Harry Potter y la Órden del Fénix

by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter y la Órden del Fénix

published

February 2004 (first published 2003) by Emece Editores

edit

binding

Paperback, 896 pages

isbn

8478888845 (isbn13: 9788478888849)

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | compare prices ...

Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.

discuss this book

topics	replies	views	last activity
100+ Book Challenge: Nola's Books	5	8	3 days ago, 08:00PM
Harry Potter 5	17	62	3 days ago, 02:01PM

new topic

groups with this book

view all groups »

friend reviews (0)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 135672)

All ratings | 5 stars (57297) | 4 stars (40338) | 3 stars (17491) | 2 stars (3530) | 1 star (1014) | avg 4.28

all | this edition

Jason

Jason rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

02/08/08

Read in July, 2003

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Harry Potter produces a Patronus charm when Dementors in a park attack him and his cousin Dudley. Order of the Phoenix members soon arrive to escort Harry to their secret headquarters at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place in London, where Harry joins the Weasley family, Hermione Granger, and Harry’s godfather Sirius Black. He learns that Voldemort is building an army and is attempting to retrieve a "weapon". Meanwhile, the Ministry of Magic charges Harry with performing underage magic. A...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Jennifer

Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

02/19/08

Read in February, 2008

recommends it for: Harry Potter fans, people who enjoy escapism and fanatasy lit

Great read. There are many small details that were left out of the movie, and I'm glad that I get to see the story in its entirety.

The aspect that I seem to enjoy the most is character development, and I often felt much frustration and angst with Harry. He's most definitely a moody teenager. As I read the book I wondered how I ever got through those teen years because they seem so confusing. It was like re-living them again, dealing with crushes and thinking that you are the most important p...more Great read. There are many small details that were left out of the movie, and I'm glad that I get to see the story in its entirety.

The aspect that I seem to enjoy the most is character development, and I often felt much frustration and angst with Harry. He's most definitely a moody teenager. As I read the book I wondered how I ever got through those teen years because they seem so confusing. It was like re-living them again, dealing with crushes and thinking that you are the most important person in the world.

I give credit to Hermoine who is so patient with Harry. For her age, it seems also inhuman to be that reasonable. Rowling has done a great job with the plot, making it interesting. The beginning of the book was amusing, but I am finding her "template" of the set-up of the book a little boring. I sometimes skim passages rather than really take them in because I feel like I've read something like this before. Although I like how Rowling works, the "summer, travel to Hogwarts, school year, Christmas, etc." chain of events is getting predictable and is becoming a little formulatic. I hope that she switches it up a bit, but I fear that she's worked herself into a corner with this formula. See, I would be in one sense sad not to follow the sequence that has happened in the last five books, but I grow tired of "re-reading" it. She makes attempts to switch it up, but has little room to work with. We'll see how the last two books go.

There are moments when I found the book to be a bit draggy. I often found myself skimming long passages that seemed to offer little valuable information. It's such a long read that it's hard to make each word count, and soemtimes I think that Rowling can be a bit excessive. Yet, I appreciate the imagery she creates. I would just cut down some parts a little.

I was very moved by the death of Sirius. If you didn't get the impact of Cedric dying, then you felt it in this book. There is a cost for fighting for something, and I'm glad that Rolwing did not shy away from pain and death. I'm certain that there will be more of this in the coming volumes. Even so, I particularly liked Sirius Black. He was mysterious and restless and I was so sad to see him go. I think I even cried a little. But, you know it would have been too perfect if Sirius lived and Harry was all happy ever after with him. There are many aspects about Harry's life already that are too perfect (that he's so great at Quidditch, that he has amazing talents as a wizard, that he goes to an elite school, that he has money, that he manages to go out with his first crush, etc.) Sometimes I wish Rolwing was a little more realistic with Harry, and I'm glad that she has him going through this death of Sirius. It's very real and makes Harry very real. I think it was much needed because Harry was starting to appear supernatural in some ways. He has escaped Voldemort 4 times and has done great feats like a patronus. So, I'm glad that he's brought back to earth.

I did think it was a bit of a stretch to let Gryffindor win the Quidditch cup. I thought that what Ron really needed was to make some spectacular saves and just miss out on losing the cup. That way Ron would've done a great job. I think that would have been fair, and I think that Gryffindor needs to lose the cup for once. I don't know, it just seemed too perfect for me.

Then comes the wizard battle in the department of mysteries. Sometimes I got a little confused with things because I was reading so quickly and trying to see how it ends. I think sections like that deserve a re-read because so much is going on that it's hard to fit the pieces in correctly when you're reading for pure plot. But was it spectacular? Um, not so much. It was entertaining, but it didn't leave me breathless. I was glad that Neville showed some good stuff though.

I often wonder if Rowling is making an intentional jab and certain administrations with the blundering Fudge and the Ministry of Magic. I don't think that she is really pointing the finger at someone in particular, but is merely making a point. The point is that some administrations muddle too much in the affars of people and can have too much control over them. People ought to know the truth about things, but they in turn must also seek truth when it is presented. I think that it would be unwise to make direct comparisons to particular political/ and or religious institutions.

