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Book's Description
There is a Door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror? Here are just a few things on Harry's mind: A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey. A venomous, disgruntled house-elf. Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams ... and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice. Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.
Customer Reviews
Witches and Wizards and Goblins, Oh My! ,19/11/2007
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to wander the halls of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry? In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, you experience that feeling and much more. This book is the fifth out of seven in the acclaimed fiction series about Harry Potter.
This book is all about the evil Lord Voldemort's return to power and the Order of the Phoenix's attempt to stop him. What the Order does not know, is that Voldemort is giving Harry visions while he is sleeping. These visions could be what cost Harry and his friends their lives. Will Harry and his friends survive through Voldemort's plans? Read the book to find out.
After I finished this book it left me begging for more. I think that the Harry Potter series is great but this book is, hands down, the best one. I believe this because the book is filled with action when Harry meets Voldemort, and there is lots of suspense throughout the book, especially when Harry is having his visions. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a challenge, but it may be difficult for children under the age of ten to read. I give this book five out of five stars!
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Again Harry gave me a Very Entertaining Read ,13/07/2007
I have read a couple of the Harry Potter; my 12 year old son has read all of them. I usually inherit the books after he has shared his copies with his friends, which probably accounts for me reading only 3 of Harry's books. I thought Goblet Of Fire was a bit better than Order of the Phoenix, but it's a toss up. In Phoenix the story moved along at brisk pace although I thought the beginning was long and drawn out. After mid way I was drawn into the story and found myself reading page and page. It's a wonderful story for young adults and parents.
While I'm on the subject of young adults there are a couple of novels I highly recommend that are based on real life stories during the 1950's: Tommytown by Robert L. Saunders and A Painted House by John Grisham. Tommytown is told through the eyes of 11-year-old Barry Foreman as he watches his mother, Helen struggle to survive living in sheer poverty with 7 children. A Painted House is told through the eyes of 7-year-old Luke Chandler as he watches his family struggle to eek out a living by growing cotton on their small farm. Sorry, no sorcerer is going to show up and wave a magic wand and make these boys troubles go away. Both are exciting reads with a mix of humor and very educational. I highly recommend these novels if you are looking for a refreshing tale that centers on young boys and girls and how they can cope with the hardships that they must endure. Don't miss these books.
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Undisciplined, Unedited, Frustrating, and Still Fun ,14/07/2007
This woolly mammoth of a "children's book" is the least of a great series.
Please, please--don't kill me for being right. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has a terrific story to tell, as all of the books in this series do, but this one is simply snowed under by wandering subplots and the author's seeming insistence on revisiting every character and setting she has embedded in the Hogwarts universe over the course of her four previous books. It felt like a survival exercise making it through the first hundred pages. I nearly put the book down. In the end, I'm very glad I didn't.
The plot, when you finally arrive there, concerns the refusal of the wizarding world at large to acknowledge that Voldemort has returned. The consequence of this is that it will be up to Harry and his friends, as always, to thwart the evil one's newest plot: the aquisition of a new "weapon" that will enable his ultimate rise to power. Interesting side bits include Neville Longbottom's backstory, the introduction of two new, wonderful characters, and the uneasy truth about Snape's enmity with Harry's deceased parents. Those aren't the ONLY side bits--no, no, far from it--but those of you who want the rest will have to forgo the expertly trimmed movie script and actually read all 870 pages of this book.
In defense of Order of the Phoenix, two of the best scenes Rowling has written appear in its latter half. I won't ruin them for those who haven't already read the book (all twenty-six of you worm-ridden, TV-addicted, uneducated purveyors of intellectual pus), but be on the lookout for Dumbledore "not coming quietly" and the Weasley Twins' alliance with Peeves the Poltergeist.
(This review was posted by Marcus Damanda, author of the vampire fantasy "Teeth.")
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Best audiobook experience there is. ,28/12/2007
... I want to resist reviewing the book, as so many have, and just say something about the audio experience.
... Jim Dale is one of the best voice actors I've ever listened to and he brought the books to life an a way that reading could never do. I like reading, but it's really incredible to have someone put a different voice to every character, displaying the emotions and tone of the interactions.
... They are a really phenomenal experience, and I've listened to them over again and again.
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EXCELLENT ,25/06/2007
Its all been said before. This is an excellent book. . . PERIOD! Thank you for many hours of entertainment Ms. Rowling. (I am not a speed-reader).
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Adolescents at Hogwarts ,17/09/2007
In this fifth book of the Harry Potter series we join Harry at the first part of the summer after his fourth year at Hogwarts. Harry finds himself back with the Dursleys, isolated in the Muggles' world once again. But all this changes as Dementors attack him. We then move into the school year where things do not look up for Harry. It seems that the Ministry of Magic has made sure that no one would believe of Harry's encounter with Voldemort of nothing more than his imagination.
During the school year it seems our hero does not deal well with his adolescent years. He is clueless about everything; what is happening to him, his friends, relationships, and common sense nor is he able to take advice. It is his almost constant whining, inability to control his anger and ineptitude in daily teenage life that has me drop my rating to three. Even with this the plot is moved along as we are introduced to the Order of the Phoenix, Hogwarts curriculum trying to cause change by the Ministry of Magic, and Harry scar gives more warnings.
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convenient and fast ,12/06/2008
This product was in perfect condition with a really low price. I also received it within a few days of ordering. This company is amazing.
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Simple Need ,25/10/2007
I wanted a hard back copy of this book, as I have hard backs of all the other Harry Potter books. Somehow this got missed. I got exactly what I wanted for a very reasonable price.
