Customer Reviews
A monumental epic and a satisfying conclusion to the wildly popular saga, impressively narrated by Jim Dale. 
2007-09-03
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the unabridged audiobook conclusion to J.K. Rowling's acclaimed "Harry Potter" fantasy series, about a boy wizard on the verge of manhood who must stake all he has - even his life - to defeat his murderous, virtually immortal archenemy Voldemort. Voldemort and his Death Eater minions have taken over - wizards who are not "pure blooded" are being systematically hunted down and imprisoned or executed. The Magic of Ministry has fallen. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is no longer a safe refuge. Dumbledore, the only wizard Voldemort ever feared, is dead. The one way to end Voldemort's menace is to find and destroy the pieces of his shattered soul - but Voldemort has hidden them well! Harry and his best friends Ron and Hermione must undertake an epic quest that will pit them against the most formidable of foes. Perhaps worse than the quest itself are the lingering secrets that Dumbledore has hidden from Harry. Three powerful magical artifacts, known as the Deathly Hallows, will have a crucial bearing on Harry's quest, but will they be his rescue - or his ruin? A monumental epic and a satisfying conclusion to the wildly popular saga, impressively narrated by Jim Dale. 17 CDs, 21 hours 39 minutes.
Nice! 2007-08-22
This 17-disc audio version of the final Harry Potter book is a worthy way to experience the story without reading it. It features the rich baritone of narrator Jim Dale, who tells the tale with just the right understated touch, supplying all of the characters' voices.
As for Dale's accent, it's appropriately British but not at all too thick. Each word is clear and easy to understand. If you've bought any of the earlier Potter audio CDs you know what to expect: Dale narrated all of those, too.
By the way, note that this is an UNABRIDGED audio book. Listening to it all takes 21 hours!
The story is dark, and too violent for younger kids, but overall one of the best in the Harry Potter series. Nothing seems forced or thrown together. Author J.K. Rowling wraps up her many plot points and reveals the fates of her characters in ways that almost always surprise you, but afterward seem inevitable.
And how she does it is so inventive! Many throwaway moments and whispered remarks from earlier books foreshadow what happens here, and devices that had little importance before, such as Sirius's flying motorcycle, now play key roles. While creating yet another gripping tale, the author also ties her entire epic together with the skill of a true literary master. As a writer myself, I really admire her skill. (Last time I checked, Rowling was outselling me by about, oh, a billion to one.)
In addition, the book treats its title character with the complexity he deserves. It portrays the (now) young man as disillusioned, full of doubt, overwhelmed -- a tortured soul who, though a responsible leader in an all-out war, often seems to yearn to do nothing more than sweet-talk Ginny Weasley.
Parents should know, however, that this one is a real creepfest, with the most explicitly violent scenes of any book in the series. It's way too brutal for grade schoolers. Also, unlike the earlier Potter tales, the far-reaching vocabulary requires about a 6th-grade education.
By the way, if this page shows this set as out of stock, you can also get it here: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD).
Excellent 2007-08-08
The final installment of the series lives up to the very high standards that Jim Dale gives. My only gripe is Why did they change the Introduction Music. It would have been better to keep all seven Audio CD's the same
Much better than the book! 2007-08-05
Jim Dale is a Rock Star! It's absolutely incredible how he can switch so quickly to do a unique voice with emotion for every single character. Even if you've read the book, this audiobook is a value-added experience. I've done both and noticed that the book has grammatical problems and inconsistencies. Those minor issues go unnoticed in the audiobook since the narrator plows right on through with seat-gripping drama instead of letting your brain get all hung up on the sentence structure by re-reading passages.
Exceeded my expectations... 2007-08-03
This review (unlike the NY Times review) will NOT be a spoiler:
To what extent a movie, paperback or audiobook entertains and satisfies me, is largely dependent on what my expectations were prior to the experience. If my expectations are low at the outset, it is so much the easier for the media experience to exceed those expectations and I may come away pleasantly surprised. How much the harder than, for an audiobook (paperback or movie) to entertain and please me when I enter into the experience with high expectations. I had very high expectations, indeed, for the Deathly Hallows and Rowling and Dale delivered on those expectations and even exceeded some of those expectations.
I have listened to each of the six prior books, at least twice now. Jim Dale's narration, outstanding from the first book, has progressively improved with each successive book. The Deathly Hallows is his finest performance, yet. His ability to move back and forth from one character to the next, instantly changing tone, texture, inflection and personality is the best I have ever heard. He never sounds as if he is reading his material for the first time. Kudos to whomever selected Jim Dale to read the Harry Potter series. He is so talented that I am inclined to check out any audiobook that he narrates, in the future. The narrater can make or break an audiobook, and Dale makes a very positive contribution to the Harry Potter series, overall; though most especially with this book.
