Rating: 
Summary: Potter #5 Is Spell-Binding!!
Review: Since I was so anxiously awaiting the release of "Order of the Phoenix," it made it that much more exciting to finally read. I loved the four previous Harry Potter books, so I knew I'd love this one as well. As always, Rowling expresses each character's separate personality beautifully, which is one thing I've always admired about the series. Although it was even longer than "The Goblet of Fire," I think I finished it even quicker, seeing as I couldn't put it down. The book was very intense and filled with action right from the beginning. It was very emotional - during certain parts, I gasped, laughed hysterically and even almost cried out loud. There are quite a few unexpected surprises, but I won't give anything away, as tempted as I am. Good luck to movie director Chris Columbus...but no matter how hard you may try, it's going to be impossible to portray this fifth Harry Potter installment in film as magically as Rowling has in the novel! If you don't read this, you're missing out. I can't wait to read it again!
Rating:
Summary: Ah, the pains of getting older...
Review: I think one of the foremost reasons J.K. Rowling's books have been such a success is because of her unwavering understanding of human behavior, particularly that of children. True, the books are colorful, imaginitive, suspenseful...but moreover, they are works of fantasy firmly grounded in the reality of the trials of growing up. Harry and his friends might be wizards battling corrupt sorcerers and magical creatures, but they are also kids struggling on the path to adulthood. Never has this been more obvious than in "The Order of the Phoenix". Several people have already complained to me that this book is darker than the others, that Harry seems angrier, more forceful and therefore not the Harry of the previous books. Well, of course he isn't. He's fifteen now. He's growing up and, moreover, he is suffering under the burden of a classmate's death and the rise of his own parents' murderer. It makes sense that he would be angry, and that he would take his anger out on his friends.I don't want to give too much away, but I want to say this: The Order of the Phoenix is an exceptional book and it fits in perfectly with the storyline of the previous four. However, it is a darker book. The events in "The Goblet of Fire" have altered the characters--not only the young hero, but also the many adults who figure into his life. So don't expect everyone to be happily carousing around Hogsmeade, blissfully unconcerned. There are many funny elements in the book, but there are also many serious ones. After all, Voldemort has risen...things can't go back the way they were.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Even after all of the time between the 4th book and the 5th J.K. Rowling has not lost her ability to enrapture the reader! I loved this book and as with each book she writes, it just gets better. This book enlightens you as to more of the tie between Harry Potter and Voldemort. I found this book hard to put down and read it within a 48 hour period. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend reading it to anyone who asks. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: It was wonderful
Review: This was certainly the book I was waiting for. Once again, J.K Rowling offers an interesting story with new and intriguing characters, while still maintaining that fresh magical feeling displayed in the previous novels. Her interpretation of young adolescence is ingenius. The plot is thick with twists and turns and offers answers to questions fans have been asking since the first novel. The only thing I regret about the purchase of this book was having bought it and read it so quickly. I only had a short period of ease while reading Harry, and now have to experience another anxiety period while waiting for book #6 - I can't wait.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncomfortable and dark...
Review: ...are the two words that best describe "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." While this may not sound like a particularly positive criticism, it actually attests to J.K. Rowling's ability to draw her readers into deep identification with her characters. In this book Harry is faced with an almost unbelieveable amount of false accusations, criticisms and injustices that made me squirm in my chair with anger. At one point, I actually had to shut the book in the middle of a paragraph because my anger at Professor Umbridge was starting to spill over into my real life. In what is described as a "coming of age" novel, readers are sucked back into the world of teenage angst, and made to experience the moods and emotions of puberty all over again- hence the uncomfortable nature of the book. As Harry fumbled through conversations with Cho Chang I felt embarrassed both for him and AS him. As he experienced surges of anger towards his closest friends and endured the unjust attacks by Umbridge, Slytherins and Snape, I felt pity for him and white-hot with anger AS him. As for dark, well just examine the (American) cover of the book and you will know immediately that the tone has been set for a much more intense experience than any of the other four books. Harry's internal battles with his own feelings, his external battles with those around him, new knowledge about his life and, of course, the final showdown with the Dark Lord left me feeling emotionally drained and wondering how children would be able to handle this one. Yet this feeling is positive, as it reflects the more mature nature of the book. The character development is absolutely outstanding, as I began to wonder if I knew certain characters after all. Rowling brings her readers to new levels, while maintaining the core elements of the series. The only down side was the extent of Harry's misfortune. It left me wondering what more could possibly happen to him to fill two more books. All in all though, it was a wonderful experience and one I would recommend to anyone who has the time to read it (clear your schedule- I absolutely couldn't put it down). Note- I wouldn't recommend it for small kids, as there is torture and death involved.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Several things make the Harry Potter books good reads for adults as well as children: they are well written, exciting, thought-provoking, and at times, downright funny. The fifth book in the series is no exception; in fact, it may well be the most rewarding for adult readers yet. Emotionally and relationally, it is more intense than the earlier titles. Part of this may be because Harry himself is growing up -- among other things he learns that even dearly loved and trusted grownups will make mistakes and do wrong things, and that relationships with people of the opposite gender can be confusing and difficult. While growing up, he begins to see the people around him in a new light. Because of this, the readers get to see other sides of the characters and get to know them better, especially Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, possibly the two most intriguing people involved in Harry's life. And, like all Harry Potter books, it gives a few good reminders about things that really matter: this time it reminds us that love is the most powerful weapon of all, and there are things worth dying for.
Rating:
Summary: I could not put this book down!!
Review: I loved this book! It answered many questions, while it asked even more... Danger is around every corner and there are many people in odd situations. While also trying to see Harry as a fifteen year old boy going to school, fighting off nightmares, dealing with the usual Slytherin troublemakers, and dating, (yes Dating!!)is quite a feat and J.K. Rowling accomplishes it. No one is forgotten in this book, all of the characters you love are in it along with a few new ones... There is a new batch of young warriorsin this book as well that help Harry and I am sure have a big role in the next 2 books...
Rating: 
Summary: we waited for this?
Review: Very disappointing. JK Rowling has done much better work but after finishing this I feel as if she wrote it just to make a quick buck or satisfy a contractual obligation. Shallow plot and pithy use of language do not make a book. Maybe once she realizes this she can return to the magic.
Rating:
Summary: Frustration
Review: While i found the book very good it was still hard for me to say that i loved it. I just hate it when its obvious people aren't at fault and they still get punished. It frustrated me that people couldn't see that Harry was a good person. While i was frustrated i couldn't put the book down. I'd still say that this is a very good buy for anybody that follows the Harry Potter series!!
Rating:
Summary: Rowling has done it again
Review: Being a diehard Harry Potter fanatic since the age of 13 (I'm 15 now), I waited roughly 7 hours to get this book from my nearest bookstore, and it was totally worth it. The 5th installment in the Harry Potter series is a thrilling one, full of new settings, characters, and emotions, all expertly woven into an incredible plotline. The book delivers non-stop action, but this time without the comedy and cheerful flippancy that the precursors to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix had. Instead the story has realistic undertones that set the mood of the book very well: the readers should not fool themselves into thinking that Phoenix will be another light-hearted tale of Harry Potter and his friends and their adventures in the magical world. Rather, they should prepare for incredible plot twists and gasp-inducing cliffhangers. I cried numerous times, and the intensity of what was contained within each chapter made me stop between each one to catch my breath. JK Rowling has produced yet another awe-inspiring work of art, and I await the 6th book with alacrity.
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