Rating: 
Summary: Growing up
Review: J. K. Rowling did it again. Perhaps, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the best book in the series. The characters, the action, the plot, the atmosphere, the settings are very well developed. It seems to me that, every new adventure, the series improves a lot. After you read the novel, just compare it to "The Philosopher's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets". The difference among them is clear. It was not only Harry Potter who has grown up. Now, the problem is that I think we have a long wait ahead of us before the release of the sixth book.
Rating:
Summary: The Series Takes Yet Another Dark Turn
Review: An additional hundred pages isn't the only thing the "Order of The Phoenix" seems to have tacked on; following the death of a major character in the previous book, this offering chooses to continue and add on to that trend. "Order of the Phoenix" starts off the same as the previous books--adolescent Harry Potter languishing at his Privet Drive home in the Muggle world under the constant harassment of his uncle, aunt and cousin. However, we see an evolution in the formerly timid, reserved boy. His repressed rage seems to be flowing out much easier and at more frequent intervals. The fact that his bullying cousin Dudley has shaped up to champion-boxer form doesn't faze Harry, who even welcomes the confrontations. He spouts off and gives attitude to his aunt and uncle, who also sense that they can't push him around quite as much as before. The Order of the Phoenix comes into play when Harry and Dudley are attacked by the fearful soul-sucking Dementors; he soon learns that he has been under the careful watch, under Dumbledore's orders, of members of the Order, many of whom readers will be familiar with (Sirius Black, Molly and Arthur Weasley and Professor Lupin to name a few). Add to that an upcoming hearing on whether Harry should be expelled and his wand destroyed for using it defend himself against the Dementors, and you have a heavy front-loaded section of adventure before he even begins his first day of classes at Hogwarts. The trend continues at Hogwarts. Harry struggles to control his temper, lashing out at teachers, friends and other students. It's not only Potter who has gotten darker, so has many other aspects of the book. Strange, scarier creatures abound, gruesome deaths are recounted and simpler things, such as having to write lines over and over in detention, are made much more horrific (the quill cuts into his hand with each stroke). Major characters are gravely injured and the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher is the most frustratingly hypocritical, twisted and politically powerful they must deal with yet. Voldemort is at every turn, and Harry's star has dimmed at Hogwarts. Not all the students trust him anymore, including many in his Gryffindor house. Throughout the book, you get the sense that the Potter world is gearing up for a huge battle, with sides of good and evil heavily recruiting soldiers for their armies. There's still Quidditch, there still Hogsmeade and pranks, but as the characters and the readers get older, so do the topics. This book expects a higher level of intelligence and understanding from the reader than it did in the previous books. Rowling's clever wordplay and in-dialogue jokes are more subtle; even her pacing and text separation--she works entire paragraphs weaving in and out of reality and multiple dreams using ellipses--has a more grown-up Stephen King-like feel, ala "IT." The topics are more mature as well: politics (in every sense of the word), coming of age romance, familial dysfunction, etc. You won't be reading every word on most pages, but many will keep you glued. The magic is wearing off a little--picking up a Harry Potter book used to mean you wouldn't put it down until you were finished or needed a glass of water. Now, not only the size of the book (nearing 860 pages), but the heavy intercuts of politics within the action, encourage the reader to take a break to digest some food, as well as the goings on. Rowling doesn't bother much with re-explanation in this book as well as she did in older books, where she assumed that the reader was probably a first timer. You'll have to have been decently immersed in the Harry Potter universe to be able to follow the numerous characters, customs and relationships in the book. Still, it maintains Rowlings fantastic writing, and the same English schoolboy atmosphere she has managed to maintain in the previous books. It's a definite move to the dark side. If the "Goblet of Fire" was dark for you, "Order" will be about three to three and a half times that. Potter makes a move from G to PG, but maintains all of its better elements. Highly recommended, factoring in your child's age and expectations.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Wait
Review: This was worth the wait. I had read all of the previous 4 books and could not wait for the 5th. WOW!!!! Never have I read such a long book so fast. I bought it saturday and finished it Sunday night. Could not put it down. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Well worth a 3 year wait!!!!!
Review: After 3 long years, the wait is finally over, and it has been more than worth it. Starting off with a bang (almost literally), Ms. Rowling returns readers to the world of Harry Potter, now darker and foreboding than it's been in four previous novels. Without spoiling any surprises, suffice it to say that there's much more action (right from the start), some fairly major revelations for all of the main characters, including some that tie up four year's worth of loose ends, and some startling changes at Hogwart's school, all of this blanketed by a general sense of dread and unease at Voldemort's return. All the favorite characters get their turns here, with some revealing developments, but at the same time, the book sets the stage for the next novel, with a lot to anticipate (and dread). This book is a major change from what we've come to expect in Harry's world, and the changes may shock (and even turn away) some readers. But Rowling proves her writing skills are second to none with all of the twists, turns and upheavals that constantly catch readers off-guard. I couldn't have hoped for a better follow-up to Goblet of Fire, and I shudder to think how long it will be before we're graced with another return to Hogwarts.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix
Review: This was, personally, not one of the best books in the Harry Potter series. While in the last four Harry was the helpful, troubled yet caring hero, his personality took an abrupt turn: much of it seems to be him complaining and being self-righteous. The writing I also found hard to read through (unlike Goblet of Fire, which I finished in a day), having to take several long breaks. Overall, it is a much more moody and dark book than what is the "norm," based on earlier works. Nevertheless, most Harry Potter fans should be able to get through it with minimal grouchiness and tired eyes, being a good book towards the ending half (despite the plot-twist which affected me negatively).
Rating:
Summary: An irreplaceable tome
Review: Bravo J.K., Bravo. Once again our literate brit has struck back with brilliance in this necessarily long (and even suspenseful) installment in the seven book series. Fans will not be dissapointed, newcomers will be enthralled. Unfortunately now we must wait for the next! Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Rowling pens another winner
Review: Rowling's characters have progressed into their teen years, including the moodiness and insecurity that comes with this age. Harry Potter is not so lovable, but is more credible as a real person because of it. Apart from one tedious chapter near the beginning which seems to serve no purpose other than to invent several new magical creatures, the book is thoroughly engrossing. You won't be able to put it down after the first few chapters. You'll be sucked into the wizarding world once again, cheering for Gryffindor and wanting to strangle the newest character, Professor Umbridge, who is as nasty a villain as you're likely to read of. I'm glad more humor has returned to Rowling's writing. Kids will howl with laughter at Fred and George's antics. This book is more child-friendly than the last one, which was too dark for me to read to my 7-year old (who loved the first 3 books).
Rating:
Summary: The Best one Yet
Review: My son and I received this book on Saturday and with the two of us reading it it has been hard but, I am up to chapter 20 and have had a real hard time putting the book down. The story makes you want to read to find out about what is going to happen next. We have felt all the emotionss that there are in the world from happy to really mad. I can't wait to finish the book and to see if fI'm right about alot of things. We can't wait for book 6.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: A wonderful read, even though the book is darker that the past four. You can't help but feel that same as Harry. This is also a tear jerker, so have the tissues ready for the end! I'm ready for book six!
Rating:
Summary: it is great
Review: i havent finished it yet, but i am loving it so far, it is a masterpiece! Grabs you right into the book!! i am in love
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