Rating: 
Summary: Blown away...
Review: I was absolutely blown away by Rowling's fifth book. While the book is long (800+ pages) and can get slow in some parts, the plot is fast paced and keeps you hooked to see what happens next.Even in the start, the first two chapters are a doozy, full of action and sets the pace as Harry is confronted with questions and mysteries of the ongoings within his wizard world. One of the unique things in this book is that Harry is finally tackling the good old teenage years. Suddenly, our star wizard is angstful, moody, easily offended, depressing at times and annoyingly immature at others. While you might want to slap him over the head because of his whiny teenage angst thickheadedness, it only makes the fifteen year old ficticious character that much more real and believable. We've all either gone through it, or will have to, and understand where he comes from and how he feels. And he finally tackles the big problem and mystery with girls, which can sometimes be more frightening than Voldemort himself. Harry also tackles the O.W.L.S., a standardized testing week that makes the SAT look like a walk in the park. Also in the book is a cataclysmic battle between wizards, and we finally get to see why Voldemort truely fears Albus Dumbledore. Rowling introduces a new plethora of characters, each one as unique and interesting as the one before, including some new aurors and students. The one I found the most masterfully created and colorful is the new Professor for the Defense of Dark Arts class. Snape pales in comparision to her (yes, a her) malice and reminds me of a certain English teacher I had in high school... All the old characters - Ron, Hermoine, Sirius, Hagrid and the rest - also return, same as usual and just as interesting. Ron, one of my favorite characters, finally gets a chance to shine in this book, as he even sometimes steals the limelight from Harry every now and then. In the end, Rowling finally explains all of Harry's dubious and foggy past, as well as his connection with Voldemort and an explanation of his scar. But it's not what you'd at first expect. As usual, Rowling keeps the reader on their feet and finally pulls a surprise ending that fits in seamlessly with all four of the books. The plot is masterfully planned and executed. All in all, I'm thoroughly impressed with Rowling's new book. I stayed up until 4 a.m. both nights to finish it, and eagerly await her next books in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: The many tantrums of Harry
Review: I've been waiting for this book for a year -- should've have tried one of the "alternate" sequels that have been burgeoning around the globe instead.
I spent two nights suppressing my gagging reflex at the new Harry Potter's many tantrums and the ridiculous build-up where the author kept piling on the problems, incrementally making his life completely unliveable in the hope that the end would be spectacular. The end was rotten and the only reason I can see for Rowling to weep after writing the extremely predictable, over-hyped "death" was because it was so badly written. The explanations following the death were even worse.
This book did to the Harry Potter series what the Phanton Menace did for Star Wars. I couldn't stand any of the principals by the end of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Well done Ms. Rowling!
Review: [...]P>I loved this book. Harry is far more human in this story that he has been so far. In the early books he was a Roald Dahl-esque tragic child figure and he gradually turned into a sort of pre-adolescent version of the Bruce Willis' character in the Die Hard series - an ordinary character who, in the service of the story, absorbs an amazing amount of damage and goes back for more. In this book he actually starts showing that what has happened to him has not only affected him but but we see how he learns to deal with it even in situations where he is unable to find support. There are some great lessons in the book for young and old alike. Adults may see parallels with current-events involving political corruption, power-seeking and jingoism run amok. Children (particularly those who are near Harry's age) will probably identify more with Harry's internal battles. Lots of great new characters, many interesting developments on characters we've already met. I can't imagine any of her fans being anything but delighted with it. Ms. Rowling keeps getting better and better with each book. I hope the people who may have tried to rush her on this one are feeling pretty silly after seeing the result. I can only hope that the Book 6 continues the tradition of increasing both length and depth. The closest thing to a criticism I have of this book is that it pretty much requires the reader to have already read at least books 3 and 4 to get the most enjoyment out of this one. People who re-read the whole series while waiting for this book will enjoy it the most.