Well, I'm onto the next book......less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Jake

Jake rated it:

(review of isbn 0807220280)

07/11/08

bookshelves: fantasy, series, young-adult

I decided to do this book on audio, mostly because I started it while making a long drive home for Sister Stone’s birthday. I figured I needed something to keep me going on the long drive, and was almost done with HP4 when I left. Thus, it took me a little while to finish this. But it was worth it.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, and for my money, the best. The characters start to get the most development, the world that Rowling has crea...more I decided to do this book on audio, mostly because I started it while making a long drive home for Sister Stone’s birthday. I figured I needed something to keep me going on the long drive, and was almost done with HP4 when I left. Thus, it took me a little while to finish this. But it was worth it.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, and for my money, the best. The characters start to get the most development, the world that Rowling has created finally starts to come into full view, and interesting things actually happen. The status quo gets disrupted. This, I like.

I also like the martial arts treatise contained in this book.

For all of you who think I’m on crack, follow me for a moment.

One of the big conflicts that occurs in this book occurs between Dolores Umbrage (the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher), and the rest of the class, lead principally by Harry and Hermione. The conflict centers around, among other things, Umbrage’s belief that Defense Against the Dark Arts can be learned simply by studying theory, without actually practicing the spells involved. In other words, that theoretical knowledge about combat is sufficient to prepare an individual for real combat.

Similarly, the martial arts today are filled with people who believe that by meditating and theorizing about what they “would” or “could” do in a fight is sufficient to prepare themselves for a real confrontation. They avoid any sort of drill or activity that would require them to demonstrate their abilities against a resistant opponent, choosing instead to spout off random theories and made up statistics that support their beliefs.

Harry (who has actually seen combat), and several other students, reject this notion on the grounds that theorizing about violence has never helped them survive anything. Which makes sense, in the real world, and in their own. Preparing for combat requires training where you actually get hit, actually hit something, and generally, well, experience conflict. If you've never, ever, tried to do something to a person who didn't want you to do it to them, you're in for a rude shock the first time it happens. In the end, Harry's method of actually training to fight seems to be born out as the better one, at least to me. Of course, I happen to agree with Harry's point of view, but I think it's signifigant that Umbrage seems largely incapable of defending herself when not backed up by a horde of flunkies and paperwork.

Other random thoughts:

The ending disappointed me a little bit. I liked things better with Dumbledore on the lam, and Harry stuck in a school turned against him. That, and the constant removal/offing of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers is getting old. Personally, I’m starting to suspect that the series will end with Harry taking on that position, if he doesn’t actually kick it first. Either seems possible.

I get why people think some of the characters don’t have a lot of personality, though I think their being fleshed out better as the series goes on. What I don’t get is why people argue that Malfoy DOES have a fleshed out personality. He’s an evil jerk. He’s an evil jerk in book one, and he’s STILL an evil jerk in book five. Sure, he doesn’t like Harry & Co., but I don’t really see how that’s a more nuanced personality than Harry’s or Hermione’s. A cardboard villain isn’t somehow more “real” than a cardboard hero. ...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Holly

Holly rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

07/20/08

bookshelves: children-youth

Delightfully entertaining. The book opens with a bored, 15-year old Harry. He's full of normal teenage angst that is compounded by the fact that he's feeling abandoned by the wizarding world. He managed to finish the Triwizard Tournament, only to watch Cedric die at the hands of Wormtail and then find himself face to face with Lord Voldemort. As soon as school ended, he was sent back to the Dursley's with no significant contact from Ron and Hermione. After defending a dementor attack on himself ...more Delightfully entertaining. The book opens with a bored, 15-year old Harry. He's full of normal teenage angst that is compounded by the fact that he's feeling abandoned by the wizarding world. He managed to finish the Triwizard Tournament, only to watch Cedric die at the hands of Wormtail and then find himself face to face with Lord Voldemort. As soon as school ended, he was sent back to the Dursley's with no significant contact from Ron and Hermione. After defending a dementor attack on himself and Dudley, he is faced with expulsion from Hogwarts.

This book could be considered the darkest, so far. Harry returns to school to find that he is the object of scorn and ridicule. The ministry has been playing down the events of the last year and refuses to admit that Lord Voldemort has returned.

Harry is also a teenager. He's facing difficult exams. He's tired of being famous. When he finally gets to Grimmauld Place and meets up with Ron and Hermione again, he lets loose with frustrated rant. It was dead on for a teenager who is angry at the fact that while he has, several times, fought the greatest wizard of all time, he is still treated like a child who doesn't understand.

He questions everything and he struggles with his attraction to Cho Chang. Professor Dumbledore seems to ignore him and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge, is an evil fascist who hates him. He's having nightmares about a door he can't get through, and he must take Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape.

There is a lot of action and a lot of angst. There are some funny parts. I love the scene when Harry is telling Ron and Hermione about his kiss with Cho and wonders why she was crying. When Hermione explains the emotional aspect of girls the interchange between her and Ron is priceless. I'm so glad they included it in the film.

Another great aspect of the book is when Harry, Hermione and Ron form the DA. Professor Umbridge won't teach them defensive spells and so Hermione takes it upon herself to convince Harry to teach them. That these teenagers all came together to do this is terrific and I loved seeing Harry have responsibility and the ability to teach his fellow classmates so many of the things he had used to defend himself against Voldemort. It was well done in the film too.

