Rating: 
Summary: It was a little bit better than ok
Review: Ok, ok I hear you saying, and thats what it was, ok, no big surprises and extrememly formulumatic, just as Books 2-4 have been. You start off at Harry's house he ends up going to school for a year Voldemort trys to kill him, everything turns out happy and he goes home on the hogwarts train for another summer of misery.Slightly repetitive (been done four times in a row), but don't get me wrong it was a good read and I finished it in two nights. The middle (p100-650) are fantasitic, intereseting and imaginitive. The let down in this section was the hyped up 'romance' which was plain and uninteresting. Everyone knows that Harry will eventually go out (marry eventually) with Hermione so why put us through the agony of him trying other people. I guess thats the way in life as well though so it can be excused. Now the end is where the rather whole book begins to disapoint. Yes Harry will face revalations and he will of course face bad guys (oh no but it's different this time because he has adult wizzards to help), big deal, it's been done before and better (By Rowling). And of course there has to be an explanation to all that has gone before. This would be fine if Rowling didn't paraphrase the four books that had gone before, just in case you might not have read them (yeah thats really likely). The revalations are not that astounding, yet again we have been fooled by the media machine which churns out the hype. Typical hype goes 'Harry world is about to be turned upside down', (like it hasn't been in the first four books). It's not that shocking or astounding or anything it's just like she wants to continue the story but couldn't be bothered to write it better. It seems as though she trys too hard in the Dumbledoor chapters and isn't successful for the trying. This was the same as the passage where 'someone' dies. However her decision to kill off this character has to be commended and will make for some interesting reading in the next novels. The highlights are frankly to numerous to mention so I won't even try, besides that would be spoiling the story. Don't get me wrong the book was great but Rowling has proven previously (Books 3 and 4) that her writing can be much better. I highly recommend the book but be warned it not as good as the others and is merely a continuation of Harry's life at school which will (hopefully) get slightly more varried in Books 6 and 7. Harry Potter 5 is highly recommended. Hopefully the next book will not take 3 years to write. As a side note try and get the British covers they are far more interesting and durable as well as a handy size (unlike the massive American edition).
Rating:
Summary: Angry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Review: Harry Potter has gone from being a lonely young wizard to an angry young man in J.K.Rowlings new book and I'm not sure I'm entirely happy about it. The story begins in Privet Drive as usual, with Harry spending his summer holidays in the depressing company of his muggle relations. But instead of misery, this time it is fury that engulfs Harry. He is angry about being cooped in Privet drive while his friends enjoy the confidence (he thinks) of older and wiser wizards..He is angry that the Ministry of Magic is refusing to face the truth about the return of Voldemart and has embarked on a campaign to discredit him. As he awaits some news about goings-on in the Wizard world, he is crudely thrown back into the thick of action when he is attacked by dementers.. What follows his escape is the discovery that squibs exists even in Privet drive, a meeting with old friends that makes him angrier, and his initiation into the Order of the Phoenix. While Harry catches up with the events of the summer, we painfully wait for his trip up to platform 9 and 3/4, hoping for a return to good old wizarding days. But this time, the journey begins on a disappointing note for Harry (and his avid fans) as he discovers he has not been chosen as a Prefect and this only makes him angrier. To make matters worse, Professor Dumbledore ignores him completely, the new arrival Dolores Umbridge (secretary to the Minister of Magic and now high Inquisitor at Hogwarts) seems bent on handing Harry detentions and stripping him of his place in the Quidditch team. For the first time in the series, Harry is nasty to friends and well-wishers and refuses to listen to reason (read Hermoine). His much awaited first affair does not seem to make him (or the readers) happier either. There is far less Quidditch and Magic this term as Harry seems to search for his place in the world. At 776 pages, the book is long but not too long for those of us who have waited 3 long years for the new term. But the feel-good factor at the end of the term is missing here and perhaps that is exactly what Rowling intends, since dark days are back in the Wizarding world. [...]
Rating: 
Summary: The plot - and the layers of meaning - thicken
Review: On one level, the latest installment in the Harry Potter series delivers all the thrilling twists and turns, surprises, and action-packed drama that faithful readers (like me) have come to expect from this excellent serial adventure. However, as satisfying as the book is on this level -- and I'm not going to include any plot spoilers here! -- there is so much more going on that provides the richness and depth that make the Harry Potter books so much more than simple fantasy stories. More than any of the plot twists (which are great, as always), more than all of the hype and movies and merchandizing, it is these other elements, other layers of meaning, that explain the phenomenal success, not to mention the broad appeal, of the Harry Potter books. (and why a 33 year old lawyer such as myself would stay up until 3:30 am to finish the book two days after receiving it!) Like all good literature concerning children and young adults, The Order of the Phoenix has a sure grip on the emotional reality of its subjects that transcends the other-worldliness of its plot and genre. Harry is now 15, and Rowling expertly conjures (pun intended, I'm afraid) the rollercoaster of adolescence -- the feeling that you are the only one who has ever felt these confusing and powerful emotions. Of course, Rowling's hero is objectively, as well as subjectively, unique -- when Harry complains that no one understands how he feels or what it's like to be him (as every adolescent has felt and/or expressed at one point or another), it is obviously true: as we well know by now, Harry is the only one to have survived an attack by Lord Voldemort that was intended to kill its victim. Rather than diminish the reader's identification, however, these facts serve to validate those feelings so familiar to adolescent readers (and those who can recall that emotional landscape clearly), saying: "it's true -- you are unique, and no one knows what it's like to be you." Universal though adolescent experiences and emotions may be, we all had to experience it for ourselves, and no one else experienced exactly what we did -- this is the basis of our adult selves, each unique. The experiences, relationships and, critically, the choices we make in these years have an enormous impact on the development of our "selves." For Harry Potter, the backdrop for this transition is more extreme -- more fantastic as well -- than for mere muggles like ourselves, but Rowling imbues such an emotional reality that the magic is almost irrelevant. Beyond the plot and the exploration of adolescence, the Order of the Phoenix operates as an extended meditation on the distinction between moral and social (or even "legal") right and wrong. As Rowling illustrates, there does not always exist perfect congruence between these conceptions of "good" or "right" conduct. It isn't as simple as "good" and "evil" -- the most important conflicts appear among the different groups who are opposed to Voldemort, the embodiment of evil. Rowling draws subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, parallels to other conflicts between socio-legal and personal-moral conceptions of "right" that should be familiar to those acquainted with Martin Luther King's or Gandhi's philosophy of civil disobediance in the face of unjust laws. If you think I am overstating the case here, or making too much of "kiddie books," you are wrong -- or simply in the dark. There is much to commend in this book on the level of profound moral exploration -- which makes the religious backlash against the Harry Potter books that much sadder (and ironic). I wish that the people who would burn this book could see past the magic wands for a moment and focus on the moral education that is the real core of these books (increasingly so, as the series progresses). Parents should all delight in the Harry Potter books -- not only for their wonderous power to make Nintendo seem boring in comparison (to reading!) -- but also for the opportunity they provide to discuss important issues of values and morals with their children.
