Rating: 
Summary: Great, even though it's long!
Review: I have to admit that this was the first Harry Potter book I was extremely frusterated with, as nothing seems to be going right for Harry, but of course in the end everything (well almost everything) turns out ok. I got the book at 1pm in the mail, and had it read by 6pm. I couldn't put it down! I had to find out what happened! I would definitely say that this series has proved to be better for adults than children, though, as the plots thicken the the world around Harry Potter deepens. It was nice to see just a hint of romance too!
Rating: 
Summary: Changes for Harry
Review: This is a bit of a departure from the previous Harry Potter books, in that it's a bit dark. Hogwarts doesn't seem to be as fun and relatively care-free for Harry and his friends this year. This should come as no surprise, considering how the year before ended, with the death of ... As it would in real life, those huge changes really come to play in Harry's 5th year at Hogwarts.This book may be a bit difficult to start, since right off the bat, Harry seems a bit different. His experiences the previous year, along with just being a 15 year old, have made an impact on the boy. Before you know it, though, you'll catch glimpses of the boy we all know and love, and you'll be caught up in the story, as always. J.K. Rowling does Harry, and his gaining maturity, justice in this book. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: dark brilliance
Review: It is darker,but there is not a single word you would excise in 870 pages. JKR takes us into the heart of a 15-year-old boy as well as the struggle between good and evil. There are terrific set pieces-- studying for finals; Hermoine's rich emotional development; a fairly ghastly first date for Harry; and the death of someone Harry -- and we -- have come to love. Marvel at JKR's texture and brilliance in taking this beloved saga to the next level. I am sure there will be hundreds of reviews here soon, but by all means, read it and revel.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING! WONDERFUL! I CAN'T USE ENOUGH ADJECTIVES
Review: J.K. Rowling never lets me down!! The much awaited 5th Harry Potter book is absolutely awesome!!! I read it in oneeee dAYYYYY ! It's soooooooooooooo good. Now I just have to wait like another 3 years for the 6th book ;] You should definitely read this you've read the other 4 ... because this book keeps referring back to the events that happened in those books. Also in this book, what Dumbledore never told Harry about Voldemort! It's very interesting !
Rating:
Summary: Darker still than Book IV
Review: Order of the Phoenix is alternately witty, dark, angry, mysterious, frustrating, unsettling and astounding. Harry's exploits, as usual, border on the unbelievable for Muggles and wizards alike. No spoilers here -- but Book V offers not one, not two, not three but many disappointments and triumphs for both Harry and reader. Surprising strengths in the weak; weaknesses in the strong; vulnerability in the abhorred; brittle sullenness in the adored. All the old favorite characters reappear, sometimes in unexpected form and unexpected places. New, charming and not-so-charming characters are offered, with some amazing powers. Frightening new creatures appear, but fewer new spells are learned than in previous books.
More than anything, Book V is a "thinking book". It's been twelve hours and I'm still mulling over all the ramifications of the encounters with Fudge, Dumbledore, Tonks, Umbridge, Sirius, Neville and Malfoy. Much slower going than the previous installments -- partly due to Harry's much-matured and fully-justified anger and confusion -- Book V may leave you reeling and will most assuredly leave you aching for Book VI.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Review: JK Rowling has done it again. This book plunges you into Harry's life very quickly and keeps you fascinated throughout the end. (I know I read it until 4 am this morning.) The first chapter begins without the usual recounting of previous history and jumps right into a battle with dementors right near Privet Drive. Harry's use of magic causes a hearing on his potential expulsion from Hogwarts. The base support of the Hogwarts family is being undermined by the suspiscion cast upon Dumbledore and his supporters. The familiarity of the school and it's traditions doesn't bring the sense of comfort to Harry as it does in past books. The impact of the Ministry of Magic (remember Fudge didn't really believe Harry's fight with Voldemort and his return at the end of Book 4) threatens all that Harry holds dear at Hogwarts. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is an appointment from The Ministry of Magic and allows Fudge to insinuate himself into the management of the school. Defense Against the Dark Arts has become a joke so Harry starts a true Defense class in hiding at the urging of Hermione. Unfortunately for Harry, Ron and Hermione the cloud of suspiscion that covers Hogwarts also includes them. Harry is derided for his involvement in Cedric's death and belief that Voldermort has returned. This causes them more challenges as they attempt to prepare for 5th year O.W.L.S. There is so much that happens in this book that can be discussed but I don't want to give away anything to someone who hasn't read it. There is a significant death at the end of the book. The humour from the previous books is not as prevalent in this one as Harry faces "adulthood". The familiar characters return to help Harry, Ron and Hermione through this 5th year and deal with the Death Eaters and Voldermort (Hagrid, Sirius, Moody, Lupin, the Weasley's, Firenze, Dumbledore, Longbottom, Malfoy, Snape and all the rest) I began reading this with my 9 year old last night and as usual, he was fascinated throughout the first chapter. The good news is that good battles evil and wins. The children that read this Harry Potter book are growing up with him and many should be able to relate to his problems with school, friends, girlfriends and "family". Harry is still a boy that tries to do the right thing and is gaining maturity and knowledge as he learns. Enjoy the book. Hopefully, the next one will be published in a shorter timeframe.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional roller coaster
Review: I didn't know if this book would be able to top "Goblet of Fire", but Ms. Rowling has succeeded in doing so. I found myself simultaneously laughing and crying. I'm astonished that the author can convey such a complex story through one person's limited viewpoint with so little unnatural exposition. No painful "Of course you know this, but I'll tell you anyway" discussions to be found. This is a book full of flawed heroes, of pain, love and more pain. I don't know the criteria for "children's books", but clearly as Harry ages, the series is pushing beyond that categorization more and more.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal Phoenix!!