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The plot thickens ,20/02/2008
Others have summarized the plot nicely, so I won't do so here. I just wanted to say that I was truly engaged in this book, as I have been in the others. It's a pleasure to read something that is so transporting. I also admire Ms Rowling's skill at weaving in back stories and changing her writing style to match the older audiences each successive book is aimed at. This book is definitely a bit darker than the one before it, with the stakes much higher and alliances and motives of the characters much less clear. As soon as I finished this one, I had to dive right into the sixth, which made me very glad that I was a Muggle and waited until all the books were out before starting the series! If you haven't read this series yet, by all means do!
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WOW!!!! ,11/07/2007
I know a LOT of people have dissed this book, but I think its the best yet. I'm way behind all the other fans, I read the first book when it came out, but took a break for a few years and recently reread and I just finished the 5th one last night. For about 3/4 of the book I didn't think it was that great, because Harry was being such a BRAT!!! He was obsessed with people "not understanding what it was like to face Voldemort" blah blah blah blah. And Professor Umbridge is EVIL!!! I hated her! The climax is SO intense! It takes about 150 pages, but I just could NOT take a break and put it down!
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK, STOP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I WILL TALK ABOUT THE ENDING AND IT WOULD RUIN THE BOOK FOR YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT.
Anyway, when Sirius died, I totally wasn't expecting that. Like Harry, I was like "No Sirius can't be dead, he's just behind the veil." But alas, he did die. =[ It doesn't really make sense to me because he seemed like a main character to me, and the only way it makes sense to me is that when Harry is all mad at Dumbledore, it kinda forces Dumbledore to tell Harry about the prophecy. And I can't exactly see Mrs. Weasley being ok with Fred and George dropping out of school, but whatever. Overall, totally recommend it.
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Dark, but very good ,23/07/2007
My son says this is the best of the series...until now. He is reading the 7th book. He also says this book has more magic and excitement than the previous ones and it is a great fantasy book. It is darker than the other books, which might not be suitable for young children. Our advice is to read the books in order.
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My second favorite of the series ,25/09/2008
The largest and second best, in my opinon, of the series is when the good side fights back. Voldemort is slaughtering "for fun" and The Order of the Phoenix won't stand for it. The Order of he Phoenix is basically the equivelent of the Justice League. The ending is a duel between the two greatist wizards alive and will keep you wanting more.
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I am still going to give it five stars.. ,13/09/2007
I too thought the book was very drawn out, however, I understand why this needed to happen. The Order of the Phoenix takes place after the fourth (Duh) in which the readers come to find that the lovely Voldermort has come back and stronger than ever. Plagued with constant ridicule from the daily prophet and the minister of magic Harry must remain calm and continue to do as he does and fight the snickers and the sneers from the people at Hogwarts. I really liked the beginning of this book because it started off with some pretty good suspense. There is an introduction of two new characters and I thought very much that they added quite nicely to the dynamic of the story. I positivley promise that you are going to loathe one of the new people so much, it will make your head spin. The kids at Hogwarts begin to take matters in their own hands when forces are way out of their control and the book moves nicely into some history of Harry's family and professor snape. The end is a great ending and a brilliant set up for the sixth ( I have already started it, soo good). If you have seen the movie and are wondering if this book may be for you, just pick it up and enjoy it.
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Harry experiences the darkness in the world first hand ,24/08/2008
Overall:
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4.5 stars for Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix. It is dense, quick paced book with a lot of character development and life lessons for the characters in the story. The concept of Death and the implications of Death are driven home for Harry. The book is like "The Empire Strikes Back" for the Star Wars Episode 4 - 6 for the Harry Potter series.
Characters:
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Harry is clearly a petulent teenager which is a scary thought given his magical abilities. I find Harry to not be very smart and keeps missing obvious things in plot as well as refuses to prepare himself properly for the upcoming battles / trials. Harry's disregard for advice by others is not something that should be encouraged in your readers. I believe JKR is trying to show the consequences of not studying and working hard but the consequences will need to be more dire.
Ron and Hermiene are showing more emotional growth and development that Harry to me. I do like to see that they are acting a bit more mature and seem to be learning from their experiences more. I do get tired of the nearly constant shout and temper tantrums by Harry.
Frankly, I find reading bits with Harry in it a bit annoying.
Story:
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The overall plot line of the Harry Potter saga is advanced quite a bit in the book. See other reviews for details (no need to recount them again here). JKR moves the story along to help set the stage for the Dark Lords return to full power. The theme of disunity and how it feeds the dark part of the human condition are large in the story. The death of Sirius is drastic blow to Harry especially the way it happens -- quick and due to carelessness by Sirius. The potential cost of their consequences is vividly demonstrated for the young characters in the book.
Action:
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The book has a lot of action in it. I will not go into all of the action
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Easily the most complex, and in some ways most satisfying, of all the Potter novels ,17/10/2007
ORDER OF THE PHOENIX could well be my favorite book of them all, if Azkaban and Deathly Hallows weren't as good as they were. For all the talk about GOBLET being the one where Rowling really hikes up the intensity and the complexity in the series, it is here, in PHOENIX, she gives us Potter's darkest, and most complex, adventure of all.
The second most complex novel in the entire Potter sequence (the first being Book 7), this book is probably the second best one, though I still like Azkaban better. This novel introduces the Order of the Phoenix, a whole litany of new characters and a more indepth look at the Ministry For Magic.
Potter has been having bad dreams about a locked door. So he must find out what to do about that. While at home with the Dursleys, he and Dudley are attacked by dementors, and so he stands trial before the Ministry for the inappropriate use of underage magic. He ultimately must appear before the Ministry, and it is only by Dumbledore's appearance he is saved.
But the Ministry is not finished yet. Still under staunch denial that Voldemort is back, Cornelius Fudge sends a new teacher, Dolores Umbridge, to bring Hogwarts under the Ministry's control. Much of the storyline revolves around Umbridge as she takes over Hogwarts, eventually ousting Dumbledore, who goes on the run. Her end is very well justified.
