Harry Potter VII: The Deathly Hallows (PLOT DISCUSSED!)

[Mike]

This is a review of the book as the film is not due until 2010 according to Wikipedia discussion about the actors and actresses.

This book was generally very good and I would rate overall in terms of storyline (though not literary content!) though it may be that my perspective is skewed by the emotional investment in the Characters.

Harry Potter has left the safety of Hogwarts in his search to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. Albus Dumbledore has left only the smallest of clues and the warning to keep the secrecy of their mission between himself, Ron and Hermione. The book does dwell along time on fruitless wandering the build the tension and excitement before plunging into a fast paced rising crescendo towards the end.

My major criticism of the book is the ending. It explains all the loose ends but frustratingly leaves us with only a tiny glimpse of Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years later. Where was the tearful re-uniting with Ginny Weasley, where was the celebrations, where was the inevitable weddings? All in all the book wrapped up and dropped us in a rather swift fashion!

[Mike]

On reflection there do seem to be a few plot weaknesses with the ending here. The ownership of the elder wand and the return of HP amongst them. I will re-read part of the ending soon to see if I have misunderstood something vital but what do others think?

Oh and as a side note - who the hell is going to challenge HP now he has defeated Voldermort? What sort of job does he go into now and are the NEWTS exams sort of pointless? So many questions, I don't see how they are going to be able to resist another novel. :D