I always felt that Sirius' character wasn't well-developed and it was hard to believe that Harry felt so much connection with him, other than the fact that he was James' best friend. In the book, he's mostly sullen and angry, which is understandable. But, there isn't much compassion or affection shown. I much prefer the Sirius from the film. Gary Oldman really brought the character to life and he and Daniel Radcliffe really had a father/son chemistry. His death in the book was anti-climactic. His death in the film was heart-wrenching.

My other complaint with this book is Grawp. Hagrid doesn't need any extra, insignificant plot points. I don't see Grawp's purpose in the series. Even after finishing #7, his role isn't really necessary. He does nothing to improve the storyline. It's annoying and distracting. While I don't like Dobby, I don't understand why he hasn't been given more screen time since Chamber of Secrets. He has a much more imporant role than Grawp has in the remaining books.

Until 6 and 7 came along, this was my favorite book! ...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Melissa

Melissa rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

09/15/08

Read in June, 2003

“I have seen it discussed - is it good? Who cares. It's not like you get a new Harry Potter book every day, you have to treasure this shit. I don't slink home from the solar eclipse and be like, well, I've seen more invigorating natural phenomena” (Tycho, penny-arcade.com). Tycho pretty much summed up the glory of J.K. Rowling’s newest record-breaking release, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While the novel is not my favorite in the amazing adventures of Harry, Ron, Her...more “I have seen it discussed - is it good? Who cares. It's not like you get a new Harry Potter book every day, you have to treasure this shit. I don't slink home from the solar eclipse and be like, well, I've seen more invigorating natural phenomena” (Tycho, penny-arcade.com). Tycho pretty much summed up the glory of J.K. Rowling’s newest record-breaking release, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While the novel is not my favorite in the amazing adventures of Harry, Ron, Hermione, et al., it still kicked major ass.

(While I’m trying my very best to be vague, I’m now including this spoiler warning, just in case you’re really, really anal about that sort of thing.)

First, I have to get my one problem with the book out there. If I’m completely honest with myself, I have to admit that Rowling spent 870 pages just to tell us a bit of information about Harry that many fans, like myself, have likely already assumed. I mean, I’m sure she introduced concepts, characters, and clues that are vital to the septology, but honestly, compared to any other of her five books, this one, I think, was just kinda filler. Nonetheless, Rowling’s filler is far more interesting and entertaining than many authors’ masterpieces, so who’s complaining? Not me. And this is why:

While most of Rowling’s other novels are lauded for their plots, which are intricate and intense, this novel has to get props for its amazing characterization. While I’ve always loved Rowling’s true to life, dynamic, round, characters (Hermione is my idol), they just shined in this book. Old, sometimes dismissed, characters stole the spotlight. Hermione was, even more so than before, super cool, powerful, and quick thinking. Fred and George are sure to impress any reader with their delightful dialogue, incredible inventions, and show stopping schemes. I was never a Weasley twins fan, but I have been converted! Neville surprises even those readers that were itching for him to triumph. Ginny’s new conversational skills (as she is finally able to talk around Harry) reveal another super-skilled Weasley: in magical ability, determination, bravery, and fraudulence.

The new characters Rowling introduced are also superb. I’m sure everyone knows a person like Luna Lovegood, who is often overlooked, yet oh so important and loyal. Her off the wall, dreamy dialogue is hilarious. And Professor Umbridge… Wow. Who’d have thought that Rowling could create a teacher that I hated more than Snape or Trelawny? But she did an expert job at it.

Rowling’s astonishing understanding of adolescence shines through in her fifth novel, which respectfully pokes fun at early dating and all too accurately captures teenage angst in Harry’s annoying attitude.

Her fifth novel also contains what I think will be some of the most memorable scenes of Harry’s Hogwarts days. I will often chuckle and wonder at the twin’s final Hogwart’s exploit. And I think that every time I read Harry’s latest dialogue with Dumbledore, it will bring a tear to my eye.

Speaking of that latest conversation, it is from there that I get this novel’s quote:

“Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young” (Dumbledore).

All in all, Rowling has indeed unleashed another phenomenon.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Alex

Alex rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

07/23/08

To criticize any of J. K. Rowling’s work would be akin to spitting into the wind, but in her first five novels (I know! I know! I’m just a bit behind on reading Harry Potter!) of the boy wizard, she has proven herself to be a very talented story-teller.

“The Order of the Phoenix” opens with Harry, trapped with his relatives during the summer, struggling to hear any news of Lord Voldemort’s reappearance or activities. Instead, what little information he can pick up is rather detrime...more To criticize any of J. K. Rowling’s work would be akin to spitting into the wind, but in her first five novels (I know! I know! I’m just a bit behind on reading Harry Potter!) of the boy wizard, she has proven herself to be a very talented story-teller.

“The Order of the Phoenix” opens with Harry, trapped with his relatives during the summer, struggling to hear any news of Lord Voldemort’s reappearance or activities. Instead, what little information he can pick up is rather detrimental to Professor Dumbledore and himself. Nobody believes the Dark Lord is back and Potter is branded as a narcissistic glory-seeker. This attitude toward Harry persists through much of the novel and eventually becomes tiring, since only his closest friends believe him.

As usual, Potter has a different Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Delores Umbridge (sounds like umbrage?). She is quite odious and seems to have the upper hand on everyone on staff including Professor Dumbledore. She quickly enforces many new rules on the Hogwarts students and fellow professors. Professor Umbridge often locks horns with Professor McGonagol, a worthy adversary, usually with unsatisfactory results.