I remember when I read the book back in 2003 when it initially came out being rather disappointed. I wasn't a big fan of GOBLET, and I couldn't way to spend more time in Harry's universe, being back at Hogwarts with characters I know and love. But when I read PHOENIX, though, I felt even more lost and rather alienated. Hogwarts was being taken over. Hagrid was missing for half the book. Dumbledore is extremely distant (for reasons explained at the end of the novel). The Ministry is taken over, and it's run by a man who doesn't know what the hell is going on. There was a lot goi
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Excellent, Nearly Super ,28/11/2008
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" takes Harry back to school for his fifth year. This is the longest and most complicated book so far. I think that it is excellent and comes close to being a super book. However, J.K. Rowling did run into some problems. The major problem is how one fits a great deal into a smaller space. Yet, the author must be true to several ideas that permeate the entire series.
The result is a book that is somewhat darker than any previous book and a book that is somewhat more difficult to read.
I think that younger readers should read this book, one chapter at a time. This will be hard to do, because the earlier books could, almost, be swallowed whole. Here, one must chew on the story, one bite at a time.
Is it possible to improve on what J.K. Rowling wrote? Perhaps. However, I am glad that I do not have to try to do that.
Really, the introductory review supplied by the publisher (way up above) gives a good enough idea of what to expect in terms of specifics. Harry is older and is going through a tough phase of adolescence. The tension is growing between the forces of good and evil. And, Harry must grow up. In addition, all the major characters face some growing pains. Further, the author must point the tale in a particular direction to start lining up a clean direction towards the ending of the series. This requires that the plot must include the death of a semi-major character.
In short, the ending is not quite the heroic success of the previous endings. Nor is the ending as neatly tied together. Finally, the plot of the entire series turns in unexpected and complicated ways.
Yet, I rate this book highly. Have some patience reading this book. There is a lot of material to digest.
This is a very good book but requires some effort on the part of the reader.
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What to say? ,26/07/2007
The fifth book in the series is not a dissapointment. I highly doubted(before reading Half-Blood Prince) that another HP book would be as good as this one. If you're on the fence about it...well I don't know whats wrong with you, ITS GREAT! Buy Buy Buy!
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Dark Tale ,16/02/2008
The saga continues but the story darkens. No longer is this a "children's story", but a tale of a young man who is dealing with a dark past. He has lost his celebrity status and is viewed as a liar with exagerated stories. Harry is changing, and I fear not for better.
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The best ,16/10/2008
I had already read and loved all of the Potter books but I was missing this one. I now have the complete set and will probably reread them.
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An Awesome Addition To The Harry Potter Books ,10/07/2007
This is the best Harry Potter book yet! I thought it was better than Half Blood Prince because it had more of the formula that makes the series so good. The battle at the end was my favorite and the humor gave light to otherwise dark situations throughout the book.
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Wait for the movice ,13/07/2007
Don't waste your time with the books...go see the movies. I read the first four books before the movies came out and wished I hadn't. J.K. Rowling spends an inordinate amount of time on filler material. In "The Goblet of Fire", we had to endure Ron's anger towards Harry for way too many pages. All right, he was mad. GET OVER IT! In "The Order of the Phoenix", it was Harry's anger over not being told what was going on. Again, GET OVER IT! Her books don't have to be 700 or 800 pages to tell a story. I love to read, but in this case, I prefer the movies to the books.
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Literature! ,08/10/2008
My opinion is that J.K.Rowling is a Gifted author. I think it speaks volumes that the Harry Potter series of books and movies have captured children and adults of all ages all over the world. These books are literature, they are brilliantly written. Personally I don't think there could be enough books that make the point of acceptance, tollerance and standing up for one's own beliefs and values. I've read them all multiple times and will continue to do so.
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Love Audiobooks ,08/12/2007
I have read the books and seen the movie. I bought my first set of audiobooks on a whim. I love them, I listen to them when I am driving. It helps to block out all the frustration from the heavy traffic in southern calif. I don't mind the time it takes to get home anymore. Sometimes I even sit in my car in the garage to hear the end of the chapter. I also pickup on things in the story I missed before. I want all of the Harry Potter books cuz I like listening to them over and over. But there are alot of different books that are audio now. There is even a rental club like netflix.
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Pruning Would Have Helped ,21/06/2007
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 as
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Five good books in a row. ,19/06/2008
I remember when this book was about to come out, the hype, the media, the LONG lines.
If you weren't smart enough to preorder this book you were out of luck.
Harry Potter was all over the news and the media was in a complete frenzy.
The book is just as long as all the others and just as brilliant.
Without giving away any of the story line, more drama, more action, another blazing story line and another masterpiece.
If you've stuck with Harry this long, then this book won't disappoint.
Can J.K. do anything wrong?
No.
Another masterpiece and another must read.
Recommended.
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Awesome book! ,15/07/2007
This book is awesome! Read it! I recommend it for teenagers. You really should read the first 4 Harry Potter books before picking this one up.
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Excellent! ,16/07/2007
Harry Potter really comes alive with Dale's reading of the story. My wife and I enjoyed casually listening to the story while spending time on other activities. It is a great way to recapture the story!
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When does the next movie come out? ,22/04/2008
Let me first say that I really enjoyed the first three books of the series, but I almost died of boredom from this one. While I know I'm going to disappoint the diehard Potter fan out there, this book just lost me. It started with book four and just went downhill from there. While I found the first three books of this series to be quirky, fun, and fresh, the series has taken a definite shift into the more serious realm. While on the outside this would seem to be a natural course (especially if the characters are aging), I have found myself disappointed with the way Rowling has handled it. The explanations have become long and winded, Harry has turned into a self-pitying little whiner, and though the villains want to be taken seriously, I just don't find them very sinister. Now proponents of the books will say that Harry is just being a teenager and that Rowling has little choice but to thicken the plot. While these would be good counterarguments, the most important thing missing is "fun." These books just aren't fun (for me) to read anymore. If I want a serious read, I'll turn to the works of Tolkien, Jordan, or even Martin. That being said, I'll most likely get completion through going to the movie adaptations that are soon to come out. So in a sense, Rowling hasn't lost me for good. If I rained on anybody's love fest for the series, you have my permission to mark this as an unhelpful review.
