Rating: 
Summary: Fun, Capturing, and Highly Imaginative
Review: While Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a hugely enthralling book, full of interesting plot twists, off-beat characters, and a very vivid background, this book is not without its problems.I find the weakest aspect of this book is Rowling's repeated use of devices such as dreams/visions to advance the plot, coupled with the last two chapters being dedicated to Dumbledore's explanation (similarily to three of the four previous Harry Potter Novels) instead of a more linear plot throughout the novel. The second problem I found were some of the unpalatable characters. Professor Umbridge was very flat, portrayed as a power-hungry, inept wizard, while Cornelius Fudge was shown to be an uncharismatic, paranoid fool, despite his election into office and years of service. Despite these problems, Rowling has written a truly amazing work. Empathy is impossible not to feel for the protagonists, the plot is gripping, and Harry continues to amaze us all.
Rating: 
Summary: IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!!!
Review: In less than twenty eight hours (including naps and food breaks) I finished Joanne Rowling's latest addition to the ongoing saga of Harry Potter. I picked up my copy and quickly became immersed once again in the magical world of witches and wizards.
As found in the previous book (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) Voldemort has indeed returned to his body. Upon returning to Hogwarts after escaping Voldemort, Harry managed to convince Dumbledore that the Dark Lord had risen again. Dumbledore (being Dumbledore) quickly tries to spread the word but Fudge, Minister of Magic, is unwilling to accept that Voldemort has returned.
Now, in book 5, Harry is back with Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Harry is very burnt up because he can't seem to find out any news about Voldemort. The Muggle news isn't picking up on it and his connections in the wizarding world can't say hardly anything in letters in case the letters are intercepted.
The first point I'll make is that Harry is very on edge in this book. He gets rather upset at Ron and Hermione because they can't tell him all that he wants to know.
The thing, however, that had me glued to this book was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Dolores Umbridge is possibly the foulest women to set foot in Hogwarts. I was actually cursing out loud as I read because what she does in book 5 is so evil. A sample of her sick behavior is making Harry do lines in detention. However, when Harry uses the special quill provided, the skin on his right hand is branded with what he writes. Well, not branded; the words are cut into his hand and the blood from the wound makes up the words on the parchment.
This is only the beginning of Professor Umbridges horrors that she unleashes upon Harry and, in fact, the whole school.
To not give anything away, I'll merely give some brief occurences of importance in the new novel. Someone close to Harry is killed. Hagrid has a surprise in the Forbidden Forest. Harry starts a rebellion. Harry goes to two large establishments in the magical world. Harry and Cho's relationship takes several twisting turns. Harry learns from Dumbledore why Voldemort wants to kill him and why he must return to number 4 Privet Drive. Fred and George outdo themselves spectacularly in this book as well.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was fascinating and shows more of the magical world than just Hogwarts and the village. The story spreads out and makes a much more interesting read. The plot thickens and turns as readers begin to comprehend what Hary and, indeed, the whole magical world is up against. The previous books have only given quick snaps of the older wizards reliving what it was like during Voldemort's rise to power or what the students at Hogwarts have heard from their parents. Now with Voldemort back and his Death Eaters spreading rapidly, one can only imagine what horrors, twists, and turns await in the upcoming two books that will end the saga of Harry Potter.
Rating:
Summary: First Step into Manhood
Review: I just finished the book and the pay off was great. Order of the Phoenix is going to satisfy readers of all age groups, especially the adult variety because this one really takes you into the psyche of Harry Potter.
Death and loss which have been constant themes recurring in each book are repeated her and get more personal again.
The novel leaves you with a sense of loss, as you feel for the loss of innocence undergone by Harry and the revelation that is made by Dumbeldore at the end.
A great read
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the wait
Review: Order of the Phoenix is by far Ms. Rowling's longest, darkest, and best addition to the Harry Potter series. The familiar cast of characters returns (with some memorable additions!) and Rowling fleshes out these characters and their personalities even further than she has done in her past books. The same goes for the plot: it is more intricate and layered than any of her books to date. Harry and company are faced with difficult decisions in a world that is increasingly grey, as distinctions between good and bad, right and wrong become as unclear as ever. Best of all, this book maintains the magical quality, impressive depth, and mystical attraction that has become the standard for the Harry Potter series. The book is almost 1000 pages, but I will imagine most readers, if they are like me, will not be able to put it down until they are finished. Please, Ms. Rowling: don't make us wait another three years for the continuation of this saga! Another excellent book!
