Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Wow! Absolutely fantastic!

I know those words are not enough to describe the last book in the Harry Potter series. In fact, I don't think mere words can do justice for what J.K. Rowling had written.

I was ready for anything before I started reading the book. I accepted the fact that Harry or anyone of the beloved characters could die. After all, freedom and peace always come with a price. I hid it well but I had tissues in pocket as well--that was how prepared I was. Which turned out to be a very good thing because, believe it or not, the waterworks started on the dedication page.

"...and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."

Stuck, studied, gone on adventure after adventure, suffered, triumphed, LIVED with Harry Potter for the past six years since I read the very first book in 2001--right after I saw the first movie.

It saddens me to think that this is the very last book in the series. But I think Harry had been through enough in his seventeen years that he deserves to have a relatively peaceful life. (Relative being the operative word, literally, once you read the epilogue.) I'm not giving out spoilers here although if you haven't read the book yet, I really dunno what you're waiting for. It's more than satisfying to have all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and have the entire picture out in front of you.

Since The Sorcerer's Stone, we have come to know and love characters book after book--and lost some along the say (I miss Sirius). The Deathly Hallows is no different. It makes victory all the sweeter. This book tells of stories testing the bonds of family and friendship; of loyalty and love; of the inherent goodness in people; and of the triumph of the good versus evil. I have never and would never have presumed how J.K. would cook up this seventh book but I had my own hunches. Suffice to say that I was right about Professor Snape (and gloating about it); and wrong about (my hopes for) Professor Dumbledore's character. After you've read the first six books you'd think that you have a general idea of what's in store for you here. Think again. There are still a lot of secrets to be uncovered and secrets in store for you.

And my props go to J.K. Rowling for not succumbing to the pressure brought about by the fame of the series. The style of this book is as pure as the first, only with grown and more mature cast. For all the talk about how the story had become darker and might not be for children anymore, somehow it manages to be what it's meant to be--a children's book meant as well for the adventurous young-at-heart. And I have to say, I was proud of myself--I was itching to do it but I never once peeked to the very last pages of the book.

As for how they'll make a movie version of this, I don't think it could ever surpass the beauty of the book. No HP movie had ever been better than its book version. But that's also to say that there are no (and, I think, ever will be) bad HP movies--only good and better ones. And I'm counting on this one to be the best. (Warner Brothers had better be looking for the best man to do the directorial honors right about now. Chris Columbus, anyone?)

Wotcher. All is well.

Final verdict: 10/10 (although it deserves 12.5). Fantabulous read and a MUST HAVE!