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

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Rating: - Bad. No Stars - pity there's no minus star option

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a dreadful book - there, I've said it, and mean it. This, the 5th instalment, did / has put a very considerable artistic dent in the Harry Potter series. For reasons known only to JK Rowling and her publishers, this book was released almost, it seems to me anyway, in draft form. The huge excess of inadequate sub-sub-sub scenarios (I won't say plots as these are a quantum leap from being either integral to the story, or successfully complementing it), and the reams and reams of trivia, make this seem as if there were deadline / time issues, and a draft which was due further culls, went out hurriedly, 'as is'. There are further problems which see Harry suffering from such extreme angst, that both his frequent spitefulness and the scenes where he walks off from his friends - even Hagrid, spoil the spirit. I think this aspect was problematic in its degree and frequency, much less in both would have been better, and thus, less detrimental.

Ok, that was the admittedly rather unconventional summing up first rather than last, but, I feel this was necessary to leave those who would / do read this review, in no uncertain terms of at least my opinion, but one I relly do believe matches the opinions of most readers of this book. But, let us cover the basic story too.

Voldermort is back, and is using his time to reactivate his supporters to regain power, and to also forge alliances with the less desirable elements of the magic world found in its deeper darker denizens - Dementors, giants, werewolves etc. On the other side of the fence, Dumbledore has rallied his own troops, namely - The Order of the Phoenix, a stoic group of wizards, some familiar to regular readers already, to try and prevent the return to power of the dreaded Mr V and his followers.

As for Harry, his anger starts at home with the Dursleys, not only does his more than strained relationship with them continue and worsen, but he is also angry with his friends from Hogwarts for their less than informative letters - Harry wants to know up to the minute news on the fight against Voldemort, but is not getting it.

Harry also unwisely goads cousin Dudley over his penchant for hanging tough with his gang and picking on smaller kids, but, this is not Harry actually acting as an officer for the NSPCC on a voluntary basis, he is taking out his anger and frustration on Big Dud. This part of the story threatens to almost see Harry in big trouble from which he would perhaps not have had any reasonable excuse, but, other problems soon rear their ugly head, literally, and this sets off a chain of events which sees Harry having to appear in front of the Minister of Magic, to defend himself with regard to the situation where Harry, in the end, really was blameless.

Harry also spends time at the Order's secret location, in fact Sirius's old house, and here we find Harry just as angst and anger ridden, surly, and aloof, far too often. Also, it is here we are subjected to page after page of sleep inducing trivia and 5th rate dialogue - great swathes of this could have been - and should have been - consigned to file thirteen - the bin to you and me. But, it survived, unfortunately.

Once back at school, the misery continues on too regular a basis and the book is marred well and truly by now because of it. I particularly dislked the part where Harry slinks away from Hagrid. True, one teacher, new to the school, would cause anyone to be surly and angry, but, it goes beyond even the scenes were this is relevant. As for the more standard / expected Hogwarts' scenarios, it is the 5th form / OWL year, and work is piling up up and up, made worse by many detentions which of course also affect the Gryffindor Quidditch team in the worst possible fashion.

All in all, this is a prelude, and a tragically bad one at that, to the later and far more accomplished thus more interesting, gripping in fact, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows.

I really wish there were such things in the literary world as director's cuts; of course I do see the problem straight away - one writer, no one else; but, curtailing the levity, I wish it were possible for a re-edit and re-publish of a honed down drastically / less angry offering. Oddly enough, this has sort of been done, many years ago. The 1954 edition of 'The Ragged Trousers Philanthropist' was so strongly edited, it gave the book an entirely new feel compared with its release when new and unexpurgated, many, many years earlier; I am not sure which is better really, but, the fact is, these are markedly different from each other, so, it is possible. Come on JK, get the black marker out and 'kill the spare' (and import a few smileys from your desktop.)

Rating: - OK

Book arrived in the condition stated, they sent out the wrong book but was resolved pretty quickly and the right one was sent out. Overall no problems.

Rating: - harry potter book

Really pleased with the product. Especially as it was only 1p. Didn't expect it to be in such good condition. Book arrived in days. Defininately use again.

Rating: - Best book yet

I have really enjoyed reading the books before this and this one doesn't dissapoint! Harry finds himself home alone when his Aunt, Uncle and cousin go out for the night. Suddenly some strangers appear at his bedroom door, Harry then recognises Mad-Eye Moody in the cluster of unfamiliar faces. They then fly with him to twelve Grimmauld Place where he finds out about the Order of the Pheonix and why Ron and Hermione haven't written all summer. He finds some familiar faces there in the form of Sirius, Lupin and the Weasleys. When Harry gets back to Hogwarts everyone is quiet around him and not themselves. Harry finds out that the Daily Prophet has been saying things about him and not many people believe him when he insists that the Dark Lord has returned. Dolores Umbridge - the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher - has been sent to Hogwarts from the Ministry of Magic to keep an eye on things there. However she soon takes over the entire school, and all the students dislike her more than they already did. With their OWL's pressing down on them, and them not getting taught how to defend themselves Hermione decides to take action. Near the end of the book a battle commences and a sad moment is upon them, especially to Harry. This book is the best yet and is gripping and exciting, you won't be able to put it down!

Rating: - harry potter & TOFTP

i dont know how anyone could not love these books, you just get pulled into the world of harry and everyone at hogwarts. love it love it love it.

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