Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

Author: J.K. Rowling

Published in: 2007

Date read: 18th August 2007

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Childrens' fiction, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling is the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, bringing Harry's epic journey to its climactic conclusion as he faces Lord Voldemort for the last time.

The story begins immediately after the events of the previous book. The wizarding world is plunged into war. Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters have seized control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, ushering in a dark reign of terror where Muggle-borns are persecuted, and anyone associated with Harry or the Order of the Phoenix is targeted.

Instead of returning to Hogwarts for their seventh year, Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to abandon their formal education and embark on the perilous quest Dumbledore left for them: to hunt down and destroy all of Voldemort's Horcruxes. They know this is the only way to make Voldemort mortal and defeat him.

Their journey is fraught with immense danger, hardship, and isolation. They spend months on the run, constantly moving, using protective enchantments to stay hidden from Death Eaters and snatchers who patrol the country. Their resolve is tested by the Horcrux they carry (Salazar Slytherin's locket), which amplifies their darkest emotions and causes tension among them, leading to Ron temporarily abandoning the group.

During their quest, they learn about the "Deathly Hallows": three legendary magical artifacts – the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility – which, when united, are said to make their possessor the "Master of Death." Harry realizes that Voldemort is also pursuing the Elder Wand, believing it will give him ultimate power.

The trio's hunt for Horcruxes takes them to various significant locations:

• They infiltrate the Ministry of Magic to retrieve Slytherin's locket.
• They travel to Godric's Hollow, Harry's birthplace, where they are ambushed by Nagini, Voldemort's snake and another Horcrux.
• They infiltrate Gringotts Wizarding Bank to steal Helga Hufflepuff's cup from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault.
• They discover the final Horcrux (Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem) hidden within Hogwarts itself.

Throughout their journey, they gather crucial information about Dumbledore's complex past, Snape's true loyalties, and the deeper history of the wizarding world. The tragic fate of Dobby the house-elf, who sacrifices himself to save them, is a poignant moment.

The climax of the novel is the Battle of Hogwarts, a massive, brutal confrontation between the defenders of Hogwarts (including students, teachers, members of the Order of the Phoenix, and various magical creatures) and Voldemort's army of Death Eaters, giants, and Dementors. Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts to find the last Horcrux and make their final stand.

During the chaos of the battle, Harry learns the truth about Snape's unwavering loyalty to Dumbledore and his lifelong love for Lily Potter, Harry's mother. Snape, dying from a wound inflicted by Voldemort's snake, gives Harry memories that reveal he was a double agent, always working to protect Harry and defeat Voldemort. Harry also discovers that he himself is an unwitting Horcrux, carrying a fragment of Voldemort's soul.

Understanding that he must make the ultimate sacrifice for his friends and for the world, Harry confronts Voldemort alone in the Forbidden Forest. He allows Voldemort to cast the Avada Kedavra curse on him, believing it will destroy the Horcrux within him without killing himself permanently. Harry has a profound experience in a limbo state, meeting Dumbledore, who explains the intricacies of Horcruxes, the Hallows, and Harry's survival.

Harry returns to the battle, seemingly dead, only to reveal himself at the decisive moment. He engages Voldemort in a final duel. It is revealed that Harry is the true master of the Elder Wand (having disarmed Draco Malfoy, who had disarmed Dumbledore). When Voldemort attempts to cast a killing curse on Harry with the Elder Wand, the wand refuses to harm its true master, and the curse rebounds, finally destroying Voldemort for good.

The novel concludes with a brief epilogue, set nineteen years later, showing Harry, Ron, and Hermione as adults, sending their children off to Hogwarts, signaling a new era of peace in the wizarding world.

Comments:
I will openly admit that I was waiting eagerly for this to be released but I refused to pre-order a copy. As a result, I had to wait a couple of weeks but it was worth it. Absolutely fantastic climax. JK was not afraid of killing off a few characters and the casualty list certainly was not reserved to unknown witches and wizards. I could not have hoped for a better ending, thanks for all of the great reading, the good films and for allowing me to read these books to my children!

Books that we've read by J.K. Rowling (7):
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) (1997), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) (1998), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) (1999), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) (2000), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) (2003), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) (2005), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) (2007)