Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5)

by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)

4.33 · rating details · 515,218 ratings · 10,077 reviews

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 of the 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...more

Hardcover, First American Edition, 870 pages

Published July 1st 2003 by Arthur A. Levine Books (first published June 21st 2003)

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Community Reviews

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Jun 28, 2007

Annie rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: tried and true Harry Potter fans

Shelves: almostcrapbutnotquite

hrrmmpp.
This is my least favourite of the Harry Potter series, and almost borders on the "don't bother". It is saved only by the virtue that it is a Harry Potter book and moves the series along to the still yet unknown finale.
My issues with it:
- deals with complex social/political problems in a simplified, extreme, and dichotomous manner
- characterisations are too easy/lazy- all good or all bad (with the exception of Snape who's good/evil intentions are yet unkn...more

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Jul 18, 2007

Keely rated it

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Shelves: fantasy, contemporary-fiction, novel, reviewed, contemporary-fantasy, uk-and-ireland

This is my favorite installment of the quintessential modern bildungsroman. Nevertheless, it has its problems, familiar to any reader of Rowling's.

She never seems to gain control of her writing, which spirals out into thousand-page doorstops filled with unimportant side characters and rambling plots. The story is moved along by arbitrary plot devices, often magic. Instead of using the magic to make her world seem more strange and wondrous, she uses it to cover up plot holes. Why writ...more

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Oct 19, 2011

Wile rated it

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I've been told this was the most difficult to read of the series and I found it to be true. Harry is full of teen angst and spends a lot of the book furious (and being quite infuriating) at the fact that nothing is happening, and that when things do happen, he's not allowed to be involved. Of course not being allowed do things should never stop a boy like Harry Potter from getting involved - except that amazingly it does.

This book isn’t really so much about Harry Potter, but about a...more

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Nov 28, 2009

Jess rated it

Shelves: all-in-a-series, fiction, young-adult, favorites, fantasy, own

I cried like a little baby. J.K. Rowling really starts taking the series down a darker road in this book. She is so talented at character development, and it really shines in this book. Here, Harry is 15 years old, and for most of the book, he's whiny and self-centered, just like a typical teenager. I also adore Dumbledore's role in this book--his conversation at the end with Harry put me to tears. Rowling did an amazing job with the character of Umbridge...never have I hated a fictional charact...more

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Oct 22, 2007

Carmen Maloy rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone

What stands out in book 5:

* Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming.
* Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. ...moreWhat stands out in book 5:

* Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming.
* Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone.
* Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager.
* Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape.
* Dumbledore's confession to Harry.
* Harry yet again loses another loved one.
* We meet Hagrid's brother and come to love him as much as Hagrid does.
* We learn more about the destiny of Harry and Voldemort.
* We also see first hand how destructive government can be when predjudice, ignorance, and pride are at the helm. (i.e. Fudge and Umbridge)

Amazon 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.

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.
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Jun 26, 2007

Joe rated it

· review of another edition

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 throug...moreAfter 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...
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Feb 27, 2009

Crazy Uncle Ryan rated it

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Shelves: books-that-rock, books-i-own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Well, I know that for the last three books the story of how I read them has been less than epic but fear not, the story picks up a bit from here. Summer 2003 came along, I had just graduated from college and I was anxiously awaiting the release of the fifth Harry Potter book. I was so anxious in fact that I actually fell for and spread around the story that volume 5 would be called “Harry Potter and The Green Flamed Torch.” Not one of my prouder moments. As soon as the book became available ...moreWell, I know that for the last three books the story of how I read them has been less than epic but fear not, the story picks up a bit from here. Summer 2003 came along, I had just graduated from college and I was anxiously awaiting the release of the fifth Harry Potter book. I was so anxious in fact that I actually fell for and spread around the story that volume 5 would be called “Harry Potter and The Green Flamed Torch.” Not one of my prouder moments. As soon as the book became available for preorder I went to my college computer lab (which I mysteriously still had access to) and ordered my copy online. Unfortunately, I failed to order it from an online store that would deliver it on the day it came out. It would be shipped on the day it came out.