Hermione Granger points out that Professor Umbridge’s class objectives do not include actually practicing spells to use against the Dark Arts. She and Ron Weasley manage to convince Harry to teach them and “one or two” others these spells, since he has gone up against Lord Voldemort more than once.

At least we get to see Harry showing some passion and emotion in this year at Hogwarts. Teaching his fellow students spells, falling in love an dealing with the temperament of teenaged girls, his anger towards Umbridge and Snape, the absence of Hagrid and being barred from playing Quidditch all fray Harry’s nerves.

Soon with the help of a former antagonist and from a strange classmate, opinion of Harry begins to turn, but it isn’t until he and a handful of friends confront Voldemort and a group of Death-Eaters in the halls of the Ministry of Magic, that the wizard world finally comes to its senses.

Rowling also deepens the characters of Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley and perpetual whipping boy Neville Longbottom. We see the depth of Hermione’s intelligence and cunning as she engineers Professor Umbridge’s downfall. It is great to see once quiet and shy Ginny Weasley snap at Harry in fury. And Neville outgrows himself and becomes a force to be reckoned with. The young wizards and witches along with Ron Weasley step out of Potter’s shadow and prove themselves to be formidable as well.

However, Draco Malfoy and his cohorts among the Slytherins make frequent but seemingly obligatory appearances to antagonize Potter. Nothing new at all here.

As I read through Potter’s interactions with his professors, I wondered how much Rowling fashioned the teachers after her own experiences in school. Certainly, everyone can relate to Professors Snape and Umbridge.

“The Order of the Phoenix” is a fun and wild ride. It lacks the many adventures and characters of “The Goblet of Fire”, but stands tall above the first four with its thrills and chills. It will have you cheering the wizards, while jeering and sneering at the Death-Eaters. It will leave you hungry for more.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Sue

Sue rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

11/14/07

Read in November, 2007

It's been another long, hot summer at the Dursleys' for Harry Potter. Having spent most of it in an adolescent "funk" of depression and bitterness over the lack of informative letters from his friends about Voldemort's return, he's suddenly jolted out of his bad mood when two Dementors show up in the town of Little Whinging and attack Harry and his cousin, Dudley. When Harry uses magic to drive them off, however, he quickly receives a succession of owls from the Ministry, requiring him...more It's been another long, hot summer at the Dursleys' for Harry Potter. Having spent most of it in an adolescent "funk" of depression and bitterness over the lack of informative letters from his friends about Voldemort's return, he's suddenly jolted out of his bad mood when two Dementors show up in the town of Little Whinging and attack Harry and his cousin, Dudley. When Harry uses magic to drive them off, however, he quickly receives a succession of owls from the Ministry, requiring him to attend a disciplinary hearing. His heart sinks when he reads that the question of whether to expel him from Hogwarts will be decided at the hearing.

Harry is exonerated at the hearing but when Harry finally manages to make it back to school, he finds things are different than when he left. Hagrid's missing, there are skeletal horses pulling the school carriages that only he can see, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is none other than toadlike, repulsive Dolores Umbridge, a Ministry representative whom Harry is all too familiar with.

Even worse is the constant mutterings of the other students. Having spent all summer discrediting both Harry and Dumbledore, the Ministry has succeeded in convincing everyone they're both crazy and that Voldemort's return is nothing but a figment of their imagination.

With only Ron and Hermione standing by his side, Harry is hard-pressed to stay in a good mood and often lashes out at the ones he is closest to. His defiant behavior lands him in detention for weeks at a time with Professor Umbridge, who soon rises to the status of Hogwarts High Inquistor and revels in sacking teachers and keeping the entire school under the control of her stubby, ugly-ringed fingers.

As the school year progresses Harry and Umbridge frequently lock horns, and she retaliates by taking away everything he cares about: Quidditch, letters from Sirius, and visits with Hagrid. So Harry fights back the only way he can, by forming a secret defense group, known as Dumbledore's Army, and teaching his friends how to fight properly.

In spite of the frantic workload in preparing for their OWLs (tests that determine the student's future career choices), the tyranny of Umbridge, and Harry's unbearable crush on Ravenclaw seeker, Cho Chang, Harry keeps having tantalizing dreams of dark corridors and locked doors that are distracting at best. His scar prickles constantly and he soon finds he's turned into a tiny antenna for Voldemort's mood swings, which certainly doesn't help his own temper.

Things take a disastrous turn when Dolores Umbridge finds out about Harry's secret defense group. Harry is filled with guilt when Dumbledore, claims credit for the group in order to protect Harry, and has to flee the school to escape arrest.

This installment ends with an epic battle of good and evil, resulting in a devastating loss to Harry when his godfather Sirius Black is killed, and the full revelation that his destiny lies intertwined with none other than Voldemort himself. In the end, Dumbledore reveals the lost prophecy to Harry: either Harry will kill Lord Voldemort or Voldemort will kill Harry.

