Harry Potter and the deathly hallows (ill., engl.ed) by J. K. and Mary GranPre: Rowling (ISBN:0545010225)

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		Harry Potter and the deathly hallows (ill., engl.ed)
	
				(22882 reviews)			
(644907 Readers)

			J. K. and Mary GranPre: Rowling		
	
Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations,...more
 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     Visit the Harry Potter Store  Our  Harry Potter Store features all things Harry, including books, audio CDs and cassettes, DVDs, soundtracks, games, and more.      Begin at the Beginning     Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Hardcover  Paperback  Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHardcoverPaperback  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHardcoverPaperback  Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireHardcoverPaperback  Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixHardcoverPaperback   Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceHardcoverPaperback      Why We Love Harry  Favorite Moments from the SeriesThere are plenty of reasons to love Rowling's wildly popular series--no doubt you have several dozen of your own. Our list features favorite moments, characters, and artifacts from the first five books. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive (what we love about Harry could fill ten books!) and does not include any of the spectacular revelatory moments that would spoil the books for those (few) who have not read them. Enjoy. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone      * Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him. * When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists. * Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and marvel, Harry's first trip includes a trip to Gringotts and Ollivanders, where Harry gets his wand (holly and phoenix feather) and discovers yet another connection to He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named. This moment is the reader's first full introduction to Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizards.* Harry's experience with the Sorting Hat.      Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets      * The de-gnoming of the Weasleys' garden. Harry discovers that even wizards have chores--gnomes must be grabbed (ignoring angry protests "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"), swung about (to make them too dizzy to come back), and tossed out of the garden--this delightful scene highlights Rowling's clever and witty genius. * Harry's first experience with a Howler, sent to Ron by his mother. * The Dueling Club battle between Harry and Malfoy. Gilderoy Lockhart starts the Dueling Club to help students practice spells on each other, but he is not prepared for the intensity of the animosity between Harry and Draco. Since they are still young, their minibattle is innocent enough, including tickling and dancing charms.       Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban     * Ron's attempt to use a telephone to call Harry at the Dursleys'. * Harry's first encounter with a Dementor on the train (and just about any other encounter with Dementors). Harry's brush with the Dementors is terrifying and prepares Potter fans for a darker, scarier book. * Harry, Ron, and Hermione's behavior in Professor Trelawney's Divination class. Some of the best moments in Rowling's books occur when she reminds us that the wizards-in-training at Hogwarts are, after all, just children. Clearly, even at a school of witchcraft and wizardry, classes can be boring and seem pointless to children. * The Boggart lesson in Professor Lupin's classroom. * Harry, Ron, and Hermione's knock-down confrontation with Snape.       Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire     * Hermione's disgust at the reception for the veela (Bulgarian National Team Mascots) at the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling's fourth book addresses issues about growing up--the dynamic between the boys and girls at Hogwarts starts to change. Nowhere is this more plain than the hilarious scene in which magical cheerleaders nearly convince Harry and Ron to jump from the stands to impress them. * Viktor Krum's crush on Hermione--and Ron's objection to it. * Malfoy's "Potter Stinks" badge. * Hermione's creation of S.P.E.W., the intolerant bigotry of the Death Eaters, and the danger of the Triwizard Tournament. Add in the changing dynamics between girls and boys at Hogwarts, and suddenly Rowling's fourth book has a weight and seriousness not as present in early books in the series. Candy and tickle spells are left behind as the students tackle darker, more serious issues and take on larger responsibilities, including the knowledge of illegal curses.     Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix     * Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming. * Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone. * Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager. * Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape. * Dumbledore's confession to Harry.        Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince     * The introduction of the Horcrux. * Molly Weasley asking Arthur Weasley about his "dearest ambition." Rowling has always been great at revealing little intriguing bits about her characters at a time, and Arthur’s answer "to find out how airplanes stay up" reminds us about his obsession with Muggles.* Harry's private lessons with Dumbledore, and more time spent with the fascinating and dangerous pensieve, arguably one of Rowling’s most ingenious inventions.* Fred and George Weasley’s Joke Shop, and the slogan: "Why Are You Worrying About You-Know-Who? You Should Be Worrying About U-NO-POO--the Constipation Sensation That's Gripping the Nation!"* Luna's Quidditch commentary. Rowling created scores of Luna Lovegood fans with hilarious and bizarre commentary from the most unlikely Quidditch commentator.* The effects of Felix Felicis.      Magic, Mystery, and Mayhem: A Conversation with J.K. Rowling  "I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I’m sure that I will always be a writer. It was wonderful enough just to be published. The greatest reward is the enthusiasm of the readers." --J.K. Rowling  Find out more about Harry's creator in our exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling.    Did You Know?     The Little White Horse was J.K. Rowling's favorite book as a child.    Jane Austen is Rowling's favorite author.     Roddy Doyle is Rowling's favorite living writer.     A Few Words from Mary GrandPré  "When I illustrate a cover or a book, I draw upon what the author tells me; that's how I see my responsibility as an illustrator. J.K. Rowling is very descriptive in her writing--she gives an illustrator a lot to work with. Each story is packed full of rich visual descriptions of the atmosphere, the mood, the setting, and all the different creatures and people. She makes it easy for me. The images just develop as I sketch and retrace until it feels right and matches her vision." Check out more Harry Potter art from illustrator Mary GrandPré.   less

