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

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Rating: - Not bad

This book is one of the weakest of the Harry Potter series, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. The only problem with it is that at the end you just don't feel as satisfied as you do with the other books- it feels a bit doom and gloom-like at the end. Harry has just lost a great friend, and he has learnt that he has to kill Voldemort, no one else, which is a seemingly impossible task.
Throughout the book, no one believes him, apart from a few, that Voldemort has actually returned, and everyone thinks he is a delusional idiot who is attention seeking. The book is not as light hearted as I would have liked, but still funny in places.
My favourite part was when the evil Umbridge finally got her come-uppance. It is a good book, just not as good as the others- still read it, though, you won't be disappointed.

Rating: - Best book between 1 and 5.

Started reading harry potter years ago now but recently read this book ready for film and 7th book coming out. I thought this was the best book out of books 1-5. Could not put this down and read very quickly.
Storyline is great.
Everyone must read this book!

Rating: - The beginning of the end

What can be said about the Order Of The Phoenix that has not been said by every other reviewer? Not much really. yes, its very long; and no, it doesn't have as strong a plot as the previous books.

But, part of the reason why its so long is because the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts are so well realised. There is at least one book-length subplot to get through before Harry even returns to Hogwarts (the introduction of the Order and the interview with the Ministry). And we see a return to the pensieve and an insight into why Snape doesn't much like Harry. Oh yes,and Hagrid's half brother.

The chapters are fairly solid for a children's book (about 20 pages each), but they are clearly written and entertaining. Its not long and dull, its long and enjoyable. And its these 'unimportant details' that people will miss when they see the film.

The individual plot is not as strong as the previous books, because Voldemort is back and the story proper has kicked off. The first four books were treading water waiting for Voldemort's return and needed a specific book-length plot to justify their existence. This is really the first third of the final story. The plot is basically about Harry and his friends preparing to fight Voldemort in the face of Ministry denial and opposition. And that really is it. Its all the stuff mentioned earlier that goes on around it and the portrayal of life at Hogwarts.

If you are looking for a simple plot to read in an afternoon, look elsewhere. But if you want to spend a few days (or more) immersed in a brilliantly realised fantasy world, this is the one for you.

Rating: - Forgettable

I never thought that I would be unhappy with a Harry Potter book, but there is always a first time for everything. I can pick up any Harry Potter book and remember the story - except for this one. This book was too big and has no real memorable plot. It seems to me that this book was written as a starting point to end the series. Where as the first four books were treated as stories, this book appears to be a prequel.
Perhaps when I have read the final book, this book will make more sense in the grand scheme of things.
Despite this review, I love Harry Potter and I enjoyed The Half Blood Prince thoroughly.

Rating: - The start of the Second War

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book in the Harry Potter saga and is also probably the most important.

Following straight on from the events at the end of The Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger begin their fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Most of the wizarding community doesn't believe Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's news that Lord Volemort has returned and has been restored to full power along with his army of Death Eaters. The news is seen as a lie due to The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge who doesn't want to believe it as he is comfortable with how he has made the Ministry of Magic. Fudge feeds false information about Harry and Dumbledore to the Daily Prophet, the main newspaper that is read by most wizarding folk, which makes them believe that Harry and Dumbledore are crazy and their stories cannot be trusted.

Fudge also appoints a new Hogwarts Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Delores Umbridge, who steadily begins to take over Hogwarts through the support of the Ministry. Harry, Ron and Hermione immediately dislike Umbridge as she refuses to allow them to discuss the return of Lord Voldemort, and teaches them with no practical lessons. In rebellion of this, and for personal safety against Lord Voldermort and his Death Eaters, Harry begins his own, secret Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons with other Hogwarts students, calling themselves Dumbledore's Army.

There's the return of some of the characters from the previous books, like Remus Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody, Sirius Black and Cornelius Fudge as well as some great new characters like Professor Umbridge, Kreacher, Tonks, Bellatrix Lestrange and Luna Lovegood.

The Order of the Phoenix is a lot more serious and darker than the previous four books, concentrating a lot more on building up the main story that covers all seven books, rather than having one specific story that finishes in the book. That doesn't stop it from being another masterpiece from JK Rowling, giving her usual prefect descriptions and dialogue that gives you a truly magical read.

This is one helluva big book though, covering nearly 950 pages, so it's best to clear a few days and sit down and get engrossed (again) by one of the best books in the series.

Review Pages: 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next »