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Great book Fast delivery ,05/10/2007
this was a great book to read the series is starting to get good and this person delivered faster then my other book
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Heart over Mind ,19/05/2008
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (year 5 at Hogwarts)... This is a very tricky book for me to review. I have mixed feelings about it for a lot of reasons, which I will elucidate momentarily. However, I decided to award it 5 stars, based more on my "gut reaction" than anything else. Here's why:
This book is chalk full of some of my absolute favorite moments in the series. The character of Umbridge, while extremely one-dimensional, is also very effective as a foil to Harry in this book. She frustrates me to no end, and I dearly wish her to get her comeuppance. Thus, any circumstance in which someone stands up to her (notably, Fred and George, McGonagall, and Dumbledore) is an absolute delight, and these are the moments that stand out in my mind when I think about the book. We also meet the fantastic, imaginative character of Luna Lovegood, one of my favorites.
Another great thing about this story is the fact that the central struggle is not between "good and evil," (i.e. Harry/Dumbledore etc. vs. Voldemort), but rather it is between, as spelled out in book 4, what is right and what is easy. Harry, Dumbledore, and a select group of believers are preparing to fight the danger of Voldemort's return, whereas the Ministry of Magic is in outright denial of the return, and goes to unbelievable lengths to frustrate Harry's and Dumbledore's attempts to spread the word. This generates a unique story, in which characters who should be on the same side are working against each other, and I think it creates a wonderful dramatic tension. It also inspires "Dumbledore's Army," one of the most effective examples of character growth in the series.
On the other hand, the book has several faults that are hard to ignore. For one, it is very LONG, and could use a great deal of editorial tightening. It also begins to have a lot of plot holes and logical gaps, and returns to the disturbing trend of inept adults (does the Order of t
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Good product and value. ,02/01/2008
This product was a good value, and even though it was used it was in great condition. Would do business with seller again. Quick and easy transaction.
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The Carol of Harry's Heart ,19/07/2007
The Carol of Harry's Heart
The is the best book so far and every time you think you have JK Rowling figured out, she throws you off into another dimension. I have already read the sixth book, however this one and Chamber of Secrets are my favorites. There are so many rich, convoluted themes running behind one another and beside one another. The despair in Harry's belief that Sirius will return as a ghost brought tears to my eyes. How one woman can carry within herself the feelings so many of us have and write them in such a way so those feelings become almost of a physical nature. As if you could touch them with your hands.
And at 12 midnight tonight, we will all discover what happens to Harry and the friends he cherishes so much. So this is what I think may happen:
In book four, there is a gleam of triumph in Dumbledore's eyes. As awful as this is that Voldermort shares the same blood of Harry which includes the blood of Harry's mother, it makes Voldermort "more human" for Harry to destroy.
In book five, Dumbledore tells Harry it is love which is Harry's greatest power. Dumbledore tells Tom (Voldermort) his greatest weakness is that he does not believe there are things worse than death.
Harry's love will destroy, not kill Voldermort, and Voldermort will become horribly maimed and crippled. Harry will take great pity on him and this act will cause a magic which will transform Voldermort into a green Phoenix. The same color of Harry's eyes.
In book five, two of the broken prophesies state; "At the solstice will come a new . . ."and none will come after." Does this mean a new dawn of good triumphing over evil?
And there is the debt owed to Harry from Peter Pettigrew. Peter will find a horcrux for Harry to destroy or he will help defend Harry.
Longbottom and Lovegood will end up together and that there will be three houses left instead of four.
Snape
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One of my favorites in the whole series. ,07/08/2008
I think this was one of my favorites in the series. I have to say that Rowling does such a great job of creating characters that seem so alive, I actually feel as though I know them. I just want the story to keep going on and on and on.
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Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix ,02/06/2008
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix is a suprising, entertaining book. The main characters are Harry,Ron and Hermione.The main characters broke the rules that would get them expelled from Hogwarts.My favorite character is Ron Weassly because he never fights to make people stop teasing him.I can relate to the character Ron because I don't like to be teased. I also find ways to make them stop teasing me. I loved the book; every page was exciting.I recommend this book to people who like fiction and have questions after every chapter.
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An amazing novel ,22/11/2008
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the great transitional novel in the series. The first books have action and interesting plot twists, but the tone changes in this book. In the previous books, when Harry Potter wins a battle (aka the conclusion of a book), the reader experiences a feeling that everything is all right and will be right. However, throughout this book and into the next ones, the confident feeling that Harry will survive and defeat Voldemort and restore the peaceful, jovial magical world we knew in the first books is challenged. The changes in Harry's character do not inspire confidence either. The character we embraced and grew with is becoming a snotty, arrogant idiot. I found myself questioning whether the world Harry lives in will ever be the same even if Voldemort is defeated.
This is a great book and the beginning of the action that makes this series one of the best I have ever read. I recommend it to all.
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The maturement of the Harry Potter series ,29/04/2008
Ever since the fourth book it is possible to see that the writter has been making the series more dark, and sad for the poor Harry Potter, he is a boy who suffered alright, apart from losing his parents, and his awful family at Pivet Drive he has seen few happiness besides Hogwarts, but it has been growing more thin.
The fourth book has ended sadly, but it was to be expected, however the parts at which we read for are becoming less important at the end of the books(triwizard tournament for one).
I believe the whole rebellion thing to be poor explored in this book, and it seems that you have no idea what the book wants to tell just until near the end, and again it ends in tears of the poor Harry Potter, he just doesn't seem to be very lucky right.