...less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Cormac

Cormac rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

08/30/08

Read in May, 2004

"The Order of the Phoenix" is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, and centres mostly on Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. Orphaned when an evil wizard called Voldemort killed his parents, the attack left a strange lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead. Voldemort disappeared for many years after that attack, and Harry - although he didn't know it - became something of a celebrity in the magical community. Since the age of 11, Harry has been attending Hogwarts, a very prestigiou...more "The Order of the Phoenix" is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, and centres mostly on Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. Orphaned when an evil wizard called Voldemort killed his parents, the attack left a strange lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead. Voldemort disappeared for many years after that attack, and Harry - although he didn't know it - became something of a celebrity in the magical community. Since the age of 11, Harry has been attending Hogwarts, a very prestigious school for training young witches and wizards. Unfortunately, since then it has become apparent that Voldemort's disappearance was only temporary, and his desire to kill Harry has not lessened.
It proves to be a particularly tough year for him, both academically and personally. In fifth year, Hogwarts students take their OWLs - wizard's exams - so his workload has increased dramatically. Also, after the events outlined in "The Goblet of Fire", both Harry and Dumbledore are being viewed with scorn by the Ministry of Magic and the Daily Prophet. Neither organisation is willing to believe that Voldemort is back, fully recovered - and seem determined to discredit both Dumbledore and Harry. In fact, it is said that any Ministry employee is in league with Dumbledore will be fired immediately.

Luckily, there are those who know better. The Order of the Phoenix is a secret society formed by Dumbledore, consisting of people who had fought Voldemort previously. Several of its members have appeared in previous books, and include Mr and Mrs Weasley, Sirius Black, Professor Lupin, Mad Eye Mooney and Severus Snape. Unfortunately, they seem determined to tell Harry and his friends as little as possible about their plans and what Voldemort is up to. The Order's headquarters are at 12 Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of the Blacks. Like Harry, Sirius is having difficulty coping with the situation. As an Azkaban escapee, he can't leave the house in case he is spotted - even though he'd much prefer to be offering more practical help.

There have been a couple of changes at Hogwarts also. Almost inevitably, there's a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge. A thoroughly obnoxious woman, she is also Senior Under-Secretary to the Minister of Magic. In a speech she makes after the sorting of the first years, she basically admits she is there to interfere with the running of Hogwarts. As the year progresses, she proves true to her word - additionally her teaching is woefully inadequate. Another new teacher introduced at the start of the school year is Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures - previously taught be Hagrid. Hagrid, of course, had been sent on a secret mission by Dumbledore at the end of the previous school year.

As with the previous instalment, "The Goblet of Fire", this is a very long and very enjoyable addition to the series. It's very easily read and will be enjoyed by both children and adults. However, before reading this book, I'd suggest reading "The Goblet of Fire" at the very least. Much of what happens there has a direct impact on the events of this book. Ideally, though, I'd recommend reading all the books in order - there are all very enjoyable !...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Samantha

Samantha rated it:

(review of isbn 043935806X)

01/28/08

Read in August, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

OotP is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series. With each progressive installment, Harry's destiny is revealed and his world expanded, leading ominously and directly to a final face-off between the Boy Who Lived and the recently returned Dark Lord.

For the first time in the series, danger finds Harry back in the Muggle world (a previously considered safe refuge, somewhat) in the form of Dementors. By defending himself, Harry breaks Wizarding law and is brought before the Wizengamot. This is ...more OotP is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series. With each progressive installment, Harry's destiny is revealed and his world expanded, leading ominously and directly to a final face-off between the Boy Who Lived and the recently returned Dark Lord.

For the first time in the series, danger finds Harry back in the Muggle world (a previously considered safe refuge, somewhat) in the form of Dementors. By defending himself, Harry breaks Wizarding law and is brought before the Wizengamot. This is the beginning of his discrediting, or rather, when he becomes aware of such opposition by way of the Ministry and the general Wizarding world as a whole.

This is also where Harry (and the reader) is introduced to one of the wickedest characters within this series -- Dolores Umbridge. If you have seen the movie, you've not seen her at her worst. That's not a smirch on Imelda Staunton; Umbridge was much more evil in the book. It is rather difficult for me to really describe her character, I must say. She evokes feelings of dread and disbelief, fear and anticipation. She is a major attraction to this book, definitely.

Rowling did a very fine job of writing 'teen angst' in OotP. Harry is a very angry, on-edge young man. His summer stay with the Dursley's has morphed into a quarantine, having no contact whatsoever with his friends and professors. This agitates a pre-existing anger and resentment that's been allowed to fester for months, and continues even after returning to Hogwarts. It feeds off the distrust those outside his immediate circle express: fellow students, the Daily Prophet, the Ministry, etc. And to top it off, Dumbledore ignores him -- despite the fact that he and Harry are the only ones professing that Voldemort has returned, being persecuted, in fact, for it.

Harry's connection to the Dark Lord has increased, primarily through his sensory-enhanced scar. Not only is Harry aware when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is near, but he can now feel his stronger emotions and can even see through his eyes. Because of this dangerous connection, Harry is forced to learn Occlumency to shield off these unwanted sensations. The pinnacle of the book is the prophecy, which explains the origin and the impending conclusion of this battle between Harry and Voldemort. Add to all of this the extra burden of O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Level exams), Hagrid's half-brother giant, and the usual Slytherin bullying and you've got a basic idea of the plot.

There is quite a bit of meat to this book, which is all together satisfying yet keeps you hungry for more. I was putting this one off until I'd seen the movie (twice now, actually), so to give it a fair chance. The movie isn't bad. It's not the best of the bunch, and they did take a handful of liberties you should know, but they did a decent job. I actually prefer the climax of the movie to the book because it (a) lasts longer, and (b) offers a better description of what was happening. Having read that scene just today at work, I would compare it to Tolkein's style of writing: let's tell you what happened, rather than show you....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Joe

Joe rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

06/26/07

After reading this book for a second time, I've decided to dock it a star. It's still a good book, very well written, but I have some grievances to bring to Ms. J.K.'s attention:

(SPOILER WARNING!!!!)

