Rating: 
Summary: enjoyed it, but weak ending
Review: I enjoyed reading the book very much, but I felt that things fell apart toward the end. The climactic battle was pretty dull, the "death of an important character" was not really emotionally moving, and the plot just didn't seem to tie together in a satisfying way. In particular, there were a number of things that I was expecting to happen which didn't: Shouldn't Neville have confronted his parent's killer at some point? Shouldn't Fudge have gotten sacked? Shouldn't Harry have used the two-way mirror to contact Sirius? I don't know, I just felt kind of let-down by the ending, and it wasn't because of the "death of an important character."
Rating: 
Summary: superb! hem, hem
Review: i waited for the book since i finished my Goblet of Fire. As soon as i can get hold of it (that was on 21st) i finished it within 7 hrs. 766 pages, and i'm reading it for the fifth time, afraid of losing anything.this one is the best yet, the darkest, and full of promises for another two years of Hogwarts.
Rating:
Summary: Still Reading [only 333 pages into it...]
Review: I'll keep this short since if you're here you are probably familiar with the set and setting of this modern epic... BRIEFLY [just in case]; this is the fifth of seven promised novels which deal with the coming of age of a certain gifted [and perhaps star-crossed] young wizard named Harry. A tragic predicate to the first novel places young Master Potter in the care of his distinctly NON-magical relatives on Privett Drive until the first of many changes in his being commences with the arrival of an airborne [and feathery] invitation to HogWartz school. Not an ordinary [English] boarding school BY ANY MEANS and run by and extra extra ordinary HeadMaster with no small interest in Harry's well being, his journey to become who he really is takes place in this beautiful [although not entirely safe] and fanciful enviroment housed in a quirky building. This series is NOT really appropriate to dive into at the point this book commences... i TRULY needed to re-read the fourth book, but this one arrived and i was DRAWN IN AGAIN, curse you Rowling ;]~ If you liked the Artimus Fowl series or would like to see if Rowling's style and these character driven stories [Mr. Potter is SURROUNDED by a colorful and wise group of amazing mentors, helpers, [boi]friends, enemyies, fellow magic folk, etc.], proceed to pick up the first volume [a VERY VERY much more brief reading adventure] and give my boy Harry a spin. You won't be dissapointed. Cheers to the first Billion $, Lady J.K. - - - glad it was you that made the mark and not some hack like Steele, Clancy, Grisham, et al... Peaxe,
M3!
Rating: 
Summary: Someone Give Harry Potter some Prozac, Please!!!!!!!!!
Review: I am a devoted adult HP follower. I devoured book one in an afternoon and was ready to sign up for Hogwarts. Rowling has created a wonderful world and incredible characters with humor, depth and spirit. However....Book five was just bad. I enjoy a good long book if it has something to say and a story to tell. Unfortunately, Rowling could have said it in 350 pages but meanders on for 800+. The bad editing, the bad pacing, the sad and sorry plot, which doesn't really make an appearance until 3/4 of the way through, and the betrayal of the core of her character development have made this simply a bad book. We all love Harry Potter because no matter what is thrown at him, he is honest, loyal, caring and brave... er... he was until this last book anyway. Now he is just so whiny that you want to grab him and shake him. He doesn't need extra Defense agains the Dark Arts classes, he needs a good old fashioned spanking or a serious dose of Prozac. The new villian, Umbridge, is not suspenseful and does not inspire the reader to want to see her get hers (which she doesn't really), the character is sickening. Her physical and psycological torture of the students and staff is not darkly funny nor does it add to the plot. Her character is simply turns your stomach the way a child abuser would. I guess Rowling brought her in because Voldemort was completely lame as an enemy this time. In each book, Harry has grown and moved closer to understanding himself and that he world is made up of shades of gray. My greatest disappointment in this book wasn't the death of the important character, but in the lack of growth in Harry. He gets to see inside the mind of Professor Snape, he sees his father and Sirus' merciless and unprovoked attack on Snape as a fifth year because they were bored. Yet other than a prerequisite, "Awe shucks, we shouldn't have done that." from Sirus; Harry doesn't deal with this, nor does it advance his relationship with Snape. Rowlings biggest disaster in book 5 is that she took a lovable and inspiring character, the underdog we all love and cheer for, and made him unlikeable and repulsive.
Rating: 
Summary: Honest review even if I'm an avid fan--no spoilers!
Review: I went out at midnight and lined up for two and a half hours because I've began the hobby of book collecting. I had to see the all important 1 on the number line, which I wasn't sure I would be seeing if I pre-ordered the book. Alas! My 1st edition/1st printing could have easily been one in thirteen million. I was bound to give this four stars as I thought there would be quite a few disappointed fans--just to keep the ratings high. But skimming through all the reviews, I'm glad I could totally be honest. Looks to me like reading slow and immersing yourself in the magic beats reading fast no matter how many times you reread. I'm still a fan, though and I'd probably fall in line the very minute the next installment goes on sale (donning my Holyhead Harpies quidditch uniform so I can get some kind of discount). If one looks at the bigger picture and considers all seven books as one extended novel, the outcome of the 5th volume is totally expected. Everything has to simmer down after the intensity of book 4. Harry's on his 5th year and about to take his major! There had to be explanations about OWLS and NEWTS, there had to be in-depth views on the wizarding world, there had to be characters that did nothing more than change their appearance at will, Dumbledore had to give Harry back his innocence and let him know only as much as he already discovered for himself, and Voldemort has to consider being rash and rethink why Harry has foiled his plans four different times. And of course all that makes for a long, almost-900-page, drawn out book. I'm looking to the bright side. There was a lot of set-up there for two polished gems. And even the death that was the end--might not be the beginning of a new mystery?
