Rating: 
Summary: It was worth the wait (from a satisfied mom)
Review: Our 10, 12 and 14 year old kids, and I have literally devoured this book. Only the 10 year didn't finish yet and that is only because I made her sleep. It's worth the wait. And it is worth posting a "do not disturb" sign on the rest of your life while reading (poor neglected husband). As a mom, I particularly liked the values and conflicts presented as well as the overview of adolescence presented to those quickly approaching the adolescent attitude years. Then there's the addictive plot, great detail in scenery, characters we care about, and imagination galore. We can't wait for book six.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Dark, but Classic Rowling!
Review: At about page 384, I realized that what I thought was a dark beginning to the fifth book of the Harry Potter series, was going to continue on in an unexpected veil of foreboding and serious (Sirius?) quandries for the once innocent Harry Potter. After the dire events of book four, there is no way that our favorite young wizard could remain the understanding, most-always-level-headed young boy we readers have grown to love. This go round delves especially deep into the mind of Harry. He's at a delicate age, but his experiences over the past 4 1/2 year have left little else that could be described as such. Rowling pulls no punches and while I found it a bit unnerving to see the dark moods and dark thoughts of Harry, it made him all the more real for me and all the more anxious to see how he would handle the next "big challenge" facing him.
I was also excited to learn more about my other favorites...Sirius, the Weasleys, Hermione...even the Dursleys (some surprises there for sure!)
I know the phrase "this is a darker book" has been used for every book since The Sorcerer's Stone, but it is truly a phrase MOST applicable to this book. There are disturbing moments on many different levels. But it only serves to make the characters more endearing and we as readers ever so anxious to see...what happens....NEXT.
A great read of 730+ pages that went by all too fast!
Rating: 
Summary: The Darkest Book Yet
Review: There are about 3 happy pages in the Order of the Phoenix. It is, as usual, masterfully written, and I could hardly put it down to sleep. However, it is a very dark book and veering more and more away from being a "children's" book. I would not want any 6-9 year old of mine to have such a dark view of the world, even with the great friendships it describes. Death and sorrow are taken to new heights in this book, and none of the heroes are quite so heroic any more, not even Dumbledore! Of course, I recommend it highly for anyone 15 years old or older. I only give the book 4 stars instead of 5 because of it's unrelenting heaviness of spirit. Of course, if you have been following the series, this book is a must, but be prepared!
Rating:
Summary: Your money will be well spent!!!!!
Review: Just finished this amazing installment of my favorite books only two days after its release. I started reading Harry Potter when I was 11 and although I am now 14 I still love them. This book will capture you and you won't be able to put it down. You get so involved with it that you cheer at Harry's best moments and cry for him during the worst. It has an amazing plot line that only a geniuse could tie together so incredibly perfect (CHEERS TO J.K.) This book is a must read for all who have read the first four, bringing you yet more information to this exciting world of wizardry and fitting nicely with the last four books. Great for all age groups. BUY THIS BOOK YOU WILL READ IT AGAIN AND AGAIN ( I THINK IM GOING TO START IT AGAIN TOMORROW)
Rating:
Summary: old questions answered, new questions posed
Review: In the three years since "Goblet of Fire" was published, Potter fans have had lots of time to muse over certain inconsistencies in Rowling's enchanted world. Why do some wizards move on after death, while others remain as ghosts or reside in picture frames? If the Dursleys hate Harry so much, why do they still take him in every summer? Finally, why would Lord Voldemort care about killing baby Harry in the first place? Rowling provides answers for these mysteries and more in "The Order of the Phoenix." Of course, she also raises more questions to keep readers hungry for the next installment. Events in the fifth novel escalate, but are actually more believable than the Triwizard tournament of the fourth novel. Characters become less sterotyped as good and bad. Even saintly Dumbledore turns out to make mistakes. Harry, of course, has to deal with typical adolescent mood swings in addition to worrying about you-know-who. These developments are refreshing, and bode well for the remaining two books. Rowling remains in fine form despite the delay in producing book five. We can only hope that books six and seven don't require another six years to explain the remaining mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I just finished reading the book, yes I know its only been out since yesterday, but I couldn't put it down. The action in this book far surpasses all of the others. The action continues throughout all of the 870 pages of this book. Unlike the other books in the series, conflicts aren't resolved at all until the end, I mean the very end. Everything goes wrong. Harry is much angrier in this one, which came as a shock to me. Overall this book is worth its money from cover to cover and the surprises will leave you amazed, wanting more. Read this book! It's worth it!! You wont be disappointed. You will just wish that you had JK Rowling's number to find out what will happen to our young hero next.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Amazing!! I finished it today and Im just extremely excited. Now I'm waiting for the next book to come out. Harry is growing up. It seems the reader is also going to have to grow up with him. It's an absolute mess the word of magic is now in and we are lucky to see it happen. Mrs. Rowling has truly done well. Happy reading to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Harry's Back and Better Than Ever!
Review: All 870 pages of "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix" are pure gold. J. K. Rowling's writting has only gotten better since the original book. Each word seems to flow right into one another. And it sounds almost like poetry at times. When it first arrived at my door, June 21st. I wasn't sure if I would still be able to get into it so much, but the second I picked the book up, I was hooked. Each page has the perfect mix of action, comedy, adventure, and friendship, from all of our favorite characters. The beinging of the book, which of course starts with Harry at home, is probably my favorite opening to any of the Harry Potter books. I don't want to give any details away, so I won't go into much detail, but Harry's 5th year at Hogwarts as the best ever! And yes, as reported, a character does die, but Rowling manages to keep it a secert until the very last moment. To sum it up, this is one of the best (if not the best) Harry Potter book. The story is amazing, and the character development is once again, great! The story is more intense, and posiibly darker than the other story lines, in the Harry Potter series, and is sure to keep you reading. It's a must have, for kids and adults!
Rating:
Summary: JK Rowling Works Her Magic Yet Again
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a beautiful, magical story of the bonds of friendship and love. While the novel sometimes deviates from its predecessors in being a deeper, darker and more frightening look at the wizarding world, it does not cease to please the reader with it's charming characters and complex, rewarding plot. Rowling has a certain gift for making her readers share the powerful emotions of each character, especially Harry, whom we see he is growing up along with all of his wizarding friends. This skillfully woven tale is worth reading a dozen times, bravo! :)
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding addition to the series
Review: This is Harry's longest adventure to date, featuring the most plot twists and character development so far, and the best ending. The emotional impact of this book is on the same level as Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire, and the reader is kept guessing about what is going to happen right up until the final chapters. In this book, Rowling resolves many plot threads that have been started in earlier installments in the series, and we can see that situations are being set up that will be resolved in the last two books. Order of the Phoenix is at least the equal of any other book in the series, and is definitely worth the three-year wait.
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