[BWF] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by JK Rowling (4.5 stars)

[KateNZ]

Fifth year at Hogwarts.

Harry, Ron and Hermione discover the existence of the Order of the Phoenix, a society set up in their parents’ day to combat Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Unfortunately the Ministry of Magic refuses to acknowledge that Voldemort has returned and anyone who supports Dumbledore or Harry is deeply suspect. The arrival at the school of Dolores Umbridge - who must be one of the most hated villains in all of children’s literature - definitely results in a turn for the worse.

This is my least favourite Potter book. There’s a lot that’s great about it, including the continuously rampant imagination and the character growth. The conclusion is also wonderful. But it’s way too long and repetitive and there are big chunks that could have been cut with no damage to the mood and the story. Yes Harry is an angry teenager and is often his own worst enemy, but we don’t constantly need to be told that he’s angry. Draco continues to be very one-note. On the other hand, Fred and George Weasley are a complete delight.

Team: Sassy Sisters. Extra for R. Tagged x 1,728

[NancyJ]

I think I stopped my rereading of the series with this one, for all the reasons you mentioned. 900 pages is just excessive for the story, and the audience. Of the movies, I think this was my son’s favorite.