It feels as this book was just an passage from the fourth to the sixth book, with no real effect on the series, except all the things that Harry has lost, and even when you think that he finally has something good, and BANG he loses it.
Overall, good book, but between the others (1-5) it is the worst, and most annoying, I read the 870 pages, and felt that few has passed, and nothing of importance ocurred, maybe the excessive characters this time were the problem.
And Cho, damm'it, can' this guy get a little some, not even and girlfriend he deserves???
Anyway, now it seems like an fanboy complaint, not so much, it just seems that for Rowling, the maturement needed involved bad things happening non stop.
But it is real cool to see the growth of the characters, clearly getting older.
3 out of 5 is the top I will give it, hope the sixth one will be better.
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Harry Potter ,04/08/2007
This book (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) is very interesting. The book itself has a hard cover that seems to be made of cardboard covered in a blue paper. This blue paper has a pattern of diamonds on it positioned vertically. I do not like this aspect because the paper covering the cover seems to be incredibly absorbent. What I mean by this is that it smudges easily. You must make sure that your hands are extremely clean when using this book. They can't be sweaty or oily at all. Then need to be completely dry. Otherwise the cover will get oil smudges on it. I found this rather annoying, as my hands tend to sweat when I am holding something. Because of this, I was forced to read the book using gloves. The spine has what I assume to be kind of a sticky cloth over it. I presume that this cloth is intended to give the spine stability. I see this as an added bonus. This cloth is light gray in color. Along the spine, the book says "ROWLING" at the top, written horizontally. This is the author's last name. Under that it has the words "YEAR 5" enclosed in a box. the number "5" is printed in a significantly larger font than the word "YEAR". Then, written vertically in a larger font still, it has the words "HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX". All of these words are written in a glossy blue ink. If you open the book, you will notice that the inside cover is covered in a dark blue paper. The same is true for the inside of the back cover. Turn the page again, and you will see the familiar diamond pattern from the front, this time in white and gray. On this page, are written the words "HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX" yet again. This time they are written in black. The next page details all of the other books J.K Rowling has written, beginning with "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Year One at Hogwarts" up through "Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire: Year Four at Hogwarts". The next page is similar to the preliminary title page, but has a pic
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Another Fanastic HP Book!!! ,04/01/2008
The 5th installment of the Harry Potter series is just as great as the other books. Yes it does take a bit of a darker turn but the characters are getting older and discovering how not all adults are good as they appear.
The cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts post is filled by Dolores Jane Umbridge. She is a pink wearing, half-breed hating, minister loving, witch! J.K. Rowling creates a character who everyone will learn to hate almost as much as the students Professor Umbridge teaches.
As if having one of the evilest teachers ever isn't bad enough for Harry; almost all of the wizarding world thinks he and Dumbledore are both nutters. The Daily Prophet and the minister himself are determined to believe that Voldemort is not back; but anyone with a brain knows he is back and proof is all around.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione become rebelious and fight for what's right, and take down everything that stands in their way. It is a wonderfully written book that will appeal to many people.
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The CD of HP OOTP is great! ,12/07/2007
The CD of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is great! Jim Dale is the most wonderful narrator. He does different voices for all the characters, and he makes the books come alive! The Harry Potter books are even better when read by Jim Dale!
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Harry and the Bureaucratic Nightmare ,25/10/2007
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is darker than previous installments in JK Rowling's beloved series. Harry is struggling with the scar he received from Voldemort as an infant. He finds himself in the bureaucratic nightmare of the Ministry of Magic,and deals with Dolores Umbridge,one of JK Rowling's more colorful and insidiously wicked villains. Umbridge seems innocuous with her pink clothes and sappily sweet smile...but she turns Hogwarts into an oppressive nightmare. Harry starts "Dumbledore's Army" as a form of revolt,as preparations for battle with Voldemort.
At the same time,Harry has become paranoid and easily angered. He pushes away his friends-Ron and Hermione.He is less sympathetic in this book than others. In "Order of the Phoenix",Harry finally dates Cho Chang,with whom he's been enamored since "Prisoner of Azkaban." Their relationship problems are realistically shown. Harry finds Cho too emotionally dependent,shoving her away despite her pain;Cho is still carrying a torch for her dead Cedric.
"Order of the Phoenix" isn't exactly a children's book. JK Rowling uses the Ministry of Magic to criticize bureaucracy. The story is more cerebral than action-oriented. Rowling doesn't seem to know if she's writing for children or teens...or adults. It's darker and moodier,and moves a great deal slower. There are times when it's almost stagnant. In the end,Harry learns from Dumbledore that Voldemort possessed him-a rather disturbing and heavy concept for youngsters. There's also a disappointing character death that either (a)should've been handled better or (b)cut completely. JK Rowling has begun killing off characters simply to be shocking,and not really forwarding the plot. Due to the looong gap between "Goblet of Fire" and "Order of the Phoenix",one can see that JK Rowling wasn't all that uncomfortable returning to it. She's more contractually obliged than engaged with her story. Can this series be saved?
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Another awesome book! ,24/06/2007
J.K. Rowling is on a roll! This book starts off with Harry being willingly taken from his house by an odd assortment of wizards, among them the REAL Mad-Eye Moody. He takes his things and flies on his new Firebolt to their destination. It turns out to be the location of the headquarters of the secret society, the Order of the Phoenix. This organization meets often to discuss what to do about the Voldemort problem. Harry wants to join, but he's "too young", and that just frustrates him. He quickly finds out that the owner of the house is his godfather, Sirius Black. The Weasleys and Hermione Granger have taken up residence at the house. Harry has company all summer. But he doesn't like the fact that things are being kept from him. It stays the same when he gets back to Hogwarts. There is a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Umbridge. She's from the Ministry of Magic, and she's not teaching the students a thing about how to protect themselves against dark magic. The students take it upon themselves to learn. A select group of people who actually believe Harry and Dumbledore about Voldemort attend meetings, and they elect Harry as the person to teach them what they need to know. He reluctantly agrees. He doesn't really like Cornelius Fudge anymore, considering that Fudge tried to get Harry thrown into Azkaban for breaking the law about underage wizardry. However, he didn't do most of that magic, and the only thing that he could actually be rightfully accused of, he was cleared for, but Fudge himself. Harry's delighted to be able to thwart the ministry. But when he learns that Voldemort has Sirius, things go downhill, and he rushed to Sirius' aid. Does he die?