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
WOW, That's how I can describe it. One of the best books I've ever read. But why'd she have to kill off almost all of my fave characters. I'm definately gonna miss the series.

******SPOILER ALERT**********
Dudley amazed me, he does have some of a heart, I'm glad there okay now, but what happened to them after they went into hiding, it doesn't say.

Kreacher is actually ok, I wanted to hate...more
 WOW, That's how I can describe it. One of the best books I've ever read. But why'd she have to kill off almost all of my fave characters. I'm definately gonna miss the series.

******SPOILER ALERT**********
Dudley amazed me, he does have some of a heart, I'm glad there okay now, but what happened to them after they went into hiding, it doesn't say.

Kreacher is actually ok, I wanted to hate him and then he was really good to Harry after he gave himn the locket. Yay

Hedwig and Dobby.....COME ON........God, I HATE Bellatrix, so glad she's dead....Neville's parents, Sirius, Dobby, who knows how many others...... so glad Mrs. Weasley got her in the end. I love Mrs.Weasley.

OMG.... Neville....WOW, I knew her had it in him, he was destined for greatness, as was Harry, but due to choice on Voldemort's part, Harry got the fame. I LOVE NEVILLE. 

So glad Kingsley got Minister of Magic, he totally deserved it.

Love that Tonks and Lupin finally go married, yay, and Teddy, AWWW, but WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DIE.......GOD..... I LOVED THEM....In my Top 10 favorite Characters....WHY leave another child an orphan?, but so glad the Hermione and Ron took care of him and that Harry stayed in contact with him, they got the relationship him and Sirius didn't. The last of the maurader's dead but they are all together again.

The whole Horcrux/Deathly Hallows thing...AMAZING. And Harry's a descendant awesome.

The Resurrection Stone allowed his dead loved ones to be with hima last time before his, kinda, death.

POTTERWATCH....LOVED IT.....Wow great idea...I love Lee.

RON< Stupid guy left, but returned.... for a little while i hated him so much for deserting Harry and Hermoine but than he returned and I adored him again. And him and Hermione...YAY...FINALLY....It was bound to happen though they had that chemistry, kinda like an old married couple... WOW 

Harry and Ron - Aurors, well of course how could they not be, they defeated Voldemort of course with help but still.

and SNAPE.....YES!!!!!......So glad he was good, see Dumbledore's not as dumb as he sounded in the beginning for trusting him with so much, but deep down I knew that he was good all along. AND..He was in love with Harry's mother, AWWW, Once i read that I loved him when before i hated him for killing Dumbledore, deep down he tried to protect Harry from Voldemort, becauseof the love for Lily.

Percy....FINALLY, Stupid guy, but he came back to fulfill his duty to his family.

AND FRED....OMG...I hated that part why kill off Fred :'( He is probably one of the ones that i despised that she killed. AARRRGGhhhh

and what ever happened to Luna Lovegood, it never says what happened with here in the future.

