Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: Once again, J.K. Rowling does an incredible job of making the story come to life. Though it seems to be a very long book, quite a bit of new information is introduced. Four stars instead of five for killing off my favorite character and making me cry for the last several chapters.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm giving Rowling the benefit of the doubt
Review: As a stand alone book, I would have probably given this somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, however, I'm judging it as the first third of a greater story. The writing is excellent as usual and you wont be able to put the book down for most of the ~860 pages (I wish there were more). The book doesn't have all the review information in the beginning so there might be a need to at least skim books 3 and 4.I didn't have any problem with Harry being whiny throughout parts of the book. I thought Rowling did a good job a showing his frustration and the fact that his age is causing him to become a bit more rebellious. I also had no problem with the many subplots that weren't necessarily finished. I think that with Voldemort coming back in the end of book 4, these last three books, unlike the first four will be less self contained, and I'm sure some of the characters and plots that were introduced in this book will show their significance in the last two books. My main problem with the book was the fact that she did not explain how the prophecy is a weapon and why the order was bent on preventing Voldemort from getting it. This is where I'm giving her the big benefit of the doubt (I think she's earned it), hoping that she'll clear that up in the next couple books. My only other problem was with the person that she chose to kill. I see no reason to kill the best character in the story other than to stir up some emotion. This is why I'm convinced that she is taking a page out of Tolkien's book here, believing that she will bring him back. The only other time that I felt so sad of the (apparent) death of a character in a book was when Gandalf fell. skimming over the last couple chapters a few times, I also don't see any other reason for killing him in such a "mysterious" way. I think that viewing this book on its own right now, I would rank it somewhere after books 3 and 4, both of which were amazing on their own. However, depending on how she wraps up the next two books, this could end up being the best of the first five books.
Rating: 
Summary: GOOD
Review: I agree it is darker, yet its supposed to be. We are talking about battleing the dark arts here people. However, I would recommend skimming through the past books, because it has been awhile since I myself read them, so I had forgotten some of the details. To be honest, I was hoping for a more dramatic ending. I was somewhat disappointed. To be honest it took me forever to get through the first part of this book. However, midway through the book hooked me. All in all though I am glad I bought it and read it. It was worth the wait in line at midnight. However, I enjoyed the previous books better.
Rating:
Summary: Less than Stellar
Review: The begining of the book was aimless and rambling. It wasn't until the last 300 pages that it started to get interesting. Professor Umbridge's introduction brought no real substance to the story; her character was annoying and pointless. It seemed as though Rowling was stalling for time until she could produce something up to the standards that her readers were used it. She comes close but misses ever so slight. I believe Rowling let the pressure of producing the next installment get to her. Even though the begining was disappointing, the ending does slightly make up for it. This isn't complete drivel, but the coupling of the hype put on the book, and the pressure put on Rowling to produce an ending to the series contributed to this less than stellar piece of writing. For Rowling sake, I hope she takes the time to rediscover her inspiration for writing the first four books before she tackles the sixth, and seventh books.
Rating:
Summary: Bloom
Review: It was a pretty intense book, in my opinion its as good as the goblet of fire yet more excitin, it good how you find the truth about many people like cho who is a complet oppsite of the impresion she gives you in the first few book, in conclusion it was a pretty good book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books in HP
Review: This book was so dark, hateful, on Harry's part,and [complaining] on Umbridges's part, but it was very well written and kept me reading all night! Right after i finally finished, I wanted to read it again! OotP was good and angsty.
Rating:
Summary: Just as great as the 4!
Review: A good book to me is one that you just can not put down after you start to read it and that's what Book V had done for me. It was quite entertaining, sad, and dark. I was not disappointed with this book; I was hoping for some action between Hermione and Ron but Maybe in the next book?!? All in all, this book was great!!
Rating:
Summary: JK said...
Review: My suspicion is that all the quibbles that have been raised in each review are the result of better things to come. JK said herself that the book was meant to be shorter than GoF, and she also said that the reason it was longer was because she didn't want to spring all these new things on the audience in Book 6, so most of the book is foreshadowing. (THAT IS WHAT SHE SAID, paraphrased) So the tedious, (well, not for me, the whole thing was very interesting to me, but some people...) boring parts of the book are signs of better things to come. Also, I've read complaints that the switch from normal Harry to surly teenager Harry was sudden. I disagree. The fourth book practically ended with a death, and Harry was in total shock at that point (who wouldn't be?). That even has got to have a major effect on a person, and I mean major. And it didn't help that his scar was constantly hurting, he was getting no news from his friends, and then his cousin gets attacked by dementors, and he gets blaimed for it.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book, even though it was "darker" .
Review: When I first read this book, I, too, thought that Harry was angry and sullen too much of the time. But after reading the first 4 books again and then re-reading the 5th, I realized that JK Rowling had captured the personality of an adolescent boy who had gone through a traumatic time witnessing the death of a school mate. (Anger is a stage of grieve as well as PTSD.) Add to that the changing emotions of adolescent and what do you get? Harry Potter in the 5th book. I enjoyed "hating" the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I also enjoyed how Harry's friends stayed by his side throughout the book and especially at the end. Can't wait for #6!!!
Rating:
Summary: Book Five is our King!!
Review: If you read the book then you'll get what I was trying to do with the title of this review. As usual, the long overdue and anticipated Fifth Book has arrived and was well worth the wait. Unfortunately, the book does drag on for a while, no doubt trying to make sure we understand that Harry has gotten a bit of an attitude. So, there is no doubt in my mind that the book doesn't have to be as long as it is. But one thing that I do love about the book is that it is written more towards adults this time. There are situations that little kids will never understand or relate to, such as going before a judge in a trial. I think the book is darker than the others but that is partly what makes it even more for adults. Yes, adults will probably need to read this book aloud to some young adults. The great thing is that you get to spend a lot of time with all of your old friends, including Hermione, Ron, the Twins, Harry, Arthur, Draco, Dumbledore, Snape, Dobby, Sirius, Lupin, Moody, and even Professor Lockhart. They are all back and even more interesting than ever. There is more action in this book than any of the others and interestingly enough it takes place near or within Hogwarts. And get this, Ron gets a broom! Yes, you won't want to miss out on reading this book. This is a great adventure and one that you will stay up very late hours reading.
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