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Book review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the most anticipated book of the decade and the last in J.K. Rowling’s series, was amazing. It filled in all the fantasies I’ve had since I started reading the first book. Rowling reveals the answers to all the mysteries from the six previous novels. We find out professor Snape’s true intentions, learn more about Dumbledore and his past, and even suffer the loss of some important characters. All the characters have evolved, with Neville Longbottom standing out. His change from a clumsy and low self-esteem student to a confident leader parallels how the books have moved from a childish tone to a more serious adult one.

This book wasn’t as Hogwarts-centric as the others, showing that Harry, Hermione and Ron aren’t kids anymore. Qudditch is never mentioned and the book lacks the cheerful childlike mood the series once had. Harry, Hermione and Ron are nomads traveling to random villages, visiting Godric’s Hollow, where Harry’s parents died, hiding from the wizarding world, all trying to find out clues about Horcruxes, the objects containing pieces of Voldemort’s soul and the key to defeating him.

The journey in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is similar to Frodo and Sam’s journey in the Lord of the Rings. Harry, Hermione and Ron are on a quest to save the magic world, just as Frodo and Sam were out to save Middle Earth. The trio is faced with various difficulties. Harry, Ron and Hermione even start to doubt whether they could find and destroy the Horcruxes and kill Voldemort. Rowling does well here in creating tension among the characters but also showing the reader how much is on the line. Furthermore, Voldemort controls the Ministry of Magic as well as much of the magic world, making it harder for Harry, Hermione and Ron to achieve their goals. And the wizarding newspaper, the Daily Prophet, uses propaganda to show that Harry is a bad guy, calling him “Undesirable Number One.” But then again, if Harry had everything easy, the book would be boring and very un-Harry Potter like. It is when heroes fight and struggle that makes everything more exciting. And the exciting final stand against Voldemort takes place in Hogwarts.

This book, however, lacks the presence of many characters I wanted to read about. Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley and Professor McGonagall appear in only a couple chapters. I even wanted more of Snape, one of Rowling’s most intricate and mysterious characters. I also would have liked more humor like in Goblet of Fire, but then again this is the climax, the final showdown between good and evil.

Overall, the book is a magical journey. The more you read it, the more you want to be part of this wizarding world. Undoubtedly, the Deathly Hallows is the best of all the books. Rowling crafted a wonderful ending. As a fan, I wasn’t disappointed at all. Breaking into Gringotts, battling at Hogwarts, revealing just the right amount of new magic, almost everything Rowling did was perfect.