But, it was such a good book,I loved it   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
My thoughts on the final book differ. Itâ€™s by far the best book of the series because of the constant on-the-edge-of-your-seat action. Although the death of the Professor in the first chapter was sad, the books tone was really set when our favorite ex-auror died. I could tell after that early encounter from a flying Voldemort that Harry would be screwed in his journey. Surely we as readers...more
 My thoughts on the final book differ. Itâ€™s by far the best book of the series because of the constant on-the-edge-of-your-seat action. Although the death of the Professor in the first chapter was sad, the books tone was really set when our favorite ex-auror died. I could tell after that early encounter from a flying Voldemort that Harry would be screwed in his journey. Surely we as readers knew that, from that point on Harry and his two dedicated friends were about to suffer. Everyone from this side of the world to the next knew something was going to happen at Bill and Fleurâ€™s wedding. The thing we didnâ€™t know however was that we wouldnâ€™t be seeing any of them till much later on in the book. The trio separated fast from them and their encounters with Death Eaters were surprising along the way. Throughout their journey alone I think we all knew there was bound to be some arguments. I was really shocked at how Ron left them for such a long period of time even though he did try to come back. From the moment Ron came back and the appearance of the mysterious doe, I knew they could easily get caught. When in the Malfoy manor, I thought the trio was about to be tortured silly. I however did like their surprise visit from our favorite house-elf and I did actually have tears when he died. (Incidentally, I absolutely loved Kreacher in this book) Harry basically figured most of the clues out on his own and luckily his friends followed suit. The entire Gringotts thing was totally awesome. The new entrance to Hogwarts and our goat loving friend was cool too. When a good twin of ours died it hurt, I laughed when an old enemy of Harryâ€™s died although it was sad being that he was only a child. (He shouldnâ€™t have used a curse he didnâ€™t understand) The spider thing freaked me out, but for a moment I thought they were on Hagridâ€™s side then well you know, ewwwwwww. Grawp might be ugly but he sure does love Hagger. Moving on, when Voldemort killed our bat like friend it hurt because I was sure he was bad but got screwed. Then when he gave Harry the pensive memories and told Harry to â€œLook at meâ€ before he died; I knew. (Ha Ha Enos and Karla you guys murdered an innocent man) I felt so bad for him in those memories. When I saw what the first memory contained I knew then that we were right about him being in love with a certain someone. What pissed me off though was the whole soul and Harry thing. Iâ€™ve always hated that theory, but it was proven to be true (Adam you were right, Enos you were close only because you said he intentionally did it) When Harry supposedly died I knew he wasnâ€™t from when he had the ring and the cloak with him. The things in the corner that was crying was I thought to be the parts of Voldemortâ€™s soul that was destroyed reunited. Dumbledore finally explained things to Harry and I suppose his secrets werenâ€™t so bad. I was expecting him to have been at the Potterâ€™s house, which by the way no one was. In the end Harry and Voldemortâ€™s fight (Thanks to Neville by the way for the death of the final horcrux, he did so well in this book) sucked. I thought Harry and Voldemort would have this big battle were Harry did awesome magic, but instead Harry spoke to Voldemort as if he were speaking through Dumbledore and then when Voldemort shot the killing curse all Harry still could say was â€œExpelliarmus!â€ I know this worked but, WTF. Didnâ€™t Lupin (R.I.P) and Harry get into an argument about that? Lupin told Harry that heâ€™s facing death and all he can use is the disarming spell? I know it worked but I wanted Harry to have a drawn out battle like Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix did. Their battle was making the floor hot and cracked. You could sense the power around their battle. Harry and Voldemortâ€™s battle felt like being in detention and some one finally got punished with their own spell. I guess she was trying to keep Harry pure-of-heart because notice he didnâ€™t kill anyone in the entire book with a killing curse. The end of the book was rather predictable after you knew Harry survived. Those are my thoughts for the final book   hide

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							Susan
						
							few weeks ago						
Only the most cynical bystander could think that the Harry Potter series could have ended with anything but the triumph of good over evil. The specific methods might range from complete slaughter of everyone to a fairytale ending, but good over evil was never in doubt by Rowling's faithful. 

In this final installment, Harry, Ron, and Hermione have dropped out of Hogwarts instead of taking...more
 Only the most cynical bystander could think that the Harry Potter series could have ended with anything but the triumph of good over evil. The specific methods might range from complete slaughter of everyone to a fairytale ending, but good over evil was never in doubt by Rowling's faithful. 

In this final installment, Harry, Ron, and Hermione have dropped out of Hogwarts instead of taking their final year, to concentrate on defeating You-Know-Who. Because Voldemort's powers grow ever stronger, they find themselves on the run, only mildly insulated from the discomforts of the road by magical spells and items. I appreciated that even though Harry and his classmates are on the verge of being graduate wizards, the powers of mature witches, both good and evil, are huge, the way the driving skills of a newly licensed driver are to a stunt driver or racing driver. Even "accio broomstick" is magic to me, but it's baby stuff to real wizards. 

