Rating: 
Summary: Somethings Missing.....
Review: I absolutely love the 4 previous books but after book 4, I was hoping I would be able to read what develops or how Ron and Hermione feel about each other. This book gave no insight on the subject. Also, she left out the Yule Ball. I always loved reading who they chose as dates. It also seemed she wrote the suject of Harry and Cho off rather quickly. Still, I loved the book but I think I liked 3 & 4 a little better. I think they were such cliffhangers that you had to keep reading to see what happens. This book, you just read hoping something will happen.
Rating: 
Summary: If you want a spoiler, then read the book...
Review: Considering the amount of time that we had to wait for the fifth Harry Potter book to be released, I think it was well worth the wait. While this book was definitely along the lines of the Goblet of Fire, in that it had very dark and grim overtones, I feel that J K Rowling has managed to exceed herself once again.
The book starts, as always, with Harry quietly suffering in the home of his horrible relatives, the Dursleys, all the while wondering when and where Voldemort is going to strike first. Almost from the word go, things move along quite quickly, and Rowling throws in a few surprise twists quite early on.
Before Harry can barely start to think about getting back to Hogwarts, the action starts, and from that point on it is one disaster or triumph after another.
Harry's fifth year as a student wizard is quite probably more eventful than the other four (with the possible exception of Goblet of Fire), and during which he has to adjust to yet another new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, some signficant changes to life at Hogwarts and, most significantly, the fact that few people are willing to believe that Voldemort has returned.
Between that, and the tantalising promise of secrets revealed by Dumbledore, the Order of the Phoenix is a highly engaging read, from beginning to end.
The Order of the Phoenix introduces some interesting new characters, some good and some not so good, as well as reacquainting us with some old ones from previous books. We get a glimpse of what has become of Gilderoy Lockhart, the self-absorbed twit who caused many an uproar in Chamber of Secrets, and we see much more of characters like Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and others. Even Fred and George Weasley gain more attention than usual for themselves, and in spectacular fashion.
And, as always, it is a tremendous pleasure to see the strutting, arrogant Draco Malfoy get his come-uppance (more than once, happily).
I have already heard people complaining that Harry has come across as too whiny and self-centred in this newest book, but cheers to Rowling for developing the character in a realistic fashion.
Harry is 15 years old, now, and has to deal with traumas and responsibilities beyond the capabilities of most adults, while still dealing with all the normal teen issues (including his first crush on a girl). I challenge anyone to truthfully say that they would not also be angry and grudging when they know that others have been deliberately keeping them in the dark about some major aspects of their lives, particularly when having the knowledge may well have prevented a tragic death.
Rowling has developed Harry beautifully over the five books, and it will be worth the wait for the next one to see where he goes from here.
I think it will be especially interesting to see what happens with his relationship with his aunt, uncle and cousin - after all, once Harry has his OWLS, he's allowed to do magic outside of Hogwarts, is he not...?
Rating:
Summary: Fans of Harry will not be disappointed!
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix picks up where Goblet of Fire left off: Voldemort has returned and those in the wizarding world are divided among those who believe He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and those who don't. Most of the nearly 900 pages revolve around this plot and they fly by as the reader is brought into a world of magic, muggles, secret orders (good and evil), and friendship. The action, as in the other books, is fast paced and entertaining. Harry and company get into one adventure after another and all the old characters return. The intrigue builds gradually to the exciting climax that is the last 100 pages. The book is not as dark as Goblet was (the graveyard scene) but has an overall more tense, urgent feeling. Harry has seen death and has lost much of his innocence. The lightness of the previous books is all but gone. And yes, as Rowling has revealed in interviews, Book 5 sees the death of a major character. The reader is given a lot of answers to pressing questions from previous books. (Dont' worry: I won't include any spoilers in this review.) Why do some people become ghosts? Just how much does Snape hate Harry's father? Why don't the Dursleys kick Harry out if they hate him so much? And perhaps most pressing: WHY did Voldemort want baby Harry dead? We are left feeling that the final two books will be dark and intense: The last chapter is entitled, "The Second War Begins," and it gives an ominous prophecy about Harry's destiny. But we are also left anxiously awaiting books 6 and 7 to find out the fate of everyone's favorite Boy Who Lived....
Rating:
Summary: Skagooch
Review: The best one yet! I couldn't put it down till my vision blurred and I had to sleep, then I picked it up the next morning and raced to the end. I would say more but I don't want to give anything away. I only wish I could erase my memory of reading it, so I could read it again fresh. Enjoy!!!!
Rating:
Summary: HARRY RULES!!!!
Review: I have three favorite books I've read in my short teen life. One is "Oh, the places you'll go". The other is "The Little Guide To Happiness, and of course, this, the latest Harry book. They just keep getting better and better.
Rating:
Summary: Not too shabby.
Review: Like the countless children 6 years my junior who stayed in line waiting til midnight I was anticipating the book greatly. I started reading as soon as I got it and didnt stop til I finished. It was a great book with many twists and turns. I would recommend anyone who is literate to read it.
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't matter what I rate it, it's a classic already.
Review: Yes, I pre-ordered my book in December. Yes, i was one of those who stayed up all night to read it from cover to cover. At the same time, I don't consider myself a huge fan, i just like to know what happens next! I love how with every book the level of maturity of both the writing and the characters in the book grows; with every book more and more serious issues are addressed. At the same time, this fifth book follows the same predictable pattern as the rest of them - end of the summer at Dursley's, return to school (with adventure), school year building up to climactic ending right when the final exams are... While i realize that's how most school years go, for the most part, it would be nice to get some variation to the pattern. That, and what I perceived as somewhat lack of action during the school year events (a lot of little things are happening but most of it rather mundane), are the reasons i am giving it 4 out 5 stars. Other than that, read on! Worth staying up all night :) You will probably have to re-read it a few times just to catch all the details. And yes, DADA teacher gets sacked at the end of the school year, again! lol I am looking forward to finding out who will teach it next year. :)
Rating:
Summary: Harry is better than ever!
Review: This book is so good. If you've read the first 4 Harry Potter books this is a must read. If you havn't, read the first 4 so you can read this one! The tone of this book is much darker than even the Goblet of Fire, but it is right for this part of the series. Harry is much angrier too. You find out alot about what happened in the wizarding world before the first book. This book is reaaly long at 870 pages. But once you start you don't want to put it down! I can't wait for book 6!
Rating:
Summary: While we still like the story, do we still like Harry?
Review: Without spoiling, I finished this book in a melancholy state. Not only sad that I would have to wait a few years for year six, but for all that happened to Harry and his reactions to the events late in the novel. But I have to tell you, as much as I was sympathetic with Harry and as much as I understood this was a real growing up year for him and he was bound to be a torn up teenager, it doesn't mean I want to hang out with him. He's nasty to his friends and, while he sometimes has cause, always seems to think the worst of just about everyone at first. You really wish, just occasionally, that he would do something other than sulk when confronted with bad news. He is our hero, he should be just a bit more heroic. That being said, the book draws you in, keeps you reading to the last and is a wonderful dark adventure. In many ways,far far darker than Goblet. You will not feel good at the end of this one. But you will want to read the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Best one yet!
Review: The best one yet. I love the fight seen at the end. But I can,t tell you the details... This book is more dark than the other books, and longer than the other books. And, as with the others, you must read the first 4 before moving on to this one. If you buy it, I hope you enjoy it like I did!
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