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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) |
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Reviews |
| | When does the next movie come out?  |
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Let me first say that I really enjoyed the first three books of the series, but I almost died of boredom from this one. While I know I'm going to disappoint the diehard Potter fan out there, this book just lost me. It started with book four and just went downhill from there. While I found the first three books of this series to be quirky, fun, and fresh, the series has taken a definite shift into the more serious realm. While on the outside this would seem to be a natural course (especially if the characters are aging), I have found myself disappointed with the way Rowling has handled it. The explanations have become long and winded, Harry has turned into a self-pitying little whiner, and though the villains want to be taken seriously, I just don't find them very sinister. Now proponents of the books will say that Harry is just being a teenager and that Rowling has little choice but to thicken the plot. While these would be good counterarguments, the most important thing missing is "fun." These books just aren't fun (for me) to read anymore. If I want a serious read, I'll turn to the works of Tolkien, Jordan, or even Martin. That being said, I'll most likely get completion through going to the movie adaptations that are soon to come out. So in a sense, Rowling hasn't lost me for good. If I rained on anybody's love fest for the series, you have my permission to mark this as an unhelpful review. |
| | The plot thickens  |
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Others have summarized the plot nicely, so I won't do so here. I just wanted to say that I was truly engaged in this book, as I have been in the others. It's a pleasure to read something that is so transporting. I also admire Ms Rowling's skill at weaving in back stories and changing her writing style to match the older audiences each successive book is aimed at. This book is definitely a bit darker than the one before it, with the stakes much higher and alliances and motives of the characters much less clear. As soon as I finished this one, I had to dive right into the sixth, which made me very glad that I was a Muggle and waited until all the books were out before starting the series! If you haven't read this series yet, by all means do! |
| | Dark Tale |
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The saga continues but the story darkens. No longer is this a "children's story", but a tale of a young man who is dealing with a dark past. He has lost his celebrity status and is viewed as a liar with exagerated stories. Harry is changing, and I fear not for better. |
| | amazing |
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I don't know which harry potter is my favorite but the order of the phoenix is up there. What an incredible book. Rowling outdid herself with the last three books. I recommend it as a quick read. then read it again to catch details you missed the first time around. |
| | Coming of Age |
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The darkest Harry Potter so far, The Order of the Phoenix does not disappoint. Harry is 15 years old and goes through everything that the age involves - both good and bad. Rowling does a fantastic job of transitioning Harry into an adult, remembering all the intricacies of that strange and conflicting age we all go through.
Harry is faced with being discredited on the account of the Lord Voldemort sighting, as well as by using magic in the muggle world. Harry is perplexed by the lack of support from Dumbledore, and is full of anger as he traipses through the unfortunate events that are unfolding. Things are not helped by the appearance of Dolores Umbridge, new teacher at Hogwarts, whose sole mission in life seems to be pacifying and subduing anyone who might be a threat to the Minister of Magic, no matter how ill-perceived. And the biggest threats seem to be Harry and Dumbledore.
Another fantastic feat from Rowling, the fifth Harry Potter is a great read requiring full concentration. Instead of making the interest for the topic wane, Rowling whets our appetites even further, and makes us want for more of Harry and Hogwarts. The darkness of the book only exemplifies Rowling's growth. Highly recommended! |
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