The devil is in the details, and this book is so cram-full of details I should have gone back and started from the first book rather than the most recent in order to be up on the story. I didn't remember anything about the Shrieking Shack at all, or the features of the Chamber of Secrets, or dozens of the various elements from books one through six that Rowling threw at me in this one. But that's OK, I just rolled with it and it all worked out fine. My only criticism of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is that, although it's a great read, the plot is so baroque that Rowling has to pause intermittently for Harry or another character to explain events to someone (who stands in for the reader) or to have a villain confess to Harry when he is sure that Harry is in his clutches. 

The facet of Harry's increasing maturity that's under the microscope in what should have been his final year at Hogwarts is his perception of the adults around him. Harry spent most of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)angry with his headmaster Dumbledore. Harry repeatedly ignored his requests, and withheld information from him. In Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Harry gets a more three-dimensional view of Dumbledore. At first Harry is intolerant of any flaws in his idol Dumbledore. Harry can't complete his quest until he appreciates Dumbledore as a complete human being. Seeing adults (especially parents) as flawed human beings, and loving them anyway, is the final lesson of growing up. Ultimately Harry's most important lessons, and his most valuable strengths, are the ones that we Muggle readers can aspire to.   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
SPOILER! Don't read on if you don't want to know.... It was 2am last night when I've finally finished reading the Deathly Hallows, and suffering a post-harry-potter blue syndrome right now. I've been reading (and re-reading so many times) Harry Potter books for 10 years... Harry's stories were in my life for 10 years! And now there's no more... 

For those who've read the ending first, I'd say...more
 SPOILER! Don't read on if you don't want to know.... It was 2am last night when I've finally finished reading the Deathly Hallows, and suffering a post-harry-potter blue syndrome right now. I've been reading (and re-reading so many times) Harry Potter books for 10 years... Harry's stories were in my life for 10 years! And now there's no more... 

For those who've read the ending first, I'd say you deserve it! You spoiled the book! You've gotta let the twists and turn build up in the book, to be able to fully appreciate the ending. It's a great plot. 

There are so many deaths in the book, it's sad. JK Rowling killed my favorite character! I've mentioned it many times I love the twins the most. They are smart, funny, and very daring. I think Rowling has achieved the point that, at wars, you have to part with your loved ones. How would George feels, with Fred gone? I mourned with him. I totally understand that she wants to kill the heroes for the sake of the novel.... but still, it's sad to see so many deaths. 

The most surprising plot was Snape. In all the previous books, Snape hates Harry so badly, you wouldn't imagine he is actually protecting Harry so bitterly, because his love for Lily. Snape is capable to love, and I can't believe this. I knew he's the spy on Dumbledore's side, I always knew. But he actually loves Harry?! Oh, and also Auntie Petunia. She actually wanted to attend Hogwarts! It was jealousy between Lily and Petunia? 

The last Horcrux... wow... what an amazing story! I cried when I read how Harry walked into the forest, trying to sacrifice his life to kill Voldemort.... Brave boy... he's the total opposite of Voldemort, who's so afraid to die.. The climax of the series was so shocking. I can't wait to get my hands on the Harry Potter encyclopedia Rowling said she'd publish.  

Some people don't understand why others are so crazy about the Harry Potter series. Let me explain why I love it so much. It's the love, loyalty, the friendships that keeps me reading it. I know such pure love & friendship is very fictional, even non-existence in the real world. But that's what makes this book series so captivating. You've gotta be amazed by Harry, Herminone and Ron. How they hang together in tough times. I really want friends like that. From the book, you learn what's love, how to forgive, show remorse. The evil of war.... 

I cried when Dobby died. :~ What a gripping story.   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
After 25 hours (not straight through) I was able to complete, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  All in all a great book.  If you are a fan of the series then let me say that the book will not let you down.  I could go on and on about the wonders of it, but since my time at this computer is some what limited, allow me to point out the few things that I did not like...

Stop here if...more
 After 25 hours (not straight through) I was able to complete, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  All in all a great book.  If you are a fan of the series then let me say that the book will not let you down.  I could go on and on about the wonders of it, but since my time at this computer is some what limited, allow me to point out the few things that I did not like...