What a monumental task it was, for J.K. Rowling, to make this book exciting, interesting and not altogether predictable when everybody knew that this would be the final book in the series. The plot for this last book could have been outlined by any Harry Potter fan before the book was ever released. Yet, in spite of this liability, Rowling managed to deliver a final book that was spellbinding: with unexpected plot elements, jaw-dropping revelations, well paced action, a roller coaster emotional ride (yes, I shed tears more than once) and an ending that truly exceeded my expectations. Let's face it, going into this book we all think that we have a pretty good idea of how it is going to end up. Don't be so sure.
Getting you to that final conclusion is a story that gets better and better as it moves on. I listen to audiobooks in my car, traveling to and from work. I found myself unable to turn off the cd player when I got to work and when I pulled up to my house, at the end of the day. I ended up bringing the CD's into the house and listening to them on my portable player (so as not to spoil anything for my wife and son, who will also listen to the story later). If this were a paperback, I would say that I could not put the book down.
This book adds a new subplot to the overall storyline of the series. It is good. Deathly Hallows continues the common themes of the previous six books, while adding richer details to the characters and plot, overall. Rowling does the most splendid job of tying up loose ends and filling in small gaps left behind from the previous novels. The real magic of this book is in the "telling of the story." Rowling tells this story so well that, in the end, you feel as though you know Harry Potter personally; you understand the world that he lives in and you are transported to that world throughout the entire listening experience. There is no need to suspend your disbelief, because you are right there with Harry experiencing what he experiences and feeling whatever he feels. Rowling masterfully brings you into Harry Potter's world and she will make it real for you (and worth your while).
Thank you, J.K. Rowling for letting me experience Harry Potter. Harry has contributed a higher level of enjoyment to my life than any other fictional character I have ever encountered. I will miss him. Disrael62
5 stars to both Jim Dale and J.K. Rowlings 2008-07-07
I read Harry Potter 1 ~ 5 but stopped at 6th, because my eye sight
deteriorated and reading such a big book will surely make it worse,
so I switched to audio for book 6 and 7 and discovered yet a new world!
Jim Dale is wonderful! Amazing how he can use a totally different (and suitable) voice for each character, considering how many characters there are, use them consistently, switching back and forth effortlessly, and if you have watched the movies, they even match the voices in the movies! I thoroughly enjoyed these audios and highly recommend it if you don't have time to sit down to read the whole thing, or simply don't want to stain your eyes by reading non-stop (like what I used to do, being unable to drop the book in the middle).
Book 7 is my favorite of the whole series. I have read too many suspense stories with predicable or disappointing endings, or dropping a lot of useless (or even contradictionary) hints just to create the suspense without being able to explaining themselves. Not Rowlings, she always has seamless plots and now, a spectacular ending, not to say all the humor and fun which is rare in suspense novels.
I can only say Jim Dale is a genius in linguistics and Rowlings is a genius in creativity!
Excellent 2008-05-13
I listened to the unabridged audio version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows and really think this was the best harry Potter book so far. It was spectacularly narrated and, is 19 CD's long, which is probably why I haven't written a review for a while.
I particularly enjoyed the environment in this latest one. It is darker and more urgent. Harry, Hermione and ron are on the run! Harry must find horcrux's which contain bits of Voldemort's soul. Our heroes are also battling uncertainty, doubt, and betrayal. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Dudley seemed to have shown a kinder side, and the revelation about Aunt Petunia was just fascinating. I almost felt bad for her.
I enjoyed the backstory with Lily/Snape which explained a lot. I only wish Harry's dad had been less cruel towards Snape.
Overall, this was a spectacular conclusion to the HP series, although, I think I could've done without the epilog at the end. It didn't add anything.
The perfect story for an imperfect person 
2008-01-08
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows is an all and all good book. You connect with the characters as the books goes on and you see how some friendships grow. Harry, Hermione, and Ron seem like they are the best of friends, but after you read this book, you see that they can be even better friends.
I really like in the book how some things are not completely explain and you have to think to figure some things out. I like to think when I read the book. When things are just given to you things get a bit boring. The ending is pretty good, but I just sort of wish that there would be a bit more explanation to it.
There are a few things that could have been better. It gets into a lot of detail and a lot of people their minds start to wonder and they get off topic so the explanation of some things could be a little less yet there are some things could be a bit more detailed.
