Rating: 
Summary: A natural progression . . .
Review: When you think about it, JK Rowling could hardly have gone any other way. A brilliant writer and storyteller (as this book wholeheartedly proves), she has taken the Harry Potter series along a natural route, following the growth and development of her characters in realistic terms that anybody can relate with.Forget the absurdity of magic for a moment. What would really happen to a boy like Harry, having faced what he's faced and seen what he's seen while also growing up from a simple boy of 11 in the first book to a developing 15 at the opening of Order of the Phoenix? This is the Boy Who Survived, not just once but FIVE TIMES now the wrath of Voldemort (counting his experience as a baby), even before this book begins. Like any 15 year old, Harry can't understand why the grown ups don't trust him. He's the one that survived - not them. He's the one that beat Voldemort - not them. Even Ron and Hermione, while contributing players in all four previous books, cannot relate to what he's seen. And, so, in this book, we see Harry grow distant. Uncomfortable. Angry. Hormonal. Or, to simplify . . . he turns 15. And JK Rowling has brilliantly stacked the deck against his raging growth hormones, setting even his two best friends and Dumbledore in opposite corners from him, forcing Harry to all-to-often go at the process of growing up alone. This absence of those he's come to depend on, those who are growing up on their own and becoming oh-so-subteley different from Harry, makes his new adventures even more profound. And real. Now - Is this all good? The Order of the Phoenix is brilliantly written, I'll give you that. JK Rowling knows where she wants this story to go, and has successfully plotted a new direction for the series (growing older with her audience, if you will). But while I admire this progression, I for one miss the innocence of the first three books (much as many parents might miss the innocence of their own 11 year-olds). I liked the trifecta of problem solvers in those books, the progression of the riddle as more and more clues were unfurled. For the first time in Book 5, I found the other characters in the story more interesting than Harry. I wanted more of Hermione and Ron, more Dumbledore and Hagrid, and wished they would have been able to settle Harry's growing anger so they could all get back to work. Brilliant book - but here's hoping Harry rejoins the lighter side in Book 6 and makes me smile a little more.
Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Addition to the Saga
Review: If you've read the first four books, you'll probably read Order of the Phoenix automatically. A lot of it is pretty standard Harry Potter fare though Order of the Phoenix diverges a little from its predecessors. There isn't so much a Whodunit feel; there is almost no Nancy Drew-ing. The pace of the book, when it hits its stride, is as fast as the other four books in the series. There's a fair bit of explanation, and more than a few things that will surely be important as the series draws to a close in the next two books. Perhaps the most important thing is that Order of the Phoenix avoids the so-called "middle book syndrome" wherein the plot is moved along but nothing is resolved. Questions are answered here, making the book more than filler. That said, Order of the Phoenix isn't perfect. The first few chapters are more talk than action, slowing the pace of the book initially. In addition, the scenes between Harry and Cho seem stilted, and not only due to the characters' awkwardness. Although, that awkwardness may only be due to the fact that that plotline seemed to detract from the main matters at hand. If several of the secondary plots were trimmed or cut out entirely, the book would have been shorter, and I don't think much would have been lost in terms of understanding and enjoyment. This book's also quite a bit darker than the others, and there's a pseudo-torture thing that occurs shortly after Harry arrives at Hogwarts that might bother some people, and the death at the end might be hard for some young-uns to take. Also Harry seems to do a fair bit of whining, which gets old after a while. The last thing that bothered me was all the references to the previous books. It was almost like an advertisement, and an unnecessary one, considering that the majority of the people reading Order of the Phoenix have also read the rest of the series at least once. Overall, the book was great. A few minor quibbles and a caveat to parents of younger children, but nothing too objectionable. Order of the Phoenix doesn't disappoint.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring.....
Review: Rowling has done a very poor job on this book. After waiting for a long time(seemed like ages) finally got the book and sank in immediately.. The Harry potter magic seems to be missing.. I just read on and on, The book is not as eventfull as the predecessors like Goblet of Fire, it just long.. Lets hope next two books turn out good
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth it! *spoiler*
Review: I have been reaading Harry Potter since before the mania, so don't say I've jumped on the band wagon. I read this book in less than 24 hours, staying up all saturday night to finish it. I could put it down! I have to say I did get frustrated with Harry a bit, but just at the begining. It felt ike reading something very familiar because her style is so comfortable, but evolving at the same time. I could see some foreshadowing, but the cause of Harry's dream was the only thing I found to be obvious... I was angry when it happened too, so I could realy feel for Harry. I cried a bit when Harry talked to Dumbledore, and when Dumbledore cried that set me off. I could go on, but I'll just say this: it's her best book yet.
