Rating: 
Summary: Best of All the Potter Books
Review: The Order of the Phoenix is not for children under the age of 12--it is too nuanced with the psychological and emotional development of Harry. Younger kids will enjoy the action, the occasional humor and the inevitable marvelous creatures, but much of the novel will be better understood by adolescents. Also, a reader who is not thoroughly familiar with the first four books will probably lose interest in Phoenix. It is full of references to the stories and characters that preceded. That being said, this 64-year-old Harry Potter buff put aside every obligation and has just read the volume cover to cover. (Today is June 22.) Couldn't put it down. The first half is a bit slow-going and the reader needs to adjust to an irritable and depressed hero. But there are shocking surprises nevertheless, beginning in Chapter 1. The second half of the book contains one amazing piece of villainy after another. Professor Umbridge is about the most nauseating of all Rowling's Nasties, including even Snape, and her perfidiousness touches most of the people we have come to know and love. Will she get her come-uppance? The first two books were magical adventure stories. The third began to explore emotions and relationships to a greater degree. The fourth combined elements of the first three, but with an overtone of danger, evil and tragedy. But the fifth book I thought was the best and most satisfying for the way it pulled together all the threads of the others. Unlike the fourth, it answered a great many questions and left me feeling satisfied. If there is another long wait until the sixth volume, and I expect there will be, at least I know that Harry and Company are on the way to a resolution. Now excuse me. I must go back and read it again, a little more slowly this time.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing Voyage back into the world of Harry Potter!
Review: The saga continues in the wonderful fifth book in the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling has again amazed me with her ability to consistently produce riveting reading. She easily transports you back in to Harry Potter's world as the story picks up from the end of the 4th. book. Though it's longer than the fourth, it is a quicker read. Its plot twist and turns as it ingeniously continues to unlock the intentions and workings of Valdemort. Harry is growing up and is stumbling through adolescence dealing with romance and authority. I have three copies being passed around my home now. They travel between my children (11, 14, 18) and myself. My only regret is I didn't buy a fourth copy. I became tired of waiting for one of them to go to bed so I can continue reading. This is a fabulous continuation of the story. I look forward to the 6th. and 7th. book.
Rating:
Summary: Need we say more?
Review: I had my doubts. We all waited 3 years, and we all worried, "has she lost her touch?" And, the answer is a resounding "NO!" Rowling has done it again, though admittedly with a little less of the sleuth-magic that made the other books so wonderful. This was, however, an eye-opening view of what happens to people when the worst arrives. This wasn't so much action as it was a show of how stupid, for lack of a better word, people can be when ignorance sets it. Harry's becoming a big boy, and it's obvious with the huge amount of angst in this book, beautifully done, I might say. This was also the first time I ever cried while reading a HP book. No, I'm not saying that it was a tear jerker through and through, but the extent of emotion this book encompasses, from hatred to happiness to absolute anguish, is unbelievable. Many people might think that the beginning was slow, and thus may be turned off, but trust me, the plot picks up. So much so, I read this book in its entirety in nearly a day. I honestly can't begin to account for in words the kind of mark this novel leaves on you... it's not the happy one Sorcerer's Stone left, nor is it the anticipatory one of Goblet of Fire. This was so much darker in so many more ways; Harry is coming-of-age, the evils are more tangible, and the end of the series is coming soon. I was craving more at the end, and of course, trying to tape my heart back together after the death of one of my favorite characters. Let's leave it at that. But of course, Rowling has not lost her touch, and this book is stylistically on par with its predecessors. READ IT. And have fun.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for Book 6.
Review: Wow, my copy arrived Saturday at 4pm from Amazon.com. I closed the book, finished at 3:50am on Sunday. The story, the characters, and the world of Harry Potter had kept me spellbound for 12 hours. Not uninterrupted, my wife and kids rushing around the house while I read. Nothing could get me to put the book down for more than 30 minutes at a time. Great book, and as the title says: I can't wait for Book 6.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter hits puberty...
Review: ...and it ain't a pretty sight.
