HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS -- J.K. Rowling

Scholastic, Inc -- hc
New York -- ©2007 -- 759pp
ISBN: 0545010225
illustrations by Mary Grandpre

The seventh, and last, book in the Harry Potter series, in which the battle between good and evil, Harry and Voldemort, must be settled, with one of them meeting the ultimate end.

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Although I was to read this book in any event, I read this earlier than planned simply because my wife and daughter had already read the book and were wanting to be able to talk about it.

I did enjoy this book more than the last couple that had come out. A richer plot, a strong conclusion, and characters that actually find ways to grow and mature made for a more enjoyable read. There were, however, times when this book could easily have been trimmed. The idea of Harry and friends stealing right under the noses of their enemy grew redundant. And their use of some seemingly basic spells and charms to pull off their thievery makes one wonder how and why these things aren't done more often.

A sequence in the Ministry of Magic seemed too easy, and a section in the most impenetrable bank seemed not only easy, but a bit dull.

A constant series of camping in the woods to avoid detection grew monotonous, and one wonders why the three friends continued to wear a cursed charm, even when they knew it was giving them such negativity ... and then when it mattered a lot, they simply took it off and kept it in a bag. Why hadn't they done it earlier?

It has been decidedly well known that there is death in this book, and even the death of characters familiar and popular with the readers. Without giving away any of the ending, I will say that none of the deaths surprised me, but there were two, maybe more, characters who did not die, which did surprise me.

Whether you like the Harry Potter series or not, it is undeniably the most spectacular series of books in recent publishing history. The expectations for this last book have easily made it the most anticipated book of the century. Anyone interested in the written word, publishing, fantasy, children's books, or even fads or modern culture, should take the time to check out this series of books.

This book was definitely one of the better in this series.