Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Sleep a Wink
Review: The fifth book in the Harry Potter series will leave you ready for the next. Full of danger, suspense, and laughs; "Order" will leave you craving more. Tragedy befalls the young hero, yet again, and he rises above or will he? Twists and turns abound and finally answers to the burning questions readers have had since the first book. For any Potter fan this is a must read. (But you already know that.) I only hope that I don't have to wait another 3 years for the continuing saga! J.K. Rowlings is a genuis at her bewitching and spellcasting words. Well Done!
Rating: 
Summary: Not impressed
Review: I was expecting more after waiting this long. Harry Potter fans will of course like it, but I think everyone is left with a feeling of being cheated. The story really didn't advance any, and all the hype about huge revelations was nothing more than the same thing rehashed. Hopefully we'll learn some more in 6 and 7. Serious let-down.
Rating:
Summary: Pivotal book in the series of seven
Review: I'm going to write this review without any spoilers for those of you who are still reading the book as well as those who haven't gotten your hands on it yet.Was the wait worth it for us Potterheads? Absolutely. You couldn't possibly ask for a better book. And yes, it's dark; very dark, as promised by JKR. Between adolescent angst, perceived anger and just pent-up emotion, all of the characters that she's brought back have changed dramatically. Expect a lot of surprises. So has her writing, too. The backstory of Harry and his past that has usually preceded his trip back to Hogwarts is gone; JKR is assuming we know what that is. The division lines between who believes "You-Know-Who" is back or not can only get nastier, and it does. Us "Potterheads" already know that civil war is at hand in the magical world. Yes, there are a bunch of new characters, and you'll be able to tell which ones will be in Book 6. At 870 pages (the American version), it's not too long. JKR as a writer does something very brave; she's allowing the characters to grow up and show how adolescence is affecting them. Yes, they're all learning how flawed adults can be and I also love how she makes them try to grow up and grapple with things they can't change. "Phoenix" is a rich, detailed story of "coming of age" and I just love how JKR is making this happen. So, let's start the countdown for "Book Six!"
Rating:
Summary: At first, I didn't expect much...
Review: Somehow, when the book finally arrived by post on my doorstep on June 21st, I simply didn't expect it to live up to all the hype...and I ignored Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix---until today. From the moment I picked it and opened page one, I didn't put it down till the last page was reread twice. I forgot all about my chores... I'll confess here that I skipped ahead immediately to find out which major character died, was properly shocked, and started again from page one...but on to the book. I'm not summarizing it here, there's a great editorial summary already. This is just what I thought of it. It was gripping. From reading about Harry's apparently endless summer at the Dursleys', to his crossing swords with the Ministry of Magic, to his return to Hogwarts and everything he faces there, the book drew me in deeper and deeper, like a pensieve, so that I just stood around Hogwarts mesmerised, watching as Ron was made Keeper, as Hermione grows wiser, as the OWLs keep the fifth-years on their toes. There are some totally new and interesting characters. Luna is delicious, and Umbridge is just ANNOYING and EVIL, someone you love to hate. Ginny has really grown up in this book, and is shown to be a lively and great-hearted Weasley like the rest. I didn't like her much in the previous novels, but here, she seems to have gotten over her crush on Harry, and it's done her worlds of good. I thoroughly enjoyed her character. I was happy with how the 'love affairs' went in the book. It all went as I thought it should, though I felt Harry really was a complete duffer when it came to figuring out how girls think! Harry himself was more grown-up, more impatient, lost and confused in a world of grown-ups who keep telling him just enough to madden him. And on top of that, Dumbledore's ignoring him. Then there's Cho, who makes Harry's gut clench. I just couldn't understand why he kept losing his temper with the new Defense of the Darks Arts teacher when he knew what would happen in detention. All in all, there's a lot of headaches for Harry in this one, but our hero comes through sadder and wiser, yet again, cherishing his friends even a he returns to Privet Drive for the summer. I do wish that there had been more of Dumbledore...and I absolutely loved having a peek into Snape's memories...it was what I was hoping would happen. I know every Snape fan will analyze every memory thoroughly. Sirius, Snape and Moody all made satisfying appearances, and the things we find out about Harry's parents are quite surprising. The explanations for several things were also highly satisfying. When Dumbledore was explaining why he hadn't told Harry the truth in his first year, I felt rather disappointed in him. A few sentences later, I changed my opinion when I discovered that Dumbledore was rather more human than I had expected. It was touching. I was dying to know how everyone did in their OWLs, but that will be in Book 6, no doubt. Now wondering when we can hope to see Book 6!
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Summary: This is new...
Review: I am 15 years old and I can honestly say that I have read over 200 fantasy books since I was old enough to know what they are. In those books I have never found one that has made me really feel something. Sure, every now and then I would laugh at a funny thing and I could relate to what was being said but I never actually cried. At the end of this book I didn't know whether to laugh at the ending or cry at it. I am an avid Harry Potter fan and I started reading them since they first came out. All's I can say about this book is that it is one of or the best I have ever read. This is not coming from someone who takes reading lightly. I had been waiting for this book ever since I finished the 4th after it came out and I am glad to see the series is just getting better.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Installment Yet!!!