Rating:
Summary: J.K. Rowling is a genius
Review: In this 5th installment of the Harry Potter saga, J.K. Rowling has weaved many elements of fantasy history into one steamlined storyline. Her storytelling sense is genius. This story evoked emotion in me, something rare these days in books. Harry finds a whole new world of problems with his new DAtDA teacher. This book will evoke emotion in you. Even though its thick, its a really easy read, and really keeps the sense that the book was written in England, with words such as "rows" which is something i find brillant in Mrs. Rowling's work. Hopefully Mrs. Rowling will have the next book out in a timely fashion.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: This book was truly amazing. Rowling has stunned me again. This book had a truly amazing plot (I will not tell it because I don't want to give it away). It was truly an emotional book for Harry (and myself). The only flaw to this book was Harry's mood swings. I can understand that he is a teenager going through puberty, but my goodness he had a moody problem every 5 seconds. Otherwise, this book will stun you. From Dumbledore's big secret to the death of one of the main characters (which was really sad by the way and totally unexpected). To me this was the best book Rowling made. I do think it was really annoying it took 3 years to write this book and I hope the 6th doesn't take as long. Happy Reading!
Rating:
Summary: Order of the Phoenix Provides a Magically Captivating Read
Review: When I picked up my copy of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (perhaps the most aptly titled book in the series) on midnight June 21 first I began to read the minute I sat down at home. Not to my surprise, J.K. Rowling had yet again laid her charming grasp upon me. Harry's fifth year, though darker and more morbid than any prior book, was by far the most entertaining read. At certain points I found I was forcing myself to stop reading so I could savor the book; often times even rereading chapters to find them more entertaining that time through. J.K.'s writing matured along with Harry in this book; her use of foreshadowing and stunning attention to detail truly enhanced this novel. The book itself introduces new (previously unexplored) themes such as romance, anger, and tormenting pain. Harry himself deals with a hefty dose of frustration in this novel. As anyone familiar with the series knows Harry hasn't had an easy life by any standards. The Order of the Phoenix certainly doesn't allow Harry to escape the struggle-triumph cycle he seems to be stuck in. Between the battles with the Ministry of Magic, Lord Voldemort himself, Death Eaters, and some magical creatures Harry finds himself facing his most difficult year yet. Not to mention the most taxing challenge of coping with the death of a loved one arises. On top of this seemingly unbearable load, Harry struggles with the basic problems involved with young relationships. This novel's excitement value exceeds all of it's predcessors as well. The introduction of new enemies, new magical creatures, and a look at the Wizarding world's government/politics provides a new attraction to the Potter series. The Order of the Phoenix itself is undoubtedly the greatest addition to the world of Harry Potter. Dumbledore's Army and the Order of the Phoenix give vital roles to otherwise unimportant characters. J.K. Rowling continues to appease the constantly growing appetites of Harry Potter fans. With nonstop action, beautiful detail, and a magical charm that has engrossed us all since the Sorcerer's Stone "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" does not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Finally it's out.
Review: I am an adult reader of this series. I originally bought the first book to read to my three children, but couldn't get them to sit down long enough, so I read it to myself instead. Though I thought that the first book started out a little slow, I was soon hooked and went out and bought the next two books. (It took me a while to find out what all the fuss was about and the first book sat around my house for many months before I picked it up). I thought each book was great in and of itself. This long awaited fifth book was just as good and I loved the little touches of romance that were included.
The only problem I felt (and this is just my personal opinion) with this book was that it was just a notch below the first four in action. I was expecting the same amount of action as the others and just didn't feel it with this one. It could be too that it took me about a week to read this one, where I read the others in two days (It is summer and I do have three busy kids). I'm sure if I had sat down and read it through like I did the others then I would probably have gotten a different feel for it. But all in all I thought it was a great read and can't wait for the next one to come out or the next movie. I just wish my kids would get interested in reading it or hearing me read it to them. I think they are going to just wait for each movie to come out. Typical kids, they don't know just how much they are missing out on.
Rating:
Summary: HARRIET POTTER: No I'm NOT Giving away the plot
Review: No 15 year old boy thinks this way. I am not being sexist, but both my wife and daughter said that he thinks like a teenage girl. You are going to read this anyway. The first and third book are two of the greatest books in English literature. The second and fourth are good. This one is just ok. Nothing new, J.K. has created a world, and this just takes place in it.If you are an adult read Jasper Ffordes three books instead. If you are a child, go and play soccer or baseball instead. In fact, that would be good advice, even if you are an adult.
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