Readers rave about ‘Deathly Hallows’

Given that J.K. Rowling borrowed concepts from several sources (e.g. character development - Star Wars, settings — JRR Tolkin, etc.) it would not have surprised me if she ended the saga with both Harry and Voldemort both dying (or at least having Harry appear to die) in a pitched, all-out final battle, a la Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ending of Sherlock Holmes. I suspect that was her original intent, but capitulated to the commercial interests and brought Harry back. However, she did succeed in achieving her goal of ending Harry by tacking on an epilogue projecting him into adulthood, thus eliminating the ability of future young readers to identify with him. However, by also projecting the "three musketeers" Luke, Han and Leia, er, I mean Harry, Ron and Hermione, as now having children, the franchise can continue through the children of Harry, et. al. — clever device.
— LR, Middletown, N.J.

No matter what, people are going to complain. In the years that I've spent reading, this is by far one of the best series that I've ever had the pleasure of following, and Ms Rowling ended it perfectly. I can't remember the last time I was so involved in a book that I let my emotions get the best of me. The talk between Harry and Dumbledore was extremely emotionally packed, and the fact that Harry still walked to Voldemort after knowing that he had to die to give anyone a chance at stopping Voldemort brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait for my son to be old enough to read and comprehend the series.
— JW, Omaha, Neb.

After a grueling, but extremely satisfying, ten hours of intense reading, I have finally finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I, along with my trusty companions, attended a Barnes and Noble midnight book party, and I received my book at about 12:50am on July 21. I didn't dare open it up in the car on the way home, first of all - I wanted to time myself, and second of all - I was way too excited. When I got home, I sat down in the chair in the living room, and read. Non-stop. From exactly one am to 8:15 a.m. Then, I slept for two hours, woke up, and finished the book at precisely 1:18 p.m. As I finished the book, I felt both a twinge of sadness, and a tear-jerking sense of joy. This phenomenal book took so many twists and turns, it left my stomach in a knot. While I am extremely happy to find that good triumphed over evil and Harry was able to move on, the world already seems a little less bright, knowing that characters' lives, ones we had grown to love, were cut short. In spite of those dark events, I believe that J.K Rowling truly shone with this book, she definitely strut her stuff. Her writing craft painted vivid pictures in my mind, and etched a place deep into my heart. I will read these books to my children and my children's children. This series is, by far, the best I've ever read. I hope that J.K Rowling continues to write, writing words of pure gold down onto paper, which will soon find its way into everyone's heart.
— Nicole-Marie Koszarek, New York

I may still argue that the best Harry Potter book is No. 4 — Goblet of Fire — because it was so expansive, so epic, and the first death in the series hits you like a ton of bricks, but this is a quite suitable end to the series. I know it may be confusing for some, but I think we have to remember that WE have matured as Harry, Ron, and Hermione have matured, so what might be confusing for some can be welcome complexity for others. I was most impressed that Rowling quoted from Scripture — "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". God knows that Rowling's books have taught a whole generation of readers more about love, forgiveness, and sacrifice than any pseudo-religious, Potter-banning group will do in a lifetime. Thanks for one of the best reads of a lifetime. Seven wonderful books.
— Jeremy F., Forest City, Iowa

I am thoroughly drained. I read the book in a marathon reading session today where I felt like I simply could not put the book down because the story line never let up. When I finished the book, I was happy to see that the three main characters had the happy ending they deserved but I felt a heavy sadness as I knew that the story that I had grown to love these last seven years (I got started a bit late) had finally come to a conclusion. I had never been to a costumed midnight release party for a book in my life before Harry Potter and I expect that I may never again. Thank you, J.K. Rowling. You have created something that crosses the generations and creates bonds between young and old alike. Your work is a gift to humanity. For the memories you have given me, I will always be thankful.
— Dave, Phoenix

I thought this was the worst book of the series, and I am disappointed. There was a good bit of forcing in the plot to try and close all the story lines, so that when a significant event happened, like the death of a main character, there was hardly anytime time for "feel" the loss.
— Jessica

Every sentence in the last book was exciting to read. It was like watching the final climatic scene in a action/thriller movie for 12 hours! I cried, cheered, laughed and cried some more. Thank you, Thank you J.K., you created a masterpiece!
— Joanne K., Clare, Mich.

You know ... after almost 10 years of Harry Potter stories, it must've been pretty stressful to write the final installment. Knowing that there are MILLIONS of people hoping and praying you don't screw it up. Is this book perfect? No. Is it all wrapped up with a pretty bow at the end? Pretty much. (Except for a few characters.) Is it a nice sending off for a great group of "people"? Absolutely. The book has its highlights and lowlights — as do most of Ms. Rowling's HP stories -- but I think she did her readers justice. I laughed. I cried. (and cried, and cried again) And even though we're lacking the details of 19 years, she gave us enough to infer that love prevails and our favorite characters end up happy and just where they're supposed to be. Not sure we can ask for too much more than that.
— Kate K., Farmington, NY

I thought most of the book was good. Not the best in the series, but not the worst either. I cried when Dobby died, she wrote that brilliantly. She also wrote the graveyard scene in Godric's Hollow beautifully. The relationship between Ron and Hermione seemed to be written well for a teenage romance, but Harry and Ginny came off rather forced and the epilogue was very cliched and too sugary.
— Mindy, Tustin, Calif.

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