Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The seventh and final installment in this worldwide phenomenon of young adult literature brings the Harry Potter series to a satisfying close. Having improved as a writer since Book 1, Rowling capably ties up almost all the loose ends in this magical tale of good versus evil. One thing with which I was impressed was how merciless Rowling was with the characters and conventions she had built up in the previous six books. Many major characters die, and the traditional school year rhythm of the series is immediately dispensed with as Harry, Ron, and Hermione take on the most powerful evil wizard, Lord Voldemort. It is not a perfect book, but fans of the series will generally not be disappointed. In fact, naysayers of the series might reconsider their criticism as the last book breaks even the magical Harry Potter mold. With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the integrity of the series is safe, virtually guaranteeing its continued popularity for several decades to come.