Rating: 
Summary: Terrific fifth entry! This was worth the long wait!
Review: The fifth in the much hyped Harry Potter book series was absolutely worth the three year wait after the "Goblet Of Fire" book. "The Order of The Phoenix" is the longest of the five Harry Potter novels so far and for younger readers who haven't read the first four books, or even the movies, should start with the first one "The Sorcerer's Stone". Although the first three books are already made into movies, I would not throw them out because I've read some books that were made into movies and the images of the characters and scenes that I come up with in my head when reading the books are very different from the silver screen counterparts. That's why I think that books should never be discounted even if already adapted on screen. There are so many things in the books that it would be impossible to bring everything on screen. Enough of that, let's get back to the OOTP. It was another boring and unpleasant summer with the despicable Dursley family on Privet Drive in the town of Little Whinging. What's really made things more unpleasant is that his bullying cousin Dudley Dursley has started terrorizing the local neighborhood; Harry himself hasn't heard a thing from his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, nor any news about the return of the revived Lord Voldemort. One night during a confrontation with his fat cousin Dudley, Harry and Dudley are under attack from two rogue Dementors that arrived in Little Whinging, Harry barely dodges being expelled from Hogwarts. Although he continues on at Hogwarts, things only get worse after that. The Ministry of Magic vehemently is trying to deny the truth of Voldemort's return to power and Harry himself is the victim of vicious smear campaigns to discredit his hero status after his encounter with Voldemort during the End of the Triwarding Tournament. Hogwarts no longer feels like a refuge from Voldemort's increasing powers. Even then, a toad like woman named Dolores Jane Umbridge takes the position as Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher but restricts the lessons to just the theory behind the various defenses. Ultimately, she starts passing out decrees to undermine Harry's efforts to tell the truth about Voldemort's return by horrific detentions, docking points from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, while the Slytherin students form a group called the Inquisitorial Squad and undermine the other three houses performances at their various subjects and even the other staff members are feeling the strain of the various decrees that are being laid upon them right and left and at a frequent rate. Even when looking at an inward perspective, Harry is going through very turbulent times in his life so far. He is now 15 years old and the effects of adolescence are starting to take their toll on his mentality. Heavy crushes on various interests, bouts of rage and raging hormones are making things less and less pleasant for Harry but that's not the worst of it all. He has been having dreams of going down this dark hallway in some place that is called the "Department of Mysteries" and the lightning scar on his forehead has been becoming excruciatingly painful to where it's been interfering with an already complicated life at Hogwarts. Voldemort is now gaining power again as his legion of followers, the Death Eaters, are regrouping to carry out his malicious goals of killing the muggleborns, half-bloods (wizards or witches born to One pureblood parent, one muggle or muggleborn parent), and muggles and having the 'purebloods' be the dominant race again. Harry Potter is becoming increasingly strained from Voldemort's ability to use Legilimency (The ability to penetrate into peoples minds) against Harry and force him into seeing what Voldemort's seeing and/or doing as Harry sleeps. This is a very powerful novel from the Harry Potter series on so many levels. It hits so close to home about high ranking bureaucratic government agencies trying to ruin the reputation of individuals who in fact try to do good just out of the fear of losing one's power even though that wouldn't necessarily happen. This book made me so angry not because it was bad, it was an excellent book but that it's oh so true how the inefficiency of political powers put many lives in danger by failing to warn the public about the impending dangers of an evil power rising and attempting to take over societies. Sometimes, I would even go far enough as to say that governmental agencies who undermine peoples attempts to warn about impending danger are just as bad, if not worse than the actual danger itself because of the attempts to reduce the publics ability to defend itself against attack. Cornelius Fudge is the prime example of this by refusing to believe Dumbledore's warnings about Voldemort's return and trying to discredit Dumbledore himself by sending in various cronies to ruin his reputation through various smear campaigns. Sadly, to tell you the truth, smear campaigns like this happen almost all the time around the world and even here in the US. This is the darkest of the five books so far and if it is made into a movie, this could very well make "Chamber of Secrets" seem more like a comedy show. The artwork alone perfectly matches the dark tone of this book because the more light-hearted tone of the first book is almost completely absent on here and with some of the various scenes, I have to honestly say that this series is no longer exactly a children's book series and should evolve into a more grown up series. Althouhg some argue that this is a children's series, those who first read the "Sorcerer's Stone" are not the same people anymore and aim for a more mature tone and "The Order of The Phoenix" does just that. The tone of the books has gotten darker with each book and will only get more so with the final two books.
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling is a great sequel to the series of wonderful books. You begin the book in the middle of Harry's summer at his aunt's and uncle's house in England. Early in the book Harry is put in danger of being expelled. This causes many problems with other characters like Dumbledore. Although the middle section of the book is boring and slow it is very important to read so
that you understand the rest of the book. You also need to pay attention to small details and ideas. Like when Harry leaves the Dursley's, you need to pay attention to where he goes and the people that are there. You need to read the other four books before you start this one so that you understand the terms and characters in the book. I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a long read and fantasy books.
Rating: 
Summary: Uninspired - I hope the quality of 6 & 7 is better than this
Review: I really got into the series when book 3 came out and I LOVED them! I thought J. K. Rowling did an excellent job of taking ordinary ideas and twisting them into wonderful works of fiction. But in the years that I waited for 4 and 5 to come out, I've read a lot of books that have stood the test of time, and I am beginning to realize just how much Rowling has borrowed from other works. I still really enjoyed book 4 but book 5 seemed uninspired. I felt the tone of the author was much different than in the previous books. The character development was weak and too predictable. It seemed that the author was rushing even though the book itself was dragging along painfully slow. This book seemed more like a draft that needed to be worked with to get the story to crystallize into a well-crafted and clearly thought out story. The quality of the writing was certainly not what I have come to expect from Rowling. I hope Rowling has not exhausted her supply of tales she has been drawing on to create this series. I also hope that becoming a multimillionaire, writing screenplays, marriage, and adding to her family will not distract her from finishing this series with 2 superb books. If book 6 is as bad as 5 was, I may not read book 7 - even though I was a rabid fan not that long ago.
