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Rating: 
Summary: Read the whole series
Review: While the first three books were very much kids books, though also very entertaining for adults, the next two shifted to much deeper political issues. Harry was never an "adult" hero - but quite charming never the less. In book one, for instance, there was no reason for Harry to look for the stone since it could not have been retrieved by Voldemort from the mirror. Of course, being a kid, he went off and did it anyway. In the long run the series would have been better served staying in it's original format. Be that as it may, I also greatly enjoyed the following books and am interested enough even after book five to at least see where JKR is taking her story. Yes, I enjoyed the complexities of book five but here's what's (very) wrong with it.
Harry has turned from a humble child into a thoroughly spoiled monster like Dudley. I grew up with enough boys to know that many became alienated enough to behave like Harry did, however none of them where particularly pleasant to begin with. The biggest problem however, is that Harry is in a war and he (presumably) knows it. Children in war mature very fast, and develop a very keen understanding of the things that are required of them. Harry would be placing a lot of importance on his part in the bigger picture, and would feel a great sense of belonging to a cause. He would not be daft enough to fail to notice the command responsibilities of Dumbledore (if so, do you really want him on your side??). Instead he behaves as a bored, spoiled, suburban kid who's friends went to the movies without him might. If he truly has grasped the concept that there might very well be something nasty going down, he would show some concern for the people to whom he is bound, rather than whine and whine and whine (and whine) about being misunderstood by his friends and rather irrelevant classmates.
Unfortunately, all the things Snape said of Harry are turning out to be very true. Snape, the master spy who fast became the one redeeming asset to this book. If Harry had a half a brain he would also realize the importance of Snapes rather risky position, and it might even register in his miniscule thought processes that it is a matter of life and death (for Snape and perhaps the cause) that Snape maintain a really good relationship with Draco, and would tolerate the abuse suffered with some dignity. The scene with all the kids wrangling in Umbridge's office and Snape walking in was brilliant, and dumb Harry couldn't realize that Snape understood him after acknowledging that only Snape can put two and two together (book four), was just too much. Not to mention that Harry didn't take Dumbledore's (and later Sirius', Lupin's and Hermione's) advice about Occlumency lessons just show's the complete lack of trust in your side that is necessary for survival when at war. It's the sort of thing that gets people killed, and Sirius "disappearing" falls squarely on Harry's shoulders alone.
Another thing is that Harry quickly forgave his father for his behavior after Sirius (another bored, spoiled, rich kid - though more in character than Harry) told him it was all just in good fun (snigger, snigger... I guess by that reasoning life with the Dursleys was also just in good fun!). That Lupin was equally amused by this was a let down to his character as well. And what's with the Dumbledore melodrama at the end. He needed to impress upon Harry, who obviously hasn't gotten it yet, that yes Harry you twit are a major part of the bigger picture here so fall in line otherwise we're all doomed. So... after the very painful experience of reading 200+ pages of Harry whining, and 200+ pages of Harry shouting abuse, are we to deduce that JKR is turning him into some insane freak affected by Voldemort's mark? Otherwise I don't really see how she can possibly redeem him after this.
There are also a few inconsistencies cropping up in the story, which greatly detract from really being able to immerse oneself in this world. For example how exactly can Hermione free the house elves when she doesn't own them? - (besides, who does the laundry?) How exactly can the Weasley twins (who are otherwise really great characters) create all these magical items during every summer vacation, when it's strictly forbidden for kids to practice magic while outside of school? Why can't Harry see the thestrals in the end of book four when leaving Hogwarts, when he's already seen death? Why can you cast Accio wand without a wand, but Accio ______ (anything else), only using a wand? etc, etc.... Tolkien would never have made any of these mistakes.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter- doesn't quite live up to its predecessors
Review: After 4 absolutely adventure-filled trips to Hogwarts, I must admit, upon first finishing Order of the Phoenix, I was a bit miffed at the lack of adrenaline-pumping thrills that flowed with the plot. But upon further reflection, I believe it to be one of the best plotted of the whole lot so far.
As usual, we begin with poor Harry at the Dursley's, who once again are making life only slightly better than dealing with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Harry is quite a bit more brave in dealing with Uncle Vernon and dim-witted Dudley, especially since they still believe Sirius Black to be a cold-blooded murderer whom Harry can call upon at a moments notice for help. But when Dudley and Harry are suddenly attacked by Dementors, out in the open in a decidedly Muggle neighborhood, Harry is forced to use magic to defend himself -- even though use of magic outside of Hogwarts is strictly forbidden. OR, can one use self-defense as a successful defense under such circumstances? The Ministry of Magic immediately dispatches an owl with a message reminding Harry that he is now expelled from school and must forfeit his wand -- only to send another owl (much to Uncle Vernon's dismay) telling Harry he will instead have the chance to give his side of the story in front of the entire Wizard Council.
