Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

J.K. Rowling

5/31/2004

Harry Potter has had a miserable summer. The letters from Ron, Hermione, and Sirius are mysterious and non-communicative. His aunt and uncle won't let him watch the news. His cousin Dudley is the neighborhood bully. Then two dementors attack Harry and Dudley. When Harry uses magic to save themselves, he is arrested for using underage magic. His wand could be taken away and he could be expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Fortunately, his friends come to his rescue. He is able to leave his aunt and uncle's home and join them. Professor Dumbledore attends Harry's hearing and is able to prove that Harry was saving his own and a Muggle's lives. Harry is allowed to remain a wizard and return to Hogwarts.

But this year at Hogwarts things get worse. The Ministry of Magic doesn't believe Harry's and Dumbledore's assertions that Voldemort has returned. When a Dark Arts teacher can't be found, the Ministry assigns Professor Umbridge - a honey toned, venomous woman who is worse than any other teacher Harry has had, including Professor Snapes. She is trying to reshape Hogwarts into the school she and the Ministry think it should be. And the fifth year is when the students take their O.W. L. (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) tests to prove their mastery of magic. The O.W.L. tests help them decide on their future. The complete fifth year concentrates on passing the O.W.L. tests.

Harry is having bad dreams. He knows that somehow his mind is intertwined into Voldemort's thoughts. This proves a boon when one of his friends is attacked. Usually, though, it is frightening and causes headaches.

Despite a few highlights, such as Ron becoming the new keeper on the quidditch team, Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts is difficult and dismal. At least, though, he is at Hogwarts rather back at his aunt and uncle's home.

Hopefully the reader has read the previous Harry Potter books leading up to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This novel is excellent, but depends on the previous four. Rowling deals with the churning emotions of a fifteen-year old boy - a difficult age. At fifteen, adolescent life is a roller coaster, and Harry's life reflects that. To make it worse, few people believe him about the return of Voldemort. The adults that Harry trusts are distant or absent. The author then adds the ongoing story line and has a memorable book.

show the paperback version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is due out in August, 2004. You can find more reviews for this book at those sites.

The Series:

Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows