The boy who spurred generations to read is finally leaving us behind. Having just re-read the entire series, this may have hit me harder than most. At least, such is my hope, as I find myself disconcertingly depressed after finishing the story at 1 in the morning, and am filled with trepidation for all those kids who are going to plow through this book because it's Harry Potter.

The movie, I think, will be insane. As for the book, it's hard to know what to say. Partly literally, partly as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.

I've heard opinions that a large portion of the book could probably have been left out, but I found that the story fit together quite well, with itself, and with the rest of the books. Granted, I wanted to beat it up on occasion, and spent a fair amount of time yelling at it, as had the person who read it before me. But it was, in the end, a great book.

There were some things I might have liked to see slightly more resolved, but I imagine it can't be easy to resolve a large portion of your life sweet and concisely. In the end, I imagine most fans will be happy with the outcome. So long as they survive the getting to it.

It's a quick, though difficult, read. The lulls in the action are quickly replaced with more action than one might want. This is definitely war. And it isn't friendly. I think I'll leave it at this: as I was told, no matter what you're expecting, you're going to be surprised.