Rating: 
Summary: Just when you think it can't be topped...
Review: I bought this for my son who is 16 and he totally devoured it (as he did all previous Harry Potter books). He could not put the book down and is now reading it again for the second time. And mind you, he is an extremely picky reader! If this is what it takes to keep the kids reading--I say keep them coming J.K. Rowling!
One Happy Mom
Rating:
Summary: Best one yet.
Review: I read this book in three days and I loved every minute of it. I think some people don't like it, because the tone has changed from excitement of discovering the world of wizards; to dealing with some penent up emtions, which have finally over-flowed. The tone of the book is bitterness of the situation that Harry is put in. It is a typical rebellious teen additude of feeling left out because now more than ever he feels that he can contribute to the "Cause" as an equal. Unfortunatly Harry is still treated like a kid which only angers him futher. For those that have watched Star Wars, this is the Empire Stikes Back of the series. To me Dylan Thomas the poet has said it best for the theme of this book and that is "Do not go gentle into that good night", "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Rating: 
Summary: Number 5: More of the same, but not that bad
Review: I just finished "The Order of the Phoenix". Although I had heard from friends that the book was depressing, I found it to be no worse than the dismal adventures of Frodo in some of the Tolkien trilogy, and at least the reader is not always searching to find out which ally is a double agent also working for the Dark Lord. Everyone is predictably good or bad, though for a moment we are slightly thrown by the possibility of some subtlety or ambivalence in the characters of Harry's aunt and of his father. My thought about Potter #5 is that it really has no plot at all. The Dark Lord has returned, and Harry says so, but nobody believes Harry except all his friends and his headmaster, and then his school is taken over by some cruel and hostile witch from the Ministry of Magic, but then some other people see the Dark Lord, so Harry is validated, and the witch leaves, and Hogwarts goes back to normal. Nothing is really learned, gained, changed, created (except Harry starts a self-help group), or developed much; even Dumbledore's confessions/confidences/explanations at the very end are all things we knew already or had figured out. Nevertheless, the book is a jolly good read, though irritatingly stiff and heavy until you can break the binding and really get it open, so you can balance it while you read. I wish Harry's character had been developed one iota more; he gets kissed, and he finally lets loose and yells out some of his anger, but his greatest traits (self-pitying sulking, and secrecy even from Ron and Hermione) remain unchanged. At the end of this book, he has all the new Dumbledore stuff to keep from them until the next book, when they'll finally dig it out of him, by which time he'll have more secrets. I liked it; I haven't been able to put it down, but I'm afraid Rowling is suffering from Anne Rice syndrome: nothing new to say, and a big fat cash advance to make her say it as soon as possible. I hope she has some outline for volumes six and seven. I know I'll be jumping up and down to read them, and it would be nice if they said more than, "Harry finally killed the bad guy (or couldn't save him when he fell off a cliff) and in that moment grew to manhood, where he makes sure that all wizards only use their powers for good."
Rating:
Summary: The Magic Returns
Review: Despite the 766 pages in the long awaited fifth Harry Potter book, The Order of the Phoenix, I read from cover to cover in a couple of sittings. As usual, it seems only fitting that the story begins at Privet Drive with the Dursleys. Harry had not heard from Ron or Hermoine over the holidays and this has put him in a bitter mood that sets the tone throughout the beginning of the book. What sets the Order of the Phoenix apart from the previous four books is quite clear. J.K Rowling delves deeper into sub characters such as the Weasley family and introduces many new characters such as Professor Umbridge, the wizard you'll love to hate. Harry's godfather Sirius Black also makes a return and his dry sense of humour has made him one of my favourite characters. Lovers of magic will receive a treat as many chapters go into great detail on spell-work, charms, Hogwarts and a real treat, a visit into the Ministry of Magic. Despite the fact that Voldemort is back, I felt the story lacked a strong plot. This did seem to be compensated by the fact that many unanswered questions from the previous books were resolved. I was surprised that many things were kept from Harry throughout the story, particularly from Dumbledore. Harry had proved himself over and over many times, so surely he had already demonstrated that he could handle anything. Overall the book thoroughly lived up to its expectations and set the stage for a much awaited for sixth book. I only regret that I will have to wait another two years before it's released.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but a little too long
Review: This book had really good parts where you couldn't put it down and then there were other parts that just dragged. I personally would have cut out about 100 pages if I were the editor. As a whole, book 5 is not as good as its predecessors (the beginning's pretty shake-y), but it's definitely worth reading and most of the questions that have been raised over the course of the last four books are finally answered!
Rating:
Summary: love it!!!!!!!
Review: I really think this book is great it's a bit more dark magic wise and thats what makes it so great and different.I love this book as much as I do the other four maybe more!Can't wait for the 6th to come out.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: Rowling really outdid herself on HP5. I had heard that it was a darker book, and was NOT looking forward to more violence. In fact, I don't think it was either darker or more violent, but instead more enjoyable because Rowling branched out in several ways: additional characters, e.g. everyone's nightmare of the worst professor (or other authority figure) ever, additional depth in existing characters (centaurs, Cho, Snape), and right-on maturity for everyone. Harry and his cronies have developed into teens,rude at times,interested in the opposite sex,taking responsibility for their own learning,emotional, etc. There were several sub-plots that were perhaps unnecessary (the giants and centaurs), but maybe those are leading up to something? Can't wait for HP6.
Rating:
Summary: Brings a new depth to Harry and the gang...
Review: Yes, it is long. Yes, there are parts that serve to define characters rather than advance the plot. But, for those readers who are invested in the characters and looking for more than a surface adventure, rewards await in this 870 page novel. A very different read from the first four, JK has masterfully captured maturing characters in a way that is uniquely her own. A real treat.
Rating:
Summary: I would've given it 6 stars out of 5
Review: but since they only allow up to 5 stars, that's the best I could do. I've read earlier on that someone wrote that Harry was being displayed as being cranky and whiny (something like that) but seriously, anyone in his position would probably be the same. I mean, he was the one who was being placed through so much things yet he was receiving the least of all news. Not to mention that he was being doubted by most of the people in the wizarding world that he had witnessed the return of Voldemort. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone (from children to adults). Highly enjoyable!!!! As you read through the book, you would find yourself wanting to find out what would happen next!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Good Book, but not the Best Book
Review: This is fast, fast reading, but I have to say, not my fave book in the series. It is classic JK, but without some of the main mysteries and surprises that made me love the first 4 so much! There are some great backstories in this book, and we get to see a few amazing new places in the wizarding world. We get more insights into the Snape/J. Potter relationship, as well as some insights into the OWL testing and what it's like to be a prefect. Harry is a lot angrier in this book, something that is classic 15 year old, but sometimes annoying to read about. He's not the happy-go-lucky guy we left in the 4th book. Understandably so, however. As a huge fan, book 3 is still my favorite, but I'm salivating over book 6. I hope JK doesn't make me wait another 3 years!
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