Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) by J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPr? Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Book Review: Impressive - no more, no less
Summary: 5 Stars
Huge media hype has surrounded the new Harry Potter book, which has though, in itself, been shrouded in mystery. Now a day after it was released, I feel myself apt to deliver my verdict (I finished it last night, but I was too tired to comment then!)At approxiemately 8pm, on Friday night (the day before the launch of The Order of the Phoenix) I went to my local Borders shop, which was opening until the early hours to sell the new book. A group of what can only be described as the "Ultimate Potterites" (the sort who are at least 16 years old and completely unabashed by the fact that they could tell you how many Knuts there are to a Galleon) lounged in chairs in the humour section. Made alarmingly hyperactive by consuming too many Frappacinos, they compared how long they had been in the shop, holding a not-so-silent vigil, (some had been there since lunch-time- 12 hours before the book would actually be on sale) and planned to do a lap of honour with the book once they had purchased it. As I asked myself if such a feat of successful advertising had ever happened before, and stifled my mirth, I could not help but wish that I too would be staying up late to buy it from Borders.
When Saturday morning finally arrived, my fears that my amazon.co.uk copy would not arrive until Monday proved unfounded, and the parcel arrived with the normal morning post (unfortunately it did not arrive by owl- unless my postman who bares striking resemblence to Ian Hislop, is in actual fact, also a very cleverly disguised owl!). Showing what I believe to be impressive-self control, I finished what I was doing before opening the book.
Was my long wait worth it, I hear you ask? Yes, I do believe it was. Admittedly, though I did nothing on Saturday apart from read for about 10 hours, finishing at 11 pm, with very sore eyes and I must say a few tear stains upon the last pages, I was rather satisfied.
Some questions are still unaswered, the toll of deaths which Voldemort has caused has increased again, but Harry has matured (he has now entered the angry and frustrated phase of his adolescence) and a we have met a large collection of new and delightful characters, and revisited old characters, including, to my great happiness, "Mad Eye" Moody, Lupin and Lockhart!
In my opinion, Dumbledore's explanatory "relevelations" concerning why Voledmort wished to dispose of the Potters, was succint and rather brief, to say the least, but that was the only real shortfall of the book. The much publicised death, was not altogether unexpected, but highly distressing nevertheless.
Rowling's style goes from strength to strength, and her very shrewd obervations about government were wonderfully cynical, but also frighteningly true.
If I have one criticsm of the book, it is that at 766 pages, it only took me about ten-hours to read and is therefore, far too short!
Book Review: The Order has arrived...
Summary: 4 Stars
After all the anticipation and hype, it finally arrived, and I couldnt put it down! Compared to the other 4 books, which had a straightforward storyline, this book has so much going on! There are so many things happening that it is very difficult to take in all at once, which might be difficult for kids. However, the story was brilliant! The rumours didnt spoil any of the story, there were many terrible things happening at Hogwarts, but JK Rowling brilliantly added lighter and humourous moments.. I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout the book! I really like the way the majority of characters have changed and progressed especially Hermoine who is now more likable and mature. There are many mysterious things which happen every step of the way which will make you want to read on and find out what its all about.
The much anticipated death... was quite shocking, however if the author had made this character more prominent and likable as in the previous books, I think the death would have been much more effective.
Overall, it was really good, but take time reading it as there is so much happening to digest and deal with!
Book Review: Back from 3 year wait!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
From the very moment it began we were grasped. The whole wizarding world came alive again, only this time there was an agenda and everyone was older and wiser.It didn't follow the same path as before, it had cunning twists and developed characters - Harry's expulsion (or near expulsion ) from Hogwarts! The new head teacher.
Finally after twisting and turning it gve us what we had heard would happen a death of a friend and a greater insight into Harry's being.
Superb and hopefully not 3 years till the next!
Book Review: Love this book
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not giving any secrets away when I say that a lot of people (myself included) have been waiting for this book ever since finishing "Goblet of fire", but I can safely say that (for me at least) it's been well worth the wait. The postman delivered it at 8:30am Saturday morning and I've finished it by Sunday night. I just couldn't put the book down, it is a really gripping read. It had me hooked from the opening line right through to the end, never letting go. The death took me by surprise. I'd heard that there was one (how could you not when it was all over the news), so I was prepared for it, but I never thought it would be that person. If you've never read Harry Potter books before then you don't know what you're missing. All I can say is go out and buy them now. People may class them as being for children, but the same was said about the "Star Wars" films, and it doesn't stop adult's enjoying them. Roll on the next book. I only hope that we don't have to wait another 3 years for the next one.Book Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
Summary: 5 Stars
NO I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHO DIES,BUT I DO WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK THIS IS. YES IT IS A LOT DARKER THAN THE PREVIOUS BOOKS AND IF YOU DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW HARRY YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE HIM VERY MUCH,BUT AS WE ALL KNOW HE HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT.YOU LEARN MORE AND MORE ABOUT EVERYONE AS THE BOOK CARRIES ON GIVING YOU MORE THRILLS THAN EVER. THE MOOD IS LIGHTENED OCCASIONALLY BY NORMAL TEENAGE PROBLEMS WHICH IS DEFINATELY NEEDED.ALTHOUGH I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE LONG WAIT, IN A WAY I'M PLEASED BECAUCE IT IS A HARDER BOOK AND NOW MY SON CAN READ IT BY HIMSELF AS WELL AS WITH ME.I WOULD CERTAIN RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE,FANS NEW OR OLD. OUR WHOLE FAMILY HAS BEEN GRIPPED BY POTTER FEVER THIS WEEKEND.