I did it! I finally finished my Spanish language book for 2018. It took me almost four months this time but I’m so glad to say I finally finished and even more excited because it means I’ve finished my read through in Spanish which I started in 2012. Yep, it was that long. I started off strong and read the first four in a year but then I slowed way down when I started working full-time. But it’s done and I’m now working on the illustrated versions as they’re released. I’m currently behind and only on the second book. But that’s a story for another post.
Cover image via Goodreads
Harry Potter y las Reliquias de la Muerte (Harry Potter #7) by J.K. Rowling
Other books by Rowling reviewed on this blog:
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I and II by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, Illustrated by Jim Kay
Harry Potter y el Orden del Fenix by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter y el Misterio del Principe by J.K. Rowling
Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)Summary from Goodreads:
Concluye así la serie más vendida de la historia de la edición, que a la postre se ha revelado como un gigantesco puzzle literario de casi 3.700 páginas dividido en siete partes. Con un ritmo infernal que corta el aliento, y un final tan emocionante como inesperado, el último libro constituye un broche de oro en el que infinidad de detalles que surgieron en las seis entregas anteriores cobran sentido y tienen una explicación exacta, dejando al lector maravillado ante tan inmensa obra de relojería.
Man, did my spell check hate the Spanish summary. Oh well. If you don’t know what this book is about, I’m not going to spoil it by posting the summary in English. You’ll have to read the first six first (or at least those summaries). This was one of my least favorite books in the series when I read it the first time and I liked it marginally more now, having watched the final movie enough and recognizing the deep emotions that I flew past when reading it the first time (and admittedly skimming them again this time). I liked the structure that the books got when they focused on a year at Hogwarts. There was Quidditch (except book 4), classes, holidays, and a huge host of characters that showed up each year. I missed this structure in the final book and even though there are epic adventures, there was minimal McGonnagal. And that’s sad no matter how you slice it.
I think one of the reasons this book translated well to screen for me was because the emotional turmoil that Harry goes through fell flat to me a bit on the page. These characters are going through a war and it was hard for me to see that Ron was so moved by his brother’s death or that Harry was scared to face his death. The writing worked better for me in the first six books but it was a bit lacking for me in this one.
I don’t normally say this with Potter books, but Harry was my favorite character in this one. He’s finally matured and stopped yelling at everyone which is really refreshing. He’s also very strong when it’s needed of him. He figures things out and is smart, but not unbelievably so because he asks for help when he needs it. And I can’t forget brave. He’s very brave in this book but he shows his weakness. With the way the plot’s structured, you’re a bit out of luck if you don’t like Harry in this book because the other characters don’t play as big of a role.
Unfortunately, the characters aren’t very relatable in this book. The situation Harry’s going through is very unique and it’s not very comparable to anything in my everyday life. At this point in the series, I’m reading because of my investment in the story, not because I feel a personal connection to the characters.
J.K. Rowling
Image via The Telegraph
I read this over such a long period of time that it’s hard to remember specific parts I enjoyed. I did like the time at Shell Cottage, which was drastically shortened in the movies. I’d forgotten how much they disliked Griphook and it was such a joy when Remus showed up to announce Teddy’s birth.
I’m not a fan of the epilogue. It does show that everything was able to return to normal, in a way, but it also shows that people chose odd names for their children and sets up for a sequel that I’m still sorting my feelings out about. I think it could have involved a lot less name dropping and focused more on Harry and Albus. It was too busy for me.
Love was a very strong theme in this last book. Ron and Hermione’s feelings for one another, Harry for Ginny, love between family members and loving friendships. Voldemort’s lack of love was not as obvious to me as I wish it had been, but I did see some great examples of it. Someone who kills a loyal follower like Severus as quickly as Voldemort did is clearly incapable of love. You do get a glimpse of Bellatrix’s feelings for Voldemort, though, and I liked realizing that wasn’t as much of an afterthought as I originally thought it might have been.
Writer’s Takeaway: Wrapping up a series can be incredibly difficult and I really commend Rowling for how well she was able to do it. Of course, not everyone will be satisfied. But she did a great job of tying up her loose ends and giving readers the ending they wanted without it being easy to get. I can’t say I ever plan to write a seven book series, but if I do, I hope I can wrap it up as well.
Overall an amazing book but hard to compare it to the other amazing books in this series. Four out of Five Stars.
Until next time, write on.
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