Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows

***Spoiler Alert!!!! Read the novel in its entirety before reading this review****

(From The James River Writers)

"There were spoiler scandals, illicit digital images on the Internet, and an early (favorable) review by Michiko Kakutani in the New York Times that probably left J.K. Rowling wishing she could express-mail the critic a box of puking pastilles for giving away story details, but in the end, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows went on to sell an estimated 8.3 MILLION copies worldwide in the first 24 hours, nearly 2 million people crammed into Barnes & Noble and Borders stores across the US for the midnight release, and the book sold at a rate of about 128 copies PER SECOND in the first full day of release.

However you feel about the Harry Potter series, there is this to keep in mind: all around the world, people poured into bookstores by the millions to buy a book."

Indeed!! I think that is AWESOME.

I was in the doctor's office recently, and to pass the wait, I picked up Forbes. JK Rowling was the only author on the list of 100 top money-makers. To her I say: Thanks for making all authors proud! It's not about money (though money is nice, to those of us who have to slave for a few pennies), though, if you're a writer. I mean, a real writer, the type that writes because they love it, and because they must, because it gives them the greatest high on Earth. But still, for the woman who went from Welfare to being a multi-millionaire, I say, Thank You.

Thank You for the characters that inhabit all of the truly wonderful Harry Potter novels. Thank You for your creativity. Thank you for writing about Fantasy topics I love: magic, witches, spells, creatures, and ways of life which escape us Muggles. Mostly, Thank You for allowing us to feel your passion for these characters, and this world you created. I love artists who are very passionate about their work, and when you can tell it in the finished product.

I always laugh at the story, but have to tell it: My friend Joan, when I lived with her, bought all 4 (only 4 were out at the time) HP novels at once, and they came in the mail. When she opened the package, I thought she had lost her mind. Reading children's books like they were Art. So, the first film was about to come out, and Joan wanted me to see it with her. I thought, well, I might as well read the book first. I have never questioned Joan since! haha Joan is brilliant! haha Joan has great taste. :)

So that started it for me. I read all 4 books in quick order: Goblet of Fire was my favorite. I am still partial to that one. But since then, I've been around to see the Potter mania that grips children and adults alike. And it is well-deserved. After I read Half-Blood Prince, I reviewed it (on one of the old groups or sites I had, I think) and said it was up there with some of my fave American Lit novels (high praise). And I stand by my over-zealousness! Rowling is an exceptional writer. Not just for the story or the characters. I mean, the woman can write. I love that she brings in plot points from every novel, so that you see that each novel is connected and the story is one continuous epic. I love that she reviews what happened in the prior novel without being a bore about it. Mostly, I loved seeing Harry, Hermione, and the whole crowd grow and change.

So, what of the latest, and final (sob!) novel? First off:

Hedwig! I'm devastated, as Harry was. The deaths in HP always shocked me; Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore (knew that one was coming, and still cried myself silly)...it speaks to the author that we sat around literally in tears when one of her characters died. But Hedwig, was a sad one too. She was one of Harry's comforts, which apparently he isn't allowed to have. I love that Harry has so much to struggle with, because it makes him a great hero, but sometimes I wish he'd just catch a break!

Hermione Granger. Tied with Harry for My Favorite Character. She's like a teen version of Jane Eyre; the brilliant bookworm who uses her smarts and logic freely, always with good results. And let's face it: Harry and Ron would be dead as doornails if not for Hermione always saving their ass and coming up with the right spell or the right plan. That girl reads, and learns, and for that, I have to love her. :) I wish Harry didn't think of her as a sister, though. If Harry is going to be The World's Greatest Wizard, shouldn't The World's Greatest Witch be his wife? Just a personal wish, cause I love both characters, and because, Hermione is the only character who always stands behind Harry, regardless. Ron, he argues with Harry and storms off, but Hermione, she never leaves.

Lord Voldemort. What makes a great villain? He/she has to be truly nasty, without a heart or soul, and must put genuine fear and/or dislike into those who learn about him/her. Also, must have a huge ego, for which he/she does not apologize. I'd say Voldemort is one of the better written villains out there. Killing children without mercy is way beyond harsh!

Snape. I KNEW Snape was a good guy! When I read about Dumbledore's death, it really did seem planned or staged to me, all along. And it was! I still spent a good part of this novel wondering...since Snape did such a good job of being a mole. And his death, I was still a little sad about, even though he hadn't been proven a good guy yet. It seemed cruel anyway; Voldemort kills anyone, no matter how 'loyal' they appeared.

Mad-Eye, Tonks, Lupin, and Fred!!! RIP. Very sad to lose any of them.

The Battle at Hogwarts was incredible!! I generally prefer to read character development, and watch action, but this action was so fun to read; I can't wait for the movie! Hagrid carrying the 'dead' Harry Potter up to the castle was harsh! I felt so bad for Hagrid I didn't know what to do.

Harry wins. I figured he would, him being the hero and all. But the plot that led to all of this...WOW. I can't begin to describe it here, it's just very complex, and quite brilliant. Little, tiny, cool things we learned about in each novel were all important to the final plan. WOW.

I can't see how this could have ended better, all the way around. And after I had read the final words, and went to bed last night, I'll admit: I shed a little tear. Not because of the plot, or any of the deaths (though they are always sad), but because of the finality of it being OVER. No more adventures for Harry and the gang. We know how his fate played out, and we're glad. But we'll miss him, and the world he lived in, because it was such a truly magical place.

Grade? Are you kidding? A++++++++

Read it!