Book Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Book Synopsis

In the richest installment yet of J.K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.

(taken from goodreads)

Bec's Rating

Bec's Review

As anyone who has survived their adolescence knows, there is a point of time when you become a bit angst riddled, and develop a tendency to shout rather than talk things through. For Harry, this is that year, his 15th year, and book five of the series. On reading the book, it never fails to make me smile to see pages where capital letters make up a few sentences on a page, and I can easily relate to the emotional turmoil that Harry must be going through.

In this book, Harry faces having to face Voldemort once more, with the whole world choosing to believe he has gone a bit crazy and is making the whole thing up for attention. Some of Harry’s friends doubt it, and it soon becomes clear who his true friends are. However, a character who I find more villainous than Voldemort makes an appearance in this book, making what is already a difficult year of Hogwarts an even harder one. Enter Delores Umbridge.

For those who have read the books, I am sure you will agree that there is no more despised character than Umbridge, and it is really a credit to J.K Rowling’s writing that it is so difficult to find someone who likes, or even relates to this character, a character who essentially believes the things she does are for the good. She is a character that as a reader, you just love to hate, and one who is well written.

For those who have read the books, I am sure you will agree that there is no more despised character than Umbridge, and it is really a credit to J.K Rowling’s writing that it is so difficult to find someone who likes, or even relates to this character, a character who essentially believes the things she does are for the good. She is a character that as a reader, you just love to hate, and one who is well written.

Disclaimer: May not be appropriate for children due to violence. As these books progress, and Harry ages, so to does the maturity of the writing, something to keep in mind when recommending them for your children.