Rating: 
Summary: Harry Matures And Things Get Darker
Review: J.K. Rowling continues on a roll and her success is not because things remain the same in the Harry Potter books but that they change. Harry is older and more mature in THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX and that is reflected in his attitudes. He now recognizes and begins to resent even more the way he was brought up and what he has had to enudure. Harry is no longer the innocent waif of 5 years before but a rapidly maturing teenager who reacts to his world as many a teenager would. Rowlings has avoided sticking her characters in a rut by allowing them to grow and mature with each book.
Things are to say the least not well at Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix has been formed in an attempt to maintain safety and stability. Here more than ever Horgwarts and Harry's world are being turned upside down. The struggle against Voldemort is entering a darker and grimmer realm that may unsettle readers of the previous book. That is to be expected as in every book since the first Rowlings has been increasing the danger and the tension and what comes in THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX logically follows what has come before and in the end will come as no surprise to readers of the previous books. By book's end a death and a prophecy will have readers eagerly awaiting Year 6.
One thing has not changed and that is Rowlings' writing. She can pace a story as few around today can and will keep you turning the pages even though your eyes are blurring and your brain says go to sleep. After 896 pages all you will want is more. Hopefully not as long a wait till Year 6.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not worth the wait
Review: Like most TV sitcoms, in the end everyone winds up back where they started and we're ready for another installment all over again. Oh sure, one auxiliary character is thrown away; but no matter how dramatic the climax may look she still managed to pick a character that none of us have any emotional investment in. The only interesting sub-stories are the comic relief provided by Fred and George and the various romantic relationships of main characters. Considering the audience, my guess is that nothing shocking will occur in the romance department. Oh well. The truth is that no matter what happens with the plot as long as the main characters stick around I'll keep coming back for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but needs editing
Review: OotP is not disappointing but could use the help of an editor. It's long and drags in places; there are also a few minor errors. My biggest complaint is the death scene. J. K. feigns so many deaths throughout the book that when the "big one" comes, it's anti-climatic. In fact, the near-death scene at the middle of the book was more emotional for me.Don't expect any plot twists or much clever new material. It seems J. K. becoming bored with the story or perhaps she is too occupied now with movies, fame, kids and a husband. Having to pay the rent seemed to force more/better creativity from her! Still, I would rate the book a "must read."
Rating:
Summary: A True Classic
Review: I had been waiting and waiting for this installment like almost everyone else who has become a potterholic over the years. I had feared, in the days leading up to the release, that the book might disappoint because of the high expectations everyone had for it... but boy, was I wrong. It not only met but exceeded my very, very lofty expectations. It is amazing how this series has progressed from the first installment, The Sorcerer's Stone. Rowling portrays every feeling Harry has through the whole book with such magnificent detail that you will be able to feel Harry's joy and dismay as passionately as the character himself. I am very happy to report that J.K. has kept to her promise as she continues to increase the maturity of these books as the series progresses, this installment being even more dark and solemn than the last one. J.K. is able to breakup this tension quite well however, with zany antics from the Weasley twins and Harry's hopeless attempt at trying to understand adolescent girls. Overall, I loved this book having finished all 870 pages in less than three days and would say that it is without a doubt the best book of the series to date. A must read for any one who enjoys reading, period.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful content ... but
Review: Of course I can only say good things about J.K. Rowling & Jim Dale (who so wonderfully brings the book to life) ... I love the story, I love the narration... the only thing that I noticed (having purchase all books on CD) ... is that the attention to detail, art and quality of the cover & packaging is not as good as the previous sets... but still 100 % worth the purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Believe the Hype
Review: HP5 is worthy of the hype surrounding its release this past weekend. I have never flown through 870 pages quicker. It's just as good as the other four, which I give equal weight to in the Potter saga. And this installment has the reader once again anxiously waiting for the next round vs. Voldermort. Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest have matured as well as the content of Rowling's storyline to keep up with the maturity of her target audience. I was already an adult when the 1st came out, and as such I recommend them to every "reader" I come across, of any age. It's a wonder that Rowling can have Harry face off against the same villain and make it seem new, but she carries it off. This book is quite a bit darker than the others, and ends on a hopeful note, but with a more serious tone. I considered this one a cliffhanger and look forward to HP6. Hopefully we won't have to wait another three years!
Rating:
Summary: Keeps on getting better!
Review: I read this book as fast as I could, and despite it's length, I was finished by early afternoon the day after it came out. As will all of the Harry Potter books, I didn't want it to end, and I can't wait for the next installment. This is definatly the darkest of the Harry Potter books, and is showing a new level of writing maturity for the author. The readers are growing up as Harry does, and Rowling has been able to accuratly judge what her readers can and can't handle, and while she may come close to the line, I do not think she has stepped over it. I encourage the parents of younger readers, probably ages 12 and younger, to read the book with their children and help them with any of the parts that might be beyond their understanding or experiance, but I see no reason why anyone else would have any problems with the difficulty level of the book. This is a terrific and engrossing read, and I congratulate author J.K. Rowling on her latest triumph.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful installment to the series!
Review: I preordered this book March 7, 2001 and have been anticipating it ever since. It was wonderful! Funny, dark, and is extremely fast paced. Would recommend to anyone who likes reading!
Rating:
Summary: J.K. Rowling casts her spell again.
Review: As I finish reading the latest installment of the Harry Potter series I wonder how J.k. Rowling always seems to do it. She captures her readers attention by bringing them into a world, that seems to be more real then the one we are living in now, and enchanting them with another tale of the struggle against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Even though the fifth book tends to be darker, and much longer then the other books, I am astounded by how humorous some chapters are. Harry, who seems to no longer be haunted by his parents death, has gained more of an egotistical look on life, yet still manages to make readers fall in love with him. Overall, I believe that this book is the best of the Harry Potter series yet and am excited for the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: Magically Mysterious
Review: Incredible. JK Rowling has crafted a novel that is, at once, an angst-filled coming-of-age story about a confused, angry 15 year old boy well as a suspenseful, heart-stopping thrill ride. Harry in this edition is very angry about not being more involved in the hunt for Voldermort--something that directly affects him. This anger is shown in many ways as he lashes out at both enemies and friends and mentors. Adults become more fallible and Harry, we learn at some frustrating points, is only a teenager. The only one that seems to have their head on straight is Hermione Granger, who is quickly becoming my favorite character. In fact, Harry's dismissal of her advice towards the end of the novel directly leads to the death of someone very close to him which angers and hurts him even more. Rowling is a master because most of us were aware that someone was going to die. But she throws so many people into the mix, that, at the end, we have no idea who it is. The death is that much more tragic and powerful because of it. This book sets up the next two in an exciting way. What will become of the newly formed Order of the Phoenix? How will the prophecy be fulfilled? Who will live to see the vanquishment of Voldermort? Can I stand the wait to find out? A magical series that keeps getting better . . . astonishingly so.
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