Stop here if you wish not to view any 

***SPOILERS***

1.  Why doesn't anyone tell me anything?

Like most of the previous novels, Harry is on the outside of the loop when it comes to information.  Therefore, he spends the better part of the novel complaining that no one ever tells him anything.  Sounds familiar?  It should, Rowling has done the same thing in the past.  Sure, it is for his own protection.  I realize this, the problem is that the character refuses to see it that way too.

2.  Into the woods.

The early part of the novel also spends a great amount of time with Harry and company on the run.  This seems to go on and on to the point that you seem to wonder:  "Hey JK when are you going to get to the good stuff?" (When she does - WOW!!)  I feel that a chapter on Ron and Hermione destroying the Hufflepufff cup would have made a much better chapter instead of more camping in the woods.

3.  Neville's revenge.

Yes, he did confront (in the 5th novel) the witch, Bellatrix Lestrange, who destroyed his parents.  Surely, Rowling would allow Neville his pound of flesh.  I waited for the payoff.  It never came.  Yes, Neville did prove to be a hero.  We fans knew that all along.  What we wanted for him was what we also wanted for Harry; to avenge his parents by directly taking on the person who was responsible.  Harry got his Voldemort moment.  Yet, Bellatrix was taken out by someone other than Neville; too bad.

4.  Something missing...

While I enjoyed the "19 years later ending", a nice touch to Harry running into old classmates with their kids; sending them off to school, would have been running into Dudley as well.  Him (Dudley) there with his wizard child, maybe Uncle Vernon there as well seeing his grandchild off.  Finally, you would have Harry getting acceptance from this part of his family.  Just a thought...

Again, a good novel.  One I enjoyed.  These are just a few areas of concern.  Thanks...   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
I do not envy Mrs. Rowling.  While she no doubt has enough money to roll in a new pile nightly, she also faced the task of concluding an epic series in a way that would satisfy at least the majority of the fans.  If she succeeded or not, is a matter of opinion.  So, here's mine!

I'll go ahead and get the criticism out of the way.  Parts just dragged.  Maybe it was my lack of sleep,...more
 I do not envy Mrs. Rowling.  While she no doubt has enough money to roll in a new pile nightly, she also faced the task of concluding an epic series in a way that would satisfy at least the majority of the fans.  If she succeeded or not, is a matter of opinion.  So, here's mine!

I'll go ahead and get the criticism out of the way.  Parts just dragged.  Maybe it was my lack of sleep, finishing the book in a record day and a half (thank you, thank you), but there were parts I read that I forgot almost instantly.  I have to say though, that the only part I actually HATED was the Epilogue.  I seriously had to ponder as to if Rowling paid an 8 year old fan girl to write it for her.  It just felt corny and a bit forced to me.

Yet, this last installment seem to me to be a fitting tribute to not only Harry, but almost every character to grace the pages of one of the previous six novels.  It may be easier to name a past character who DIDN'T make a cameo in this closing of the series.  Everyone seemed to come back and pay Harry their adieu.  Some character we have hated, and now we got a compelling change of perspective; while others showed  us their unexpected darker side, making them that much more interesting.  Rowling may not be known by all for her writing style, but she certainly should be commended for her characters, all being strong, compelling, and layered.

Through these characters Rowling offers an important commentary about war: how it makes some act less nobly, and showing there are two sides to any story by humanizing enemies (such as the Malfoys).  This series, culminating in this last episode,  also offers a unique perspective as to what it is like being a child in war, the responsibilities and maturity both needed and created in the ones involved.  Not only that, but through the Ministry of Magic we get some beautiful, if chilling, ideas of the corruption and greed inherent to government.

Another powerful theme was death.  As Luna said in Order of the Phoenix, "They'll come back, they always do in the end."  She may have been talking about lost belongings, but in this last book the ones Harry lost, his parents, his godfather, and Dumbledore all come back to Harry, if not in the way he expected.  These were two of my favorite scenes, showing us not only does life not always dish out what we want in the way we want it, but also simultaneous showing us Harry's courage and innate human fear as to what lies beyond this life.

Some very adult concepts were grappled with in this "children's book," and grappled with beautifully at that.  I cannot decide if this is my favorite book in this series or not, but I do think it will stand the test of time in any library, including my own.   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
This review contains spoilers.

This book is a mixed bag to me, because there are some really good parts, and then there are parts which seem under-developed or otherwise rushed. 

