Book Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
J. K. Rowling
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Young Adult   Magic
Series: Harry Potter # 5
2003

Eagerly anticipated, and sharing the blockbuster status of the four novels which preceded it, this latest entry in the popular series takes Harry Potter to his fifth year at Hogwarts, the boarding school for young wizards.

All the delightful fantasy of life at Hogwarts returns - but Harry is growing up and spends a lot of time dealing with adolescent angst which will have a great many parents smiling, and sharing tidbits with each other.

The Ministry of Magic is dealing with continuing rumors that the most villianous wizard of all, Lord Voldemort, has returned. Harry and a small group of adult supporters know the truth, a much larger group insists on disbelief in Harry's story of the encounter which ended Book four. The dispute spreads from the Ministry in London to the management of the school at Hogwarts, with the student body caught in the middle.

Harry must forgo the pleasures of Quidditch in this book, and is assigned to study with his nemesis Professor Snape to learn a new skill in memory management. Needless to say, nothing goes smoothly for Harry, (does it ever?) and a searing personal tragedy awaits him before the book's end.

At more than 850 pages, Book five is not the quick enjoyable read of the earlier books, and reading pleasure might be enhanced by a judicious cut of 100 pages or so. The mysterious group of wizards in the Order of the Phoenix have a relatively small part in the action. Rowling makes it clear that study at Hogwarts lasts for seven years, so we have at least two more books to look forward to. Bring them on!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM