The title for the seventh and final Harry Potter book has been announced, and it is filled with grim portent. The book will be called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Hallows is being used in a way that seems unusual to me – “hallow” means to make holy, so I am assuming this is referring to “deathly” hallowed ground? Or is it a reference to Halloween, aka All Hallow’s Eve? But don’t mind me – I first thought Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was about the young wizard being served a plate of very exotic bird.
There’s a title, but no release date. Still, the title is a strong sign that JK Rowling is actually really working on the book and not just swimming, Scrooge McDuck style, in her huge piles of money. Which is probably what I would be doing. Ideally I’d like to see the book sooner rather than later – summer 07 anyone? – but I would probably bet on a Christmas release next year.