First, onto the good parts. The narrative is much better this time because taking the narrative action out of Hogwarts really frees Rowling from the structured imposed on her by the schedule of the school. It's...more
 This review contains spoilers.

This book is a mixed bag to me, because there are some really good parts, and then there are parts which seem under-developed or otherwise rushed. 

First, onto the good parts. The narrative is much better this time because taking the narrative action out of Hogwarts really frees Rowling from the structured imposed on her by the schedule of the school. It's true that you miss out on Quidditch, but I've always felt that it was superfluous anyways. Setting the plot in a new, more adult, more realistic (to the extent that realism is possible in a fantasy setting) context makes the action much more exciting and free. 

Second, there is much more moral nuances and complexities in this book than ever before, especially Rowling's decision to challenge the ethical nature of Dumbledore's past actions. But given the good-vs-evil theme of the book, moral complexities are not as rich as they could be, but that sort of complaint is to miss the point of the series in general. Given that the audiences are mostly children and teenagers, more ethical complexity and shades-of-gray would be inappropriate. After all, this is not a series about challenging traditional moral conventions. 

Third, the plot picks up in intensity as it should, since it is the last book after all. A sense of urgency is established right from the beginning, and it rarely lets off save some slower stretches during the middle of the book. A lot gets packed into the pages, and it makes for a much more exciting and tense read. But this accelerated pace does not come at the expense of intricacy, since long-time readers are rewarded with a number of conclusions to various sub-plots running throughout the series. 

Finally, the book achieves moments of poignancy that goes beyond what the series has produced in the past, such as Harry's burial of Dobby, the ghosts of his loved ones accompanying him on his journey to self-sacrifice, the death of Fred, etc. And the poignancy is not of the mawkish, overly-sentimental variety but of the genuinely cathartic sort. 

And here comes the not-so-good parts.

First, because the book is so plot-driven this time, I felt that it short-changed some really interesting characters. Given that the narrative takes place predominantly outside of Hogwarts, it's inevitable that the students (other than the three main protagonists) are given much less face-time so to speak. Even admitting this, I felt that characters like Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and even Draco Malfoy should have received more development, since each of them have back-stories that could yield huge dividends dramatically: Neville's vengeance for his parents, Lovegood for her father, and Draco's vacilitating between good and evil, etc. 

But the character that really got the shaft, in my opinion, is Snape. Rowling (in)famously posed the question of Snape's loyalities, and given his back-story, a confrontation between Harry and Snape would have been extremely dramatic on so many levels. Yet their one encounter yields a scene in which Snape says virtually nothing, and the big revelation that Snape has been loyal to Dumbledore after all is revealed passively in the form of a Pensieve memory. As the character with the most complex morality, Snape gets an extremely short-shrift from Rowling. I was extremely disappointed in this particular encounter, which to me had the most dramatic potential. 

The ending is also anti-climatic because what precedes immediately--Harry's voluntary resignation and self-sacrifice--is so much more poignant than his final confrontation with Voldermort. The entire "dream" or "ghostly" encounter with Dumbledore after Harry dies seems like a deus-ex-machina device to me. All that part does is to come up with a lengthy exposition of why Harry can still live with no real continuity with the rest of the book. Sure, it ties up a lot of loose ends with Dumbledore and the Deathly Hallows, but its only real purpose is to make sure that Harry survives. 

The confrontation between Harry and Voldermort itself is underwhelming, becoming little more than cliched Hollywood-style exchanges between Hero and Villain. Would the ending be better had Harry died? My immediate answer would be yes, but I think that even if one wanted Harry to survive, there are better ways to do so than this anti-climatic confrontation. 

But even with these flaws, I still found the book to be the best in the series, because it achieves a level of intensity that is not found in all previous books. It brings a satisfying conclusion, albeit not a completely satisfying one, to the series. Like the series as a whole, the book is not terribly original, with influences of Arthurian legends and Tolkien easily perceivable, but that in itself is not detrimental because in some ways the line between homage and direct-quotation is a blurry one. The thematic qualities of the book do not reach the level of richness that is characteristic of first-rate literature, but there is an appropriate amount given the audience. 

