Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I purposefully delayed finishing this book for over a month because I could hardly stand it to be over. I had to read many chapters over and over again, the first time my heart racing, sweating. The second time to really understand what was going on, after calming down a little. The third time to indulge myself and enjoy the dialogue, descriptions, and pace anew. Reading this book was one of the most physiological reading experiences I've had. Funny, since I have read it and watched the movies multiple times. It's clear a book really speaks to my soul when it is still riveting and rapturous even when I know the end.

Harry Potter and the year he complained about nobody telling him anything, then shooting his mouth like an idiot.

Harry Potter and the moody teenage years.

Harry Potter and the year he messed up royally.

Harry Potter and the year reality hits.

Harry Potter and the year the series should have killed him off and made the series about Hermione.

Too harsh?....

Oh dear. I've been chugging along with Harry Potter, generally enjoying the experience although not falling in love. (Which isn't to say they aren't good – they are exceptionally well written and well crafted, but they just aren't really for me.) But this one. This one was too much for me. Throughout the series so far, I've enjoyed the world-building elements the most along with the wizardy capers. But I'm not one for a lot of peril, and as the series continues, everything just becomes more and more perilous, and there is much less of the wizardy fun that I enjoyed in the earlier books. My favorite parts were when Harry visited the Ministry of Magic and when the whole crew went to St. Mungo's.

5th re-read:

《Though condemned I am to split youStill I worry that it's wrong,Though I must fulfil my dutyAnd must quarter every yearStill I wonder whether SortingMay not bring the end I fear.Oh, know the perils, read the signs,The warning history shows,For our Hogwarts is in dangerFrom external, deadly foesAnd we must unite inside herOr we'll crumble from within.I have told you, I have warned you...Let the Sorting now begin.》

Not the best, but it's like saying that it's the foulest angel you've ever seen. Just a very good series of books. I think one of the finest I have ever read. It makes you laugh out loud, wipe away several tears, it's beautiful.

There's a great talent in the writing of J.K. Rowling that is able to convey the feelings of a teenage boy and the love and room a father-figure should offer.

Unlike its predecessor, the protracted length of the Order of the Phoenix is justifiable and it was nice to be able to settle down into the now comfortable cadence of JKR's writing for the duration. She's really found her footing in this book and the clarity of her vision for where the characters are heading is firmly established.

This is the first book in which it feels like she knows how all of this ends, and we just have to trust her and enjoy the ride. A pervasive sense of foreboding creeps in throughout the writing, and it becomes apparent that we are being ushered towards something big, beyond the confines of The Order of The Phoenix. I'm eager to find out what it is, and also to discover if there's a five star read in this series. Some tighter editing to get rid of the frustratingly silly errors that are still cropping up in the text would definitely push the next book towards that.

Executive Summary: I'm not sure if it's how much I liked Goblet of Fire or if it's all the teenage angst, but this book just isn't as good. The DA goes a long way towards making up for all the brooding and whining Harry seems to do for most of this book, but not completely. Really it's the women: Luna, Ginny and especially Hermione who help make up for it the most. 3.5 Stars

Jim Dale Audio Book: Jim Dale just seems to keep getting better with each book. His voices for Luna who is new to this book, as well as some the O.W.L. test givers and Neville with a broken nose are all excellent on top of all the ones he seems to have mastered in previous books.

Stephen Fry Audio Book: Another great job. He was particularly good at making me annoyed at the characters who were being annoying. His Umbridge voice is nearly as irritating as the movie, and the part at the end with Neville was getting on my nerves it was so good. Once again making it impossible to choose between narrators.

Full Review

I've always been torn on this book. On my very first read through, this was my least favorite. I think in retrospect it's more due to how great Goblet was (as mentioned above).The first time I read this I was 20 years old and still in college. I was much closer in age to Harry and his friends. This time, I'm 30 years old and long removed from my teenage years. I have recollections of similar thoughts and feelings to Harry, but they are just that.

Overall I still enjoy this book, and on this re-read, I put it ahead of Chamber of Secrets but probably not Sorcerer's Stone on my ordering of the series.

There are several things this book has going for it to redeem all the miserable time of Harry feeling sorry for himself. First it introduces Luna Lovegood, whose one of my favorite supporting characters.

Second it introduces the DA. This is a place where Harry really comes into his own. It also gives you a reprieve (for the most part) from all of his teenage angst.

Third is just how great Hermione has become. I've always identified with her more than Harry or Ron. I like order and following the rules. I like books and the learning they can provide. I like being cautious and thinking things out. She's the voice of reason in a book full of teenage angst.

Fourth is the Weasley Twins. They have what could be argued as the best scene in the series in this book. While they are people I probably wouldn't get along with too well (you tell them Hermione!), they sure go a long way to lighten things up.

And speaking of Weasley's, Ginny really finally comes into her own. She's smart and capable and moved on from fawning over Harry.

The final thing I'll highlight is Dolores Umbridge. This is someone I'm torn on. She is utterly obnoxious and frustrating. However, that is the point of her character, so Ms. Rowling does a fantastic job with her. I think simply coupled with Harry's obnoxious traits, it's just a bit too much for one book.

I also find her to be TOO much of an antagonist, and maybe a lost opportunity. If she was a little more like Fudge and less of a sadist, she could be a truly great villain, though maybe Rowling didn't think the subtlety of inaction would be apparent to her readers?

Overall this book is uneven, and I find how much I like it seems to vary with each reading.

Sirius's death is always difficult to deal with, through text, movies or audio.

Re-read this one after so long, had nearly forgotten how the occlumency lessons ended. Not with Harry performing the legilimens spell on Snape (As shown in the movie), but in fact seeing them in the pensive.

Dumbledore assuring Harry that Snape was trying to help, that he verified whether Sirius was at Grimmauld Place, killed me. Also, him silently correcting Harry to say Professor Snape instead of just Snape, is just heart breaking.

For a while, I was contemplating whether Sirius's death was Harry's fault. Until Dumbledore's explanation, it seemed like a viable option. But if you think about it, 6 teenagers fly to London, into the ministry of magic, get attacked by a dozen of death eaters, what was he thinking?
Sure, it was Sirius he was trying to save. Also, why avoid occlumency lessons when Sirius, Lupin, Hermione had so urgently told him to continue them.

Just so angry at Harry in this book for some reason!

Loved the fact we got to see some of Snape's memories, a crucial one at that.
As we later find out, that him calling Lilly a you - know - what, created a rift between them, causing her to get closer to James as he comforted her.

We don't deserve snape do we?

Wow, this was an epic read! The story starts off with excitement and keeps going all the way through. Harry faces important struggles we all go through. Like figuring out how to live life when one doesn't know why things are happening or why people are making certain choices. Dealing with difficult people in authority. Finding that people we love have their faults.

The storytelling and world building are as strong as ever, but once again, it's the characters that take the cake.