Book 7 (minor spoilers)

I've been thinking about the book for a few days now. Frankly, I miss Hogwarts; the seventh book spends very little time at the school and it has a different feel because of it. But it was a satisfying ending to the series; often unexpected (for me, at least), but very satisfying. All the subplots, even some themes and characters that had been dropped--and left, I thought--in previous books were picked up and concluded in this one. The main characters have matured a lot; I love how Neville in particular has grown. (His character arc reminds me of Eustace Scrubb's, but that's another story...) We do lose some characters, too; I won't say which; but between that and the many other manifestations of the love the characters have for one other, this a moving story to read. I have only ever cried once while reading a book, but this one had me watery-eyed in a couple spots. The climax was all that could be wished for, and yet (as in Lord of the Rings) the fate of the world hangs not on might nor power, but on the little things too small for the Dark Lord to notice. (MAJOR SPOILER WARNING: Highlight to read, but only if you've read the book!) Or rather on the one great thing, Love. Harry sacrifices himself, not for the cause, but for the sake of his friends; Hogwarts and the Order risk open war, not in an attempt to defeat Voldemort themselves, but simply because Harry needs their help; Snape, we finally learn, was redeemed because of his love for one person (or perhaps two, as I think we may include Dumbledore); Narcissa deceives her master and saves Harry at the crucial point because of her love for her son; Neville kills Nagini, not because he knows why it must be done, but because he trusts Harry; Dobby gives his life, not because he hates the Dark Lord's rule, but because he loves Harry.
(You can read now.)

So there are my thoughts upon first reading. It's not my favorite book in the series, but I think it was as near a perfect ending as could be. I still have some questions and some things I want to give more attention to, but that can only mean one thing.

Reread!