At 870 pages, it is very laborious to get through this tome when every other sentence brings a new disaster/ problem for Harry. Drama is fine, but to this level at this length is just overdoing it. Starting with the dementor attack in the first few pages and continuing through Umbridge's evi...more After reading this book for a second time, I've decided to dock it a star. It's still a good book, very well written, but I have some grievances to bring to Ms. J.K.'s attention:

(SPOILER WARNING!!!!)

At 870 pages, it is very laborious to get through this tome when every other sentence brings a new disaster/ problem for Harry. Drama is fine, but to this level at this length is just overdoing it. Starting with the dementor attack in the first few pages and continuing through Umbridge's evilness, all the way to Sirius' death (which on second read seems tacked on and unnecessary). What makes Four and Six so good is that they retain the sense of fantasy wonder that drew so many readers to the series in the first place. The Triwizard Tournament (4) and the Horocruxes (6) were just plain cool. The tournament was a fun story element and set up what is thus far the most important few chapters in the series. The horocruxes presented a great plot for the whole book and gave a basis for where the series is actually going to head down the stretch.
But what was there in 5? There is a bare minimum of quidditch, dumbledore's army is a very minor part, the Grawp storyline is total filler, the whole thing with the department of mysteries isn't all that engaging until the climax, and then ends with a silly prophecy (Why doesnt Voldemort just steal harry's wand, tie cinder blocks to his legs and throw him in the lake?) and a much-too-quick duel between Dumbledore and Mr. Riddle. There's just not enough fun in this book. Although i did like how the Cho subplot was dealt with.
And then at the very end, after all the doom and gloom, Rowling drops the ball on giving a glimmer of happiness. When Harry leaves the train platform, some of the Order is there, including much of the Weasley family. But where is Percy? Now that nobody is denying that V-thug is back, it would have been the perfect opportunity to show that Percy is back with the "good guys" without having it be overblown and sappy.
This book is probably the most confounding of the six so far, since when you look back at it, after nearly 900 pages and seemingly so much going on, there was very little substance as far as the big picture goes:
Fudge now believes Dumbledore. Sirius is dead. Is there really anything else that happened in this book that matters? Umbridge was just there to be the cunty character that Rita was in 4, and doesnt figure into 6 at all. Occlumency seemed interesting, but it ended with Harry giving up and us learning that Snape doesn't like Harry or his dad (really????).
This rant could all end up negated if certain aspects get flushed out in 7. This happened in 6, when it turned out the diary in 2 wasn't just a cheesy little contrivance. We shall find out soon...
...less

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

add a comment

Ricky

Ricky rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

09/29/08

Upon completing your book, write a review on goodreads that has the following components:
1) An accurate and brief (3-4 sentences) summary of the conflict of the story including the main character(s) role in the conflict. In the case of your summary, more is not better; concise word choice requires thought and precision. Summaries more than 4 sentences may bump you into the "B" category. Choose your words wisely.

Harry potter is the main charter; this is going to be his fifth year ...more Upon completing your book, write a review on goodreads that has the following components:
1) An accurate and brief (3-4 sentences) summary of the conflict of the story including the main character(s) role in the conflict. In the case of your summary, more is not better; concise word choice requires thought and precision. Summaries more than 4 sentences may bump you into the "B" category. Choose your words wisely.

Harry potter is the main charter; this is going to be his fifth year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizarding also the fifth installment of the Harry Hotter books. During the journey before attending school Harry can enjoy himself a little more because he gets to spend time with his godfather and bond with him like he hasn’t in the others books. The “order” has come to call again (secret organization that fights the dark arts) therefore Harry’s god father must come out of hiding in order to protect Harry’s life. Everything is safe and under control at his school until Hogwarts decides to host a wizard tournament and Harry is entered to be one of the four contestants when in reality there are only supposed to be four now Harry is the fifth contestant, but the catch is that Harry is underage and is not allowed to enter…..some one entered Harry into this tournament this is also a big quest in order to find out who has entered him in. Here is when all of the dark lord’s tricks come out of the bag and he tries to come after Harry because the tournament ends up being on big plot to try and kill “THE BOY WHO LIVED” (Harry potter).

2) An explanation (1 sentence) of the theme(s) you notice in the book.
The main theme and focus of this story is that you should always keep your friends close because a lot of times Harry tries to fight on his own when he actually has friends that are willing to stand by his side and help.

3)A comparison and/or connection between something in your book and something similar in either another book, movie, or song. Make a connection between something in your and something in your life or something going on in society today.(2-3 sentences)

The theme relates to me a lot I think a lot of times I try and handle my problems by myself but I end up being overwhelmed with all the frustration that I blow up. This could have been handled if I would have used my friends to talk to them for comfort or advice. This reminds me of an older song “lean on me”

4) And finally, your review. Liked it? Hated it? In 2-3 sentences give your opinion and support it with reasons.

I really liked the book its something that does not happened every day. Its fiction so new things can be made up and that’s what I love these books give you something to look forward to because you never know exactly what will happen next or what new devices will be uncovered.