I was expecting the action to literally take off from here, but in fact if anything, it slows down. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the process of getting TO the action (which doesn't really come until about the last 100 pages -- oh and it's a doosy) we get to find out a LOT of information in regards to Harry and what is going on around him, his life, his friends, Sirius Black and a whole host of other characters, some new, some old. Professor Dumbledore is noticeably absent from a rather large portion of Phoenix (other than the beginning he makes a tiny cameo as Harry's Lawyer, of sorts, and again at the end), which made me really relish his appearance when he finally does manage to show up.
The actual Order of the Phoenix is the shadow organization formed by Dumbledore to fight against Lord Voldemort's return. The really interesting part about fighting the Dark Lord this time is that unlike last time while he was in power, this time nobody seems to want to accept the fact that he is in fact BACK at ALL. There seems to be fewer and fewer people Harry can trust, and for the first time ever, being back at the Dursley's seems to be preferable to being at Hogwarts. Many at school now question how Cedric Diggory died. Nobody actually saw it, except for Harry, and since the Daily Prophet seems to be doing its darndest to disprove and discredit Harry (and Dumbledore) at every turn, people begin to murmur about whether or not Cedric was killed by Voldemort or was it Harry himself who did the deed? This seems to be a bigger and bigger hurdle for Harry to deal with, especially since puberty is in full swing and Cho seems to be confusing and complicating the issue on a daily basis.
Many have faulted JK Rowling for turning Harry into a whiner in the pages of Order, but I for one disagree. Let me explain: Do you know ANY teenager who DOESN'T whine, even if a little? Now, just for a second, imagine a world similar to Harry's and tell me the average teen wouldn't go stark raving mad if exposed to even a tiny portion of what Harry is faced with? I dare say that JK Rowling has hit the proverbial nail on the head here. Also, having read several reviews before tackling the book, I was expecting Harry's ranting to be considerably more than what I actually found, so for me it was pretty much a non-issue.
As I mentioned earlier, the action leaves a lot to be desired, and if you just cannot get over the fact that this book has very little, when compared with the previous 4 novels, you may well dislike Order of the Phoenix a lot. I however found it enjoyable simply because the plot, albeit slow, gave us a LOT of background info and plenty of other storyline that it more than made up for the lack of thrills & chills. Now keep in mind the last 100 pages or so flies with the speed of a Tomahawk Missle with action aplenty happening in the very Ministry of Magic itself. It is no surprise by now that a prominent character passes in Order -- but the way it happened makes me question whether or not it was permanent. Heck, in the world of fantasy I cannot even rule out Harry's parents somehow coming back from the dead now can I? Let's just say it was almost too much of an anti-climax for me to fully accept it as a done deal. But either way, I found the entire 5th year at Hogwarts to be one of absolute joy to read. I, as are millions around the world, anxiously waiting for year 6 wondering just what is in store for Harry next.
Absolutely brilliant writing. Another example of the way great stories SHOULD be told.
Rating:
Summary: It was pretty good
Review: I did think this book was okay, but it didn't seem nearly as realistic as the other books. It does have a very nice plot, with many twists and turns, and the trademark JK Rowling red herring at the end. Most likely, if you enjoyed the other books, you will like this. However, do note that the characters have new personalities, and old traits are overstressed. Harry...frankly, Harry acts like a psychomaniac for part of this book. But really, you will most likely enjoy it. I wish i could have given it three and a half, though.
Rating:
Summary: Unresolved Unanswered Questions
Review: I have read all of the Harry Potter books 1-4 three times each. I like everyone else was looking forward to this book, and like most read it by the time the weekend ended. Harry did tend to be a bit more moody/angry than necessary. Personally, I was looking for resolutions on Fred and George, Percy and Cho. Perhaps resolution is not quite accurate but Percy's ignorance towards his family should have been addressed once more when the Ministry publically accepted Voldermort's return. Loved Fred & George's "flight" but really was anxious to hear Mrs Weasley's take on the episode. Totally in agreement with the reviewer who stated the great secret of the book was a bit of a disappointment. Although, perhaps if one of the two does die by the end of the Seventh book it won't be so bad. I mean the prophecy that one must die for the other to survive is kinda pointless if it ends with them still both struggling against the other. Perhaps I am missing something too, but what if it is that they just continue to battle all their life, what does that prophecy mean, that if they both live they cant help but fight? Like magnets drawn to one another. I mean Harry is already 15 years old, so is there no time limit on this destroying the other in order to survive? Maybe its just me but big deal one has to die, we always knew Voldermort wanted to kill Harry, thats no secret. This now is posing another question for me, if Dumbledore was so interested previously that Voldermort took some of Harrys blood to rise again, and part of Voldermort is with Harry via the scar - how does that work? Will they both have to die? or live?
