Goodreads Reviews: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It all comes to an end. Life is meant to come to an end. Harry James Potter's life has never been an ordinary life. Even before his birth, Harry was destined to be above the ordinary, the normal and the acceptable. For the last seven years, Harry has spent his life learning, preparing, discovering and understanding the destiny that was mapped out for him. Harry's time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry set him on a path of expanding the image of 'the boy who lived,' to be 'the chosen one.' And anyone who must bear the title of being chosen, must bear a life of uncertainty, sorrow, and sacrifice. 

The Wizarding World is at war. Voldemort and his Death Eaters have risen to extreme power. The Order of The Phoenix remain ever vigilant and faithful toward their primary goal of protecting Harry Potter, no matter the cost. However, wherever Harry goes, he and those around him become the immediate targets of violence and destruction. Unable to return to Hogwarts, which is now under the maniacal control of Severus Snape and the Death Eaters, Harry, Ron and Hermione set out to finish one final task given to them by Dumbledore. A task that, with any hope, will finally put an end to Voldemort once and for all.

Harry must find and destroy the remaining five of the seven horcruxes. Two have already been destroyed, one by Harry and the other by Dumbledore, but where the rest are is up for the trio to figure out. In the midst of this ever evolving and complex mystery, Harry comes across a symbol with historic significance. This symbol known as the Deathly Hallows is a fairy tale that has more truth behind it than originally believed. The Deathly Hallows can be the balancing point between life and death for Harry, but also the use of ultimate power for Voldemort.

As the war progresses and Voldemort's hunt for Harry Potter increases at an insurmountable pace, The Order of The Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army (now headed by Neville Longbottom) are willing to risk their lives and challenge the darkest powers of evil. No longer able to run from Voldemort, the sacrifice of the most unlikely person opens Harry's eyes and his heart to the understanding of what he was meant to live for and what people are so willing to die for.

It all comes to an end.

The last and final chapter of the cannon Harry Potter series leaves the reader with an intense amount of emotion, both happy and sad. Harry himself is not a perfect person. He's flawed, arrogant, hot tempered, judgmental and is forever finding himself at odds with people who disagree with him. Yet, it's Harry's flaws that make him so real and relatable. Beyond those flaws, there is immense goodness to be found. After years of abuse, Harry has a heart for the lost, the lonely and the misunderstood. He won't stand by while injustice is dealt out and has no fear in going to the dark unknown.

And into the dark Harry goes. Again and again and again. And each time he returns, maybe a little more broken, but also wiser, stronger. Strong enough to heal, strong enough to fight and strong enough to believe that all will be well in the end.