Rating:
Summary: WOW....worth the wait!
Review: Great book, took me about 6 hours to plow through it. Fans will definitely love the book but might notice that there are some unanswered questions and some annoying little details that you only notice if you pay really close attention. There are some great new characters in this book; particularly Tonks, Luna (loony) Lovegood, and Umbridge. Umbridge is one of those characters that you love to hate, she makes Snape seem wonderful. Rowling brings back some characters from previous books; Lupin, Mad Eye Moody, and even Lockhart makes a brief appearance. The book also delves into Sirius Black's family and provides the reader with a bit more information about James Potter. I loved the book but was extremely upset with the ending of the book. The battle/confrontation (typical of every Harry Potter book so far) was a bit annoying since it involved numerous people and one of my favorite characters gets killed. This book ranks third for my favorite Harry Potter books.
Rating:
Summary: Another Hit
Review: Even though this book is over 800 pages long it is all in all a great read and you will be surprised by some of the deaths and plot twists.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Simply amazing, that is the best way to describe the latest entry into the Harry Potter series. With her wit and charm Rowling weaves another spellbinding tail that delves the series into some fairly dark waters as Harry seems to come into touch with an anger that courses through him. The only garuntee I can make on this book is that after you are finished the 870 pages you will be left with one feeling, sorrow. Sorrow that the next book is not beside you in order to keep the series going. Here's hoping that Ms. Rowling turnes out the next one quickly.
Rating:
Summary: I hate waiting, but i LOVE Harry.
Review: I will not give any unknown plot points away. But needless to say Ms. Rowling has done it again. this time though, the story is thicker as Harry is 15. Somehow this woman has the capability to write a character that is ever changing, while at the same time making sure the character is not ever fake, shallow, or completely unrealistic. I found myself thinking while I was reading, 'oh my God, Harry is growing up.' It was kinda strange. but grown up he has.
I really cannot see anyone being disappointed in this. There was one problem. I found a bit of editorial mistakes-that while were not distracting, were annoying. But who am I to judge, I'm just happy they finally got it out.
Needless to say I am quite satisfied with #5. I was one of those people that got it at the stroke of midnight.
On the fan side of the series. I Don't think I have a favorite character. Of course I love Harry but I love them all. Even Malfoy, even Snape. There is a new character though whom I am sure I hate. Keep an eye on Neville though, I think he is REALLY a true Gryffindor. A new character in it, I don't think I give anything away, is Luna. She probably was my favorite in #5, after the main 3. I love Harry Potter and all things Hogwarts. I will wait a while to post some serious reviews after more people read it. Until then I continue to wait calmly ... for the next installment. I do wish in the meantime she would do or allow someone to do a real Hogwart's:A History. I'd love to read that. I don't wanna ruin it for anybody, so I'm gonna stop typing. But hurry up and read cause I'm dying to talk to someone about it.
Rating:
Summary: Harry's latest challenge
Review: WOW! I love what the author has done for 15 year old Harry Potter and his friends. I was thrilled to see them taking on new challenges as well as some suprizing character development in everyone. I couldn't put the book down and can hardly wait for the next thrilling installment. If you really want to know what this one is about, just get it, make yourself comfortable and indulge.
Rating:
Summary: How does she do it every time?
Review: Wow! This book really lived up to all my expectations. Considering a three-year wait, all the hype, and the general rule that sequels go progressively downhill, that's saying a lot. 'Order of the Phoenix' continues to bring J.K. Rowling's magical world to life, expanding and deepening it as it progresses. In this story, we find Harry in the middle of the plot as always, yet feeling very left out. Bad things are afoot in the magical world, and no one seems to see things from his point of view. This leads to a lot of anger on his part, and in this novel, we see a lot more of Harry's temper. For all the dark aspects, however, this latest Chapter in Harry's life is, as always, full of humor and the sharpest wit. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat and laughing at the same time. My advice: no 5-through-100 year-old should go without reading this book; get ahold of one if you can!
Rating:
Summary: Best of the series
Review: I really really enjoy this book. The plot moves along nicely, the story flows well and it's my favorite of the 5 Harry Potter books. My previous favorite was Book 3. This book was well worth the wait.
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