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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter 5) by: J.K. Rowling

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Rating: - "Dude, where's my editor?"

This, the 'Attack of the Clones' of the Harry Potter series, is not a good story. It feels like padding and nothing much really happens. Both the goodies and the baddies end up questing for some piece of junk or another (look up 'McGuffin') and none of it moves the series forwards in any signifcant ways. It is far, far to long and some of the writing is shambolic. The hyped scene in which a major character dies is quite feeble. This is a real shame as the series is such good fun for all ages, fortunately things return to form with the next book.
To conclude, this has every chance of ending up as the only Harry Potter movie to eclipse the quality of the original novel, because the studioes will have to cut out so much chaff inorder to get it down to a sensible running time.

Rating: - Pruning Would Have Helped

You'd think that a major news event like the reappearance of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would be major news in the wizard world. Harry is shocked to learn that this just isn't the case. No news at all is showing up in the DAILY PROPHET, and Harry is beginning to wonder what is going on.

When he does learn something, it isn't good. Lord Voldemort is lying low, trying to build his strength. And the Ministry of Magic is denying everything that Harry and Dumbledore claimed when the summer began.

But soon Harry has other things to worry about. Since he's starting his fifth year at Hogwarts, his OWLs are coming at the end of the year and he's got extra homework to prepare for them. And two fifth years will be the new prefects. Ron has joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but he's really struggling with it. And the new Ministry appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is teaching them nothing while tormenting everyone at the school.

Even stranger are Harry's recurring dreams. He's walking down a dark corridor toward a locked door. But he can never enter that door. And when he wakes up, his scar is killing him. What does it mean?

This is by far the longest of the Harry Potter books, and it shows. The pacing is uneven. There were parts that gripped me, and parts that left me bored. It would have been easy to cut a sub-plot or two and save some space. The ending was engaging enough to earn the book four stars, although I didn't like one aspect of it.

Additionally, Harry was annoying at the beginning. He was very surly and not completely likable. I vacillated between sympathizing with him and wanting to slap him upside the head. This didn't help me get through the book either.

In the end, this book will entertain fans. And it does assume a previous knowledge of the series, so don't start here. While there's lots of information that I'm sure is vital to the rest of the series, this isn't the best the series has to offer.

Rating: - Fantastic book!

This is a review of the audio CD read by Stephen Fry. This is a fantastic book and I like it because it is an adventure story. It is the best book ever I think. The reason it beats all the other Harry Potter books is because there are exciting bits like fights at the Ministry of Magic, Harry gets taken away from the Dursleys and there are Dementors that attack him. I like Stephen Fry reading this book because he has a great voice, he has loads of expression and he is superb at doing all the characters voices. Listen to, or read this book it is fantastic!!!

Rating: - Review of the audio CD - very good

Stephe Fry's narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. We bought all of the other Harry Potter CDs, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

Rating: - Action packed

This is the longest book in the series. Times are dark, and we start to get an insight into what it's like knowing Voldemort is back. It's not all dark times though, as there quite a bit of well placed humour throughout the novel. Rowling has delivered a big book, but there are no boring bits. Perfect story for adults and children.

Review Pages: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next »