HP7--a review or something

Thank You, JK Rowling
By Vatski
TF Entertainment July 30, 2007 issue

Like many die-hard fans of Harry Potter, when the release date of the book was announced, I was one of those itching to grab a copy of this last and final (but hopefully not) installment about the boy wizard, and to know from there what really happened to him in his last battle with the Dark Lord.

Last Saturday (July 21) was it, when millions of HP fans (myself included; mine was actually given as a gift, but I had to personally get it from the bookstore. The thrill, man, the thrill) trouped to the bookstores all over the world to get their “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” hardbound copies. After two years of waiting, we will finally know if the Boy-Who-Lived will still survive when the final chapter of this book closes.

There are so many sites describing the story’s plot at length. Some forum sites have even discussed the meat of the story; but won’t that spoil the fun? But whatever, even days after the publication, many sites— like Wikipedia—have already revealed Harry’s lot. It’s quite not fair, really, especially to those who are still reading it, and for those who are still planning to get their own copies. It’s like eating the dessert first, before the main course. I mean, how can you enjoy your meal in this manner?

But a few hints won’t do any harm, I assume. So here’s my say.

The Deathly Hallows is a brilliant story; it is definitely what the entire HP fandom wants it to end. Oh, just tell me if you won’t like it that way, I can be reached through this address: vatski@gmail.com.

Before the book was out, previews and spoilers of it were already circulated in the Internet: That Harry would be killed, his bestfriend Ron would also die, et cetera. But do you really think JK Rowling would do that to her young readers? Never mind the older ones, they can cope up quick and well with whatever tragedies their heroes might encounter; it is the impact of the final story that matters. And how her fans would bleed for a magical ride that ended tragically.

Anyhow, JKR has also her own share of bleeding. It was while writing this book that she cried—probably not an easy parting with the series that brought her fame, and glory for making millions of kids and adults smiling and dreaming of playing their own Quidditch games, too, one day (for kids, I mean), I think. Well, she can always make some more, if she wants to.

The book opens with Voldemort’s ascending to power; hence, chapter one is titled The Dark Lord Ascending. Then it goes on to places that were once a part of Harry’s growing up years, and it is also like a reunion of almost all the people—both dead and alive—that have been a part of the book.

Of course, it includes Albus Dumbledore—that even though he is really dead, he is still a big part of the story—living clues to Ron, Hermione and Harry as to how to defeat the Dark Lord by destroying first his Horcruxes, known as objects where he keeps a part of his soul; and the story of the Deathly Hallows.

The tale about the Deathly Hallows sort of appears from nowhere, it was never mentioned in any of the previous HP installments, but proved to be the only way to rid of Voldemort. But only after all Horcruxes are destroyed. Quite confounding, yet interesting as it means additional tasks for the three main characters.

Their adventures are as usual not a walk in the park. They get scathed, burned, and almost meet Death itself on more than one occasion; but they are still able to make it to the last encounter with Voldemort, who has gained more power for the past months that he has gone into hiding. And not like the rest of the six books, Voldemort is more visible in this last installment, casually throwing Avada Kedavra curses to everyone that crosses his path be he/she an ally to him or not. He even casts this killing curse on Harry in two occasions.

But of course, good always triumphs over evil. Even already knocked up, Dumbledore’s own death is even justified here. And his trust until his death to the person whom we all love to hate is actually not put to nothing. I’m sure everyone knows who this person is. It was really sad to see him go, too; but this book reveals the good side of this wizard. It’s really good to know that part, really.

It was fun reading all seven books. JKR has already thanked her readers for having “stuck with Harry until the end,” but the deepest of gratitude should go to her not only for bringing Harry Potter to our lives but for keeping the Boy-Who-Lived living until the end. Thank you.