Genre: Fantasy Age Range: YA/Adult Star Rating: 4.5/5 stars Series: Yes - last book
*SPOILER ALERT: contains SPOILERS for the rest of the series*
Synopsis:
“Give me Harry Potter,” said Voldemort’s voice, “and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded.”
As he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and takes to the skies, LEAVING Privet Drive for the last time, Harry Potter knows that LORD VOLDEMORT and the Death Eaters are not far behind. The protective CHARM that has kept Harry safe until now is BROKEN, but he cannot keep hiding. The Dark Lord is breathing FEAR into everything Harry LOVES, and to stop him Harry will have to find and destroy the remaining HORCRUXES. The final BATTLE must begin – Harry must stand and face his enemy…
Thoughts:
Yes, the ‘review’ I found on Goodreads was pitiful
Wonderful book, a stunning conclusion that makes me cry every time
I mean, really? That’s all I had to say about this book?
I am *just* old enough to remember this book coming out. I have a vague recollection of seeing a pre-order notice in a bookshop for #6, but the hype and anticipation around this book has stuck in my mind. There was the midnight reading at the Natural History Museum (I’m a Londonner born and bred), it was in every bookshop and it was even on the news. I didn’t read it them (I think I was 8 and 1/2?), but I knew this book was coming out – and that it was big.
This book is the culmination of the entire series, tying up the many loose ends into a cohesive narrative. There are reveals that shake your assumptions about characters and their actions, there are so many heart-breaking deaths and there’s most twists than a rural England road. Character arcs resolve, none more obviously or potent as Ron’s.
Other than the climax – the Battle of Hogwarts – this book isn’t set at Hogwarts. It was refreshing to see them move out of the school and face the real world. Their magic has had to change and the danger feels more intense as there are no responsible adults about (not that they’ve always done much good). It also opened up the world some more as Harry, Ron and Hermione visit the Ministry of Magic (this time under the firm grip of the Death Eaters, feeling very dystopian and fascist) and magical villages around the country. Oh, and they rob a bank.
Personally, the book would have ended just fine without the ‘Nineteen Years Later’ chapter, but it does show life after the Battle of Hogwarts. It just felt too happy and lip-service to me. I like the previous chapter – a grim acknowledgement of the effort it took, the sacrifices it made and yet tinged with hope for the future.
Read my reviews of other books by J. K. Rowling:
Harry Potter (this series):
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 
Nice to read your view on the 19-years later. I do hope you enjoyed reading the series!
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Oh, yes – I love the series.
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