centaurs and the giants.Neville pulls off the Sorting hat and draws Gryffindor's sword from it.He beheads Nagini,destroying the final Horcrux.Harry moves around under his cloak and lends aid throughout battle.As the battle resumes,many magical folk join in combat against the Death Eaters.Molly defeats Bellatrix.Knowing that he is the Elder Wand's true master, Harry finally confronts Voldemort.When Draco Malfoy disarmed Dumbledore on the Astronomy Tower, he unknowingly became the Elder Wand's master; this allegiance was then transferred to Harry when he captured Draco's wand at Malfoy Manor. Voldemort casts another Killing Curse at Harry, but the spell rebounds off Harry's disarming spell,killing him.

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Alexis rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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

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Stephanie S. rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

09/21/08

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

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Sammy rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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

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Christine rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

08/05/08

bookshelves: young-adult

Read in July, 2007

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

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
If it had to end, it was done right.
By Christine Antonios

WARNING: SPOILERS
Let me begin this by saying, again, how much I have looked forward to the release of this book and my expectations where through the roof. Fortunately, those expectations were met. No, not everything was as I expected, but then again, it would not be J. K. Rowling’s writing if it were so predictable. That being said, I found the finally of this huge series to be right on cour...more HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
If it had to end, it was done right.
By Christine Antonios

WARNING: SPOILERS
Let me begin this by saying, again, how much I have looked forward to the release of this book and my expectations where through the roof. Fortunately, those expectations were met. No, not everything was as I expected, but then again, it would not be J. K. Rowling’s writing if it were so predictable. That being said, I found the finally of this huge series to be right on course. It was an ending of epic proportions and had a Star Wars feeling to the final battle. It was triumphant with a hint of sadness and tragedy but with Rowling’s previous streak of tragic deaths, I was expecting much more tears. Of course, the death of Fred Weasley was terrible but you had to expect one of the Weasley’s to die (I was betting on Percy or Bill). Similarly, Lupin and Tonk’s death was awful but once Harry was asked to be godfather you HAD to see it coming.

It is really hard to talk about Harry Potter with someone who has not yet read the book but I assume that, after almost a week, everyone has read it so I will not worry about proceeding with caution (as you can tell, this will have spoilers). Let me tell you what I love. I love how Dumbledore was given more depth to his character and his flaws were finally revealed. I love how a large audience finally witnessed Harry’s ultimate battle instead of the purely one on one confrontations that have been seen in previous books and I love how this book revealed the true brilliance of Rowling’s writing. I have never seen any other series that ties it’s plot points together so well and creates a seamless story from beginning to end. It seemed like there was absolutely nothing left unused from the previous novels including: the invisibility cloak, polyjuice potion, the Gringotts bank, twin wands, house elves, the tents used in Goblet of Fire and even secret hiding places (what was once so simple as the place Harry used to store his text book became Voldomort’s downfall). I have found that when a fantasy/adventure series comes down to its last battle and the author has set up a conflict so well, not even they can figure out how to get the hero out of the situation so they resort to a new power or a new form of magic, previously unknown to the reader to save the day. Fortunately for Potter readers, Rowling has been getting us used to concepts and magical ideas from day one. This gives us time to understand how they work and once put all together, are a believable solution to the problem. Everything seemed planned from book 1 and nothing felt out of place.

I would say that certain characters where somewhat robbed of their moment, for example, Peter Pettigrue who, in my mind, could have had a much bigger role in book 7 than just to die and Snape, who was seen more in his memories than in his present day fight for good. On Snape’s account however, I liked how Snape was ultimately not a hero and had it not been for Lily, he would have never helped Harry. Once again, love is seen as the ultimate tie to “good”. I also expected Neville to be the one who finally killed Bellatrix but I suppose Mrs. Weasley did it just as well and I love that Neville had a crucial role in killing Voldomort, considering it could have been up to him all along, according to the prophecy.

Overall, the moment the made me cry the most was as Harry realized he had to die in order to kill Voldomort and the family that he has already lost was there with him as he faced his end. It was finally up to Harry, without anyone else’s help, relying on his courage, humility and goodness. I remember the whole time I was reading that chapter I was never convinced that Harry was going to die. Somehow Rowling was going to fix the situation but never the less, I was in tears the whole way.

I know most people look at Deathly Hallows just as an ending but as a separate novel, it really is one of the best in the series. Granted, when listing my favorite book of the 7, I cannot really consider this one just because I cannot consider it as one to stand along. However, the story is captivating and does not drag in any parts. In fact, the 759 pages seem to end too quickly. Each character further develops, yet they stay true to the characteristics that have defined them from the very beginning.

Honestly, I have so much to say about this book, most of which are a jumble in my head so I will stop writing now. It is obviously not something I can “recommend” to anyone because the enjoyment really depends on your knowledge of the first six books. For me, it was the end of a childhood. 10 years in the making and I’m still as hooked as I was when I was 8 years old. I am going to miss Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the world the J. K. Rowling created for us. I am going to miss the anticipation of waiting for each installment and I think I can safely say I will never love another series the way I love Harry Potter. But with that said, if it had to end, it was done right....less

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Loren rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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

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Eleanor rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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

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Crazy Uncle Ryan rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

05/13/08

bookshelves: books-that-rock

Read in July, 2007

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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

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Arthurbookhouse rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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

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Rion rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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

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Amber rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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 doors...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

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Nikki Jo rated it:

(review of isbn 0545010225)

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.

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