Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. The book title was announced on 21 December 2006 via a special Christmas-themed "hangman" puzzle on Rowling's website and confirmed shortly afterwards by the book's publishers. Rowling has stated that the final volume relates so 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." It features the adventures of the series' protagonist Harry Potter as he attempts to bring an end to his nemesis, Lord Voldemort.The book will be released in English-speaking countries around the world at 00:01 British Summer Time on 21 July 2007. In the U.S., however, the book will be released at 00:01 local time. The book 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 will be 608 pages in the British edition and 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". In a web update on 6 February 2007, Rowling 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."
