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BY CHRISTOPHER J. TROILO
UMConnection Reviewer

NOTE: This article contains no spoilers.

At this point of the Potter Mania, either you or someone you know has purchased 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,' and it's probable that it has been read all the way through. In its first 10 days of sales, the book sold 11.5 million copies in the United States.

'Deathly Hallows' marks the seventh (and purportedly last) chapter of the magical series from British author J.K. Rowling, which is intended to bring Harry Potter's adventures and mysteries to a climactic close. So how does this final chapter fare?

We last left young Harry at the end of 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' mourning the death of his mentor, friend and Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

Harry had been aiding Dumbledore in seeking out Lord Voldemort's horcruxes ? tangible pieces of the Dark Lord's soul hidden all over the Earth. Upon returning from one of their missions, Harry watched in horror as the professor he loathed the most, Severus Snape, struck down an ailing Dumbledore, Snape appearing to have sworn allegiance to Voldemort.

Harry then resolved not to go back to Hogwarts the following year, determined to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes with the aid of his friends, Ron and Hermione.

As the epic Harry Potter series concludes, many people have been wondering if Rowling's promised payoff will in fact live up to the supreme hype it has undergone, which started with the first book. 'Deathly Hallows' not only fulfills expectations, but will probably surpass them with ease.

'Deathly Hallows,' in somewhat remarkable fashion, manages to close up all of the storylines from the previous six installments and answers all the questions a reader might have had during this journey.

The only difficult part of this is that almost every character who has appeared or been referenced plays at least some role in this final

outing, and keeping them all straight can be a challenge. For true fans, I'd highly suggest a refresher of some sort before diving in.

Clocking in at a hefty 759 pages (the second longest book in the series after 'Order of the Phoenix'), 'Deathly Hallows,' while starting strong and ending brilliantly, does lack a little in the middle.

The first hundred pages or so will certainly grab readers, as a lot seems to transpire during the opening, but then suddenly the book slows way down and takes the main characters on a side journey. Harry and company are temporarily isolated from the world the readers are excited to be a part of.

There's no need to fret however, for the conclusion of the book (and by conclusion I mean the last 350 to 400 pages) is absolutely riveting. I would highly suggest you resist any temptation you have to spoil the finale for yourself, as it is definitely worth the wait.

Of note in this book is that it has become extremely obvious that as the ages of the main characters have increased, so has the intended age of the target audience.

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' could easily be called a children's book, written mostly with 10- or 11-year-olds in mind; the age of Harry on the outset. With 'Deathly Hallows,' the tone of the book is exceedingly darker and far more adult. Parents should be aware that 'Hallows' contains more mature language and themes as compared to its predecessors.

'Deathly Hallows' has it all. There is one last mystery to be solved; adventures and battles on a grand scale; and we finally get to watch these beloved characters turn into the people they were destined to become, their fates revealed. This is one of those books that is nearly impossible to put down, start to finish, a perfect summer read and marvelous end to what will become a classic epic series.

9.5 out of 10

Now that the Harry Potter series has concluded, audiences can look back at some of the over-arching themes throughout the seven books.

As Harry and his friends have matured, one could compare how the characters of Rowling's wizarding world have responded to life events and parallel those actions to one's own.

For book clubs and young adult roundtables, here are some questions which could segue into some deep discussion:

1. Harry has had to experience the death of several of his friends and colleagues throughout the series. As the books have progressed, how has Harry both emotionally and physically reacted to these deaths in different ways? Discuss how you yourself think about and handle death.
   
2. Harry is forced often times to make sacrifices ? some that he is aware of and others he is not. Furthermore, Harry often has had no say in the sacrifices he must undergo. What are some conscious sacrifices you've had to make and why? Would you make them again? What about unconscious sacrifices?
   
3. What character surprised you the most throughout the series, whether it be through their allegiance, bravery or fate, and why? Who in your past has surprised you due to their actions? What causes these surprises?
   
4. Often times in life we are told that those with good intentions and good hearts will be rewarded and the wicked shall ultimately be punished. Did all of the characters in the book 'get what they deserved?' Why or why not?