Rating:
Summary: Potty about Potter
Review: So it's finally arrived, after months, even years of hype. And does it live up to it? Fortunately, yes. What has become officially the fastest selling book of all time is bigger, darker and far more in depth than previous books in the series. In Goblet of Fire, we saw a change in direction as the plot became much darker. Order of the Phoenix continues where Goblet of Fire left off, with some of the saddest and most complex scenarios yet seen. For anyone who's been living in a bubble for the last 5 years, the plot centres as ever around young wizard Harry Potter, now 15 years old, and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As ever, his loyal friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasly are by his side. We discovered in book 4 that evil wizard Voldemort had finally resurfaced, and this time the real danger becomes apparent. J.K. Rowling has not forgotten that our central character is in the middle of adolescence. Continuing what was hinted at in Goblet of Fire, we finally see Harry's first tentative steps into the world of girls and dating. This does not dominate the story to a great degree, but rather shows another facet to a character who is having to learn quickly as he grows. The dreaded O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) exams are also on the horizon, and we find Harry trying to juggle work, quidditch and girls all at the same time as the central theme which dominates the plot. This time the Ministry of Magic has stepped into Hogwarts and is denying the return of Voldemort. It gets a foothold in the school in the shape of Professor Umbridge, rivalling Snape in the dislike stakes. This woman is soon issuing Decrees impacting upon school rules and inspecting her fellow professors. It is in these inspections that some of the book's humour comes into play, particularly when we see the battle of wills between Umbridge and McGonagall. It would be impossible to sum up this huge book in a short review such as this. The plot has so many layers and subplots that it would take too long. But it is already known that the death of a major character occurs this time, though I will not give away who that is here. Suffice to say that you may be surprised. If you are reading this review, you probably either have the book already or have read the previous four and intend to read it anyway. There is therefore very little more to say. If you have no interest in Harry Potter and didn't enjoy the previous books, this is not for you. If however, you are already a devotee, you have no need to hesitate. Buy this book today and sink into the magical world. Just remember to come back...
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of The Pheonix is the best book I have ever read. All of the Harry Potter books are amazing, but this book was the best. J.K. Rowling did a wonderful job on this one. If you havent read this book yet, then you really should!!!
Rating:
Summary: The realistic Harry
Review: Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix is the latest instalment in the Harry Potter phenomenon. J.K Rowling has shown once again her skill and evident flair for creating such a brilliantly portrayed world once more. But, in this new novel, Rowling has left behind the popular almost childlike form of Harry and his fellow characters, allowing a more realistic, opinionated & more easily identifiable individual Harry to emerge. As in the 4 previous novels, Harry has always been portrayed as a child, somewhat confused about his place and identity. This does continue in volume 5 but to a much lesser extent. We see Harry emerge from this cocoon of a slightly predictable childish character to a rebellious teenager. The fifth novel sees Harry growing up very fast and developing sound opinions and ideas of his own accord. It is essentially about transition. The transition from late childhood to the eye opening age of 15 and beyond, where sadly, the world is not as easy and care free as a child thinks. Harry realizes the hardships facing him in his world, no longer relishing in the perfect, sought after life of a wizard, which is shown to Harry as being quite non-existent. Harry, as he transcends through his fifth year at Hogwarts begins to see how the Wizard World is not dissimilar to the World of Muggles. He sees this in the form of wizard prejudices and unfair treatment of those who aren't wizards. He also realizes the flaws in the Ministry of Magic. His once great inspiration, Dumbledore, falls if slightly down the ladder of Harry's respect. Also we see a more sinister side to Harry. He becomes rebellious and angry at times. No longer holding his tongue to people. He begins to think more deeply on the things and philosophies that bind the Wizard culture. And he learns to express his emotions to his friends. 'Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix' has shown Rowlings talent is not just of pure creativity and imagination, but one of profound depth and intelligence. She has accurately depicted the life of a teenager during this stage of their lives. Incorporating the troubles of our own world, into that of Harry Potter's. Not only is this a great literary feat, it is an intelligent and fresh way to make us all realize even our dreams have flaws and life is not perfect, you have to learn how to be sad before you can feel true happiness.
Rating:
Summary: fp! Pretty good!
Review: Once again, JKR does not disappoint with her writing style. This story, while not the best one (I still liked GoF better) was action packed, the characters (more of them! including umbridge, the ministry official that we love to hate) are very well developed. As the book's cover explains, many more details in the harry potter world are explained and we begin to get a better understanding behind Harry's parent's past, as well as Voldemort's plans. not the best one, but still pretty good. I can't wait for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Good - But not as good as Goblet of Fire
Review: Is this a worthy book in the Potter series? Yes. Is it the best one yet? No. Am I looking forward to Harry getting through puberty and getting a grip on his emotions? Absolutely! All the critic's reviews talk about the "coming of age" and the "dark" side of the book. This simply means Harry is angry and/or confused. A lot. It takes 3 or 4 of Harry's outbursts for the reader to get that he's an angst-ridden teenager. The next 3 or 4 outbursts drive the point home. The next 3 or 4 outbursts get a little tiresome. After that I found myself skipping ahead whenever an outburst flared up and that kept happening right up to the last pages. The editors could have cut out 50-60 pages worth of redundant material (Harry exploding, Hermione nagging, Ron looking surprised/hurt) without losing anything from the story and it would have made for a smoother read. That being said, there's lots to like in the book and JK has packed in a lot of material that gives her fans something to talk about while at the same time laying the groundwork for the upcoming installments. I just hope Harry grows out of his teenage rage quickly and becomes a normal wizard so we can enjoy his company again soon.