Rating:
Summary: Okay but not spectacular
Review: Perhaps Rowling waited too long betwseen books, perhaps my interest is simply waning, the bottom line though is that this book is not nearly as good as the first four. It appears as though Rowling is running out of steam ( and good storylines). This novel takes us more on a journey through a troubled adolescent mind than anything else. We see Harry go from being a pleasant, resourceful, and loveable young boy to being a resentful, brooding teenager. I'm not sure I care for this change. As a matter of fact, many of the major characters lose a great deal of their luster and likeability. We see the great Dumbledore in a less than positive light, even questioning his usually impeccable judgment. Sirius becomes a moody, pouty housemate, no longer the likeable, eccentric godfather figure. All in all I would recommend that readers tread carefully with this one and avoid going into their reading with exceptionally high expectations. I can assure you they will not be met.
Rating: 
Summary: Proves the reading public consist of idiots
Review: I have said it from the time the first book came out and I'll continue to say it . . J.K. Rowling knows her mythology and literature because there is not one single original thought in any of her books. And to think that the world has turned her into a billionaire simply from rewriting old fairy tales.
Rating:
Summary: Potter brand
Review: Well, obviously, I think the book is a fine continuation of all the previous - nicely written, I like the language. The plot advances from that of a fairy tale, through a thriller, to almost a conspiracy novel. To contradict the reviews above, I would say that the scenes change fast and, I must confess, the last chapters of the book even succeeded in bringing tears into my eyes. Definitely, Rowling's done a good job of her 5th book. However, from the very beginning she set herself a very difficult task - describing how a 10 year old kid turns into a teenager - and, I must say, she failed miserably. Really, as a teenager, I can quite assure you that the thoughts and emotions of a real 15-yearold are rarely centered only around school's misgivings and innocent Christmas kissing. Of course, I can quite undrestand Mrs. Rowling because it is rather unlikely that among accusations of fascism and devil-thingy she wants to be sued for seduction of the under age too. Potter series is not only for teenagers and adults, it is for young children also, after all. Therefore, to conclude, I would say that not only is this Potter book a must for all Potter fans, it is a must for all parents and their children who enjoy a good, QUALITY read. It is neither long, nor short, it's just another one of those bestsellers that could get you hooked on it and you'd be tempted to buy all the other books and watch all the films too.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
Review: Harry Potter and Scholastic Press, 870pgs, $29.99
The Order of the Phoenix ISBN-0-439-35806-X
By: J.K. Rowling
Do you ever feel like your alone and you don't know what's going on? People you're close to known, but they're not telling you anything. Have you ever felt like this?
Well, 16 year old Harry felt this way all summer. Harry, who loves with his muggle (non-magic) Aunt and Uncle, had to sneak around their house trying to hear the news to see if anything bad in the magical world had happened. Most importantly, to see if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back in power like he heard about. All summer long, Harry wondered this.
When Harry went back to school, he found that most of his friends read mean things about him in the Daily Prophet. His friends thought they were true, so they didn't talk to him.
School was terrible. They got a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who has a personality like poisoned honey. She despised Harry so she did every thing to make his life terrible by giving him a lot of detentions and kicking him off the quidditch team.
During Harry's 5th year, he keeps getting haunting dreams of a door at the end of a silent corridor. What does it mean? Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named staying at the school or making so kind of plans? Harry wonders all this, but doesn't get any answers. Not until a week before the end of term, by Professor Dumbledore. Because of this, Harry finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew, boundless loyalty, and unbearable sacrifice.
You will race through these pages and leave Hogwarts School of Magic, like Harry did, wishing only for the next train back. This book is a tale of magic, mystery, terror, and comedy. I give it a 9 out of 10.
Rating: 
Summary: The book is good but......
Review: The only thing that I don't like about this book is that, It takes forever to get to Hogwarts, and the book is way to long, 860 I think it is. But other then that I like it. I wanna read the 6th one so HURRY up w/ it
Rating:
Summary: I Absolutely Loved this book!
Review: The fifth Harry Potter book was amazing and truly followed up on last chapters of the fourth, showing the 'parting of the ways' in the division between those who believe Voldemort has returned and the Ministry of Magic. It is also an exellent book for showing that our loved characters are growing up, developing crushes and hormones and tempers and adult characteristics. I loved it!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Love the Order of the Fenix!!!
Review: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Fenix" was a great book, and is the #5 out of a series of 7. While I really enjoy it, this one was not my favorite, which until now are #3 and #4. Besides that, it was a very good book, not a disappointment at all. I thought it was pretty long and that it could have being 100 pages thinner. It was the fifth year of Harry at Hogwarts and one of the saddest of his young life at this school. Above all, Harry and his friends overcome a lot and at the end like always there is a big adventure, in this one they fight together with their friends Neville, Luna and Ginny. I love all the members of the Order: Moody, Tonks, the Weaslys, Lupin, Sirius and Snape, whom I think keeps a big secret of why he turns from the dark side and is SO trusted by Dumbledore. Unlike almost all Harry Potter fans I think Snape's character is very deep and mysterious, I am really hoping J. K. Rowling develops him more in her next book. For me, the death of an important character was completely unnecessary, I even think the way she wrote it was not ideal, it lacked emotion and sense, it is sad to know that we would not be able to read and enjoy that character anymore. But needless to say, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Fenix" is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it, and like many others am looking forward for the next in the series.
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