As a whole - I loved the book; after all, it was 6 books in the making! Years of hidden easter eggs finally coming together in an epic grande finale that's also a grande beginning. After all, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.
I've split this review into 2 sections: my unpopular opinion as to what vexed me about book 7, and the gift that book 7 has given me as of late. There are MAJOR SPOILERS below so read w/ caution
Unpopular Opinion
My biggest issue w/ the 7th book is the seemingly randomness of the Deathly Hallows; they felt "thrown in", a forced vehicle to the final battle, or a symbol for Warner Bros. to market. I could only find 3 main nods to the DH prior to book 7: Harry's heirloom invisibility cloak; Hermione's Ancient Runes class in book 3; & descriptions of Dumbledore's wand/his dueling prowess. But, each of these "eggs" are a stretch. Everything else has felt much more intentional up until the DH. How do you feel about them? Have you found other cloaked references to them prior to book 7?
Surprising Gift
Despite my own book's publication process acting as a distraction from the pandemic, I find myself clinging to a children's book in those quiet moments of uncertainty. HPDH is a tale of darkness, isolation, self-doubt, & the fight against an unyielding evil. Feels all too familiar in our current pandemic climate, hmm? What HPDH has given me, though, is Hope. Nearly every student, teacher, & magical being came together regardless of their relationships & fought together, as one. They raised each other up, supported one another. The radio station Potterwatch became a beacon of hope + light for everyone, a way to stay connected despite isolation. Isn't that why we cling to video calls or insist on streaming watch parties as a way for us to stay connected while in isolation? Who here watched or participated in the worldwide applause for our front line heroes? Our world has been turned upside down, but the people of our world have come together to raise each other up & to support one another. And that's pretty magical.
"Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” ✨