Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I must say, when I began reading this book, my expectations were extremely high (based on the previous four in the series) and quite amazingly, they were exceeded. The Order of the Phoenix follows Harry's summer and his fifth year at Hogwarts. He must deal with the recent return of the Dark Lord, Voldemort, in addition to problems faced by the typical fifteen-year-old. Despite the book being 870 pages, it is a very quick read. From the mysteries of the secret society called the Order of the Phoenix to Harry's own problems with love, friendship, anger, and loss, J.K. Rowling weaves an entrancing story, full of characters who are interesting, but at the same time easy to relate to. I recommend this story to anyone who can read (or can get somebody else to read it to them). Although both the price and the thickness of the book may be a turn off for some, it's completely worth it.
Rating:
Summary: J.K.'s Best Yet
Review: I think this book's assesment as 'darker' is a little off the mark. It is incredibly funny due to the continued mischievious antics of the Weasley twins.
Harry is in his fifth year, and things are getting a little complicated.
For one thing, he's developed a quite a mouth. He's also falling behind on his homework, partly because of Quidditch, partly because he isn't getting much sleep, and partly because he's started goofing off in class.
I haven't actually gotten through the whole book yet, but it's pretty cool. Bravo, J.K.! Another job well done.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the wait!
Review: My copy of Order of the Phoenix arrived yeseterday and I spent the entire night reading it. It's a fantastic book. While some readers may be put off by the darker tone of the book (and by Harry's behavior, which at times is atrocious) it's obvious to me that J.K. Rowling really remembers what it was like to be a teenager and how incredibly painful growing up could be at times.
In book 5 we get to see life inside of the Ministry of Magic and St. Mungo's hospital, and we learn more about the darker side of the world of wizardry that Harry inhabits, not just the evil of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but the stupidity and prejudices of the wizarding community. Harry learns more about Neville Longbottom's parents and meets new wizards and some old (including the real Alastor Moody). I don't want to go into more detail as it might spoil things for those who haven't read the book yet.
Again I say that the book was well worth the three year wait, although it's kind of depressing to think that if this is the norm for the next two books that we won't see the end of the series until 2009.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking twists
Review: The Order of the Phoenix is about as far from the Sorcerer's Stone as one can get. The plot twists come fast and furious in the first few chapters, and the story is even more violent and frightening than The Goblet of Fire. Harry, now a rather sullen and angry teenager, comes to find out that the good guys aren't necessarily all good nor are they always right. I don't want to say too much more, but what you thought you knew about Harry, Dumbledore, and even the Dursleys will be turned upside down. And yes, someone important to Harry dies.
An important chapter in Harry's life, as it marks his real entry into adulthood, regardless of how many would try to keep him a child. The stories get better with each book, and I really hope it isn't another 3 year wait for the next one. If you are dragging your feet about buying it, stop and order it right now.
Rating: 
Summary: The Magic is Back
Review: Please do not read beyond the first paragraph if you do not wish to ruin the surprises. After a long wait, J.K. Rowling delivers book 5 of 7 to excited Harry Potter fans across the globe. The Order of the Phoenix is darker than her previous books, even more-so than the Goblet of Fire. Harry is much angrier in this book, and rightfully so. Throughout most of the book he tends to shun his friends (and even Dumbledore), and winds up in more trouble than in previous books. Facing expulsion from the get-go, Harry is allowed to return to Hogwarts, but considering what's waiting for him he might have been better off at home. The mystery of Voldermort's hatred is finally revealed at the end, and in doing so Rowling sets the tone for the remainder of the saga. Will Harry fulfill his destiny, or will Voldermort once again reign supreme? Only time (and the next two books) will tell.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, not bad at all...
Review: yes, so I seem to have read this much faster than most... heh. Lovely cover art, though... much better than that on "Goblet of Fire," where Harry had the face of a mentally ill chipmunk. Well, firstly -- this sucker is LONG, and what's dangerous is that it sucks you in while it's at it. I finished it at, oh, 3 AM. There's not many stagnant parts; the action kicks in midway through the first chapter and doesn't let up much. One of the things I found interesting about it is that this book delves far deeper into the universal psychology of the mind than the other books do. That is, many of the issues faced by Harry and others are not limited to the realm of fiction -- they're problems everyone deals with. This book let the magic take the back sit; the human mind and how it deals with things, and must sometimes adapt, is more prominent. There's one small flaw with all this, however. Personally, I find the more psychological side of things fascinating, but I have to wonder about the younger faction of Harry Potter fans. I mean, it's an 870-page book. That's a lot, even by my voracious-reader standards. The book is admittedly darker, with much less of the subtle humor that marked the earlier books. Is this going to appeal to all the younger kids out there trying to slog their way through this thing? Personally, I found this to be an excellent book -- the only one of the series I liked better was "Prisoner of Azkaban". But I give it only four stars -- though if I could give 4 1/2, I would -- on the basis of not really being as suitable for its core fanbase, and the fact that it's almost a little TOO long.
Rating:
Summary: Darker and better
Review: Rowling doesn't follow her formula in The Order of the Phoenix. It is more disjointed than the first four books, but I still liked it better. The previously safe haven of Hogwarts is invaded, the book's much darker in tone, and Harry Potter has become a angry, unsure teenager. Rowling has given the female characters more to do and made them much more competent than in the other books, which is a _very_ nice change. I think that people who like the Harry Potter books won't be disappointed with this new offer.
Rating:
Summary: HP5: the calm before the storm?
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix was surprsingly well-written; sophisticated character development and thematic challenges are woven together into a captivating story. Unlike Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the writing is concise, and thankfully, unneeded details are omitted. Every moment of HP5 seems important and, in the scheme of the series, probably is. Previously flat characters take on new roles, and already dynamic characters manage to become more controversial. However, as tensions boil and the eventual implications of gradual changes in the wizarding world are made clear, the reader realizes that for the majority of the book, few major events take place. Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix is fascinating because it takes risks that the first four books in the series were too scared to take, and its format is significantly different. Nevertheless, its atmosphere is that of a foundation to be laid for the last two books. It seems that the novel sets the stage for what are likely to be dramatic and dark events in future installments of the Harry Potter series. An interesting story for children, and a query into human nature for older readers. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book and Well Worth the Wait!
Review: I was very concerned after a 3 year wait that this book was going to be a disappointment, but it definitely was not! It was very interesting to see Harry becoming a teenager, although I was surprised he was so angry all the time. I was also sad to see one of my fave character's die, although I suspected this individual whenever I first heard that someone was going to die. Now I want to know when the 6th book will be out!!! This one was great!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating - one of Rowling's best
Review: An excellent read. We rejoin Harry at Privet Drive as he awaits news of the return of Lord Voldemort. The best thing about this book is the introduction of the lives of the adults surrounding Harry and the ways in which they are forced to grapple with the Dark Lord's return and the denial surrounding it. Harry learns of the prophecy surrounding his future and the reason the Dursley's factor into his life so importantly.
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