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Coming of Age ,20/01/2008
The darkest Harry Potter so far, The Order of the Phoenix does not disappoint. Harry is 15 years old and goes through everything that the age involves - both good and bad. Rowling does a fantastic job of transitioning Harry into an adult, remembering all the intricacies of that strange and conflicting age we all go through.
Harry is faced with being discredited on the account of the Lord Voldemort sighting, as well as by using magic in the muggle world. Harry is perplexed by the lack of support from Dumbledore, and is full of anger as he traipses through the unfortunate events that are unfolding. Things are not helped by the appearance of Dolores Umbridge, new teacher at Hogwarts, whose sole mission in life seems to be pacifying and subduing anyone who might be a threat to the Minister of Magic, no matter how ill-perceived. And the biggest threats seem to be Harry and Dumbledore.
Another fantastic feat from Rowling, the fifth Harry Potter is a great read requiring full concentration. Instead of making the interest for the topic wane, Rowling whets our appetites even further, and makes us want for more of Harry and Hogwarts. The darkness of the book only exemplifies Rowling's growth. Highly recommended!
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Harry Potter grows older ,02/08/2007
In the fifth installment in the Harry Potter saga, Harry finds himself bitter and alone on Privet Drive. He has no idea of what is happening in the wizarding world, and hasn't heard from his friends. When they finally come to him, he discovers that the Order of the Phoenix has been reconstituted. Once back at school, he finds Dumbledore distant and unreachable and a new, evil Defense against the Dark Arts teacher.
In this fifth novel, J. K. Rowling enters new areas. Harry is obviously growing up and aware of what his future holds. She seamlessly moves from a child's novel of magic into a more intense, young adult novel with more grown up themes.
This is an excellent novel, one that can't be put down.
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Entertaining and kept my interest ,21/09/2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was far darker than the previous book but kept my interest throughout. Many of the characters are either becoming more sinister or are displaying a great tenacity to fight evil. Overall, I enjoyed this book far more than the previous one although the Potter series, as a whole, still doesn't strike me a "great literature" but rather an entertaining experience. I will say that as the plot progressed, I've become more eager to find out what's going to happen next; therefore, I'm going to start book six tonight.
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Puberty hits Harry hard ,22/07/2007
In the "Order of the Phoenix," Harry is struggling on many levels - not only is he struggling with the fact that Lord Voldemort - *ahem* He-who-must-not-be-named - is back, but everyone is coddling Harry and is keeping him from knowing what is happening in the magical world. To make matters worse, his Muggle relatives are treating him even worse this year - every year, they treat him a little worse. Harry is, as a result, sullen and withdrawn in this book. When I first read this book, in fact, I thought maybe Harry was being controlled in some way because he was just acting like - well, like a teenager! You all have probably already read the book, you know what happens, so I won't go over all the plot and details. What I mainly liked about the book was the increasing details about the plotting to overthrow Voldemort. What bothered me was the sullenness with which Harry was written - based upon past books, it was out of character for him. However, I can certainly understand his frustration in being kept in the dark when he feels it is somehow his fault that Voldemort is now free, whether this is in fact the case or not.
Over all, a solid entry into the series, a good building block in the story and a nice bit of work by Rowling.
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Excellent ,16/06/2007
My wife and I orginally started buying the Harry Potter books to preview them before we let our children read them. Book 5 is extrodinary with the graphic detail giving you a sense that you are at Hogwarts with Harry and his friends. This book is a wonderful addition to any persons collection.
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HARRY POTTER 5: WHERE BIGGER IS BETTER ,25/06/2007
Don't be intimidated by the fact that this book is almost as thick as Tolstoy's "War and Peace"--Harry Potter 5 is, in my opinion, the best one so far and has also been the only one that I've felt a desire to write a review about.
I have to admit that with the Harry Potter series I've been experiencing some of the same "Deja Vu" that I have with some of the earlier "Wheel of Time" books. In either series, it seems like the protagonist is fighting a new "boss" or antagonist in every book.
However, in HP5, we meet what I consider one of the most despicable antagonists yet . . . Professor Umbridge.
From the way JK Rowling describes her, you instantly start hating her. Everything from her frog-like smile, her stupid rules and annoying cough to her closed-mindedness of the truth. In fact, for me, Professor Umbridge came across as more despicable than Volde--er, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
HP5 is also the first book in the series where some of the characters get romantically involved and I have to say, it was done really well. There were times I was close to yelling at a character for their stupidity and then there were other times I was cheering for them with glee.
Even better than the new antagonist and romantic parts, HP5 has some really excellent plot twists, something that a novel of this length definitely needs to make the 800+ pages fly. The chapter with the trial, the chapter with the arch and veil (a mystery until later), and the last chapter especially, are truly amazing.
So if you're wondering if the Harry Potter starts going downhill with each progressing book (like book 6 on of "The Wheel of Time" series), the answer is a strong, resounding NO! After reading this book, it's easy to see why so many people love this series so much.
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harry potter and the order of the phoenix book 5 ,11/06/2007
love these book. very good
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My favorite of the series ,01/06/2008
While "Azkaban" and "Goblet of Fire" began the transition of the series towards the darker and more mature side, "Order of the Phoenix" was the first to really explore the pure evil that Voldemort and his death eaters were capable of and the conflicting feelings going through Harry's mind. This was when Harry first realized how close of a connection he really did have with Voldemort: he could be in his head and vice-versa. I loved that Rowling explored this more mature side to the story and the way that Harry was maturing along with the stories. Overall, this was my favorite book from the series.
