Rating:  Summary: Angry Destiny Review: OK, so it is upon us. The new one. The big kahooey. The one. The ultimate. The new Harry Potter Book. Thank God. Or, rather, thank J.K.Rowling and Bloomsbury.Straight into it, no messing around, it's a fantastic tale. I love this book. I love the characters, even the evil ones. Hem Hem! The description of the feelings of those people and creatures we both know and love is sublime, particularly in poor Harry's case. J.K. just seems able to add more and more layers to her characters, principle and secondary, as well as building even further on the already extensive magical universe, past and present. The storyline is, as ever, superb, and I now want the next book out now! Just been reading over what ive just written and I think I sound like some scholar. That may well be, but it sure as hell isnt how I feel when i read these books. It is hard to put into words how excited I get when reading these magical stories. Baically, whenever I read these books, every chapter or two I get so excited ... Everything about the story thrills, whether it be the horrors of Voldemort, the pain of watching Harry mess up his first potential relationship, the excitement of him acting about his feelings, his growing up, or his incredible anger. I read in a paper somewhere J.K.Rowling laughing about how angry Harry is this year, and how much she puts him through. She ain't wrong...
Rating:  Summary: Meets the Expectation Review: Given the massive popularity and the amazing sales, this book still manages to be live up to the reader's expectation. Nor does it suffer from being part of a successful series. With the latest books in the Eoin Colfer series of Artemis Fowl and the Lemony Snicket Carniverous Carnival being less than exceptional, Harry Potter proves to be a force that is continually entertaining. These books have their own good qualities and are popular based on merit and not hype. They grow steadily darker and more disturbing but it isn't an unnatural progression, it fits with the characters and the time they live in. Rowling continues to throw in unexpected obstacles and loss for her hero, as well as explanations for why Harry is so special. This book finds the reader learning the secrets of Harry's relationship with Voldemort and what it suggests to the eventual ending of the series. There is more darkness to come in Harry Potter, but the reader isn't left with impending sense of doom that could be extrapolated. Rather, the reader knows that Harry and his motley crew of misfits will find strength in each other and draw from the sources of good that accompany their side. It's an extraordinary read, a fitting fifth part of a terrific series.
Rating:  Summary: Magical and more! Review: Harry Potter is growing up and his story is growing with him. One of the many wonderful things about the Harry Potter series is the emotion you feel from the characters and how you can relate to the choices that they make. No matter what your intentions may be, good or bad, decisions you make have an effect on those around you, as well as yourself. This book brings that idea to light in a very profound way. I think one of the brightest concepts about the whole story in this volume is as long as you stay true to yourself, your friends and those who are trying to help, you are doing the best you can do. That's all anyone can ever really ask of you. As long as someone is really trying to be the best person they know how to be, they have no reason to be upset with themselves, whether they succeed or they fail. I think everyone should take that lesson to heart. Ms. Rowling has designed a wonderful way in showing how prejudice can hurt without using race or religion as an example. In most stories, where prejudice is involved, someone has to be the "bad guy", so the reader is pushed into taking sides, and that side will involve a certain group of people, whatever they may be in that story. By creating a magical world, where the conflict between the characters are based on their magical ability, blood or lack thereof, Ms. Rowling has been able to point out the futility of hatred and ignorance without designating any race, creed, religion, sex or group of people as the antagonist. I think that is phenomenal. This installment of Harry Potter is definately more serious than the prior four. It's just as magical in it's own way, though. I'd never want to give a hint to it's content, as I have the greatest respect for Ms. Rowling and for those who read her works. It's a must read, I feel for everyone. It will make you angry in parts, laugh in others, and yes...it can make you cry. Bravo, once again Ms. Rawling...you are doing the very best you can do...making people want to read...and making readers feel! Thank you!
Rating:  Summary: Harry Potter's return= a darker adventure Review: When I started on the new Harry Potter book, I expected it to be a little different. I was right when I thought it would darker and more mature, building on the ideas of the last one. The book is good, don't get me wrong, but it is different. It is an adventure with heavier ideas and at times is pretty depressing. All the elements that made the series magical are here, but at certain points, the story is dark, violent, and different. It keeps moving with only a few slow parts. And yes, everyone who wants to know the truth about the attack on Harry when he was a child will be happy to know that Dumbledore reveals the great "Prophecy." It was pretty easy to spot what this would say, but one thing we learn is NOT EXPECTED AT ALL. This all leads to a simple, semi dull ending. I am sort of waiting just to skip number 6 and go directly to 7 now that I know the truth. Potter fans won't be disappointed, but for young kids, be prepared that it is not all fun magic anymore...