...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Chris

Chris rated it:

(review of isbn 0747569401)

02/01/08

bookshelves: fantasy, harry-potter

Read in July, 2007

Since pretty much everyone I know has read these books, I figure reviewing them is pretty pointless. But with the new book coming out in a couple of days, I have to go through them beginning to end. To make the reviews more entertaining, I will be doing them in a variety of unexpected formats. For this review, I will be writing as an unnamed member of the Bush administration.

So, how long until we can get this Rowling woman into Gitmo?

I mean really, have you read this book? It's an...more Since pretty much everyone I know has read these books, I figure reviewing them is pretty pointless. But with the new book coming out in a couple of days, I have to go through them beginning to end. To make the reviews more entertaining, I will be doing them in a variety of unexpected formats. For this review, I will be writing as an unnamed member of the Bush administration.

So, how long until we can get this Rowling woman into Gitmo?

I mean really, have you read this book? It's an 800-page diatribe encouraging children to not only question authority, but to actively disobey it! I mean look at what we have here - there's a magical government that is responsible for to oversight and management of magical folk in Britain. Now I'm not entirely sure how this organization works, but I do know this - where there is a government, there is authority, and that authority must be there for a reason. No matter how much you may disagree with it, you have to understand that everything those in authority are doing is for your benefit.

It pained me to see how the character of Dolores Umbridge was treated in this book. She single-handedly tried to bring order to Hogwarts and steer it from the liberal-free-thinking path to destruction paved by that long-haired hippie Dumbledore. And what did Umbridge get for her hard work? The Medal of Freedom? No! She got carried off by a pack of wild centaurs. How is that right? Moreover, what kind of example is that setting for American children?

Now I don't care if Rowling wants to cripple a generation of readers in Britain. Go ahead, it's not like we need them anyway. But with these books becoming so popular in the United States, there is a very great danger that her insidious brand of rebellion and individualism will infect our children as well, and where will that lead us? Into howling chaos, that's where! Our children will see their favorite characters being disobedient and rebellious with no consequence, and it won't be long until they're thinking they can follow their example. If we let them, our children will become just as uncontrollable as the little monsters in this book.

I urge you, if you have children, not to let them read this book. It will do nothing but damage that will take years to undo. All you parents need to do is remind them is that there are people in authority - like yourselves - who know what is right for them. They just have to listen, not question, and obey, not understand.

I just hope that this trend doesn't continue in the next couple of books. Personally, I'd like to see all those kids locked up and that Muggle-hugger Dumbledore thrown off a parapet or something. The sooner Hogwarts comes back under Ministry control, the better everything will be....less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Keely

Keely rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

07/18/07

bookshelves: contemporary-fiction, fantasy, novel

Read in June, 2003

This is my favorite installment of the quintessential modern bildungsroman. J.K. Rowling has a lot of issues as a writer, especially one of fantasy. As a writer, she has a concise voice, which is certainly a boon in children's literature, and in literature in general when compared to artificially flowery prose. This simplicity, however, seems to me to be related to one of Rowling's general flaws: that of construction.

Her books can be...more This is my favorite installment of the quintessential modern bildungsroman. J.K. Rowling has a lot of issues as a writer, especially one of fantasy. As a writer, she has a concise voice, which is certainly a boon in children's literature, and in literature in general when compared to artificially flowery prose. This simplicity, however, seems to me to be related to one of Rowling's general flaws: that of construction.

Her books can be exciting, compelling, and interesting, but do not tend to stand up well to analysis. Her use of plot devices (especially magic) tend towards the arbitrary. This may help the plot move along and erase questions, but as far as world-building is concerned, she has created, at best, an ancillary setting for her story.

Her characters are perhaps her strongest asset as a writer. They are vivid, emotional, motivated, and archetypal without being banal. They may not be psychologically deep, but for a monomyth like this, that is hardly the point. Most people aren't that complex, either.

And though her plots clip along, driven by the characters, they, like the world, are seemingly secondary. They are not sleek and streamlined, but often almost fractal in their varied stages. This is why they often balloon to near a thousand pages. However, this does not stem from a need for 'realism', inasmuch as some stories gravitate away from the archetypal, monomythic plotline. Rather, this is an attempt by Rowling to connect together all the cool characters, events, and magic that she's got in her writer's notepad.

She often seems to have problems connecting all these disparate dots, but uses the aforementioned 'plot devices' as a sort of magicians trick to keep us from noticing that the scaffolding behind the facade is rather bare (indeed: crumbly). I find it somewhat ironic that Rowling wants to 'graduate' from potter to writing adult mysteries, because hiding clues amongst a backdrop of unconnected details does not a clever mystery make.