Rating:
Summary: It's a CLASSIC
Review: After 15 hours of none stop reading, I must say that this book was excellent. The emotions are high and every moment is intense. THIS BOOK was definately the connecting piece in the series. Rowling is a marvelous writer. The anger and emotions are not over done the fustrations of Harry are real to him, and realistic to the everyday chap. I cried,I laughed, I sighed, I reflected, and I sometimes struggled reading the novel, but I reminded myself it was fiction and it will be okay. This is an excellent book for 11 year olds and up. I teach nine and ten year olds and I don't think they are mature enough to understand, but it does depend on there circumstance.
Its a great read. Please buy the book. Great children's books and great books period are hard to find these days, and this book ranks up there with the Agony and Ecstasy and The Great Gatsby, because it focuses on the highs and lows of the human experience, but it is seen through the child eyes or in the case of this book a teenager's. The Harry Potter series doesn't get the credit it deserves because it is popular, but popularity doesn't change the fact that it is a classic. (Its late and I apologize in advance for the grammar mistakes and misspellings)
Rating:
Summary: Harry returns
Review: With the fifth installment in the Harry Potter series, it seems J. K. Rowling has done something few authors can--she has written a series where the books get better and better. In The Order of the Phoenix, Rowling again proves that she can write good literature, and make it both entertaining and with a good plot.
In this book, our hero, Harry Potter, enters his fifth year at Hogwarts. Of course, that's not where the trouble begins. He uses magic during the summer to defend himself and his cousin, Dudley, from being attacked by dementors (you remember those, don't you?) and is so forced to attend a hearing on whether he should be expelled from Hogwarts (since it is against the rules for a young wizard to use magic outside of school, and Harry had already been warned). Not to mention the fact the entire Ministry of Magic has gone bonkers, refusing to believe Harry and Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, that the evil Lord Voldemort has returned. Instead, the Ministry of Magic believes Dumbledore wants to take them over, and so make every attempt to discredit everything Harry and Dumbledore do--including publishing newspaper articles saying Harry is a troubled, attention-seeking boy. Besides those problems, with the Lord Voldemort being back, Harry is contantly plagued by pain in his scar, as well as terrifying dreams that lead him into Voldemort's mind. And, not only that, Harry is also growing up, and dealing with the usual teenage crises. Not only does he have to deal with a particularly nasty Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (who devises a cruel punishment for those who speak out in her class), but he also has to deal with his classmates looking at him oddly, the mixed-up feelings between him and Cho Chang, the constant arguments between his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, *and* he has his O.W.L.S. at the end of the years (basically the Hogwarts equivalent of standardized testing and the SAT). The one thing he truly enjoyed, Quidditch, is taken from him by none other the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher/High Inquisitor. With all this on his mind, Harry has hardly anytime to relax, or even enjoy himself. What little time he does have is spent figuring out what is going on--because neither he, nor the reader, really knows what Voldemort is up to.
In the newest book, Rowling makes any teen feel selfish for complaining about their lives, and also makes everyone feel sympathy for Harry's plight. Like Harry, we are left in the dark for most of the book. Like Harry, we wonder, what is the weapon Voldemort wants? Why can Harry enter Voldemort's mind (and vice versa)? Why exactly was he sent to live with the Dursley's after his parents died? And just what are Cho Chang's exact feelings for him? Though Harry is at times cranky and and downright unlikable, it shows Rowling's skills as a writer. She knows Harry is growing up, and he can't always be Superboy--he is a teenager, and is not immune to the normal teenage drama. However, Harry is still an extraordinary boy, and triumphs, as always, though not without a significant loss.
The book moves well--with all the Harry Potter books, they're fairly simple to read but not in a dumb kind of way. The plot moves fast, and though the book is a few inches thick, it is not filled with frivolous detail. Rowling gets to her points (and there are a few) and though she leaves the reader in the dark, it helps us to identify with Harry, and makes us all the more eager to finish. Rowling has written a truly terrific book, and the ending leaves the reader satisfied, as she answers a few questions we all had hidden in the back of our minds,
Congratulations to J.K. Rowling, and hope we do not have to wait two more years for the next installment, though this one was worth the wait.
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