Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 10/01/2007 It is with something “like a little bereavement” that readers will turn the last page of the Harry Potter series. Although Rowling follows the formula that has become familiar in the plots of the later books—an opening scene that reveals the current state of Voldemort’s evil plans, a farewell to Privet Drive, a sojourn at the Burrow, minor skirmishes, tracking down clues amidst interpersonal drama and Harry’s longing for love, and finally, a battle royale, followed by an explanation of events from Dumbledore’s point of view—everything about this book has grown up. Farewells are final, a wedding replaces a Quidditch match for spectacle and those small but important revelations that happen when wizards gather in a crowd, and the lessons that Harry, Ron, and Hermione have to learn take on real consequences. Hermione’s book-learning, in particular, proves itself battle-ready on more than one occasion as her proficiency in spells gives legs to her quick thinking, and the discovery of the Deathly Hallows gives Harry a genuinely challenging, morally complex problem to work through. As with the previous books, infelicitous stylistic choices and overlong expository passages are forgiven in favor of meticulous plotting and flawless characterization; one need only picture McGonagall leading an army of animated school desks into battle to know that Rowling understands her characters deeply and perfectly. Gone are the laugh-out-loud scenes (well, except for the one just cited); these have been replaced by hair’s-breadth escapes and tense moments that are ready for their cinematic closeups. Rowling’s careful articulation of motive and action ensures that readers match characters terror for terror, grief for grief. Of all the intense feelings the book will call forth in its readers, cheated isn’t one; it’s impossible not to feel satisfied when Molly Weasley turns from worrier to warrior, when Neville earns the sword of Gryffindor, or when Narcissa (Narcissa!) trades all that she has ever been for the love of her malicious son. In the end, Rowling’s vision doesn’t share the apocalyptic grandeur of Tolkien’s, or Lewis’, or Pullman’s; rather, she remains a novelist rather than a writer of epic, a chronicler of people rather than of straight-up heroes and villains. Her epilogue reminds readers more than anything else that we don’t work to save the world in order to rule it, or to leave it, or even, necessarily, to change it; we save the world in order to live in it, and to relish the peaceful, unassuming joys of friendship, families, and, on occasion, a really good book. KC - Copyright 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Booklist - 08/01/2007 *Starred Review* The cloak of inevitability hangs on the final installment of the Harry Potter series. One must die, one will live. Friends will be distinguished from foes. All will be revealed. To Rowling’s great credit, she manages this finale with the flair and respect for her audience that have permeated the previous six novels, though the mood here is quite different. The story has a certain flatness that extends through much of the book. Rowling can no longer rely on diversions like Quidditch matches and trips to Hogsmead for relief; Harry has made the decision not to return to Hogwarts. Aided by Hermione and Ron, he will instead search for the remaining Horcruxes that hide pieces of Voldemorte’s soul. Danger and death are in the air, but Rowling skillfully deals both out in tightly controlled bursts that are juxtaposed against periods of indecision, false leads, and even boredom as the trio try to divine their next moves. Most startling are the new elements, including the not-altogether-successful introduction of the Deathly Hallows. These magical artifacts unnecessarily up the total of things that Harry is looking for by three, and the ownership of one of the Hallows, a wand, may lead to confusion for readers at a climactic moment. More successful additions, adding depth and weight, are the multilayered revelation of Dumbledore’s family history and the brilliantly handled answer to the question of Severus Snape’s allegiance. Throughout, Rowling returns to and embellishes the hallmark themes of the series: the importance of parental influences, the redemptive power of sacrifice, and the strength found in love. These truths are the underpinnings of a finale that is worthy of fans’ hopes and expectations. - Copyright 2007 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2007 Gr 6 Up-In this concluding volume, Rowling brings together the themes and characters familiar to her readers, providing thrills both expected and unexpected. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out on the mission left to Harry by Albus Dumbledore, to search for the remaining Horcruxes, the hidden pieces of Voldemort's soul that must be destroyed to ensure his final defeat. Harry and his friends find themselves fugitives, but help comes from unexpected quarters and old friends. Harry is also searching for the truth about Dumbledore's life, as he tries to reconcile rumors about the man's past with the heroic headmaster he thought he knew. The legend of the Deathly Hallows, three magical objects that have the power to overcome death, proves to be related to Dumbledore's past as well as the present conflict. While the plot wanders somewhat on its way there, the final battle with Voldemort, involving a full range of friends and foes, is Rowling at her finest. The headstrong plot involves clues and characters from all of the volumes, building on details and tying up loose ends. An underlying message about the power of truth and redemption is reflected in a range of characters, combining with mythic allusions to give depth to the series as a whole. Hallows continues the darker tone of Half-Blood Prince, and there's no Quidditch to be found here, though there are comic moments. Fans of the series will devour this lengthy tome and will be left hoping for more tales from this fully fleshed out fantastic world.-Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2007 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.