Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling, to be released on July 21, 2007.
The book is scheduled to be released globally in English-speaking countries shortly after midnight 00:01, British Summer Time, on July 21, 2007. However, in the U.S. (which spans several time zones), it is to be released for sale within each time zone at 00:01 local time, a few hours after the other English-speaking countries. Retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Borders are reporting that more orders have been placed for this book than for any other in history. It reached the top spot on both the Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble bestseller lists just a few hours after the date was announced on 1 February 2007. American publisher Scholastic announced an initial print run of 12 million copies, together with an advertising campaign including the staged release of the seven questions most debated by fans. The book is expected to be 608 pages in the British edition, and has been confirmed to be 784 pages in the US edition.
Rowling completed the book while staying at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh in January 2007 and left a signed statement on a marble bust of Hermes in her room which read: "JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (652) on 11 January 2007". She has stated that the final volume relates very closely to the previous book in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, "almost as though they are two halves of the same novel."In a web update on 6 February 2007, she wrote, "While each of the previous Potter books has strong claims on my affections, 'Deathly Hallows' is my favourite, and that is the most wonderful way to finish the series."
The launch will be celebrated by an all night book signing and reading at the Natural History Museum in London which Rowling will attend along with 1700 guests chosen by ballot. Rowling intends to visit the USA in October, where another event will be held at Carnegie Hall in New York with tickets allocated by sweepstake.
Rowling made a public request that anyone with advance information about the last book should keep it to themselves, to avoid spoiling the experience for the many readers who do not want to know the ending in advance.
