Rating: 
Summary: A stunning work of modern fiction!
Review: Let's face it. Harry Potter and The Order Of The Phoenix is big. At 870 pages it outweighs Rowling's previous effort by more than a hundred pages. Preconcieved ideas of the book circled around a much larger year spent at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But never, in any theories of what the book might be like came close to the truth. The Order of The Phoenix is the first book in series to place less importance on Hogwarts and more importance on the world around it. In fact, Harry doesn't even start the trek towards Hogwarts until 160 pages in. Shocking as that was, nothing prepared me for the feeling the book gave me at its end. It was almost as if the author tried to convey that Hogwarts would no longer be of the central importance to the series. But instead of feeling remorse I felt enthused and excited. For in The Order Of The Phoenix, Rowling expands the world in which Harry lives like never before, showcasing her talents beyond what happens at a school, Rowling begins to paint a vivid picture of the rest of the world. The Order of The Phoenix is by far the most action packed book yet, answering questions long sought after by fans and finally demonstrating why Dumbledore is the only man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named feared. A truly excellent effort that left me salivating for the next chapter.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry grows from perfect angel to teenage rebel (SPOILERS)
Review: I will admit, that unlike many people reading or finishing "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" right now, I was not salivating with anticipation to read J.K. Rowling's latest installment of her Harry Potter epic. I mainly read the books to see what the fuss was all about, and to not let the films spoil the texts for me. That said, "Order of the Phoenix" is as thrilling and spectacular as any novel I have ever read. Where Rowling truly distinguishes herself is in the characterization of her hero, Harry Potter. In the earlier four books, Harry, while interesting and earning our affection as readers, never really seemed falliable. He almost always got his way, always seemed to snatch the snitch at the right moment, Gryffindor tower always seemed to win--in short, he was perfect, and while the younger readers reveled in Harry's triumphs, as an older reader, I felt the character was coming a bit too one-dimensional. Wisely, Rowling gives Harry ample flaws in his fifth year at Hogwarts. From the outset of the book, he has trouble controlling his temper--which is exacerbated by both adolescence and a covert operation set up by Dumbledore and his Order of the Phoenix where everyone from Ron and Hermione to even Aunt Petunia knows what is going on and is dead set to keep Harry in the dark. Rowling expresses these outbursts crudely, WITH ENORMOUS TYPE SIGNIFYING HARRY'S ANGER, but the point is made. Here, more so than ever, the intelligence and ambition of Hermione and the loyalty and good nature of Ron work to balance Harry's character as foils, and on more than one occasion they ask for Harry not to take his rage out on them. Adding to Harry's flaws is his difficulty in his relationship with Cho Chang. Harry and Ron express difficulty in dealing with girls (Ron asks Hermione to write a book translating women's thoughts to boys) which is only a natural step for Rowling to take with her characters. I wish though that she would drop Cho Chang as a character, because I don't find her very interesting, nor do I see why Harry is attracted to her besides her looks. (I hope that Rowling, in the concluding installments of her series, fleshes out the romantic relationship between Hermione and Harry, which I have noticed since the first book.) I think also what makes "Order of the Phoenix" soar are its new villains--namely Professor Dolores Umbridge and the Ministry of magic. Here the villain isn't a professor with Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head or a basilisk or scores of dementors, but a very human adversary and the corrupt institution she for whom she is employed. Wisely, Rowling shifts the focus off of Voldemort onto Umbridge and the Ministry (although Voldemort's presence in the novel always there). Here the conflict becomes not good versus evil, but rather a question of how two distinct groups wish to contain and protect innocent people from an ultimate evil. Wonderfully, Rowling shows that both ways might not be right. Certainly the way the Ministry's policy of denial about Voldemort and the manipulation of media (the Daily Propher) and education (Umbridge's presence at Hogwarts first as professor then as "High Inquisitor" then as Dumbledore's replacement!) to reflect a state of tranquility is the wrong way. Topically, the Ministry reminds me of President Bush and his spin doctors, except that where Bush wants to whip up everyone into a state of paranoia, Cornelius fudge and his John Ashcroft--Dolores Umbridge--want everybody to stay calm. Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix are also wrong, overprotecting Harry and Sirius Black to the point of making them both insufferable and rash. Dumbledore admits as much to Harry at his now-standard end of the book speech (but here it is wholly welcome, necessary, and relieving). Ultimately, Rowling advocates for rebellion as the best way to deal with growing forces of malevolence. The book's juiciest conflicts appropriately come at Hogwarts, where Umbridge grows into a tyrant and everyone save Filch the groundskeeper is against her. Umbridge won't teach the students any practical defense against the dark arts (as is her job)--outlawing it, even--so Hermione suggests that Harry surreptitiously teach a group of students a practical defense. They dub themselves "Dumbledore's Army," knowing fully of Voldemort's threat. The professors, who all are monitored and interrupted by Umbridge ("hmm, hmm"), become increasingly sarcastic and bitter to her, knowing full well that a government should never interfere with the educations of its young citizens. Hogwarts eventually becomes blissfully anarchic, with the Weasley twins leading the way and even the tight lipped Professor McGonagall defying the authority of Dolores Umbridge. In one great moment McGonagall even encourages Peeves the mischievious ghost to wreak havoc by showing him the right way to unscrew a chandelier. She also defends Hagrid, whom Umbridge fires, nearly to her death. It is this sort of rebellious spirit that Rowling defines as heroic, and ultimately necessary to overcome an adversary. A ministry or an Order is unable to define what a hero is, but an individual, through rebellion, can become one. The book is not perfect, and I think Rowling could benefit from some kind editorial suggestions (870 pages is simply too long). Yet the plot zooms and Rowling is surer than ever about which directions to take with her characters. Rowling has done her job well, for I now am salivating with anticipation for parts six and seven. With the young readers who are Rowling's key audience and biggest fans, like Harry, growing older, I hope they glean from "Order of the Phoenix" that while you can't just go around breaking the rules all of the time, a certain sense of rebellion is needed to truly do the right thing.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: The new Harry Potter book in six words-different, edgy, angry, unpredictably, and undeniably poignant.
