Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Book Review

Well done, J.K. Rowling - yet again. I am definitely a muggle fan of this wizardly novel. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a refreshing return to the beginning of the series, despite a lagging fourth sequel. I was on an emotional roller coaster during this almost 900 page experience and yes, I did end up crying at the end during Harry's emotional outburst at Dumbledore. During this novel, you are in Harry's world, experiencing what he is experiencing, feeling what he is feeling and crying when he cries. This much more lengthy novel was harder to put down than its predecessor.

Waiting three years to publish this novel after 'Goblet' was a great decision on Rowlings part for two reasons: it gave Rowling the time and patience to set a nice pace within her novel (unlike Goblet which felt forced), and created a sweltering hype for the next Harry book to come. I was definitely one in line waiting and waiting and waiting...

Phoenix brings back the characters we love to hate: the despised Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, the bully Dudley, Snape (is he good or evil?), and a new Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbrige. She creates major problems for Harry, at one point banning him for life from Quiddich, his favorite game. Harry not winning a Quiddich game in this book was a surprising missing twist, but I definitely cheered on his best friend Ron as he tests out his confidence and skill when he joins the game.

Something not missing from this book is new magic. There are new animals, new personalities and new spells to use. We discover more of Harry's history (Why Aunt Petunia still lets him come home), find out more of Voldermort's plot (and who he's using), and watch Harry and his crush Cho get ever so much closer.

The movie to Phoenix comes out in July. I, or course, can't wait, but I'm wondering how the writer's are going to fit in 900 pages into one little movie. Are they going to put in all the important information? What will be left out? After the other four movies (excluding Prisoner of Azkaban), I expect to see nothing but pure genius. This is a global sensation of a story and usually plays well out on the screen. Better get your ticket now!

Phoenix deserves the hype and attention is has received and is light and funny, emotionally straining, suspenseful and amazing.