As it turned out, my brother got married the weekend of the book’s release. The wedding was on Friday and the book came out on Saturday. Saturday morning my sister, brother-in-law, my niece and I all got in their car and started heading home. We pulled off the highway into the first major town we could find and started driving around looking for a Walmart® so they could get their copies of the book. Finally, we spotted one and my sister and I started cheering like crazy people. My 1-½ year old niece stared at us with a very confused look on her face as she wondered what in the world Crazy Uncle Ryan and mommy were doing. My sister and her husband both bought copies of the book and we started back out on the road. As we drove we took turns reading out loud and as Harry was sitting with Luna and Neville on the Hogwarts’ Express we pulled into my apartment complex. They left me there and I was stuck without a book. I watched countless friends reading the book over the next few days. I expressly forbad them from telling me anything about what happened as I checked the mail every single day wondering when my copy would actually arrive. During that wait a nice girl I knew let me borrow her copy one evening as she told me she was not going to read any more that night. I ran back to my apartment with the book under my arm cackling fiendishly and I read as much as I could knowing that I would have to return the book the next day. All in all, I ended up using three or four different copies before I finished reading this book. I then didn’t see it for at least a month as I loaned it out to several friends to read.

There were several times during this book that I get really frustrated with Harry. These times involve him loosing his temper with Umbridge. So many times I just found myself shouting at the book telling Harry to control his temper and not yell at her again. That woman is the DEVIL! I can’t think of any character in the whole series that I dislike more than her and I include Voldemort in that. It’s no wonder that Rowling named her Dolores Umbridge. The name “Dolores” comes from the Latin word for pain. “Umbrage” (yes, Rowling changed the spelling for the name) means “anger or resentment caused by some real or imagined wrong.” That certainly describes her attitude and outlook accurately. “Umbrage” can also mean a shadow. She certainly is a dark presence that seems to brood over people.

This book also contains what I think are the two most powerful and moving scenes in the series. Neither of which, incidentally, made it into the movie version. The first of these is the scene in St. Mungo’s where we see Neville visiting his parents. That scene along with the battle in the Department of Mysteries should leave no doubt in any reader’s mind that, in spite of the fact that he is rather clumsy and awkward, Neville is extremely brave and absolutely belongs in Gryffindor. The second is the scene at the end after Sirius’ death when Harry rages at Dumbledore and their subsequent conversation. You finally see all the anger and sadness that had been building up inside Harry since the end of book 4 come out and we all FINALLY get the answer we had been waiting for so long as to why Voldemort came after Harry in the first place. That’s a very good scene.

Of course, one of the coolest parts in this book, if not in the whole series, is the wizard’s duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort. I love how Dumbledore is dueling the most feared dark wizard ever and keeps calling him Tom and speaking to him as though he we still his teacher and Voldemort is nothing more than a misbehaving student. That and the scene where Dumbledore tells Fudge that he has no intentions of going to Azkaban and than proceeds to knock out everyone is his office and disappears with Fawkes in a flash of fire just make you realize that Dumbledore is the most awesome wizard ever.
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Jun 14, 2011

Callista rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-more-than-once, five-stars, fantasy-all-ages

