Rating: Summary: No Title Review: It was great. I loved the fifth book! But, if you're going to read it, it isn't like the previous four. In the others, you could tell that it focused on the adventure, the plot. And the characters, you got to know them through thier actions and through what others felt about them. This one, however, it went deeper into thier characters then before, focusing more on what they think, and feel. It was a whirlwind of a ride, though! There is so much more that happens in the book that makes it darker then the others, that makes Harry seem a lot older in the book. I think that since he turned fifteen, the author wanted him to seem older in the fifth book. However, despite that, it's still up to par. Though, I must say, after reading it, you'll find yourself still in post-reading shock syndrome!
Rating: Summary: Return to Hogwarts Review: Yes, I read the Harry Potter book last night. The book was absolutely humongous, and there was so much information to process, that at some points it was confusing. However, the fifth book is a stunning combination of the first four, bringing everything into play again. Almost everything that has been hoped for in the last three years appears in this book. Although I found the ending to not be up to par with the others, we do still find out more information (although how JK finds more information in the plot, I have no idea). Ron is keeper for the Gryffindor team; the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will eventually become High Inquisitor; and Harry becomes more and more competent as a wizard (except in potions and later occlumency). This book was awesome ... what can you say to describe the Harry Potter books? My sister currently has it, but I know that I'll be reading it again adn again until I know it like the back of my hand.
Rating: Summary: Long, but satisfying 5th installment Review: Between the teasers released by the media and the pace of the book itself it was difficult to put down. Harry is older now and Voldemort is back (though no one in the Ministry believes it) so this was a tough book for Harry. Ms. Rowling still writes with an intelligence and humour appealling to both old and young. There is no end to the adventures Harry faces battling against the Ministry which threatens to destroy the Hogwarts he knows and loves, the dark forces which threaten to destroy everything, and at the same time the feelings that threaten and confuse everyone as they grow up and learn more about the world. The fact that Harry is getting older makes it seem that the target audience too is getting older (not to mention the sheer volume of the book itself), but still the subject matter is handled with care. That said, this book contains nothing worse than book 4 in terms of violence (in my opinion), but parents worried about the fact that a major character dies (as Ms. rowling has said in interviews) should read this with their children. And indeed, I think it was handled well, and was not as big a shock as I expected. Ms. Rowling has created a series that, hopefully, parents will want to read with their children. Harry is a character that young children can admire and look up to, and the older among us can identify with. In that sense nothing has changed from Book 1... The standard cast of characters is back, and ever increasing, with new insights into people like Neville Longbottom, and more pieces to the mystery of Harry's past filled in. This book builds nicely towards the inevitable conclusion, and while satisfying the latest Harry craze, only makes one hungrier for Book 6....
Rating: Summary: Brilliant! Review: Harry Potter is growing up. Even the as-usual marvelous cover art shows a maturing Harry, and in this fifth installment of Rowling's splendid series, Harry loses his innocence in more than one respect. School becomes not his refuge from the Dursleys, but a gauntlet, run by a malicious High Inquisitor, who threatens not only Harry, but Dumbledore and all of Hogwarts as well. Disillusionment sets in, as Harry realizes that even the best people have flaws. Former friends desert Harry. Adults he has depended upon are no longer available to him. And while the usual menace from Voldemort is still wreaking havoc in Harry's life, this threat is muted. Harry's real struggles are internal and with the world of adults in conflict with each other. This Harry is an angry Harry, even petulant at times, a confused Harry, and a distrusting Harry. In short, Harry is your typical 15-year old, trying to make sense of a challenging world and changing relationships. How does Harry feel when his friends start to outshine him? How does Harry handle authority from adult wizards he does not respect? Will Harry learn how to master his rebellious temper, which repeatedly gets him into more than a little trouble? How does Harry deal with loss: of popularity, of his faith in certain adult wizards, and of someone very close to him? Rowling brilliantly interweaves themes, emotions, and actions, and there are sufficient clues early on to tell the careful reader which one of the characters will not survive. My only caution about this book is that it may be a little too dark for the youngest readers. While there was humor in this book, as there was in all the others, the conclusion and overall tone is somewhat sorrowful, because Harry has once again lost someone he loves, and he has learned that all people -- including himself -- are fallible. The Harry we see at the end of the book is quite a bit different from the Harry at the beginning -- older, wiser, and sadder. But he is still Harry, and with the help of his friends, old and new, he will be up to the mortal challenges that await him.
Rating: Summary: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review: Yes, I stayed up until midnight on Friday, June 20th, to get my copy of book #5 from the local bookstore. And, yes, I devoted my entire Saturday afternoon to read the book, cover-to-cover, neglecting family and friends. Anyone who has NOT read 1-4 will be OK starting with #5, as 'Phoenix' seems able to stand on it's own, fairly well. However, you should really read books 1-4 to get the background details, since in book 5, Rowling does not devote as much time to the re-telling of Harry's history, and books 1-4 are wonderful. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be worth the long wait for most readers, and JK Rowling has, once again, provided us all with a well-written story; she's a good writer (or has an excellent editor). Yet I found it missing something'. And a little too predictable. I found myself less sympathetic with Harry (I could certainly identify with him in the first four books). Harry seems to have a persecution complex in this book that overshadows his more endearing qualities. And, yes, Harry behaves in a very 'teenager' way (sorry, it's true, and I must admit, I was thoroughly disappointed that I perceived it this way). But really, at times, he behaves like [a teenager], taking things personally, and sulking, and otherwise acting angry and petulant (well done, Ms. Rowling! Have a teenager at home, do you?). If he were my kid, I'd smack him upside the head and tell him to get a life. ... And Dumbledore gets a little long-winded toward the end. The book answers some long-standing questions about 'the past' and generates new ones to be answered in the later installments. I am looking forward to #'s 6 and 7, and hopefully we won't have to wait quite as long....... Good luck on your O.W.L.'s, Harry, I'm sure we will all be pleasantly surprised with your results (no D's or T's, maybe even an 'O' or two.....)