Review: I was one of the first people in line at my local bookstore to pick up a copy of this book, and the moment I got home, I opened it up and read until two in the morning. Telling myself I needed sleep, I went to bed and got up at six. During the next two days, I forgot about everything other than eating, as I flipped through these eight hundred pages at a blindinly fast speed. This new, dark chapter in the Harry Potter saga is the best piece of fantasy literature I have read in a very long time. It's very much a coming-of-age story for Harry and his friends, and in the book we find him struggling with his teenage emotions, homework, the threat of Lord Voldemort, and the death of one of the series's major characters. Nothing in this series has inspired such emotion as the scene in which one of the major characters (whose name I will not mention)dies. Writer J.K. Rowling has created such likeable (and unlikeable), complex characters, and a beautifully crafted fantasy world for them to reside in. The Order of the Phoenix explores, in more detail than previous installments, the Ministry of Magic. Younger readers may not find this as interesting as older ones, but they should enjoy the rest of the book, as it is filled with as much magic and wondrous things as before. This book does not fail to deliver as much entertainment and enjoyment to the reader. In fact, it does so very admirably, outdoing any of its predecessors. I have no more words to describe the greatness of Order of the Phoenix, and, I'd like to add as a note to all the people who are too closed-minded to read (or too ashamed to be reading a "children's series) these books, that nobody should miss out on this fantastic story. It is filled with drama, action, and humor, and themes of bravery, loyalty and love are woven throughout the plot. I love these books. This is, indeed, the best installment yet. If you haven't done so already, buy this book. You won't regret it, I guarantee.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter Meets Empire Strikes Back: Contains Plot Hints
Review: While reading the longest "children's" book in history over the first weekend it was available to the public, I couldn't help but have my attention drawn back to one of my favorite films, The Empire Strikes Back.
A bold comparison, you say? I think not. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is dark, about a boy who is angry at everyone because of issues he feels have been forced upon him, and doesn't have the happy ending that we have all come to expect from our entertainment industry.
But these reasons and so many more, are why this is a wonderful book.
First let me say that I appreciate that the author seems to respect her readers (people under 25) that are growing into her books. If you read the first book, it seems to be written to an 11 year-old. However, as Harry, Ron and Hermione have grown, so has Ms. Rowling's voice in her books. This book is written for a 15 year-old. I appreciate that she realizes that we, her audience, are growing as Harry grows, and because of that, she is increasing our potential reading level. That must be the teacher in her.
The action begins very quickly, in the first few pages to be exact, and the book really doesn't slow down from there. Admittedly, I was disappointed in some of the "regular" items that have become my favorite being gone this time around: there is no Halloween Feast mentioned, Quidditch is a second thought, and I still don't know who won the House Cup. But there are lots of other things to keep you going, not to mention that by the end of the book, those things have become so trivial, you feel ashamed slightly, that you missed them.
The introduction of new characters to the story was done well, I think I have a new favorite (besides Harry), and the death of a "major character" was done in as tastefull a manner as possible. Be prepared to cry here, I did.
All in all, it was a good read. I read it aloud to my family, and we finished it in under 2 days. (I'm now reading it again, in case I missed something!)
I would warn some, this book is much darker than the previous four. My son had to sit in my husband's lap during some of the fighting scenes.
Ms. Rowling has done an excellent job with the most recent installment of the wildly popular series. I admit that I almost called in ill to work to re-read today. My only sustaining thought now is...: She can't take another three years for the next book, can she?
Rating:
Summary: Guilty pleasure
Review: I love the Harry Potter series, and to those wondering whether or not this one lives up to its predecesors, well i think that its the best yet. However this one is a quite a bit darker, and somewhat more violent than the others. I really like that Harry is moodier and more conflicted in this book it makes him more easier to relate to. I'm also amused by the introduction of Sirius's home, and the inhabitants thereof. We learn the most about Harry and Sirius thru this book, and i won't spoil the ending but i must say i'm sad to see one of my favorite characters killed off. Well now i just have to wait for book six to see what happens next. I can't wait!!!!
Rating:
Summary: She's done it again!
Review: Once again, I am impressed by J.K. Rowling's skill for storytelling. This 5th installment does not disappoint. We see Harry as he goes through some of his puberty angst, his woes of being kept in the dark, and his constant anger at everything unjust. I read this book in 2 days. Rowling said she cried when she killed one of her characters. So did I! I miss everyone already! Guess we'll have to wait another 3 years or so to see what happens next. But - in the meantime, I think I'll re-read this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: The fifth book lives up to expectations and offers novelty; although, it lingers in some areas. Even with some parts hogging too many pages, the book goes quickly. It is fresh the most original of Rowling's series.
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