I found that this book had the deepest sense of mood, the most 'cool stuff', the most in-depth psychology (and character change), the least squirrelly/arbitrary plot, and the best cover art by Grandpre, whose nephew I was childhood friends with. All in all, it suffered the least from Rowling's deficiencies as an author, and profited the most from her strengths. I will entertain the idea that Harry's sudden 'emo' turn gets a bit heavy-handed, but it's really nothing compared to something like Spiderman 3....less

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

add a comment

Brett

Brett rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

01/02/08

Read in December, 2007

Rereading this book, I remembered what a strong reaction I had to it the first time, because I had the same feelings the second time around. There are really three parts to this book. The first third briefly refreshes where book 4 left off, then expands on characters and the "Potter-verse" and sets the scene for this installment. The beginning is fun, and very interesting, and moves quickly. There is an abrupt change in tone with the introduction of the most recent antagonist charac...more Rereading this book, I remembered what a strong reaction I had to it the first time, because I had the same feelings the second time around. There are really three parts to this book. The first third briefly refreshes where book 4 left off, then expands on characters and the "Potter-verse" and sets the scene for this installment. The beginning is fun, and very interesting, and moves quickly. There is an abrupt change in tone with the introduction of the most recent antagonist character, in Dolores Umbridge and her significant effect on the story. From here, the middle third of the book is a rapid and painful decent into a progressively worsening situation. I HATED this portion. I understand the literary importance of creating conflict for the protagonists, and the intention that more significant obstacles create more compelling resolution, but I believe that this literary technique can be overdone. Storytelling is more complicated than painting characters into a corner and creating a miraculous escape. I personally find it uncomfortable and unpleasant to watch the protagonists get bullied in progressively cruel ways for 300 pages. It's just hard to read. The "pay-off" karmic resolution is pretty good, but was not nearly satisfying enough for me. Granted, if the character experienced any of my ideas of what she deserved, the book would almost certainly not be marketable to children. The last third of the book feels like it gets back on track, and although the perseverance of the protagonists proves to be important in the end, it does make the previous conflicts of the book seem melodramatic and petty. The book ends with some of the most significant revelations and explanations of the books so far. Overall, the book chronicles Harry's continuing maturation, and although he does seem to have finally learned to rely on others for help (how many of his previous issues could have been solved by simply telling someone, anyone, that there was something wrong?), he continues to insist that his instinct is wiser than the better judgment of everyone around him. He of course regrets his choices, and the tragic results, in the end, and the point is driven home by a final revelation that a whole lot of trouble (400 pages, give or take) could have been avoided if he hadn't, as Ron would say, acted like such a git....less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Maddy

Maddy rated it:

(review of isbn 0439358078)

08/12/07

bookshelves: harrypotter

Siapa sangka, Harry Potter dan sepupunya Dudley diserang oleh Dementor di daerah perumahan Muggle. Karena melakukan sihir, Harry pun dipanggil ke Kementrian Sihir karena melanggar peraturan. Sambil menunggu sidang tiba, Harry pun tinggal di markas besar Orde Phoenix di rumah Sirius Black, walinya. Harry pun mengetahui bahwa Kementrian Sihir menyebarkan fitnah baik kepada Albus Dumbledore ataupun dirinya karena mengatakan bahwa Lord Voldemort telah kembali. Kembali ke sekolah, ternyata murid Hogw...more Siapa sangka, Harry Potter dan sepupunya Dudley diserang oleh Dementor di daerah perumahan Muggle. Karena melakukan sihir, Harry pun dipanggil ke Kementrian Sihir karena melanggar peraturan. Sambil menunggu sidang tiba, Harry pun tinggal di markas besar Orde Phoenix di rumah Sirius Black, walinya. Harry pun mengetahui bahwa Kementrian Sihir menyebarkan fitnah baik kepada Albus Dumbledore ataupun dirinya karena mengatakan bahwa Lord Voldemort telah kembali. Kembali ke sekolah, ternyata murid Hogwarts pun menaruh curiga terhadap Harry. Kondisi ini pun membuat Harry menjadi gampang emosi. Terlebih lagi kehadiran guru baru Pertahanan Terhadap Ilmu Hitam, Dolores Umbridge yang diutus Kementrian Sihir untuk mengawasi Hogwarts. Harry dan teman2nya memberontak membentuk Laskar Dumbledore. Harry juga harus belajar Occlumency dengan Severus Snape untuk belajar menutup pikirannya dari pengaruh Voldemort. Dengan semua tekanan itu, Harry masih bisa meluangkan waktu untuk berkencan dengan gebetannya, Cho Chang. Namun, saat Harry harus berhadapan dengan anak buah Voldemort, dia harus menerima kenyataan kehilangan orang yang dikasihinya...

Buku kelima seri Harry Potter ini penuh dengan gejolak emosi yang tinggi dari tokohnya. Maklum saja, beban yang ditanggung Harry juga semakin berat. Ditambah tekanan dari dunia sihir yang menganggap dia sebagai pembohong. Buku yang super tebal (termasuk yang paling tebal diantara semua serinya) tidak menghalangi pembacanya untuk duduk setia membaca dari awal sampai akhir (rekor gw tuh pas 25 jam (itu aja udah dipotong sama tidur en ke kamar mandi).

Seri kelima semakin menguak teka-teki seputar Harry Potter dan orang2 di sekitarnya. Seperti kenapa dia bisa berhubungan langsung dengan Voldemort. Atau dia harus menerima kenyataan bahwa ternyata ayahnya tidaklah sesempurna yang dia bayangkan. Emosi yang ditampilkan disini pun memang sesuai untuk remaja seusia Harry, dimana kita semua sebagai remaja pasti pernah ngerasain marah sama apapun... Istilahnya tuh moody banget hehehe.

Sedikit kredit untuk Dolores Umbridge... She turns pink from soft to madness!!! Gw bisa ngebayangin betapa mengerikannya warna pink di tangan Umbridge......less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Snakey

</