Great end to a great series loved reading these books over the summer and definitely recommend each and every one of them. ( )

I have no words... ( )

Of course it was great, but I was kind of disappointed with Rowling this time around. I feel like she totally caved to the fans, and gave us a sticky sweet ending. ( )

Extremely suspenseful and engrossing. Satisfying ending to the series. ( )

I have finally done it - I read the (original) Harry Potter series! Earlier today I finished "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and after a break I feel ready to phrase my thoughts.
This is not a real review - more like a small retrospect reading diary with a lot of rambling!

Although I have some points of criticism, on the whole I loved this book, and I think it is a worthy finale. Many aspects that I had hoped for are there: Characters returning, exciting fights, emotional scenes, friendship and love. I had dreaded some of the events that I had known about (The many deaths!) and while Dobby's death made me sob so hard that I don't remember ever crying so much over a book, the others were "ok-ish" because they are not described in so much detail.
I must say that the first half of the novel was very slow reading for me, it seemed to drag. This was broken up by a few more exciting chapters, but on the whole I could not keep from wondering why the story unfolded as it did. I was happy when I read the reason for this towards the end. However, I still think it would have been preferable if some of this space had been used for other aspects, because I would have liked the ending to be a bit more fleshed out, more loose ends tied up. What happened to Hogwarts after the battle? I wished for an energized speech held by McGonagall about rebuilding the castle! What happened to Hermione's parents and the Dursleys? Luna's father? Did Draco and Harry ever speak to each other again? I also would have loved to read about another encounter between Harry and Ginny, Kreacher to be praised for leading the elves into battle, and another appearance of Moaning Myrtle. But no, nothing of that - instead, chapter on chapter about how dreary life in the woods is.
Ok, rant over - apart from that, I did love this book, and I cried several times more, I started the second half yesterday at about 08.00pm and did not stop, apart from getting some sleep, until I had finished at lunchtime today. I loved Ron's return to Harry and Hermione, Neville taking charge of the DA and him killing Nagini, the silver doe and Narcissa saving Harry - and I had a hard time returning to reality when I closed the book.
But now, I am also somewhat relieved and glad that I made it! ( )