First read in 2003; re-read in 2006.
I know some people who complained about Harry being so angry in this book, but I think he has the right to be. He’s traumatized over Voldemort’s return and Cedric’s death, very few people believe he’s telling the truth about Voldemort, and he’s being kept in the dark by the people he trusts and cares about. The formation of Dumbledore’s Army is enjoyable because it finally gives Harry a chance to take on a leadership role, and his fellow students get to ...moreFirst read in 2003; re-read in 2006.
I know some people who complained about Harry being so angry in this book, but I think he has the right to be. He’s traumatized over Voldemort’s return and Cedric’s death, very few people believe he’s telling the truth about Voldemort, and he’s being kept in the dark by the people he trusts and cares about. The formation of Dumbledore’s Army is enjoyable because it finally gives Harry a chance to take on a leadership role, and his fellow students get to learn valuable skills that the foolish Ministry of Magic, deep in denial, won’t teach them. Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Luna also all really start to bloom throughout this sequence of events.
However, Rowling doesn’t skimp on exploring the consequences of human faults and weaknesses, and her characters make some truly painful and tragic decisions. Dumbledore’s distancing himself from Harry, Snape’s and Sirius’s inability to let go of the past, the adults’ failure to impress upon Harry how very important it is that he shield his mind from Voldemort, and Harry’s own impulsive tendency to leap to his loved ones’ defense all combine and result in terrible outcomes.
To top it off, making everything worse, is Umbridge, the bureaucrat from hell. I’ve heard it said and agree that for most of the book, Umbridge’s evil, deluded ways upstage the danger of the Voldemort situation. There she is, centre stage, literally torturing children in the name of following the rules. I love everyone’s attempts to outmaneuver her. The way McGonagall especially deals with Umbridge is priceless, and the Weasley twins’ fireworks assault and final departure are fabulous.
I wanted to dock this book one star for a long time because of the way certain plot twists broke my heart, but I have to give Rowling credit for creating such a complex, nuanced story and such interesting, believable characters. If she didn’t do such a good job, I wouldn’t care so much about what happens to the characters.
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Aug 07, 2007

Ren the Unclean rated it

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Recommends it for: Hardcore Harry Potter fans only.

Shelves: fantasy

This is the worst Harry Potter book. The characterization is unbelievable and annoying, taking the various holes in the world J.K. has created with Harry Potter and throwing them in the face of the reader with the expectation that they will accept anything at this point. Events in the world that main characters (and by extension, the reader) find outrageous and crazy are accepted by everyone else in the world without adequate reasons for their acceptance.

Harry whines incessantly th...more

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Jul 03, 2011

Mike (the Paladin) rated it

Shelves: fantasy

Wonderful book...only complaint I ever heard was it was too short. Still the emotional toll of this book is heavier than the ones before and it is more a young "adult" book than a "youth" book. As I've pointed out before, the original "generation reading these books had more time to mature between the publishing date of each book. Now they can be bought all together. Harry goes through some amazingly tough times (and doesn't handle some of them too well). Read these book...more

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Aug 24, 2011

Katya rated it

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Shelves: 2011, fantasy, holy-hell, kudos-for-the-worldbuilding, oh-come-on, the-harry-potter-challenge, teen-lit

Hello, friends, and welcome back to my reviews of the Harrietta Potter books!

*sigh* We got a bad one today, folks. I just don't mean bad, I mean really, really bad! I've often given many stars to horrible books, as long as I liked the characters, so it probably won't surprise you that I deduct from a rating when an MC annoys/pisses me off.

Luckily, that doesn't happen very often! Only a handful of times, really. Bella Swan, Luce Price, Laurel Sewell, Ever Bloom, Nora Gray...more

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Feb 05, 2009

Devon rated it

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Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: grandma-s, own, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This one didn't start out as slow as 4 and (Oh, GOD) 6 for me...which was surprising because I remembered it as being boring. In fact, I actually like the whole Harry-listens-in-to-Muggle-news thing. And Harry's so sarcastic and bitchy with Dudley at the beginning.

See, when I was 12 I read this book for the first time. Harry got on my nerves. He was a royal pain in the ass. But now I'm seventeen and I remember being 15. I remember getting on my own damn nerves with being so teenager-...more

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Jul 12, 2007

Brett rated it

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Recommends it for: Everyone

Well, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, and thought over the first half that it might wind up being my favorite, but as I read on I found out why many friends of mine said it was the worst of the lot. While I liked it, it ended up not living up to the previous four books. That said, the movie based on it is amongst my favorites, and my be the best Harry Potter movie so far.