Rating: Summary: Was it worth the wait? Review: The answer to the question would be a yes. I spent a very enjoyable seven hours this weekend reading Phoenix and was generally very impressed. As an eighteen year old I like to think I'm above children's books but Harry Potter appeals to everyone and it's a great piece of escapsim. There are only a few quibbles I have to make with the story - I'll try not to spoil anything for you! 1 - Rowling's attempts to make Harry grow up are sometimes awkward and seem to be trying a bit too hard to make them 'cool' and relevant to today's teens. Harry's pairing off with a girl - who shall remain nameless - also struck me as rather unlikely and unrealsitic - as was the fact that Ginny seemed to have a couple of boyfriends 2 - The major death we were promised was a disappointment, Rowling may have cried when she killed this character off but I didn't, I think Cedric's death at the end of book 4 was far more emotive. I was expecting a death which would chnage the status quo a bit more than this one. 3 - There's an incedent with some horse-like creatures at Hogwarts which can only be seen by someone who has witnessed a death - Harry hasn't been able to see them at Hogwarts until this year, but hang on I thought Harry had already witnessed the death of his parents many years ago. Perhaps he didn't remember being so young at the time, but I thought that was a bit suspicious. Well those are my main quibbles, that and the fact that the novel didn't seem to invent as many fun things as usual - like every flavoured beans - there was no trip to Diagon Alley and there seemed to be too many characters featured in the novel. Well now for the good things, the size of the novel is a great plus - it may seem immense at first but you'll rush through it, trust me - and it really allows to believe you're at Hogwarts for several hours. I thought some of the angry Harry sections were really well written and showed a more pschological insight into Rowling's hero. The plot was really good, with lots of twists and very unpredictable; Rowling always manages to create something new each time despite the forumulaic go-to-Hogwarts-defeat-Voldemort constraints. The constant Ron/Hermione tension is also well written, but I hope it develops in the next book otherwise it could get a bit samey. I also thought Fred & George were hilarious & provided lots of comic interludes. I also loved the 'Quibble' newspaper - you'll see what I mean when I read it. The prefects episode was not what I expected and well written and Malfoy just keeps on getting more deliciously evil. Rowling also managed to give the quidditch matches a nice twist as well. So in conclusion read this book - or at least start reading book one - if you haven't yet - and you'll soon be hooked. I just hope Rowling doesn't take four years over the next two books - because I'll be twenty-six if she does! Enjoy this book, I know you've got many happy hours of escapism ahead of you. PS: After reading the book I gave it my fifteen year old sister to read, she's been reading it solidly all day and she NEVER reads so there's another recommendation of how good it is. After that my mum and 13 year old sister are in line to read it so there really is something for everyone in it!
Rating: Summary: JK Rowling Works Her Magic Again Review: When I began Order of the Phoenix, it started out quite slow. But upon Harry and Dudley's brush with death (via the dementors), I knew Voldemort was back and more powerful than ever. This book is all about Harry finding his place in the world, Voldemort regaining power, the Ministry of Magic attempting to control Hogwarts, and Harry and Cho Chang's active hormones (and lips!) As this book is so new, I will not give away any spoilers. Happy reading!
Rating: Summary: A Slight Disappointment Review: This book, though lengthy, has most of the plot located in the last 200 pages of the book. Dumbledore seems slightly out of character, although he provides answers to several integeral questions.
Rating: Summary: Not a disappointing word Review: Yes, I am one of those crazy Harry Potter fans who actually turned out at Borders for the midnight release of this book. I like to think I did so because my brother couldn't wait until Saturday to begin reading it, but if I'm honest, I did it because I couldn't wait until Saturday morning to begin. And I haven't been disappointed. If you were worried that this book might not live up to the great tradition and quality of the previous four, don't worry about that--there is not a moment of disappointment. If anything, Rowling's writing has grown even more clever, with hints throughout the book of unexpected things that a careful reader might notice even before Harry does. I'd give it ten stars instead of five, but alas, the rating system doesn't go that high.
Rating: Summary: Phoenix from the flames Review: What a book! Bought at midnight on a freezing cold Friday night, we adults stood around too excited to be embarassed. 20 minutes later clutching the book in my greasy paws I started reading. I haven't eaten since! I honestly couldn't put it down.
The plot picks up where the fourth left off, with you-know-who still at large and Harry as always with the Dursleys on Privet Drive. This book however follows more closely to the fourth book than the first three as it is HUGELY dark. Harry really grows up in this book and has a few teenage tantrums along the way. About time... We see some of the first signs of romance in Harry's life and we also start to see more of the links between Harry and You-Know-Who. Harry takes his O.W.Ls (Ordinary Wizarding levels) and things at Hogwarts start to go badly wrong. I'm doing my best not to spoil it for anyone, just buy it and read it!
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