Now, I loved the book. I have been waiting for it as long as anyone else. I've re-read the first four repeatedly during the years. Book Five starts off with a bang and continues at a rocket's pace for the entire length, and it is LONG. I tore through this book in less than 48 hours, and couldn't believe it was over when I set it down. The battles, the interaction, the mysteries and the spells; it's all here, it is all as we remember and also a little bit new, a little bit older. Harry has a temper now; the hormones wrack him and he yells at the grownups. Why they put up with it, I'll never know. Apparently he is Terribly Important. Lots of emotional problems, and LOADS of teen angst. I remember what it was like, I'm only 26. I know how it feels to feel like no one understands you. But wow; this was really written for the teen reader. It is hard to put up with Harry's whining for the entire thing. I keep wanting to pull him aside and say, "Look, you are taking yourself WAY to seriously here. And lay off your friends." But the writing is genuine feeling and doesn't leave you hating Harry. Rather, you are somewhat frustrated with him for his youth, and this book is REALLY showing him as a human male teen, for the first time. Rather dramatic change, and completely realistic, in my book. I won't say anything about the actual plot. This book has a slight 'in-between' feel, as if it is bridging the gap between two periods in Harry's stay at Hogwarts. This is the awkward year, the year of trials and pain. I think next year will be Harry really beginning to fulfill some of the promise that others see in him. The plot is dark, but very charged, like a lightning storm. There isn't a decisive battle here, the way there was with the other books. The ending is almost frustrating in the fact that there are so many questions unanswered, so many problems still out there. The layers and twists are becoming darker and more complex. The wait for the next train to Hogwarts will be long!
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: Excellent coming of age wizardry story, although not quite as enjoyable as #4 simply because its such a dark tale with lots of conflicting emotions and disillusionments about the heroes of the story. Leaves you eagerly awaiting the next.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Harry Potter Book Ever!
Review: I actually went out and waited at the bookstore for the mid night release of this book, and boy, it was worth the wait! I finished this book in only 2 days, since school's out for the summer! After finishing this long awaited book, I just want to say that it is indeed the best in the series ever. You will be shocked at what Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, told Harry after he said that he should have told Harry 5 years ago. My friends told me not to give it away and I personally do agreed with them because you want a story to be exciting and unexpected. Anyway, Ron joined the Quidditch team this year, playing with Harry and the rest of Gryffindors. The new defense against the dark arts teacher is so corny in my opinion. She's really unique and has her own style, unlike the previous 4 male teachers. By the way, the new house elf is really weird, she is one disgruntled elf! About the Quidditch, Ron is the new keeper for Gryffindor, at first he wasn't that good; he really ... but then he starts to understand what's in store. Finally, every 5th years are talking about the big end of the year exam, also known as O.W.L.S.(Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations), and Harry is pretty stressed about it in this novel. One of the significant changes I noticed in this book is that Harry is starting to behave like an adult, and has a different perspective at things, which is what makes this novel so realistic and so real. That's pretty much all I can tell you, this book is so addictive it kept me up really late at night, which is why I had to finish it as soon as possible. I definetly would recommend this book and JK Rowling definetly did a kick ... job writing this novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Darker, more Disturbing Harry Potter
Review: This is the fifth book in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series, and is definitely the darkest of the lot. We open with Harry at the Dursley's, waiting for any news from the magical world that may have made it to the muggle world, of Lord Voldemort's return. At 15 years old, Harry is often an 'angry young man', frustrated with yet another summer living at his Uncle's, with limited contact from his best friends. He has been left out of the loop, and to say the least, the frustration is evident. JK Rowling has again however, created a very readable story - filled with intrigue and injustice, and some good new characters and sub-plots. She has also, notably, expanded some of the characters we know with more personality, depth and empathy. (Neville Longbottom keeps getting more and more likeable). At 766 pages, the length of this book may put some off, but the story should be enough to keep you going. Don't be too excited to finally read the passage that has been widely used to promote the book where Dumbledore decides to tell Harry "everything", as this was one point in the book where perhaps the reality was less fantastic than expected. Overall though, this book was a really good read, and a great installment in the Harry Potter series, yet possibly, not as enjoyable as book 4. I would highly recommend this book to fans (as if they won't read it anyway), though I think some younger readers may struggle with the length, and the often dark and depressing content.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!!
Review: this book was soo good...its a little bit long but its so cool, it was well worth the 3 yr wait and it was better than the fourth one and flows alot better... im the 1st 2 review the book...yay!! hope my review helped
Rating:
Summary: Rowling does it again!
Review: Brilliant. She's brilliant. Of course, she did take about THREE YEARS to finish the book...but we still love her anyway. Who couldn't? She's provided us with more wonderful words to read about our dear Harry--and this book is perfect. I couldn't ask for more. I got it at 11-o-clock Saturday night and got lost in it--I couldn't put it down! The book was also surprising...I would've never expected "The Death" that was supposed to occur...and found myself suddenly not surprised as to why she cried while writing it. Vividly written, and it now seems to cross the line of children's literature and into great classics. But it's always been one of those. I also enjoyed how real-seeming it truly was--from the perfect descriptions to Harry's new attitude. All-in-all, the book was wonderful. I can't wait for the 6th, so hurry up Mrs. Rowling!!
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