Rating: 
Summary: Some initial thoughts - it's another substantial, great work
Review: First of all, it's certainly true that this book is darker and the content less comfortable. When setting expectations, the last main action of the fourth book is much more relevant than the tone of Harry's adventures before that. At the end of the fourth book, everything is different: this book necessarily has a much different feel than the rest. In addition, some basic aspects of reality were shifted at the end of the last book; which are profound. Someone who has read nothing before can certainly start with this one. I wouldn't be surprised if there's an audience for this one that wasn't interested in the others. A person starting with this one would certainly get a lot out of the others, but this one does stand on its own. Harry himself is very very challenged throughout it. And the evil, the bad guys, are more in the forefront than the other books. It isn't as simple as the others, there are contradictions and complications that chafe the reader. In that way, this book is more true-to-life and so even more of use. Because many of us can relate a great deal to being challenged and having the bad guys being in charge. Seeing how Harry and everyone else deal with it - with discipline (sometimes not enough!), unity and inner strength - is useful in our own journeys. And lots of big questions are in play as always - what does it mean to be "good," in the context of relationships and in struggle and so on. What is bad, what is permanent about people and what changes, etc.. The death is a huge one, and I wish it had not happened. Since there's two more books, I can't judge the necessity of it. But the reader won't be as affected as Harry. All the characters continue to be very believable and evolving. The writing continues to be suburb - fascinating, great detail, great vocabulary, very potent. Chronologically specific aspects of life are brought into effect just perfectly. And I just love the surprising bits of very dry wit that pop up unexpectedly. Occasionally in an earlier book I'd feel a little bit adrift, that didn't happen at all in this one. 28 Hours passed from when I got my hands on it and when I was done reading it! In conclusion, this book is the best yet, in my opinion. J.K. Rowling is a delight, a treasure of our times!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: If you are a Harry Potter fan, don't hesitate to buy this. J.K. Rowling shows once again his talent in the narrative, this time with a HUGE book close to 900 pages long. The book design is really cool. Also, one important character dies! The first chapter are far more exciting than the ones in the other books, and there is also a lot of new things about the magical world. Buy this now!!
Rating:
Summary: Really, truly amazing
Review: This book is quite possibly the strongest of the series. We finally see a much darker side of Harry, reflecting both the change in the world around him and his own emotional growing pains. The plot itself is absolutely wonderful, and Rowling's writing has, if anything, improved a thousand-fold. The reader is sucked into the book, turning pages frantically as Harry is attacked by Death-Eaters and the "good" guys (Ministry of Magic and the Daily Prophet). There is indeed a death in the book, one which will be heartbreaking to all readers, but the "big secret" of why Harry is attacked by Voldemort as a baby is, shall we say, disappointing. Regardless, this is a must-have for all readers, including those who insist "Harry Potter is for little kids." Rowling has outdone herself once again, and I eagerly await her next book.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Wait
Review: If you are afraid of being let down by Book 5, have no fear! I think it is the best one yet. My only negative comment is that I felt the storyline stalls for awhile towards the middle of the book. There's still lots of action going on, just not much plot advancement. Regardless, it is the best Harry Potter experience I've had so far and definitely a great read. I got it at midnight and finished it by the next afternoon. The reading level difficulty has continued to climb with this book, which I think is great. My 11 y/o needs a challenging book she actually wants to read.
Well Done Ms. Rowling! We're eagerly waiting your next release.
Rating:
Summary: worth the wait!
Review: I cooped myself in my house all weekend and devoured book 5 as it has been a long three years since the last book came out, but it was not disappointing. The book was long, but by the time I finished it, I wish JK Rowling wrote more. Many questions were answered in regards to Harry's scar, why he lives with the Dursleys, and why Voldemort is after him, but many more questions are raised. Harry has truly grown up in this book- he's a lot more angry and bitter, and he gets his first kiss! But overall, the tone of the book is a lot darker than the previous book, and someone very very close to harry dies... :-( the book is written wonderfully though. JK Rowling uses vivid details and descriptions, and everything just flows. This is an excellent book and now I can't wait until Book 6 comes out. I highly recommend this book to anyone, adults and children alike, because there are so many things that we can all relate to. Harry Potter reflects something within all of us.
Rating:
Summary: Potter Magic
Review: I eagerly awaited the books arrival, and was pleased to see it arrive.
I was very nerveous as I opened the box to the book, if it would be well written as the previous Harry Potter books were.
I started reading the book,and was addicted to it from page one and found myself never wanting to put the book down.I laughed at some things in the book, felt angry in others and actually cried at certian parts of the book.I was pleased to see this book is very good and better than the previous four.Although it is long you don't seem to mind when reading, for when your done, you'll only want to read more.This is a must buy book.
Rating:
Summary: Teen angst is brillaint, but too many characters?
Review: What I found most strikingly good about this latest installment is Harry's tremendous growth as an adolescent. As a teacher of teenagers, Harry's emotional range seems truer to the form than the "moody pouting" that I felt prevalent in Book 2. The real fury that Harry expressed near the end of Book 3, the sorrow of Book 4's end, all seem intensified in this year at Hogwarts. Likewise, the students this year seem much less like children and more real. Rowling truly should be commended for this endeavor, but, I feel the formula is beginning to strain a little. A careful reader can detect the Rowling "coincidences" in the beginning of the book that will be critical to the final act. Again, Rowling introduces several new and dynamic characters to the world, but some of the more prominent characters from the past years seem reduced to cameos. For every supporting character who grew in the novel, there was one who seemed to diminish. And the oft-quoted "death of a major character" and "Dumbledore reveals all" sections somehow felt anti-climactic. Still better than Book 4 (which I felt a little too tangential for all of the wonderful quests) especially in how Rowling handled the action that occurs before Harry's arrival at Hogwarts. The first two-thirds of the book: 5 stars.
The last third: between 3 and 4.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost as good as book 3
Review: First, I have to say I obsessively read this book in less than 24 hours. I was entertained throughout. I thought all of the characters developed well, and are really beginning to show the strains and pains of being 15. Harry especially is beginning to feel the isolation and misunderstood-ness that many 15 year olds feel. Although, all of the characters retained the same core personalities that make them special. The story is interesting in that for the first time Harry doesn't save the world from Voldemort, but is tricked by him and almost (needlessly) gets himeself and others killed. In fact, someone does die, but it wasn't who I thought it would be. The death adds another layer to the continuing plot and it should be interesting to see how it affects Harry in the last 2 books. Overall, a smashing story that is hard to put down. It does justice to that magical world. Bring on book 6!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This book was wonderful! It was great like all of Rowlings' creations! It is much more mature than the previous books and much longer. Very sad thought, so prepare a box of tissues when you start reading.
Rating:
Summary: well done
Review: JK did another great job in this book. I thought that the book should've been a little shorter, but it was still great all the same. The greatest impression this book made on me was the amount of change that everyone goes through, not just Harry. I wish she hadn't made him so angry at everyone, it made me mad sometimes. But after 3 years of waiting, I would say that JK came through with this book
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