So as far as literature aimed at children and teenagers go, this is not a bad series at all, with terrific entertainment value. But no one should pretend that this stuff compares to Doestoyvesky or Proust. Will it become a classic of the genre? On commercial popularity alone, it is all but done. But only time can tell whether its artistic influences are long-lasting or not.   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
WARNING: Spoilers

In the early 90s a friend of my sister's identified a model for fools and heroes fests that he dubbed "The Amulet of Zlarg". In an Amulet of Zlarg fest something horrible happens on Friday night. By Saturday morning it has become clear that the problem can be solved by acquiring the four components of the Amulet of Zlarg which have been hidden in the surrounding forest -...more
 WARNING: Spoilers

In the early 90s a friend of my sister's identified a model for fools and heroes fests that he dubbed "The Amulet of Zlarg". In an Amulet of Zlarg fest something horrible happens on Friday night. By Saturday morning it has become clear that the problem can be solved by acquiring the four components of the Amulet of Zlarg which have been hidden in the surrounding forest - groups go out and collect these. They then have a banquet and get very drunk. The following day the Amulet has to be used in some complex fashion while the villains attack and so, allowing sufficient time for everyone to recover from their hangovers, there is a big battle.

Funnily enough the Deathly Hallows was pretty much entirely as I expected. It's plot was largely Amulet of Zlarg (without the drunken banquet), Snape turned out to be a good guy, Neville got his moment of glory, Harry ended up with Ginny, Ron ended up with Hermione, and so forth. About the only things missing from my mental check-list were a moment of redemption for Draco Malfoy and the revelation that the prophesy had been about Neville all along.

I really enjoyed the book, more so than any since Prisoner of Azkaban but I'm not entirely sure why. It displayed many of the flaws I've criticized the later books for: which mostly boils down to too much padding although in this case most of it wasn't so much padding as simply drawing events out longer than necessary and perhaps unnecessary repetition of Harry's thought processes. In some ways this may have become a strength in this book, much as people have argued that the second half of The Two Towers is about instilling in the reader the sense of monotony and hopelessness experienced by Frodo and Sam, the slow pace of parts of this book instill a similar sense of the extent to which Harry, Ron and Hermione are both directionless and helpless. It also benefitted, I think, from the removal of the Hogwart's setting and hence the lack of repetition of the don't trust the grown-ups/sneak about dodging teachers/sit detention formula that had established itself in the rest of the series.

I found I'd actually forgotten much of the detail of the preceding books and had to struggle in places to keep up. I think this reveals the strengths and weaknesses of Rowling's writing. I had no trouble remembering characters, who they were and what they were about, but the details of plot points, in particular the interactions with inumerable magical artefacts had obviously blurred somewhat. On the whole plot does not appear to be Rowling's strength whereas the creation of vivid characters (believable where necessary) obviously is. The plot in this book I thought workmanlike and more competent that some (particularly Goblet of Fire which was the book that turned me into a Harry Potter critic) but it didn't deliver the twists, turns and revelations I had somehow been expecting. However, it seems unfair to criticise it for failing to deliver something that had never been promised and was probably an artefact of the surrounding hype and spoiler-related paranoia. 

So as something of a Harry Potter curmudgeon, demonstrated by the fact I've only just read it (but it was getting to the point where nieces and nephews were likely to start summarising the plot for me) this book won me over in the end. It was much as I expected. Good characterisation, a perfectly competant though rather by the numbers plot and all of it gripping enough to keep me up reading past my bed time. Now to go and read all those other posts and reviews about it which I've been carefully avoiding.   hide

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							A reader
						
							few weeks ago						
I must say that Harry Potter has not only been a great serie but a magnificent experiance. All of the books were greatly capticating and fun to read. This is one of those books that you would tell your kids about and your grand children. A true work of art all the way and I think, though as many have said that the ending of the last book was a bit rushed and that a major death would have probably...more
 I must say that Harry Potter has not only been a great serie but a magnificent experiance. All of the books were greatly capticating and fun to read. This is one of those books that you would tell your kids about and your grand children. A true work of art all the way and I think, though as many have said that the ending of the last book was a bit rushed and that a major death would have probably been the best way to end the serie (and I completly agree), it would indeed upset a great many fans who just can't imagine life without Harry Potter. 

I think these books were such an attractive and fun read to all age groups was the fact that in some way we might have been envious of Harry. I for one get a feeling every time I read a Harry Potter book of great envy and regret. I am enviuos that Harry got to live in such a magnificent and magical world and thought how great life would be if I had magical powers. I felt regret that after reading these books my life felt shallower and emptier since I had nothing nearly as interesting and as fun in my life as Harry did. Sometimes I like to imagine I was in some better world where there was such adventure and excitment yet danger and passion as there is in the magical world of Harry Potter. (this willingness to escape the real world got me involved in gaming a lot and so i stopped that before i was too addicted to it :P).