Rating:  Summary: Wow....! Review: Wow. This book was really great. At first, I wasn't sure if I would like it as much as the others. Boy, was I wrong. Yes, it is true - the book moved a lot slower in the beginning this time around, but looking back I realize that it was important to do so... All throughout the book, Harry is faced with a world of secrets, assumptions, and most of all - change. Although the book gets very heavy at times, Ms. Rowling does her best to deliver her best comic relief in even the darkest situations. (Think Neville trying to speak with a bloody nose...) My favorite parts of the book are the sublties of the characters, and their opinions... Ron's implications that he thinks Harry should date Ginny, and his obvious discontempt for Viktor Krum, Hermione's "pen pal", and someone who Ron "can't understand what she sees in him..." You know, besides the fact that he's older, smart, and a famous Quidditch player... In the novel, Harry learns more about his past and future than any 15 year old ever should. He has to deal with the death of someone very close to him (and, sadly, my favorite character) and learn much, much more about his past, his bond with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and the kind of person his father was, and scariest of all, his future. It seemed to me as if he grew up more with each turning of the page. All in all, this book, as all of the others, is a truly indespensible one. It's just as pivotal as the fourth, and just as exciting as all the otherrs, including the third (my personal favorite). It weaved a wonderful story that brought me to tears and left me wishing for the 6th book the moment I read the last page...so, if you consider yourself a true Potter fan, buy this book NOW! I promise you, you won't be able to put it down.
Rating:  Summary: Worth the wait! Review: This book was great! I quickly devoured it in 2 days! From the very beginning you feel the tension of adolesence and excitement that is welling up in Harry about the return of He-who-must-not-be-named! This book is more drawn out and explains more key pieces of the puzzle that is Harry's past. We meet a few new characters that I look forward to seeing later on... There are challenging duels and interesting puzzles to be figured out... After the smoke clears and we learn of a special bond between Dumbledore and Harry we are left with only a bittersweet victory. This book has been the best so far! All that I can say is that this book has only made it harder for me to wait for the next book in this awesome series (hopefully it will not be a three year wait).
Rating:  Summary: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review: I read all 870 pages over a long, rainy weekend and I loved every page of it. I think it's J.K. Rowling's best book yet. Fifteen year old Harry is showing a more complex personality than before which makes his relationship with Ron, Hermione and the other students and teachers at Hogwarts more interesting. At the same time J.K. Rowling retains her masterly eye for surprising details and imaginative touches which makes it easy for readers to immerse themselves completely in H.P.'s world. The book was certainly worth the 3 year wait!
Rating:  Summary: woah Review: this book takes u on an adventure like never before, ull discover lots of stuff that ull never think of, the most unexpted person dies, u gotta read this
Rating:  Summary: A Different Kind of Harry Potter Review: While clearly another piece of literary magic from J.K. Rowlings, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is definitely a change of pace. Dark and pensive, the book portrays Harry suffering growing pains. Harry spends alot of time being angry and he takes that anger out on anyone near him. J.K. Rowlings shows us that the world of Harry Potter is going to grow up and life isn't clearly black and white, good and bad. Readers looking for clear answers to all the questions they've had for three years will be disappointed. While giving us some long awaited information, it isn't as detailed as one might wish for and the story is weaved to leave the reader with just as many new questions. While I thoroughly enjoyed this long read, it left me feeling somewhat disturbed. There were many happy, joyous and funny moments within the book, however the overall tone was very ominous and some of the characters downright scary. Although categorized as a childrens book, parents beware that this is not for very young readers. If the fourth book upset your child, better wait a few years before you get them this one. This one builds on the darker tone that J.K. Rowlings began in the "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and deepens it greatly. For older children (I'd say 11 and up) and adults, this is a wonderful story that definitely sets the stage for the final two books.
Rating:  Summary: Harry, and the series, matures Review: JK Rowling has done a good job in maturing Harry and his cohorts throught the course of the Harry Potter series, and the Order of the Phoenix shows just how much Harry has matured. Harry is now 15, which means he is going through not only the turmultous events gripping the wizarding world after the return of You-Know-Who, but also going through them as a teenager - with all the hormonal upheavals that go along with it. This book is darker and harder to read for those who love Harry as he has been. He's moodier, bickering more with his friends, frustrated more often by the people around him and the circumstances in which he finds himself. Hogwarts is not the refuge it used to be and the wizarding world is revealed to be far different from the halcyonic society we thought it was - in fact it's just as screwed up as the Muggle world in terms ofit's leadership. I don't want to give away any spoilers except to say that this book may prove difficult for younger readers. This book is not as lighthearted as it's predecessors,there are fewer comedic moments and the ones that are there come against a backdrop of sombre moments. It is a very good read for those who can deal with the dark changes and hard times that befall Harry, Hogwarts, and it's beloved inhabitants. It's a more mature Harry and this book reflects this in a wholly beliveable way. Love, loss, drama, and final exams - hold onto your wand because you are in for a ride!
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