So I think the book was very interesting and I would recommend the book to anybody who wants a good read and would take the time to read it. ยบ
Greatest Audiobook EVER!!!!!!! 2007-10-06
I wish to instill upon all my readers the solemnity with which I type these words today. It's been just under 48 hours since a large percent of Muggle-kind poured into bookstores worldwide to get their own copy of the most awaited book ever published. It was without a doubt the greatest novel I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Rowling writes so well that it all seems so real, real enough to become an international phenomenon that has made Harry's world leap into our hearts and homes. Hogwarts, Godric's Hollow, and Hogsmeade have all seemed to be out there just beyond the reach of our outstretched, groping fingertips. It is because of this that what I am writing now will be like no other review that I have ever penned. I have followed Harry from Number 4 Privet Drive, to the very end, and cherished every word. Ending the Harry Potter series is like drawing a line between his world and ours, it's the final breaking point at which our ever-growing curiosity will never be satisfied. And we know it. Even though it was voiced by J.K. long before the release was scheduled that this would be the final installment, I thought that, maybe, just maybe, there was some fleeting chance of another book. The first thing I ever read in the book assured me that it was a futile impossibility. In place of a synopsis, it simply stated 'We now present the seventh and final installment in the epic tale of Harry Potter'. This was it. End of story. Literally.
This is a book that cannot be passed up. It answers more questions in such a special way that only Rowling is capable of. If you wanted to know something about the previous books, the answers are in here. Every chapter was a good read, with nonstop action throughout. Many very important questions are left addressed, but unanswered until the latter part of the book, but within the first chapter, key elements of the plot are unveiled. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is one of those books that you will lay reading at night, fighting to overpower sleep, unable to put it down, and get through 100 more pages than you originally expected to before the drowsiness finally overtakes you. The dedication in itself is enticingly vague enough to make you want to read the book all in one sitting. Rowling addresses six of her friends and then has one final thing to say: 'And to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end.'. It made me uneasy, and it made me wonder, as I'm sure it will you.
I cannot say much about the plot that you do not already know, without revealing important determining factors in the book. I will however say that during Harry's search for the Horcruxes, he faces more obstacles that he has in any previous endeavor that he has undertaken. The power of evil is growing even stronger, and the magical world is not what it used to be at all. You'll have to read it to get to "the good stuff", and this is guaranteed a book that you won't find boring. It will be one of the best decisions of a read you'll ever make.
Jim Dale makes the most of this wonderful fantasy world 2007-09-05
As we come to the end of this unique world of fantasy which JK Rowling created, kudos must be given to Jim Dale, who from the first book made every character come alive with a distinctive voice and personality. I have read the books, but for me, listening to the CD's of Jim Dale's narration made the experience fully real. He created little children, old women, giants, monsters, centaurs, and the hissing voice of the snakelike villain. Each voice so distinctive we came to recognize it instantly.
As for the this the final book in the series:
This is the last book in a seven book series that reads as one long fabulous story, a fantasy classic for all ages. It stands with JRR Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" in that it started out as a children's book: "The Hobbit" in Tolkien's case; "The Sorcerer's Stone" in Rowling's case, and both moved on quickly, as if of their own volition, to proceed away from a simple child's story and become a real world in fact, with humor, tragedy, love, and loss and a great overwhelming evil that the decent people are required to fight in order to keep their self-respect and honor. In each case, the sagas are works that can be appreciated by every age. The Harry Potter series gives us characters as real as any people we have known. They have faults and frailties, we have seen them grow and mature before our eyes through the series from childhood to late adolescence with all that entails, and we have come to really care for them. Though surrounded by magic, by potions, by fantastic animals, and unknown species, the main characters are deeply human. The world they live in is similar to our own, but has the added ingredient of magic, which all the major characters can use. However for much of the story magic is a sideline---very important, discussed and used continually--- but not as important as those very human qualities of friendship, love and trust which actually pull the characters through their losses, to fight their battles, and get them through the on-going great battle with almost overwhelming evil. The human qualities inevitably trump the magical ones in this world: The protective spell of a mother's love...sacrificing oneself for one's friends...those qualities and others are more powerful than spells, potions and wand-work. This, the final book is an excellent entry to the series. Every thread is tied up, and a surprising new subplot is introduced. There is much fighting and death, but it is for a cause well worth fighting for, which mirrors events of our times, and no death is for shock value or the wantoness of blood, gore and pain. The losses suffered by the good people in these last two books have been enormous, yet, again, suffered meaningfully for that great cause, and always appropriate and always mourned. As the book ends, one feels that this world exists and will continue. The work which is the seven part series will stand, I think, in the fantasy literature genre as a classic to be read and remembered. The word "heart" is used frequently, and "heart" is at the center of this world: love, friendship and self-sacrifice are themes repeated over and over, and are the touchstones of this world and what make it special. No recent great work has so unashamedly been so clear on that point, and that is what has drawn so many to it.