Rating:
Summary: Not original
Review: I read this book over the weekend and its not that good. Firts 4 books of Harry Potter are much better. I was dissapointed when I read it since I waited in the Barns and Nobals for 5 hours. The book is like 3 pounds. Harry Potter just turned 15 and I'm not going to spoil the ending for the Potter fans who are going to read this book but one of the main charactors dies. I gave this book 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: no kidding --- the best one yet
Review: Whew...I've been reading all weekend and it was worth it! "Order of the Phoenix" is complex, funny, gripping, and spot-on compelling in its depiction of adolescent life. The story of Harry and his friends and foes continues with some amazing plot twists, starting immediately and never letting up throughout the book. Instead of creating merely a new "episode" of the story, as if it were a TV sitcom, J.K. Rowling has taken the characters to a new level, challenging the reader's perception of where everyone fits in the magical universe. You'll be racking your brain to remember clues from the earlier books, and gasping with delight and, yes, a little sadness, at some of the new things that occur. All that, and it's still great fun to read...it was amazing knowing that millions of other readers around the world are also tearing through it at the same time. I'm starting again tonight...and already waiting for Book Six!
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I'm not sure where to start. I think the world has been anticipating Harry Potter much longer the necessary. I, like many of the other Harry Lovers, was out at my local bookstore to get my book at midnight. The story started slow, going through Harry's summer in minute detail. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was absolutely hateable and gave me the same feeling I had for Gildory Lockhart... to jump into the book and ring her neck, of course this was not possible. I think there maybe some disagreeing whether or not this book deserved 5 stars, but the last 8 chapters of the book make it up entirely. Everyone knows there is a death, but I'm not a party pooper so you'll have to read it for yourself to find out. All I can say is hopefully, Harry will grow out of his angry phase in the last 2 books and put an end to Lord Voldemort, 'cause we are all surely sick of him.
Rating:
Summary: Less Magical, Slow progress, Angry Harry
Review: The wait is over, being obssesed with harry potter like millions of fans worldwide, it was indeed a long wait. But i don't know whether it was that worth it. Even though the book is too long the story did't progress much. Harry comes out angry and at some points to the level of irritating not only hermoine and fellow characters, but even us. Harry has his flaws in previous books, but we loved him for it. This book though it tests the limits, probably the author wanted to portray teenage emotions, how they feel that they're right always. One of the disappointing things was the ending was not impressive, at everybook there's a thrilling/revealing ending which pattern author has followed in this, except that it was neither. I cannot dwelve more on that as it will reveal (whatever little) plot of the book. Harry is less impressive, Hermoine is great (as usual), Ron assumes prominence in hogwarts world but not in the book or ours - he doesn't come strong. Fred and George were awesome, Peeves and other ghosts hardly have a role. A new character whose name doesn't even stick to my mind has been given importance, but doesn't impress at all. There were usual rowling's marks in some humour, lot of great imagination (hats off). There's a pattern now in Hagrid's behaviour, even the story build up of how people hate/dislike/disbelieve harry initially and then come around in the end - just to start all over again in next book. I hope book 6 it won't be the case - it doesn't look like from this book ending,but u never know. This book i would give 3.5 stars, but amazon doesn't have it. Book 1 & 3 deserves 4.5 stars, Book 2 is 5 stars (the best), Book 4 is 4 stars. In author's grading system for the O.W.L exam this book only deserves "A" (means Acceptable), probably not "E" (exceeds expectations) and definitely not "O" (outstanding). Hoping that next two will be better than this as harry/ron improves their school grading over time. Although i would have liked the performance to be of the level of Hermoine who gets top grading all the time or near that.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait
Review: I am so glad that I went out at midnight to buy this book. I started reading as soon as I got home and read through the first five chapters. I finished it Sunday evening and just loved it. Lots of action and suspense, I just didn't want to put it down. When I saw that it was 870 pages I was a little shocked, but with the deepening of the plot, every page is worth it. Now I can't wait for #6.
Rating:
Summary: dissappointed about who dies
Review: After staying up till 3:30 this morning finishing the book, I must say that it is very good... I thought it was a very good read and entertaining, but also not sure she couldn't have gotten it all out in 500 pages. Still very well recommended.
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