Rating: 
Summary: A Great Sequel
Review: This is by far my favorite book of the Harry Potter series so far. It was exciting and shocking, even upsetting, but isn't that what a good novel should be? I was shocked when *blank* died (for those of you who don't want to know). The character development was fantastic and it was interesting to see how Rowling created enemies out of the Ministry of Magic esp. the witch Umbridge. It will shock and surprise as promised.
Rating:
Summary: The best one yet! contains spoiler info
Review: Having just finished reading, I sit amazed. When we heard that this installation of the Harry Potter series was going to be more dark, Ms. Rowling was certainly not joking!The opening "pre-school" chapters were fast paced indeed and left quite a few bombshells for being so early in the book. The Hagrid story line took new turns and was enjoyable. I am now pondering what may happen in the future with the Hagrid/Maxime line. I really want to smack Percy Weasley quite soundly. We do learn new things about Snape, but it's not what everyone was predicting. ;) Wonderful unexpected surprise though. We also see Lily and James, also not in roles or acting as one would think. I admired how Ms. Rowling kept blindsiding me with these unexpected twist in nearly every chapter We see a new home that is exciting, scary, and will probably have a future role in later books. Perhaps the part I most enjoyed about this book was seeing the interaction with our "famous trio" with students from other houses, some of whom we have seen little or nothing of before. I was impressed by the bravery and loyalty shown by many of the students, all while taking the risk of dedfying the Wizarding Government to follow their hearts - and to be loyal to Dumbledore. Both Dumbledore and Harry are slandered quite badly in this version all at the hands of Fudge & Co. (Percy included) and his control of The Daily Prophet. I loved the student rebellion and quite liked Fred & George's denoument. Classic, and it seems Flitwick had some apprectiation for it - as well as many in the school. The play on words for Prof. Umbridge was a hoot. I took it as a sign of how Fudge has been taking umbrage at Dumbledore's assertations of LV's return. Neville Longbottom finally starts coming into his own, which I was quite pleased to see. We also learn something interesting about him as well. Since the characters are older, we also get more into teen love life, and we see bits from a few here that make the story more interesting. It's nice to see "real" teens, not sanitizedd ones who somehow are unaffected by adolescents hormones. Hermione's advice about handling girls is wonderful. I hope that Harry and Ron pay attention. :) Quidditch fans may be disappointed as there are not many play by plays in this volume as there were in books 1-3. I guess it makes sense as large as the book already is, and well, the teams have havoc as well from the meddlesome Prof. Umbridge. Malfoy becomes worse than ever, especially as his ranking in the school improves under Prof Umbridge. Dumbledore does indeed spill the beans to harry, but again, this does not turn out the way many predict. It was is quite moving nonetheless. Haryy's anger, Dumbledore's fear, and love all play well in what was a tear-jerking chapter. The death was sad of course, but again, different from what most have guessed. The whole book in general was far scarier than the others. Government takes over where it shouldn't and that is always scary. Not a bad lesson for current times I guess. that part was almost as scary as the LV story line. For me, what strikes me is that love, loyalty, friendship , bravery and a willingness to put oneself in harms way to help a friend can save the day even when fighting forces that *should* have superior skills. That is the message I hope one takes away from book 5.
Rating:
Summary: A true example of coming of age
Review: This latest edition to the Harry Potter series is by far the darkest. As I read the book I at first found it frustrating that Harry's general mood throughout the story is dark and angry, but then realized that at 15 years of age Harry was truly starting to question the world around him and not accepting things at face value. Harry has reached the age where he no longer wants to hear adults tell him what is in his best interest and would rather decide for himself thinking that he would do a better job. I completely enjoyed the book and felt that Rowling has not only exceeded my expectations with the continuing story, but has also demonstrated a great ability to develope her characters as they grow through their teens.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing, incredible, thrilling and brilliant...
Review: The Order of the Phoenix was brilliant and magnificant... mere words cannot describe the awe and respect I have for JK Rowling at this moment. I simply couldn't put the book down- it made me laugh hysterically and cry as well... everything connnected with everything else... truly, truly magnificant. When's she gonna finish the next one, dammit!
Rating:
Summary: It is Excellent!
Review: Great characters, excellent story, what more do you need to know? I read it almost straight through - I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. I am already waiting for Book 6!!
Rating:
Summary: Best Yet!
Review: Just finished the latest, wow is all I can say. Rowling has outdone herself!
Rating:
Summary: It was worth the wait!
Review: I just finished the book and have to say it was great. Ms. Rowling keeps making it darker and angrier in tone, but the storyline keeps evolving. More creative characters were added, the new Dark Arts teacher is hateful, and the reader just keeps getting sucked into the story even more and more. Just a wonderful addition to the series.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book so far!
Review: I JUST finished the book. It only took me 20 hours!!! I'm so excited. This book is the best of them all! I'm not going to give anything away, but Harry is very, very angry at life and such. He's mad at all his friends, and everyone, even though they're only trying to help. Typical teenager. I, being a teenager myself, should know. Or almost, but I've been told I matured early. This book is a little...darker than the others. Someone dies, someone close to Harry. Dumbledore tells Harry everything, as the excerpt says. He tells Harry why Voldemort wanted to kill him, sort of...it's still all very confusing. But believe me, if you are a Harry Potter fan, you'll LOVE this book. And the book also seems surreal, for the fact that Harry is entirely different. So, from an obsessed, [] Harry Potter fanatic, READ THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Stupendous, gripping, I lost myself...
Review: I received this book on the first day by FEDX. I remembered to eat, then dove right in. I am blessed to be able to read quickly....8.5 hours later I finished and came up for air. I hadn't answered a single phone call, I'd forgotten to eat, I even forgot about going to the bathroom. The characters were true to form, as in the previous books -- although the book could certainly stand on its own if one had never read the rest of the series. One surprise after another awaits you. There is grief and wonder in equal measure. Harry continues to mature and grow, as does the rest of the characters. We are given pure evil to hate and despise; we are handed hope. There is plenty of suspense. READ THIS BOOK.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry's back! Is it a good thing?
Review: Like most of the world, I hade high hopes for this book. The numerous delays only added to the excitement that people of all ages had for the release of the fifth installment in the series. Well folks, The Order of the Phoenix has arrived. I noticed right away that the detail of the writing (along with the characters) has matured. Rowling encorporated more detailed descriptive language, some complicated enough to confuse the people who are suggested to read it. Whereas the previous books used easy, child friendly language, the new book uses vocabulary that may confuse the less educated. The plot has grown much darker and complex, and the overall size of the book is enormous (though most will be able to finish it in under a week--I myself completed it in two days of reading). Don't expect the cheerfull Harry from the first few books; A new Harry has arrived. Some people, like myself, will be a little dissapointed in the books gloomy and depressing nature ( I myself wished Harry would stop whining after the first 400 pages of his complaining). However, the plot itself is beautifully crafted and well presented, and the characters that you love (other than Harry) will appear mostly the same. It's inevitable that pretty much everyone will read this book. Fan or not, you may feel compelled to read it. Make sure, however, that you have read the 4th book fairly recently, for Rowling isn't as sympathetic with the uninitiated in The Order of the Phoenix. This is a good book. In most cases, you owe it to yourself to read it. The changes in writing and plot will surprise you, but you can't help but feel pleased with it. A final note--It appears J.K. Rowling may be running out of steam. It seems unlikely that she will be able to continue with her style of increasing length of books. Also, don't expect it to be out soon, either. It'll be hard to top this one, but if she pulls it out, people will come back for more.
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