Rating: 
Summary: magical fantasy meets teenage angst
Review: Amazing that JK Rowlings can write from inside a 15 year old boys mind so well. You can really feel 15 year old Hary's frustration at being kept out of the loop as his magical elders plan to block Voldemort's return to power. This book is fasicinating from the word Go. Harry struggles against public opinion (slander in the wizarding press aimed at him and Dumbledor), a teacher who would rather win that see the truth and feelings that the adults he has loved and trusted for years are no longer what they had seemed. My favorite scene invoved Professor Mc who declares that she will work day and night to see that Harry achieves his dream of becoming an Auror.
Good Luck Harry. Now waiting for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Rich Tapestry (no specific spoilers)
Review: JK Rowling's vivid imagination and attention to detail has produced a book pulling in threads from her previous works, weaving them into a rcih tale. She develops facets in beloved old characters and introduces new character with deltailed, fully formed histories. We see new sides of Harry. The fact that he is a teen has not gone unnoticed. He develops feelings for a girl, he struggles through learning how girls work and through the death of someone very close to him. He is angrier in this book. He wants answers and he wants to be treated like an adult; or at least less of a child. We also see new sides of Dumbledore. He is more vulnerable and riddled with guilt for his actions and in his dealings with Harry. The story also introduces a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. JKR describes her as a witch with a personality like "poisoned honey"; an apt description. She is complex and vicious. Harry wonders who he dislikes more; the new teacher or Snape! In all, I ran the gamut of emotions while reading this book; anger, anxiety, shock, fear, amusement, and relief. The path twisted through Wizarding world and I went along eagerly for the ride, totally and completely enthralled with JKR's world. I waited a long time for the book to come out and I must say, I was extremely pleased with the results. I read it in under 12 hours and it had already become a favorite.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: WOW are the only words that come to mind when reviewing this book...It surpassed all my hopes and expectations...It was truly an amazing book, and i honestly cannot wait for the 6th one...I was very upset by the end of the book, since someone really close to Harry dies(and i honestly didn't expect it to be that person)...I was in tears, but now i can't wait to see what happens next...All i can say is that the mood gets a lot darker, Harry is no longer a little boy but an angry teenager, and things have really changed...The three main characters (that is Ron, Hermione and Harry), have truly grown up, and are trying to deal with raging hormones and adolescence...Harry starts having a relationship with the girl of his dreams, but by the end of the book he realizes that he was wrong in trying to impress the girl...Even Ginny's grown up, she's now going out with someone too...I highly recommend this book to everyone, whether you are ten or fifty, you'll enjoy Rowling's superb writing...Hopefully, she won't keep us waiting another 3 years until book 6...
Rating:
Summary: Truely Magical!
Review: Once again Harry Potter has cast his spell. This book was truely magical, and worth every bit of the hype. Like the other four books that preceded it, it transports you into the magical community and you completly forget that you're a 'muggle'. I give this book a 5 star, and encourage all to read!
Rating:
Summary: When's the next one?!?!
Review: The book was well worth the wait - I started reading it and had difficulty putting it down! Without giving too much away, I laughed, and yes, I cried too. Some questions were finally answered regarding Harry...Suffice to say, I'm already impatient for the 6th book and am hoping that it won't be another 3 years!!!
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Book
Review: J.K. Rowling has written another great book for the Harry Potter Series. Though this book is a bit darker and angrier than the previous four I think fans will enjoy it just the same. It answers many questions about Harry, Voldemort, the nature of Ghosts and why Harry returns to live with his Aunt and Uncle every summer. I think fans of the series will love this book though I would not recommend it if you haven't read any of the previous books.
Rating:
Summary: Warning: Not for the irritable...
Review: It is so hard to put this book down! It is also hard not to be snappy at everyone else around you while reading this book -- it keeps the reader SOOOO frustrated, and yet, eager to see what happens next!!! Can't say much for fear of robbing people of some of the thrill. Book 6 better not take another 3 years!! Can't wait!!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: I'm 24, and I love Harry Potter. Okay, I'm not obsessive, but just don't tell my friends I finished the book less than 48 hours after buying it opening day (and yes, I have to work as well). Like the previous books, I'm thrilled to see something that's encouraging kids and adults alike to read. Though parents should maybe read it first, since some parts might be a bit disturbing for younger fans, this one has definitely continued the standard renowned as Harry Potter. This book was nearing 750 pages. For most kids (and some adults too) that's quite a feat to be proud of. This book is written remarkably well, managing to keep your attention and imagination spinning through Harry's few highs and lows. The Order of the Phoenix has many lows- Be prepared for tears and depression. When things can't get worse it normally does. But this is Harry Potter. It has to have a happy ending.. doesn't it?
Rating:
Summary: I couldn¿t put it down- well worth the wait
Review: Just like any hero, Harry faces even more obstacles as the fifth book races to its conclusion. Harry discovers that he is not safe, even in the Muggle world, and his own Ministry refuses to accept the truth- that Lord Voldemort is back. Fortunately Dumbledore believes him, as does Ron, Hermione, and some old friends. Rowlings does an incredible job at answering questions that have been lingering since the first book, however she provides only more questions for us to ponder in the real world. Why is Harry safe at Privet Drive? What was Sybill's first prediction? What have Snape and Hagrid been doing all summer? Why do some people become ghosts and others do not? You'll find all these answers. She also does an incredible job of introducing an opponent for Harry and company who is not overly evil. Professor Umbrage, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, is working for the Ministry of Magic, who has decided that THEY know how to run things better than Dumbledore. It's a wonderful metaphor showing how difficult it is to teach someone when rules and restrictions bind their hands. You'll see how good intentions can slowly erode personal and civil liberties. Be warned, there is heartbreak. Not everyone makes it out alive.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting but flawed...
Review: Having raced through the latest Potter book over the last 2 days in order to read it before I have any plot details spoiled, I thought I'd share my thoughts. There are many exciting elements in the book, and it is a riveting read. BUT! Even more so than in the previous books, there is not really a clear structure/arc to events. It seems lots of things just happen in sequence, then the last 2 chapters explain and clear up what has happened up to that point. Rowling needs to learn to tighten the pace better, and let events naturally build to a climax, which this book does not do. Instead we lurch from one incident to the next, with whole chunks having very little relevance to the main plot. This is fine, as I'm sure they may pay off in the final 2 books, but it doesn't able the reader to focus on a clear narrative structure. Things I liked were that Potter is not really that much of a hero in this book. He is ignored by Dumbledore, ridiculed by the press, disbelieved by his peers, and he makes mistakes which cost him dearly... His friends also play more of a role in the climax of the book than in some previous adventures. If you're a Potter fan, as I am, you will love reading this book. But on finishing, I looked back with disappointment, and think that instead of being a good book, it should have been GREAT. There's enough in it to have been great, but like one of Harry's potions, its all been thrown into the cauldron without due care, and what results is not all it could have been.
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