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Apr 20, 2009

Rachel rated it

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Nov 01, 2008

Maggie I. rated it

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

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Dec 04, 2011

Saniya rated it

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Shelves: saniya-malfoy

I do believe this book was too long, too slow, too boring and too annoying. I think this was by far, the worst book in The Harry Potter series.

Too long and slow?
"Harry is picking up his wand. As he bends, he glances sideways and saw a house burning. He felt sad for that family. He glances the other way and sees Cho making out with some guy in Hogwarts. He remembered how she used to blush and how they kissed and how she betrayed him. But in reality, Harry didn't feel anyth...more

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Apr 13, 2009

Christy added it · review of another edition

Jim Dale is the best reader/ radio actor ever. A master of the British dialect, he can do Scottish (Professor McGonagall), Yorkshire, Irish (Seamus Finnigan), and Afro-British (Kingsley Shacklebolt). Sirius is gravelly and growlly, Hagrid has the appropriate touch of a Northern English accent, the Malfoys sneer in the Queen's English. He strikes out in only two ways - Hermione sounds woolly, and Firenze and his centaur clan are Irish. I can understand the Celtic connection with the Otherworld an...more

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Jul 15, 2011

Mike Mauthor rated it

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Still remember the excitement that spread in every bookstore when this book came out THREE YEARS after the book 4 came around. This was a long time and for good reason i thought the author had a good story to reveal to the world. Did she succeed? Yes and No....somewhat.. it was good but wasn't great or perfect.

Here are a number of things that i had a little problem with in HP5

1. Although I like Umbridge's character in the book, i just thought that she overshadow voldemor...moreStill remember the excitement that spread in every bookstore when this book came out THREE YEARS after the book 4 came around. This was a long time and for good reason i thought the author had a good story to reveal to the world. Did she succeed? Yes and No....somewhat.. it was good but wasn't great or perfect.

Here are a number of things that i had a little problem with in HP5

1. Although I like Umbridge's character in the book, i just thought that she overshadow voldemort as the best villain. I remember reading somewhere that someone i.e supporting characters shouldn't overshadow the hero( or be more likeable than the hero). I wonder if this same rule apply to villains too.

2. I wished the author focused more on voldemort. I wondered if she thought about voldemort trying to enter into Hogwarts and finished Harry, maybe using Snape for this plan. A plot similar to this might have made the book more interesting. But instead it was just a mean professor who was tossing all types of rules at them while evil i.e. voldemort is scotch-free somewhere in the wizarding world.

3. The main plot wasn't as good as the previous books. BUT I love the subplot in book 5 more than the subplot in book 4.

4. I thought "you know who's" death was done poorly. At least in book 6 the person that died had a proper burial. Load of people loved that character for him to be gone like that. No burial, nothing to symbolize his important to the series. Even in the movie the moment felt off, like something wasn't right ( that could also be the fault of director but that's another topic)

5. I didn't like harry being angry but I understand why the author went that route. It shows Harry to be more human. It shows that no one is perfect and harry isn't either.

This review might seem like i didn't like the book but this isn't the case at all. It was still entertaining. I love the introduction of Luna Lovegood who gave the book such a fresh breath of air. She is such a wonderful addition. That itself made the book above just okay. Hope you enjoy my review, comment if you can. (less)

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Aug 28, 2010

Becky rated it

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Shelves: owned, 2010, dystopias, fantasy, favorites, highly-recommended, multi-dimensional, reviewed, tear-jerkers, young-adult

Whew! Done! Oh man. I've read this book, I dunno... dozens of times, but for some reason, this UK edition just seemed UNENDING! The story was fantastic as usual, and gut-wrenching and heart-breaking and mind-blowing, but as someone who enjoys seeing their progress through books in the pages that make their way to the left side of the split, this book felt like a treadmill... I'm busting-butt on it, but I'm making no visible progress.