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Great Product ,06/07/2007
I your a Harry Potter Fan I definetley recommend this product. Especially if you plan on taking any cross country trips, kills time like you wouldn't believe. Listened to it from Miami, FL to Portland,OR (3500 miles-6 days). 23 dics total, some of which at the end you can't wait to put the next disc in. Narrorator does a great job on all 140 different voices by himself. Made it easier to listen to than just a simple 1 monatone voice. Definetly recommend this product.
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My favorite of the entire series!!! ,09/12/2007
This was the most fantastic of the entire series. I thought JKR had topped of the entire series with the 4th book but no. She did it again in Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix. I think my favorite part of the whole thing was how evil the villain was. And no I'm not talking about Voldemort. Dolores Jane Umbridge was even worse then Voldemort. In the brilliant words of my brother, "I think I would rather chill-out with Voldemort than with somebody like Umbridge. Even the Death Eaters are not nearly as bad as her and she's supposed to be the good guy!"
The plot was great and the fact that Harry brought about the problem at the very end on himself was really interesting.
You most definitely need to buy this book!
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amazing ,11/02/2008
I don't know which harry potter is my favorite but the order of the phoenix is up there. What an incredible book. Rowling outdid herself with the last three books. I recommend it as a quick read. then read it again to catch details you missed the first time around.
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Excellent audio-book! ,27/09/2008
The audio book is truly excellent. I strongly recomend it, not only to youths. The CD is a full version of the book. It's performed by Jim Dale, who does an excellent job so that it's hard to believe that there's only one actor.
MK
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The Order of the Phoenix rises... ,23/09/2007
After reading the fourth book in the series I thought it could just not get any better... boy was I wrong! Harry staves off an attack by Dementors, saves his cousin's life, and has to face a trial at the Ministry of Magic, all before the school year even begins.
With Voldemort back, Dumbledore has recalled the Order of the Phoenix, a group of Wizards and Witches that fought against You-Know-Who the last time. Harry is hidden away for a short period of time at the secret head quarters of the Order, while awaiting his trail at the Ministry of Magic for 'Under Age Use of Magic away from School'. It soon becomes evident that the Minister of Magic is not only determined to not believe that Voldemort has returned, but has even started a compaign to discredit both Harry and Dumbledore to try and prevent people from believing them.
During the School year Harry and the other fifth years have increasingly large piles of school work to complete, and to perpare for their OWLs, which come at the end of their fifth year. Meanwhile the students, and teachers, have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to deal with, who has been appointed by the Ministry of Magic! Things at Hogwarts go from bad to worse, as this new teacher is given a wide range of powers over the other teachers via a stream of Ministry 'Educational Decrees'. Meanwhile Harry is plagued by troubling dreams, of traveling down a darkened hallway to a mysterious door, which leaves his scar burning more and more intensely. Perhaps even more puzzling, and disturbing, to Harry is the fact that Dumbledore seems to be going to lengths to ignore him.
Anyone who has enjoyed the past books in this series will love 'The Order of the Phoenix. This book takes the mystical fantasy elements of the earlier books, and ties them into an increasingly darkening plot line, pitting Harry and his friends against even worse dangers around every corner.
RD Williams, author of
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J.K. Rowling Rocks!!! ,18/08/2008
Yet another great Harry Potter book!! comparing to the movie... this book it's way beyond it. There's nothing like reading a good book and this is one of those books you must read =)
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excellent audio books!!!!!!!!! ,13/11/2008
I have at this point listened to all the books that have come out
in the theaters, i love them all, the narriator is excellent!!!!!
I am a Harry Potter fan, i can't get enough!!!!!!
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Things Get Serious ,04/07/2008
Originally pulped almost 5 years ago now, this book has just been read in our household. We are really, really late to the Harry Potter party, but isn't that the best way to be? Considering that we would have to have waited 3 years between books four and five, and now we get to dive into the 6th book the night after finishing the latter, is a fortunate thing for us.
Order of the Phoenix is the longest of the series, and culminates in an epic battle at the end which does not let down in the action department. There are new enemies introduced in The Order: both Dark Eaters and one enemy who is an apathetic/insane bureaucrat. And whether or not we can trust Snape has still not been entirely hammered out for us.
By the fifth book, our hero has turned from a child to a young man. He is dealing with much more complex issues than most have to deal with (predestination, seeing a friend die, issues of orphan hood) and yet when he lashes out in anger we still click out tongues at him. Rowling makes sure to show that Harry Potter is human (a magical human) and although he is destined to save us all, he still can't understand girls, really hasn't learned how to study for a test, and can't keep from feeling jealous when friends do better than him.
The pattern is followed here, just as it was in the past four books. Harry deals with his hateful biological family, goes to school, danger ensues, and there is a battle at the end--Just a regular school year for the students at Hogwarts.
There's one thing that I think this series does best, perception. In the fifth book, the war is well under way in the normal world, but the reader has to go to school and deal with everyday issues with the three heroes, despite the ever hanging anxiety that the world is falling down outside the school grounds.
The characters are funnier and truer than ever. And if we had to be honest, the brain behind this entire operation is Hermi
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George Orwell Comes to Hogwarts ,23/11/2008
Ms. Rowling's fifth book involves oodles of political intrigue between the government in power and many of the major characters teaching or attending Hogwarts. The school slowly morphs into a brutal, totalitarian institution under the control of the government. The reasons for the repression of the students and teachers are more complicated than simply good vs evil. This story is a wonderful way of teaching readers about the loss of individual rights. It is clearly darker than the previous four, but still very entertaining. There is plenty of magic, humor and excitement to keep readers of all ages entertained. However, I don't believe it is possible to fully understand and enjoy Ms. Rowling's fifth installment without reading the prior books. Also, many things are left hanging at the end and requires you to continue into the sixth novel for answers. No problem there. Ms. Rowling's books are addictive.
