Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Book 5

Editorial Review
As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it?

The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.

Customer Reviews

The maturement of the Harry Potter series

2008-04-29
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.

When does the next movie come out?

2008-04-22
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.

The plot thickens

2008-02-20
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!

Dark Tale

2008-02-16
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.

amazing

2008-02-11
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.

Coming of Age

2008-01-20
As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Another Fanastic HP Book!!! 2008-01-04
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.

Good product and value. 2008-01-02
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.

Best audiobook experience there is. 2007-12-27
... 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.

This ENCHANTING book will cast a spell upon you! 2007-12-15
"He was walking once more along a windowless corridor, his footsteps echoing in the silence. As the door at the end of the passage looming larger his heart beat fast with excitement...If he could open it...enter beyond...He stretched out his hand...His fingertips were inches from it..." What could this mysterious door hold?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book out of the seven book series. When Harry returns to Hogwarts for his fifth year, he finds out that most people think he is crazy. Nobody will believe that Lord Voldemort is back, not even the Ministry of Magic. In addition to this, the Ministry of Magic places Dolores Umbridge to be the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher and then made her the "High Inquisitor". Together, Harry and his friends must battle what seems like the whole wizarding world and pass their Ordinary Wizarding Level exams.

I highly recommend this book to kids and adults of all ages! Out of the whole series, this book is particularly interesting because of its surprising twists and turns. On page 834, Professor Dumbledore says, "It is time, for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago..." This is when Harry realizes what he is up against. What Dumbledore said finally closed many of the gaps I had been wondering. I have never really been one to read very thick books such as Harry Potter, but this is some of the best literature I have ever read. I used to only watch the movies, but when I finally read the first Harry Potter book, there was no turning back!

Ready or not, here Voldemort comes!