But ridiculously thick book gripes aside, this is ...more

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Dec 26, 2010

Joyzi rated it

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Recommends it for: Every living breathing person

Recommended to Joyzi by: Friends at School

Shelves: borrowed, children-s, fantasy, fiction, 5-stars-or-more, watched-it, books-to-movies, reviewed, book-series, banned, humor, author-brit, favorites

***SPOILER ALERT***

This was the longest I suppose so far when I've read it. It contains really good stuff too. I really like the character of Luna Lovegood in this one. Harry in the beginning of the story became an outsider because he was believe as a liar and insane for saying that Voldemort was alive. So I felt that Harry and Luna shared a common feeling of being alone that made them good friends easily.

I also love the preparation in there OWLS, they were really busy studyi...more

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Aug 21, 2008

Muzzlehatch rated it

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Recommends it for: anyone with any imagination at all

Shelves: fantasy, juvenile

As I was early in the previous volume, I voiced a thought aloud to a close friend who I was visiting that it does seem, occasionally, that the author allows certain annoying - problems or plot devices - I guess you could call them, like the Dursleys, to go on a bit too long...that was the only problem I could think of with the series as a whole. And having just finished the 5th volume, which is if anything superior even to the masterful "Goblet of Fire", I now fully understand her com...more

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Feb 19, 2008

Jennifer rated it

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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 imp...moreGreat 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)

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Feb 01, 2008

Chris rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, harry-potter

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...moreSince 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)

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May 26, 2008

Emilia P rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: real-books

Sigh.
I was really into the first 400 pages of this book--I didn't really think Harry was being overly whiny (which may be a bad sign for my own whiny-ness), and a lot of sort of neat stuff was happening in terms of school and Ministry politics. The Umbridge stuff is rich, I gotta say.

Then the spring semester of Harry having dreams and not following everyone's directions to try to force out those crazy dreams was sort of slow and the finale was a little too brief and complicated...more

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Jan 02, 2008

Brett rated it

· review of another edition

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...moreRereading 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)

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Oct 13, 2007

Annalisa rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone! please read this series

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, movies

Some of my favorite moments happen in book 5: occlumency, Snape's worst memory, the battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort, finally a formidable death eater (Lestrange), Dumbledore's Army, the dementors attack, the evil manipulations of Umbridge, and of course, the fact that Harry, finally, was wrong in his rush to conclusions and did not save the day but needed rescuing himself. Such a good book.

But strangely enough, I wouldn't consider it my favorite. My complaint about this book...more

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Nov 14, 2007

Sue atie rated it

· review of another edition

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...moreIt'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)

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Nov 05, 2011

Shannon rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya, favourite, re-read

After another summer spent stuck at his aunt and uncle's house in Little Whinging, Surrey, Harry is chafing and tense waiting for Lord Voldemort to make his move. But there's nothing in either the wizard news or the Muggle news. Then late one day he and his cousin, Dudley, are attacked by Dementors and Harry is forced to break the under-age use of magic law to defend them.

Now facing a hearing at the Ministry of Magic and possible expulsion from Hogwarts, he is brought to number 12 Gri...more

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Sep 06, 2007

Susan rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: yomr

As with the other HP's, I have very little new to bring to the table, but here goes. Obviously the darkest of the books thus far, but also one of my faves. As I've said before, I think Rowling is fantastic at delving into the teenage mind; wizard and Voldemort issues aside, Harry is pretty typical for a 15 year old - confused and angry at everyone under the sun. I also love the character of Dolores Umbridge who is one of the scariest literary creations out there! Her falsely sweet fascist re...more

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Aug 12, 2007

Maddy Pertiwi rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 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...moreSiapa 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)

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Cho Chang	85	347	Feb 05, 2012 02:16pm
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About J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling (Joanne "Jo" Rowling) is the writer behind the best selling "Harry Potter" series. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies and been the basis for a popular series of films.

Aside from writing the Potter novels, Rowling is perhaps equally famous for her "rags to riches" life story,...more

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Books by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)

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