Review: Ms. Rowling is to be congratulated. The fifth installment in the Harry Potter series is fabulous! The expectations for this book have been sky high and Ms. Rowling has delivered with style. This book is even better than "Prizoner of Azkaban" (my previous favorite). The beginning of the book jumps right back into the unsettled mood set by the tragic ending of "Goblet of Fire" and very shortly the suspense has been rebuilt. Amazingly Ms. Rowling has managed to build on that suspense, pushing it higher through the remainder of the book, to a truly inspired and intense climax. Ms. Rowling has also made Harry an extremely complex figure in this book. He is angry, confused, and outspoken - truly a teenager! His frustrated attempts to understand the opposite sex are amazingly on point. Ron and Hermione have each grown more complex as well, although perhaps not to the extent of Harry "Order of the Phoenix" is a fast, fun, rollercoaster ride of a book. It was well worth the long wait, and it is so involving that the length of the book is no obstacle to the reader. Three cheers to J.K. Rowling, it was well worth the sleep I lost finishing the book, I can't wait for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Everyone will enjoy this book (I'm 15, I should know)
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the best Harry Potter book to date. I read it the first day it was out, having picked up three copies in a warehouse store to stop any sibling rivalry, and throughout the day I became somewhat of a celebrity ("Look, he has that new Harry Potter book!").
The beginning of the book is rather unsatisfactory NOTE! QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS FOLLOWS Harry starts out the novel with an attitude never before attributed to Harry Potter: Arrogance. He believes (perhaps rightly so), that since he has fought Voldemort in some form three times in four years, he deserves some credit, and that Dumbledore did wrong to lock him up at the Dursleys at Number Four Privet Drive, Whinging Way, London while Ron and Hermione are off enjoying themselves. His boredom is temporarily relieved as he barely fights off two Dementors who had been sent to kill him by and unknown source. It is now that he is initiated to the Order of the Phoenix. He is told by a neighbor, Mrs. Figg, a Squib (a witch without magic powers), that there is a group of people who Dumbledore has assigned to watch over him and keep him safe, and that as he was fighting the Dementors, there was supposed to be a full wizard there with him. Harry is shocked to find out that he has been guarded the whole time, yet later that week, while the Dursleys are out, a group of wizards enter Harry's house for his protection, our old friends Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody among them. They fly to Grimmauld Way, where Harry is told to memorize the address of the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, Number Twelve Grimmauld way. END OF SPOILERS I was bowled over by this book. J.K. Rowling has managed to describe adolescent emotions just as they should be, and it adds to the plot in such a way that it is possible to believe in a world of magic and wizards. There are several changes to the staff of Hogwarts, some excellent combat scenes, several romance scenes, a fair amount of comedy, and even an untimely murder at the end (of whom, I will not say!) J.K. Rowling has defied the odds and once again produced a masterpiece that will be hard to follow with her next books, which will hopefully follow the trend and be even more spectacular than the last!
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable book - Best in the Series So far
Review: I finished this book after 12 hours straight of reading on its day of release, and I'm proud to report that it is the single greatest piece of literature that I have ever read. Great character development, with Harry beginning to go through such common signs of growing up as a turbulent temper, girl troubles, and a certain sense of rebellion. Ron is thrust more into the spotlight, recieving the position of Gryffindor Keeper, and there are surprising changes in the team roster other than this one. This book has such a feeling of epicness. Changes are being made at Hogwarts... No one believes that Voldemort is back... The 2nd war is beginning... this book is grat at playing your emotions. You'll be happy. You'll be sad. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll feel angry. There is a death in this book, and trust me, you will be surprised at who it is. Everytime this book has begun to fall into a down spot, for a lack of a better word, Rowling throws another curve ball at you, keeping the story interesting and exciting. Her best yet. All of your questions about the wizarding world, for example, how come some people are ghosts, but others aren't?, are answered. The only complaint that I can possibly make about this book is that it wasn't longer, and I for one can say, that I cannot wait for books 6 and 7. Keep up the good work, J.K.!!!
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