Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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...more

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? 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.   hide

Unbelievably I did not like Harry at all, throughout the whole book! Harry is back with the Dursley’s for summer, and having as ‘good’ a time as ever. He is particularly stroppy because he has heard from no one for the whole summer and feels very neglected. Finally, after having to use magic in Privet Drive to save himself and Dudley from Dementors he is whisked away to a...more

Unbelievably I did not like Harry at all, throughout the whole book! Harry is back with the Dursley’s for summer, and having as ‘good’ a time as ever. He is particularly stroppy because he has heard from no one for the whole summer and feels very neglected. Finally, after having to use magic in Privet Drive to save himself and Dudley from Dementors he is whisked away to a secret residence (Number 12 Grimmauld Place), home to Sirius and the Order of the Phoenix. The Order is made of the survivors of the original Voldemort attacks that killed Harry’s parents, and latter-day supporters of those working against him. He remains angry with everyone throughout the book, not doing as instructed by the mainly absent Dumbledore, refusing lessons from Snape and generally being a pain in the neck adolescent. I was in danger of not caring what happened to such a bratty child. In the event the Daily Prophet is rubbishing Harry and nobody believes he and Dumbeldore that Voldemort is back, even after Cedric’s death at the end of book 4. There are a few who believe, but the vast majority do not and Harry end up having to set up a Secret Society to ensure some of his fellow students receive Defence against the Dark Arts training appropriate to cope! The school has been taken over by and Professor Umbridge is the new Head teacher and High Inquisitor. Slytherin students and those who hate muggles and those of mixed muggleblood rule the school. The school is being turned over to Voldemort and his Death Eater supporters, but with everyone thinking Harry is mad and not to be trusted, and him being too stroppy to convince otherwise, what will happen… Perhaps the most publicity has been given over to the fact that a main character dies… well… I dispute this ‘fact’, though I can’t say why as that would give the game away. This is still a hugely satisfying read, and I guess, as a 15-year-old boy Harry wouldn’t be too likeable. But I was left a bit disappointed. Those who have not re4ad book 4 may struggle initially, but stick with it. This is not as good as the other books, but is still a great read! I thought the film was great though...   hide

Since the death of Cedric Diggory, I thought things couldn't get worst in Harry's life. After reading this book I was really upset, but I have to say, "this book was rather enjoyable." Harry is growing up and experiencing new things in his life. Harry has come a long way in his life, since the last book we learned Lord Voldemort or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned in full strength and...more

Since the death of Cedric Diggory, I thought things couldn't get worst in Harry's life. After reading this book I was really upset, but I have to say, "this book was rather enjoyable." Harry is growing up and experiencing new things in his life. Harry has come a long way in his life, since the last book we learned Lord Voldemort or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned in full strength and gaining power every moment he can. We find Harry faceing his worst fears possible in this book. This book will keep you on the edge, like all Harry Potter books have done. J.K. Rowling has done a fantastic job on creating this marvelous books keeping children and adults on good terms. We could never be disappointed with J.K. unless you don't like the fact people have died in the ending books. In that case you should not read anymore, but if you believe these characters died for a good cause, then continue you will find out that the last two books are rather enjoyable. I myself have finished the complete Harry Potter series and have read them at least two times already. I am a big Harry Potter fan, I was rather disappointed the seventh year was the last book, but it was the greatest book of all of the Harry Potter books. If you haven't read these fabulous books try to start, if you aren't interested then don't, but try, you might find them to your account the greatest books ever. Harry Potter RULES!!   hide

This book in many ways proves JK Rowling's genius beyond measure. It is my favorite book of the entire series and I love Rowling's unique brand of adventure, mystery, charm, immersion, and wonder. She so completely creates her worlds that it is impossible to not be drawn into her creation. This book focuses for a large part on two things: the politics of the magic world, and the emotional...more

This book in many ways proves JK Rowling's genius beyond measure. It is my favorite book of the entire series and I love Rowling's unique brand of adventure, mystery, charm, immersion, and wonder. She so completely creates her worlds that it is impossible to not be drawn into her creation. This book focuses for a large part on two things: the politics of the magic world, and the emotional growth of Harry Potter. I'm not that big of a fan of coming-of-age novels, and so when people mentioned to me that Potter is "really angsty" in this one, I wasn't really looking forward to it. But honestly, a lot of what Rowling did was spot on. He's unsure of himself, being really awkward with girls, getting angry at authority figures for no reason, and trying desperately to find his place in teenaged society (a tremendous effort for the poor unwilling celebrity). I don't know about you, but that sounds a lot like life when I was fifteen. The other focus of the story is the political plots- Cornelius Fudge vs. Albus Dumbledore, who will win? It's really epic and is completely draws you in to her imaginary world, allowing greater perspective on the workings of non-muggles. I love the way Rowling shows that these people are just normal people, except with magic. They are so similar to us, it makes us love them even more. There are parts in the prose where Rowling gets lazy- 'And then Harry told Hermione everything that had just occurred in the potions room.' But for the most part, she's money. Just the single description of the veil (weakly done in the movie, in my opinion) is enough to solidify her abilities in my mind as a terrific writer. It was freakin' creepy.   hide