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I reread all the books this summer ,18/10/2008
And this one was the best and most imaginative of them all. The Department of Mysteries was easily the greatest fight in all the books.
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Jay Perry ,02/12/2007
Definitely a really good book. A reoccuring theme of the Harry Potter series is that at the beginning, Harry is always eager to leave the Dursleys home, because of the miserable time that he always have with them in summer.
Also, it seems that in the books before, The Weasley's have played a role in breaking Harry free of the Dursley's clutches, except for the first book. This shows the strong connection between Potter and his best friend Ron. However, J.K. Rowling leads us in the beginning to believe that Ron and Hermione have forgotten him.
Once again, Harry recieves a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, which also seems to be a reoccuring theme. Throughout the story, Harry has these "dreams", which Lord Voldemort takes advantage of, and uses them to hurt people close to Potter. Later, Sirius is killed, not by Lord Voldemort, but by his cousin, the Death Eater Bellatrix. Harry is devastated.
As the book ends, Harry learns that the only way to win the ongoing fight against Lord Voldemort, is to go home, where his mother's love runs through Aunt Petunia. So, for one more miserable summer, Harry leaves Hogwarts once again, and returns home to the Dursley's.
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ,11/06/2007
I absolutely love listening to this narrator - he does a wonderful job of bringing all the Harry Potter books to life. I have also got the next book in the series & can't wait to listen to it. I listen to my audio books to/from work, going to the store, taking my son to all his many activities, sometimes I even just sit in my truck upon arriving at my destination & continue to listen. I would recommend audio books to everyone who has a busy life or spends a great deal of time on the road.
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flip the switch ,20/07/2007
It seems like Rowling's idea of developing Harry's character is simply to flip a switch to turn him into a raving lunatic. She almost makes him too naive and ignorant for his age, enabling him to rage all the more. Yes he's a teenager, but he's also our hero, and she made him very annoying in this book. His only development comes in the end with his kindness towards Luna, provoked by the memory of his father and Snape.
The Umbridge sub-plot was great -- the teacher with too many meaningless rules, in love with authority for it's own sake -- a classic teenage target. Why make her outright evil though? A rigid ignorant power hungry ministry serf isn't good enough?
Harry's relationship to Voldemort is interesting, but all that climaxes to a prophecy in a crystal bowl? Much ado about nothing, for me, just as in Book 4.
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Teenage Wasteland ,12/07/2007
I feel I need to preface my review with this statement. Two things helped to spoil this book for me.
As much as I enjoy reading the series I found that this book is not my favorite of the lot. Prior to my reading this book everyone I know who has read the series told me it was their favorite in the series. That having been said, my expectations were pretty high for this book. The second thing that aided in ruining it for me preemptively was that I inadvertently found out who the major death as in the end of the book, and it was one of my favorite characters from he whole series. This actually depressed me more in learning it out of context than had I read it, because I knew what would happen when I got to the part where the character died. It was not a surprise and I found myself the whole passage leading up to it saying "This character's going to die. I already know it." It ruined the suspense for me.
Now, those two things hardly can be blamed on Rowling, obviously. The universe somewhat conspired to ruin this book for me. However, I am awarding her four out of five stars because there were some elements in her book that I found unnecessary. Most of it has to do with Harry's waxing and waning angsty moments. Now, I understand that he has alot to cope with, what with dealing with the knowledge of Voldemort alive, witnessing the death of Cedric Diggory, unrequited love, The absence of Dumbledore's attention, and the typical angst that comes with being a teenager... but Rowling presses this fact insistently into the readers head in some of the most obvious ways. She didn't need to constantly remind us of his difficulties by having him continuously throw tantrums so late in the reading. I know the books are (supposedly) for kids and she may just have been tossing those in for length... but please, give the readers some credit that merely hinting at his moods will carry this thought through the book. Not outright tantrums. It just felt
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Not a hater anymore! ,19/06/2007
So I picked up Order of Phoenix (OoP) on a whim, wanting something fun to read having had a bit of free time. I had read it twice before and, I had to admit, that it was my least favorite of all the HP books. My gripes with the book were much like other peoples (it was too long - could have used some better editing) and although I enjoyed it, it wasn't one of my real favorites, falling just below Chamber of Secrets (CoS) as my least favorite HP book.
However, since reading Half-Blood Prince (HBP) (when it came out and about a year ago - I plan to tackle it next, wanting to read it before Deathly Hallows (DH) comes out), I find that my views on OoP are different. Having seen where HBP goes, OoP makes sense to me now. Harry's anger, the prophecy, all of JK's decisions as to what needed to happen in OoP make total sense. When I first read it, a lot of things turned me off. Yeah, it was too long, Harry's anger really bothered me, the fact that she used a device such as a prophecy really turned me off (which wasn't really her fault, to be honest - it just seemed that everyone (Star Wars, Alias, etc) was using `prophecies' as a reason for one person have to kill another), that the book seemed so negative all the time, Sirius' death, and a lot of other things just made me not like the book. But now, I've changed my mind about a lot of it. Harry's anger is totally founded and didn't bother me as much (it really showed us how much he's grown and will grow in HBP), The Prophecy is actually pretty cool, and Sirius' death still isn't great but I understand it.
I enjoyed the book much better than I had the other two times I read it. Sure, it's not Goblet of Fire (GoF) but it's still a great book, a good fantasy book, and an important book to the whole Harry Potter Series.
I can easily say I really enjoyed it, can't wait to leap into HBP, and am counting the days (DAYS PEOPLE!!) until DH comes out!
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