Rating:
Summary: The best potter book yet!!
Review: This is in my mind the best Harry Poter book so far. Rowling really brings a lot of things together. It has a great ending. I highly reccomend it. Can't wait till #6.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK (NO SPOILERS FROM ME)
Review: Okay, I'm 29 years old and I just finished Order of the Phoenix in one setting it was that good (okay, I took a nap around page 700). I am impressed with J. K. Rowling's development of the story, and the way the themes in the books have become more developed and adult as Harry and his readers grow older. It is obvious that she has had the entire story of Harry's adventures planned out from very early in the series, and her depth of understanding of the motivations of her characters are a major contribution to the success of the books. The story of Harry Potter becomes further developed in the Order of the Phoenix, and we finally get the speech from Dumbledore about what "he should have told Harry five years ago". The Order of the Phoenix is a very strong book by itself, and as part of the Potter series it will become a perennial classic of children's literature. Also, like many of the best books written for children, the Potter series can be enjoyed by both children and adults. My favorite part of the book was that you were always on edge wondering which of the characters were going to die. I'm not going to say who was killed, but it was definitely a tragic event for Harry, and he is left feeling responsible for the death. I hope J. K. Rowling continues to write children's literature after the Potter series is complete. She has made a major contribution to the genre, as well as a major contribution to literacy in general. Her story telling ability is as important as the story itself, and I hope she has many more stories to tell.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter 5
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a exciting book continuing as number five in J.K Rowlings story. This book was so good that I could not put it down, In fact as crazy as this may seem i managed to read the whole 896 page book in one day-saturday the 22! I loved the new relationships in this book such as Harry and Cho Chang's. There is so much meaning in this book! A sad ending though. I cried just as Rowling did as well. I feel like the character was a part of me-in fact the character was my favorite too.
Rating:
Summary: Very thought provoking
Review: The major theme is that of loyalty. It's amazing what the characters will do to stay loyal to Harry and to Dumbledore's cause. It is this loyalty, more than anything else, that creates the sort of desperate tone present throughout the book. This is definitely more for older readers, and the ending is very, very sad.
Rating:
Summary: Not finished yet, but already enthralled
Review: I'm a 48 year old man and I love this book. I'm only on page 208 after picking it up at Midnight, 6/21/03, but I'm already captivated and can hardly wait to get back to it. It seems that Harry Potter is running into life head-on, coping with the vagueries (is that a word?) of adolescence. While most white-boy coming of age stories bore me to tears, there is nothing cliche about any of this story. Harry and chums face the facts that they are growing up, magic ain't all it's cracked up to be and that Him-We-Must-Not-Name won't just go away. Thank you J.K. Rowling for not dumbing down the story. Being black, I also appreciated the appearance of a black wizard, though it really doesn't matter at all. Harry Potter is an every-man (kid, boy, teen, man) hero. I enjoy his world immensely!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but a little too long and anti-climactic
Review: Bought Order of the Phoenix at 12:01 am when it went on sale and had it finished by 3:00 am Sunday morning. (I managed to get a little sleep in.) It was different from the first 4 since Harry and his friends are now teenagers, and I found it to be a lot longer than necessary especially for kids who would be reading it. Nothing of huge significance happens until about page 400 (if you can believe that) when Harry "sees" a certain someone get attacked. In the end the "major" (as J.K. puts it) character that dies is a bit of a let down from all the hype that came before the book. In the end I found that it was sort of anti-climactic as it seems to me that it's more of a setup for the final 2 books. Overall however I still gave it 4 stars because it has great character development, especially the way in which it deals with the changing emotions of Harry and his friends as they leave childhood and enter teenagehood. Also the amount of changes that take place in what has always been "the norm" in the first 4 books was quite unexpected but very refreshing, especially Dudley and Ron. But I found that Harry loses his temper a little too easily, too frequently, but I guess that's the life of a teenager. In comparison to the first 4 books? Well hard to say, because this one is just so different in terms of characters that it's hard to choose. They're all good! ENJOY!!! So... when does #6 come out?! =)
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