Rating: 
Summary: Turns you upside down and shakes you
Review: As with *Goblet of Fire*, hang on through the first slowish 100-200 pages--by the last 100 pages, I had to cover the rights with a magazine so I wouldn't cheat while reading the lefts. Here is the book that will make you love Neville (Neville?) and--almost--like Snape. Harry has grown as morally and emotionally complicated as a post-resurrection Buffy Summers. And--although there could always be more--there's no shortage of the cool details, inventions, and ideas that make Rowling's writing so fun (see thestrals and dusty glass globes that contain...stuff). Best of all, with Hagrid and Dumbledore taking a backseat, the book really develops the roles and characters of Harry's fellow students--and finally answers that nagging question of why the heck Hermione isn't a Ravenclaw. Whether Rowling's decisions leave you disappointed, thrilled, or ambivalent, they always feel inevitable, unchangeable, real: the truth may not be out there, but Harry is.
Rating:
Summary: The order of the Phoenix - what a story !
Review: Excellent what more can I say, the plot of the book makes you want certian characters to hurry up and appear and keeps you wondering where they all are, an excellent addition to the series and highly reccomended, I started reading this on Saturday 21th afternoon and finished late last night (Sunday) just couldn't put it down, I can't wait for number 6. Well done Ms. Rowling.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the wait
Review: If the sixth book of the Harry Potter series is going to be as good as this one, I won't mind waiting another three years. Not much, anyway.Rowling uses the familiar framework of the first three books to anchor us as she takes Harry through the rough year following Voldemort's return. Like many another fifteen year old, Harry spends a lot of time being angry at the restrictions imposed by adults, and the unfairness of the world. And in his case some of the complaints are valid. He's not just paranoid, there really is a campaign going on to discredit him and make him look foolish. And to make things worse, there are the nightmares... I won't spoil the plot -- the suspense was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book -- suffice it to say that the twists and turns are wonderful, and there are places where I was cheering and places where I had to stop and put the book down and go for a walk before I could go on. Some questions are answered, and new ones come hard on their heels. In this volume, Rowling has really given the other characters a chance to move into the forefront -- not just the new folks, but old friends as well. (And if I wanted to reach through the pages and shake a few of the "old friends" it was only because they were making the kinds of mistakes that showed their humanity.) People mentioned in earlier books show up too, fully fleshed characters now. Of the new characters, my personal favorite is Luna Lovegood, a fourth year whose father publishes The Quibbler, which is the wizarding world's equivalent to a supermarket tabloid. A quite satisfactory read!
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Summary: Will Exam Year at Hogwarts be an eventful one?
Review: In the 3 years between the publication of the fourth book ("The Goblet of Fire") in JK Rowling's series of seven and this book, the whole phenomena that is Harry Potter has truly gone stratospheric. Aided and abetted by the movies of the first two books, a truly bewildering amount of merchandising and ongoing controversy from religious groups, parents groups and literature critics, has there ever been a book as anticipated as this one? Can such expectations ever be fulfilled or are we destined to be disappointed? "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the story of Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is much wider in its scope and ambition than any of the four that preceded it. As Harry grows from childhood into adolescence, the complexity of both Harry's internal would and the world around him is increasing and his confusion at this constent flux is reassuringly familiar for the adult or teenage reader, Ms Rowling has not fallen into the trap of trying to keep her hero a child forever and the story benefits immeasurably because of it. A word of warning folks, although this book certainly stands on it's own merit and can be read just for itself; more than any other of the Harry Potter books, this one needs to be read in the context of an unfolding story, so if you haven't read the first four then this is not the best place to start. You'll enjoy it, but many of the subtleties of the tale could be lost on you. This is not a criticism of the story, but rather a reflection of its place as a genuine continuation of a narrative rather than a spin off sequel. As regular readers of the series will know, Harry's nemesis, Lord Voldemort has managed to regain his body and is currently gathering his forces and drawing his plans. "The Order of the Phoenix" mentioned in the title of the novel is the group of witches and wizards assembled by Dumbledore to resist Voldemort and halt his rise. But the Wizarding world is divided, the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, resolutely refuses to accept the fact of Voldemort's rebirth, preferring instead to think that Dumbledore is spreading lies and attempting to build a private army in order to make himself Minister for Magic. These events could hardly be expected to have no effect on Harry, but this is his exam year and as events are unfolding beyond his control and those closest to him seem to be oblivious or at least unsympathetic to his feelings, his sense of isolation and frustration and his feelings of being misunderstood, excluded and patronised are wonderfully realised, tinged with a genuine feeling that the author has been here and is intimately familiar with its craggy landscape. Ms Rowling did say outright far in advance of the publication of this novel that the new defence against the dark arts teacher would be a woman; this is delivered in the character of "Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic", Dolores Umbridge. Singularly unattractive, Umbridge is one of the most despicable characters yet seen in this series (and lets fact it considering that this includes the Malfoy's, Wormtail, Barty Crouch and of course the Dark Lord himself, she's up against some serious competition), bigoted, myopic, vindictive and at times downright sadistic, she is used in the context of the story not only to torment the staff and students in her capacity as high inquisitor for Hogwarts, but to explore themes of prejudice and arrogance.
