Rating: 
Summary: Mixed reactions
Review: The book is very good, just as I thought it should be, in the way it matches up to Rowling's usual standards. However, as I read it, I was thinking at the same time that 5 year olds could be listening to this story too. The 5th book is much scarier and has some 'interesting' jokes in it. And, seeing that the 2nd book had been scary too, I wondered if this one might have been ok. However, this one is still a little over with the scary things. And, the length of it and the style in which Rowling wrote, it has evolved too. The style has become more sophisticated and the length much longer to take in more details. No longer is this a little kid's book, but it seems to aim towards slightly older readers. Maybe Rowling feels that it's a need since the kids who were first reading at 10 are 15 now. I don't know whether it is a good thing in the way her books evolved because certainly now, the kids starting to read will not age 5+ years before they get to the 5th book.On the other hand, I thought that reading the 5th book was a joy, though I am controversial about it being a fav out of the 5. I give it 5 stars because I love Harry Potter books and reading it was fun, despite so many things beeing unrealistic, and I'm not talking about the magic part. The way Harry reacted to Cho's emotions was a little weird and insensitive. But then again, a couple characters seemed insensitive in several places. Also, the fight, how did Harry, Neville, and all those friends become so good at fighting? Yeah yeah yeah, the D.A. lessons, but against full grown experienced wizards? There were some very interesting characters and I love Lupin, Moody, and Tonks - well, the Order members overall. Mundungus was fun too. Fred and George are smart as ever and I wonder what's going to happen without them in the next 2 books. I am glad that Ron finally gets the chance to be something that he always wanted to be. Back to mixed reactions, the lack of Quidditch and Halloween and stuff seems to be paving way for other details, but I feel that maybe its a mistake to take out some lightheartedness. This book seemed really serious.
Rating: 
Summary: Dark as Pitch
Review: As an adult and a fan of the Harry Potter books, I found this installment in the series to be compelling though somewhat complicated, and very, very dark on almost every level -- emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. Various plot threads definitely wove themselves into my dreams last night and I caught myself thinking about the book occasionally today. It will be interesting to hear what young adults and children think of it. I am again in awe of J.K. Rowling and the world she has so comprehensively created. Well done.
Rating:
Summary: JK Rowling Just Broke My Heart
Review: I'm not sure what to say, really, about this book. I wouldn't want to give away one iota of information -- and believe me, a LOT happens. Suffice to say that Rowling keeps topping her last success with each new book, and the results are amazing. This was not nearly as *pleasant* a read as the previous four, to be sure. There's a lot of conflict, misunderstanding, and frustration in Harry's fifth year, and things don't go as smoothly as they used to. But it's a marvelous book. It made me laugh out loud, cry unashamedly, and sometimes I got so mad that, like Harry, I wanted to scream and throw things. And as much fun as the first four books were, with their lighthearted appeal, it takes a superb talespinnner to create that kind of empathy in a jaded, almost twenty-year-old long time reader of science fiction and fantasy. There's some very real and honest stuff in here, as well as the irresistable charm of the Potter world I know and love. I just finished it, and I still feel like all the breath was sucked out of me. To put it simply, I'm way beyond impressed.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Harry Potter Book!
Review: The fifth book in the Harry Potter book is as good as the previous four, if not better. Without givig too much away, I will say that many of the unanswered questions you may have had are answered in this book. You must read it...it's worth it!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: You can definitely sense a maturing of the writing style in the new book to cater to the wider (more mature) audience that now shares the life and times of Harry Potter. This new book has more intrigue, drama and suspense than any of the first four and definitely serves to add depth to some of the background of the Harry Potter series (why Harry & Voldemort are so closely linked). I finished the book in just under a day - I suspect I will be re-reading it in a week or so after I have had a chance to absorb / digest some of the material...
Rating:
Summary: Takes me back....
Review: This book was incredible. It made me feel like I was a angsty and emotional teenager again. It also took me back to when dealing with girls was confusing and talking to a girl was almost impossible. The plot and storyline was straightforward and I have never read a book that made me change ages like that. I don't want to give a longer review because I would hate to give away plot, but it was worth reading to me. It brings out new facts about Snape, James and Lily Potter, and the rest of the crew that is close to Harry. I couldn't put it down from the time I purchased it to the time I laid it down completed. It was great. Now I just have to wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reading
Review: I just finished reading Year 5, The Order of the Phoenix. What an exciting and fantastic read. This book is very different from JKR's other books, but you see a difference that lingers in your mind long after you finish reading the last page. The book starts with a very hot summer, and Harry stuck on Privet Drive with the horrible Durselys. Young Mr. Potter's world is just recovering from the events of Year Four, and Harry is trying to move on with his life. Yet, a sudden attack by Dementors leave him shaken and confused. Not soon after Harry is taken to a secure place because he-who-shall-not-be-named is on the loose and Harry's life is in peril. When Harry returns to Hogwarts to rumors it's to rumors that he is mad and unbalanced. I can't really say anymore because I don't want to give away the plot, but I will say that Harry is changing. Not only is he growing older, but unfamiliar feelings and emotions begin to bombard Harry. Our young hero has to deal with being a 15 year old famous wizard, who isn't sure about himself or where he belongs. You see a different Harry and sometimes you may not be so happy with the changes. Yet, the great things is you understand and feel for Harry. Life is moving fast in a direction he isn't sure of, and puberty is just one of his problems. I recommend that you read this latest version of the-boy-who-lived and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter 5
Review: Wow, is the first word that comes to mind as I just finish reading more than a quarter million words. I have read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. J.K.Rowling brings back the magic that captured us in book 5 as she has in the previous books. There is something different about this book though, it is much darker like the author said. The plot is deepening and the characters are starting to mature. I was hesitant into letting a 8 year old read this book because of its nature. But to each it's own. Have fun reading it and now we have book 6 to look to(or dread.)
Rating:
Summary: the order of the phoenix
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is definately the best
book in the seris so far.Even more exiting then the previous book
and packed with magic it is one the best books I've ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes, too much is, indeed, too much.
Review: Don't get me wrong...I enjoyed reading this book, as I've enjoyed all the Harry Potter stories. Order of the Phoenix, though, is by far the most tedious of the lot. At times almost painful to read, the book is chock-full of teenage angst, anger, depression, and almost comic-bookish villians. Without getting into spoilers, Harry is yet again back at school. And, as a teenager, he's not the wide-eyed kid he was in the first book or two. Harry spends a great deal of time being angry; angry at his freinds, his teachers, his godfather...anyone, in fact, that he meets. While there is certainly reason for this at times, and it fits with a realistic picture of a teenage boy, it makes for some difficult reading. There is more shouting, and more anger in this book; it isn't a pleasant, light read at all. I applaud J.K. Rowlings amazing efforts to make Harry and freinds seem like real teens; she does this with amazing accuracy. But the book is just too long, and the villians just too, well, villianous. Professor Umbridge, for example, is almost ridiculously evil; and as always, Draco Malfoy and freinds can do virtually anything they please and get away with it...or even be rewarded for it. Given the circumstances in Harry's world at the time, this is probably the hardest part of the book to swallow. On a good note, though, many previously minor characters are allowed to grow in this book; Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley, particularly so. It was truly a pleasure learning about these characters, and seeing how they all begin to bond in the face of danger to the school and themselves. If you like the series, you'll enjoy the book. But it's a long and often hard read; don't look for the sort of stories you've come to expect. It's a magical world still, but one with little joy, and a great deal of negative feelings; anger, depression, sadness, confusion, bitterness and even hate pervade the book from cover to cover.
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