Rating: 
Summary: A good read, but different from the others
Review: In reading peoples' reviews of this book I see that many are displeased by the darker feeling of it. I admit that it has a sadder tone to it than some of the other books, but that is no reason to count it as bad.I enjoyed reading this book, and felt, more than ever, that the author did a wonderful job connecting the book and the reader. I felt genuinely sorry for Harry as I read. I experienced his emotions as though I was in his shoes. Many children have grown accustomed to reading about happily ever after. In reading these books, though, they learn that that isn't always so. Though the conflict Harry may be facing at school may be temporarily resolved, he always has others awaiting him in the future. This shows children that life isn't always fair, and not everyone lives happily ever after. In this most recent book the bad things have grown worse, and the good have greatly diminished. I think in doing this, Rowling is helping the readers of her books to mature along with the characters. I will say to those who are looking for a happy go lucky book, they will not find it here. If they are interested, though, in learning more about Harry and the world he lives in then this is a great one.
Rating: 
Summary: Book is great! CD is first rate!
Review: Order of the Phoenix is a vast improvement from the meandering and often convoluted Goblet of Fire. Though this book is even longer than Goblet, it reads much quicker. Once you get past the slow start, you won't notice the length. Harry Potter is older and surlier, but still an effective hero in this 5th installment of the series. Order of the Phoenix is much darker and more serious than the others proceeding it; it's Harry's most frustrating and toughest school year yet, but author JK Rowling's sharp humor keeps things from getting too heavy. Some of the more one-dimensional characters like Professor Snape and Percy Weasley are fleshed-out giving us a richer and more complex view into Harry's world. JK's depiction of Harry and Sirius Black proves that heroes can still be heroes even with a few flaws and warts. My beloved character Lupin is back (albeit in a smaller role) and new quirky characters Tonks and Luna Lovegood hark back to the delightful fun-filled early years of Harry Potter. A new female nemesis at the school is a bit more twisted than traditionally evil, but you can't say she's boring! The most compelling reason to buy the CD over the book is Jim Dale. His vocal performance in book 5 is, as usual, absolutely superb! He has a dead-on delivery of each of the characters' personalities, voices, and moods which ultimately make this CD well worth the hefty price tag! Buy it. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Think like a teen, people....
Review: I have read a lot of reviews that harp on this book because of the darker twists that Rowlings takes with Harry and his emotions. But c'mon, people...he's a teenager. How are people supposed to relate to him if he's always cheery? I don't think that this book changed his personality. It simply showed that even the best and most optimistic of us can get weighed down by pressures surrounding us. And Harry didn't always deal with them in the best of ways, but he learned a lot. And that's what life is all about. He deals with girls, hormones, evil teachers, a difficult home life, fights with friends...things we've ALL had to deal with. This book gave insight into the human condition - from a teen's point of view. And I applaud J.K. Rowlings' gusto for having done so in a "children's" book. Maybe now our children will learn that the world isn't over when we go through difficult things, go through crappy moods, or fail. Even their favorite hero does those things - and he comes out alright in the end. Just like we all will if would just keep our heads above the water, remember to breathe, and have some faith.
Rating: 
Summary: Order of the Phoenix
Review: While reviewing what one reads he or she must see the story through the eye of the reader the book is aimed at. Harry Potter has caused more young people to start reading than just about any other book. Each child after starting to read the Harry Potter stories can not wait until the next story is out in print.This book in my eyes isn't as good as some of the first stories but it will keep the children reading and looking for the next book. For this reason this book is a must read for the child that is in love with Harry Potter and where he goes from here.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but a departure from the formula
Review: Admittedly, I'm older that the target audience by at good 30 years, but I truly enjoyed the first four books in the Harry Potter series. However, my attention was starting to wander by page 700 of this tome due to the length, slower pace, and the unrelenting teen angst of Harry--a character who had managed to remain relatively cheery through his travails till now. I will say that the unpleasant ending most definitely snagged my attention once again. Perhaps it's simply that I was enjoying the saga as escapist fare and not identifying closely with the characters as some of the younger audience are said to do. The tone of this book is decidedly moodier than the rest, and to be blunt--not what I was looking for. I'm sure many fans will love the book but many of the children and adults I've talked to echo my complaints, though not often to the same degree. Several writer-types said they thought the book needed editing. Bottom line. I read then reread the first four in short order. I've had no such desire with the fourth and it's instilled a "wait and see" attitude in me towards the last two installments. If Ms. Rowland again opts for a darker mood, I'll pass. I can get all the realism I need reading the newspapers.
Rating:
Summary: J.K. Rowlings best book yet: Harry's 5th year
Review: I feel that Harry potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a very good book. It had sort of a boring begining, but overall was great. I didn't like the end very much, but the middle was excellent. I liked how in this book J.K. Rowling made Harry like a teen (basically hating everything and always having mixed emotions like real teens do). I have enjoyed almost every book J.K. Rowling has written, but this one is by far the best best.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book in the sieries by J.K. Rowling. I am a fan of hers and I have reread her books many times. This book has many unsuspecting twiwts and turns. Harry seems hard and prone to mood swings. I personaly would not want to hang out with him. My favorite character is Sirus Black. He is a recently escaped and innocent convict. He is also Harry's godfather. The Ministry of Magic is chasing him down for a mass murder he did not do. I also like Fred and George Weasly. They are Ron's (Harry's best friend) twin older brothers. They are the kings of pranks at Hogwarts (Harry's school). The ending of the book has a gigantic twist that ends up making for a very sad ending with the death of a key character in Haarry's life. All in all this is a extremly good book that keeps you guessing and people of all ages would enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Great if you've read the other books, otherwise avoid...
Review: I found this book didn't feel as fun or engaging, but still a very good read. Harry's angrier a lot of the time and there's a lot of heavy stuff for him to take in, plus a lot of favourite characters are barely anywhere to be seen. I also felt like nothing really happened until the last third of the book. Even the last third felt like it was being set up for the final two books. But still - this is without doubt an excellent piece of writing, despite my gripes. If you've read the previous four books, you absolutely cannot go without reading this book - it's much more accessible to adults and sets the stage for what promises to be two truly gargantuan books.
Rating:
Summary: Best yet
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was another trimuph for Rowling. I admit to starting the series with great scepticisim this fall, but that disappated a few pages into the first novel. My admiration for her writing has steadily increased with each book of the series. The Order of the Phoenix takes us deeper into Harry's past, opens another level of his current life, and even foreshadows his future. We start to see a bit deeper into Snape's pysche, watch Ron and Hermoine develope distinct personalities and see that Dumbledore really DOES know what's going on. Sure, the book, like life, has it's disappointments and difficulties--overwrouht teenage emotions, serious tension among the adults, one life that should've been spared and one life that shoudln't have been spared--but it's those things that add depth to these books. She's created a world that's real; not just black and white, but very, very gray as well. On the whole, I have to say that it was fabulous and, even at over 700 pages, I hated for it to end.
Rating:
Summary: Another Stunning Piece of Work from J.K Rowling!
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is another stunning book written by J.K Rowling. Harry now in his fifth year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry faces many challenges now that He-who-must-not-be-named (Voldemort)is back. With almost the whole not believing that Voldemort is back Harry often has times when he is anrgy which I find is the worst bit of the book. The book is very suspenseful, funny, action-packed, and fun to read. I couldn't put it down! This page turner is a must read for reader ages 8 and up! Though I adivse any reader to read the first four books before this amazing read.
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