Rating:  Summary: Capturing the magic... Review: JK Rowling has been given a rare gift; she has the ability to write something that children truly love to read, and thus has the ability to influence and reach them all on a level that few can. Some have said this book is "too dark" for kids...honestly, I think they can handle it. Rowling is correct not to underestimate their ability to recognize evil for what it is and in turn, like Harry, wish to do anything they can to fight it. And the best part? Good always wins - surely that knowledge can do no harm. A word of warning to older readers, though: beware of over-analyzing the Harry success; it takes away from the magic. Rowling has created a world where Quidditch is a reality and Owl mail seems completely natural...just relax and enjoy a wonderful story! HP and the Order of the Phoenix is no better or worse than previous books. It is merely a continuation of Rowling's fantastic imagination...well worth the 20 hours I spent reading the whole thing! :^)
Rating:  Summary: Order of Phoenix: fully entertaining, yet highly predictable Review: In her fifth Harry Potter book: The Order of Phoenix, Rawling did a great job as an entertainer, but not so much as a story-teller. I fully enjoyed reading the book. As a matter of fact, I finished the book in 4 days despite the fact that I work full time 7 days a week. There were definitely individual scenes that made me laugh my eyeballs out (ah, good old Weasley twins), or nervous with sweat (Voldemort IS pretty evil). However, in terms of the storyline, not much happened in this book compared to the previous four. Yes, we do know that Voldemort is evil and that he has returned with more evil plans, and we also know that poor Harry is connected to Mr. Dark Lord in the most mysterious way, thanks for reminding us. The Order of Phoenix itself is new, but its existence comes as the most logical next step, and hence does not require a 870-page book to give it full credit. In fact, I do feel that the book is unnecessary long at times. There are events that do not add to the story but simply burden it with clumsiness. Having said that, I still think that reading The Order of Phoenix is a rather decent way to spend the evenings. At least much better than wasting one's time on TV.
Rating:  Summary: Everyone makes mistakes Review: The theme of this latest work is "Everyone Makes Mistakes". I think Ms. Rowling put this story together to show the humanity of each of the characters. No one in this book is shown as invincible or perfect, Not Harry and his friends, not his parents and their friends, not the teachers and not Dumbledore. Bad choices in the past are revealed while bad choices in the present take place. We get a much more three-dimensionsal view of everyone which for some may be dissappointing. I would not recommend this for young children but teenagers will enjoy it.
Rating:  Summary: Better than ever! Review: It's hard to believe that J. K. Rowling keeps getting better, but she does. The latest addition to the Harry Potter series was a real page turner and an absolute joy to read. My only disappointment as I read was in knowing that once I finished the book, it might be years before another Harry Potter adventure hit the stores.In this latest installment of the series, Harry squares off against dementors, a truly hateful Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, a giant, deatheaters, and, once again, Voldemort. New characters are introduced; familiar characters are fleshed out and given much more depth. We witness not only the clash of muggle and magical worlds, but Harry's struggle to cope with what he does and doesn't know about his parents, his godfather, his aunt and uncle, Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, and even himself. Harry and friends are growing older and wiser. Thanks, Jo Rowling, for letting us share their lives.
Rating:  Summary: The best Harry Potter book yet Review: I am definetly giving this book two thumbs up. It is another thrilling adventures in which Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione (including a few others), have to deal with Prof. Umbridge, Voldemort himself, the death of a main character which none of us would have thought would die so soon, and they have to guard a prophecy. You will love this book. I can't wait for book six and seven to come out.
Rating:  Summary: WOW!!! Review: I devoured this book in three days. The character development is excellent. The reader finally after 4 books really has a good grasp of all the players and is comfortable with them. This allows JK to take storytelling to a new level. This is by far my favorite of the series up to now. Not to ruin anything' but to say I applaud JK for continuing to keep me on my toes and fascinated with Harry's story. To watch how Harry struggles with both the routine of his academic arena along with the political events occurring with the 'dark lord' is storytelling at its best. I cannot recall a series a well written as this one. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Rating:  Summary: I LOVE HARRY POTTER!! Review: Now, although i am giving this book a respectable 4 stars this does not mean that i didnt like it. the order of the phoenix was my second favorite book from the harry potter series. It was a bit too dark for my own taste, but at times extremely funny actually making me laugh out loud. overall great book!
Rating:  Summary: Harry's Back!!!!! Review: Since "Sorcerer's Stone", J. K. Rowling has continually delivered perhaps what will grow to be the greatest fantasy epic of our generation and despite a 3-year hiatus, she, along with Harry and all of his wizarding world, are BACK!!!. Though, I feel it is not the greatest chapter so far in the series (it tended to get tedious and long at parts), it is still a great book! The ending is quite unfortunate and makes you resent the author for writing the murder of a character that we've grown to adore. A great bulk of the book (say...pages 1-750) are unnecessary and the real "action" doesn't start until the last 100 or so pages. However, readers will find themselves racing across the pages and once again find themselves glued to Rowling's every words as Harry finds himself again face-to-face in a confrontation with the one he fears the most, the returned Lord Voldemort. Though, this battle is not as epic as exhilarating as the one Harry has at the end of last term (Goblet of Fire), readers will find countless other things about this book that will keep them reading though all 870 pages. I personally loved the return of many characters from previous books including: the real Mad-Eye Moody, Professor Lupin, Dobby, Cho Chang (things really heat up between her and Harry in this book!), the ever-gossipy Rita Skeeter, and many more characters. As have in the previous books, the wizarding community is no longer divided between good and evil but now in three parts: those who support Lord Voldemort (including his precious Death Eaters), those who support Dumbledore in his fight again Voldemort and believe that Voldemort has returned, and those (like the Minister and Ministry of Magic) who are in denial of his return and believe that Harry and Dumbledore are making up stories in attempts at overthrowing the Ministry. In this book, Harry also finds himself growing older and dealing with problems such as hormones and mood swings (and end-of-the-year standardized tests) but in the end must find loyalty and strength in his friends and family to overcome the great evil that has arisen.
Rating:  Summary: Great Book Review: I finished this book and I must say that it was very good, very good indeed. I do believe it could have been shorter and we would not have missed anything. Also, in the other books, the threat always presented itself throughout the whole story but in this one, it seemed to wait until the very end. I mean that was fine and made for an excellent ending, but just that sometimes you forgot that something else terrible was going on. I was very excited to finally read about Harry and Voldemort's relationship. This reltionship will only make the other books even more enjoyable!!
Rating:  Summary: not just for kids Review: There is definitely a darker tone to this book. Harry is more the angry young man but he is developing into a worthy leader even if he doesn't realize it at first. The story is fast paced and pulls you in (much like the diary of Chamber of Secrets) and it's hard to put down. There are many questions raised at the beginning that do not get light shed on them until much later. Overall, an enjoyable read
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