So am I disappointed? Well, No actually, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has all the depth, wit and subtlety that its avid readers have come to expect from the Harry Potter series. What we are presented with here is a richly textured narrative containing a twist worthy of "The Usual Suspects" if someone hasn't already told you. If you didn't like the other novel's in the series, then chances are that you'll not like this one either, but for those of us who did JK Rowling has presented us with another gem which takes the story of the boy who lived to a whole new level. But is it literature? Well on that point I'll confine myself to remarking that a person of what ever age who fails to extract some pleasure from JK Rowling's work must have had the joy of living stamped out of them at an early age in a manner that even the late and unlamented Thomas Gradgrind would fine intolerable. Roll on book six!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: After I read book 4, I was worried that Rowling had lost control of her story. Goblet of Fire seemed to just ramble on through the pointless competition plot. But Order of the Phoenix feels like Harry's story is back on track, and it read fast and furious for me. My 9-year-old, who found the first four books compulsively readable, is finding this one harder going. It's a heavier read, much more focused on adolescence rather than on the details of the magical world, much more grim on all levels.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing, yet sad!
Review: J.K. Rowling , who took some 3 years to write the latest Harry Potter installment, has done it again. In this book Harry seems to have matured and is going through many of the changes we all experience through our teenager years. He is now 15 and deals with love, hate, longing and so many other complex emotions, carefully handed by Rowling. The book also presents us with new characters (Luna Lovegood was by far my favorite), new creatures (can you see them too?) and batlles (including a battle of wits between Minerva and someone from the ministry). The ministry is a key institution in this, and as interesting a place as Hogwarts. This book is a bit darker than the previous ones, but still grips our attention with all the charms and magic from our beloved characters.
Rating:
Summary: Best book in the series so far....
Review: This book looked big at first (nearing 800 pages) but taking just over a day to read it, it seemed like it went to fast. J.K. Rowling has written a truely riveting book that keeps your nose glued to the pages until the very end. This book begins to look at Harry's build up of anger with his lack of knowledge and the way he's been treated. It definetely gives you an insight into the way Harry can deal with a situation in which he has no control and no say in any matters, but it still doesn't stray away from his heroe instincts. I seemed to share Harry's anger at the Ministry's naivety about the truth of Voldemort's arising. This book was simply awsome (if anyone would call this book restricted to the younger ages they a very mistaken). After I completed it i wanted it to continue with the story, and get the many questions i had answered, but unfortunetely i have to wait another 4 years for the nest book.
Some of the names in this book may appear childish to some but the way this book is written and the suspense it contains covers up any faults it may have (and im having trouble finding any), therefore making it a definite 5 star book.
Rating:
Summary: Simply magical
Review: After all the hype surrounding this book, it's good to see that it delivers, and that Ms. Rowling hasn't lost her magic touch. That said, readers will find that this Potter book is different from the previous ones, in that Harry is a little older, a little more erratic in his emotions and far more burdened. In addition to ordinary(!) problems like exams and girls, he also has to deal with the reawakening of Voldemort, and with the strange connection that exists between the two of them (a connection which causes Harry no end of stress). How he deals with these problems, and with his own conflicting emotions, is the primary thread running through this book. If you haven't read it yet, don't waste time, go out and get yourself a copy right now. I took the day off work to read it, and am happy to report that it was completely worth it :)
Rating: 
Summary: unbelievable yet enjoyable
Review: As usual, JK Rowling's humor adds spice to the novel, but the plot itself is somewhat farfetched and bland. Umbridge's behavior is not explained (motive-wise, unless the ministry of magic has a habit of employing annoying, inane fanatics) fully. There seems to be too many little facts appearing here and there(such as all the new characters I certainly do not have the intention of even trying to remember, James' detestable behavior, etc, etc.), whereas the main, central stem (i.e Harry's struggle with Voldemort to get 'the weapon') is not expounded upon until perhaps the last 70 pages. That might explain the fact that the book appears to be loaded and yet vapid. However, it is not an unenjoyable one, as at any rate Rowling's world and its hero Harry retain their attractiveness.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter Order of Phoenix
Review: This book took so long to be published must be because it took so long to write, it certianly wasn't due to the editing, since it was over 850 pages long.
J.K. Rowlings in very fine fashion , conveys to the reader Harry's frustration, and the readers frustrations will be sorely tested like Harry's, since it takes over 750 pages to get some sort of answers or action on the part of the characters.
J.K. Rowlings slowly built up to the end but didn't really put out the readers concerns over Harry's mental conditions, nor his relationships with Dumbeldore or his friends. Maybe he is growing up and this is just part of life. I see the younger readers will not like the Harry Potter in this book.
Hopefully we the readers will not have to wait another 2+ years for the next one.
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