Rating:
Summary: Is she running out of wind?
Review: I l-o-v-e-d all the first four tomes of Harry Potter. This one somewhat disappointed me. Does Ms Rowling falls prey to her own sucess. Do I expect too much of her work? I do not know.
After 5 books, I find she starts to repeat herself. All book have the same structure: Harry living with the Dursleys, with his big fat bully of a cousin. He goes to Hogwart. He is aggravatead by Snape. Hermione and Ron are constantly bickering. The Defense Against Dark Arts teacher is bizzarre and suspiscious. Harry plays Quiddich. At the end, there is a big apocalyptic fight between the good guys and the bad guys.
This storyline starts being repetitious. Lord Voldemort starts to be somewhat predictable ( I will not say more, for fear of revealing the plot). It was an enjoyable reading but the initial novelty is wearing out. I hope that the next episode will renew the plot.
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: I loved the 5th harry potter book. it was just as good as the others and I enjoyed reading it. It literaly drew me in and everything else disappered. I love the way certian books do that. It is a GREAT book and everyone will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: : )
Review: I loved this book! It is a good book, as all the Harry Potter books are. This is a book that everyone should read!
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the movie...
Review: I'm a huge fan of the horror genre and am a huge King fanatic, but I couldn't resist reading this book after seeing the Third film. I'm 17 and I found unbelievable that these books are aimed at 9-12 yr olds. The vocabulary is fantasic and Ms Rowling is quite an inticing writer.
I should have read the fourth book first, that's a little advice for the rest of ye, because now I know the general outcome of that book - so I think I'll wait for the fourth film rather than read it.
Anyway, being such a huge King fan, I can't help comparing different writers to him. He is - to me - the best writer in the world, just just at horror but at everything, and I found J.K Rowling right up his alley. She's brilliant, the book's brilliant, cant wait for the film!!! :-)
Rating:
Summary: A fast paced & satisfying read; can't wait for book 6
Review: OK, I'm not a kid but a 49 year old mom who grabbed the book ahead of my teenage daughter, and finished over a weekend. As always, Harry Potter is a fast-paced, don't-want-to-put-it-down adventure. Older Harry Potter fans won't be disappointed, and this includes those like my daughter who have basically grown up along with Harry, Hermione & Ron. But I do think the themes and characters get more sophisticated as Harry and his schoolmates grow up, and Harry's battles, though still firmly entrenched in the world of magic, take on much more of a real world flavor. This might be confusing for the 9 and under set. By the end of the book, most of the adults who have been heroes emerge tarnished in some way; some of the adults who have been seen as Harry's tormentors are seen in a slightly more sympathetic light. Harry himself is often angry, sarcastic and short-tempered. (As a parent of a teenager, I have to say: kudos to JK Rowling for getting this part right - readers might not find Harry a little less likeable, but face it, that's how most 15-year-olds act). Advice for long term fans: if you haven't read book 4 (the Goblet of Fire) recently, a review session would be in order. In this book, JK Rowling dispenses with most of the rehash of what went before, but at the same time these details seem more important than ever. (Try harrypotterfacts.com for a good cheat sheet). Oh, one more note: I think it was really cool the way the book arrived precisely on schedule on 6/21 from Amazon in a specially marked Harry Potter box. Once again, Amazon gets the delivery thing right.....
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (awesome book!)
Review: The first Potter books were awesome, but this one seems to have little to offer in the way of new experiences, new magic, or new places. Rowling throws in contrived situations that seem to have no purpose in the story other than to fill in space. Also, she seems to have forgotten some of her own rules for the Potter world. For example, you can't free someone else's House Elves by giving them clothes, they have to receive them from their master!
In this book Harry has become mean and thoughtless for the feelings of his friends. He is beyond rude to Dumbledore, something I can't believe the Harry of the prior books would have been.
By the end of this book, I was ready to put it down. Overall, a disappointing read.
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