All in all I think every single one of us will remember these books and marvel at J.K Rowling wondering how she had such an imagination to create this perfect world that many of us would prefer to have grown up in.

Concerning the movie:
I honestly wasn't too fond of the 5th movie of Harry Potter as I thought that many important details were left out and that the movie could have been made a good 1-2 hours longer (if not more) to include these vital details and make the movie as interesting as the book is. For this reason alone i dread the day that the 7th book would be made into a movie for I would hate to see such a great book be shortened into a 2-3 hour movie and ruined by lack of suspence and detail. (Books>Films  and that's a fact :D)

Concerning the ending:
I believe, like many of you, that the ending of the serial could have been far better by making the book longer or by reducing the amount of chapters dedicated to the protagonist's travels and instead use them to make the ending more climactic. I also felt that the final battle between Harry and Voldemorte could have been made more exciting, although I did like the fact that each of the wizards used their prefered spell in the final battle which boosted the image of their character. I loved the fact that Rowling hinted that Harry must die for it to end and I think that his selfless sacrifice was a great part to the book but as most people said I believe that the book would have been more dramatic and unforgetful if Harry Potter did indead die rather then go into some place and have a cosy chat with Dumbledore :P. As he did not I think the ending was O.K. not greatly to my liking but I find it nice how (and if you haven't read the book don't read the next part coz it'll ruin the epilogue) Harry names his children in honour of his parents and Dumbledore and Snape who really were some of the finest wizards in the book. Ofcoarse everyone expected it to end in this way which is why some people were disappointed by it but as I always say it's the author's choice on how to end his/her story... When your writing your own, don't end it like that :)

Greatly recommended to every age group as one of the finest peices of modern literature and a fun read to remember for eternity :) Good job Rowling!!!   hide

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							A Reader
						
							few weeks ago						
With all the anticipation of the very last Harry Potter novel, it was very important that Joanne Rowling did not make the same mistake many others have made, and lead her work into ruin by destroying it with the last part, and let us be completely honest, it was a tall order. The Order of the Phoenix was long-winded and frankly dull, and, devoid its finale, The Half-Prince Blood was terribly...more
 With all the anticipation of the very last Harry Potter novel, it was very important that Joanne Rowling did not make the same mistake many others have made, and lead her work into ruin by destroying it with the last part, and let us be completely honest, it was a tall order. The Order of the Phoenix was long-winded and frankly dull, and, devoid its finale, The Half-Prince Blood was terribly weak. I bought my copy first thing on Saturday morning and proceeding, betwen my own duties, to finish the novel before Sunday was gone. The story clearly made up for all the previous two novels' mistakes, and had a story that answered many of the questions. The idea of Dumbledore having his own mirky past was a good addition, and also the Ministry coming under the influence of the Dark Lord I also found worked well. The quest for the Horcruxes really only was the backdrop, as Harry has to prove himself as a leader, and even, at one point, Ron completely walks away from his "best mate", but still returns to help Harry destroy the Locket of Salazar Slytherin. The usage of the Deathly Hallows itself worked in the story, and gave it that mystery that the story, lets be honest, never always fully had. The finale, The Battle of Hogwarts, was logical, but it was the battle that I was critical of. For me, it resembled too greatly the Battle of Imardin in The Black Magician Trilogy, but whether or not that is plagarism, I cannot tell. The deaths in the story worked quite well. The death of Mad-Eye Moody was sudden, and was the death of Dobby, which I would say actually displeased me the most. There were a host of deaths in the finale, including Severus Snape, who was a hero after all. In all, we knew that Harry was going to be killed by Voldemort. I liked the fact that he died without defending himself, and then was resurrected. For me it was of course Christlike, which I felt the story needed. Whether Joanne intended that, or just added it to get at the attackers of her work, again, I can not tell. Facing Voldemort one last time Harry won not by being clever, or powerful, or skilled, but by right, which, unfortunately the Dark Lord was unable to foresee. Having Ron and Hermione finally kissing put a massive smile on my face, as, for me, it was obvious from day one. For me, the story was the right conclusion to a story that, for once, has all the success it deserves. Despite it flaws, it was a grand finale, and I can only offer my congratulations.   hide

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