Even the way the book begins is different. Although Harry is still with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, Harry has taken on a new, bitter attitude towards his life and his entire outlook is defiant and enraged.
However, just as the reader is getting tired of the cynical, tragic character, events take a turn for the better-Harry develops a sarcastic but entertaining and more cheerful stance and becomes even more likeable, developing the kind of intellectual humor that is a brilliant split between a normal 15-year-old and a older, wizened character like that of Dumbledore.
Other characters play more prominent parts in the fifth novel as well, but none so memorable, it seems, as Ginny Weasley, who now speaks freely in front of Harry-a major improvement-and has developed a wonderful sense of tact.
Another character that has suffered a major change is the much-esteemed Dumbledore, who separates himself from the students and no longer seems quite as likeable. In fact, the reader may at times have difficulty believing he is indeed wise and powerful with the number of questions he leaves unanswered throughout the tale. Much speculation has been placed on him telling Harry "everything" in the fifth novel-unfortunately, readers may feel disappointed since much of what was revealed is quite easy to figure out of our-or Harry's-own accord.
As for the biggest hint J.K. Rowling has dropped about the fifth book, the death seems rushed-but in no way painless. Most readers will be howling in surprise and at the injustice of the ending.
The fifth is darker, more frightening, but in no way less interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Story Runs a Little Long
Review: An excellent addition to the series. It truly is packed with plot, but a little slow in parts. Still, I didn't want to put it down and read it in a day and a half. Ms. Rowling is very gifted.
Rating:
Summary: The Saga Heats Up!
Review: I received my copy on Saturday and finished early Sunday morning. This is a book you simply cannot put down. While I thought number 4 was truly great, this one actually surpasses it. Now a teenager with the normal teenage angst, Harry must also deal with the horrors of only two months ago, with nightmares and no one in his Muggle world in whom he can confide. Even Professor Dumbledore is distant, while Ron and Hermione write infuriatingly vague letters. When excitement suddenly enters his Muggle world, he realizes again that he's still a target of those who wish him ill. At long last, he's back at school, only to find a particularly loathsome new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher: Dolores Umbridge, who looks like a toad and plainly despises Harry and anyone connected to him. Life is more and more complicated, as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors haunt Harry, teachers come under professional attack, and the wizard world is poised to tear itself apart from within.
Simply reading the chapter titles was exciting. One title caused me to make an assumption about the major character slated to die. Let's just say I was way off the mark. Thank goodness.
Buy this book! Collect the whole set. Then read them aloud to your friends. They are so worth it--the classic story of good versus evil, told by an author with a mesmerizing storytelling gift.
Rating:
Summary: Senior enjoys Harry Potter
Review: I'm 60 years old and thought it was an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Harry is back!
Review: After two long years of waiting, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is finally here. But what you are probably wondering is: Is it worth the wait? The answer is yes! Rowling outdoes herself spectacularly in her latest installment of the famous Harry Potter seven. With its 870 pages of story, it outdoes the other books in length as well as just about every other children's book. The popular characters of Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, the Weasleys, and Lupin are joined by new additions including Tonks, a clumsy witch with the ability to alter her appearance; and Proffesor Umbridge, a sinister Defense Against Dark Arts Proffesor whose acts will outrage fans but her fate will leave them rolling over laughing. The book is also much more plot heavy than the four previous. Many of those questions that you have been dying to have answered are finally answered. However, there is still a huge amount of mystery by the end. What on Earth could Rowling think up next?
Rating: 
Summary: Parents, Use Caution!
Review: No spoilers here, but parents read on please!
I am about half way through the book - reading it before my child comes home from camp. There is no way that I will be comfortable reading this book to her or with her. In almost 400 pages Harry has gone from angry and frustrated to angrier and more frustrated. The previous joy he got from flying, the satisfaction from positive adult role model relationships, even the amazement in feast and friends have been replaced with angst, worry and questions. We all knew that there would be darkness - but this is beyond expectation and makes me sad and more, makes me struggle with opening the world of Harry to my child any further. Teens - they have more ability to perceive life through these lenses. I will look forward to seeing what other parents have to say.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK - Another masterpiece by J.K. Rowling
Review: The fifth book. Before reading, you are not quite sure. Making another book so great as the others seemed to be difficult. But Joanne surprise me (and the fans) one more time. Much more scary, much more longer, much more Harry Potter! I love Harry, and Ron, and Hermione! Hope to read soon the next part of the best book series of all times.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Review: Allow me to start off by saying that this book is one of the best books that JK Rowling has produced thus far. She easily introduces new characters and twists them into a puzzling storyline. Every page keeps you guessing as the plot thickens. The foreshadowing is subtle enough that at the end you realise all of the clues, but beforehand it is unpredictable. Aside from being the best book, I also believe that it is the darkest and most realistic. The characters take on more natural human characteristics. No longer are they just little do gooders. They are hit by the harshness of the real world. Finally, it answers so many questions posed in the previous books. In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book to children and adults that crave a fast-paced tail. Hope to see you back at Hogwarts.
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