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When Dumbledore arrives at Privet Drive one summer night to collect Harry Potter, his wand hand is blackened and shrivelled, but he does not reveal why. Secrets and suspicion are spreading through the wizarding world, and Hogwarts itself is not safe. Harry is convinced that Malfoy bears the Dark Mark: there is a Death Eater amongst them. Harry will need powerful magic and true friends as he explores Voldemort’s darkest secrets, and Dumbledore prepares him to face his destiny…

The crying as begun! I’ve always been told the last book is really sad, but I didn’t know it started early. So I’m leaving this book as a complete emotional wreck and I just hope I can get across in this review how the book made me feel.

I’m definitely back to loving these books again – they do improve again after the 5th book! Not back to the standard of the 3rd or 4th, but still, I really enjoyed this one. As I had already been told, they do continue to get darker, and I found the plot a lot more complex! But I really enjoyed that, as there is a lot of progression as the book goes on.

“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high.”

As well as maturity in story, I’m enjoying seeing Harry progress too. Seeing his friendships and relationships grow is a pleasure, and I loved his lessons with Dumbledore. For such a complex story, I really applaud how Rowling still managed to include Harry’s feelings, especially as he grows and matures.

However, I have to say that even though this book does progress, I found most of it kind of…relaxed. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but the pace was definitely slower until it sped up at the end of the book. It didn’t make it boring – it just made it comfortable.

“Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew – and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents – that there was all the difference in the world.”

I’m really excited for the last book and to finish this series – but I’m going to miss the world of Hogwarts so much. It’s a story I haven’t stopped loving and I don’t think I ever will. Bring on the tears. Bring on the emotion. Bring on Deathly Hallows.

★★★★★

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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