Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 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?

Book five in JK 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. 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 teenager. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny from the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth: that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toad-like and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of defence against dark arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the high inquisitor of Hogwarts. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their examinations, devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team line-up, 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 Harry Potter and the Philosopher'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 energised as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvellous magical series. --Emilie Coulter

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This book is sooooooo captivating! - Rated
This book is written by J. K. Rowling. It is unmissable! You can not put it down, even for 1 second! This is the most exciting book in the whole world. You have to read it. All of my brothers enjoyed it very much.

I give this book 10/10

By Mohammed Ali 3H

GENIUS ! - Rated
I Loved this book !
was great to be out of Hogwarts for a while at 12 Grimmauld Place ! indeed it is a Grim Old Place !
Loved the idea of the headquarters of the Order of the Pheonix, ie those against Voldemort to be in a family home of the ancient Pure Blood Blacks (big voldemort followers(except Sirius of course!)) with Siruis's mother screaming obscenities at everyone from a Picture on the wall ! JK Rowling is a genius !
this is the Darkest book so far and was very sad in parts but fabulous !
GENUIS !

A great step towards the conclusions of this epic series. - Rated
The fourth book in this magical series following the life of Harry Potter is a great step towards finding the destination of Harry Potter, and the ongoing plot and sub-plots themselves. Of particular interest is the way by which the character of Lord Voldemort gradually enters the novel, playing upon the reader's deepest fears. The characterisation of Harry Potter is very well executed, depicting him as a typical teenager living in a very untypical context. This is fantasy fiction at its best.

Relaxing and great easy listening - Rated
Fantastic. If you like (or love) Harry Potter then this is the thing for you! Stephen Fry reads it wonderfully and brings the story to life. JK Rowling is a superb author and this is a magical book. I often draw or paint whilst listening to it and enjoy it immensely. It is also good if you don't really have time to sit down and open a book. You can do something else whilst listening to this, which makes it really not very time consuming.
Great Audiobook - 10/10!

My least favourite Harry Potter - Rated
I didn't enjoy this as much as the other novels.I think it dragged on a bit.The book is the thickest and I think some could have been cut.Didn't enjoy the film much either but still can't wait for the next.