I know that I am like, the 200 and something or other person who has reviewed this book. However, I think I have an original take on it. I've read all the 'Potter' books and I really enjoyed them. That is, until I read The Order of the Phoenix. I think J. K. Rowling has a serious 'dark side,' and it poisoned the fifth book in the 'Potter' series.

The Story

It is Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts and things are not exactly going as he'd like them to. His last year ended with a duel with arch enemy, the evil Voldemort, and his friend Cedic Diggory was killed in the process. Harry wants to shake the memories of the previous year and he's excited to get away from his dreaded relatives, the Dursleys.

Right away things at Hogwarts begin a steady downhill slope. The Ministry of Magic refuses to believe that Voldemort is back and alive. Since Headmaster Dumbledore has pronounced Voldemort's return to the students and teachers at Hogwarts, the Ministry wants desperately to discredit him.

Professor Umbridge is the new 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' teacher at Hogwarts and she works directly for the Ministry of Magic. Her goal is to discredit Dumbledore and Harry Potter. She gradually gains more and more strength by appointment of the Ministry. She becomes hated by all of the students and teachers at Hogwarts. Eventually, after she goes so far as to 'stun' Professor McGonagall, she takes over as Headmaster of Hogwarts and Dumbledore has to go into hiding.

Dumbledore's allies, 'The Order of the Phoenix' members, are Harry's godfather Sirius Black and his cronies. Of course, they are worried about what will happen to Harry because Voldemort is on the loose.

Harry's year begins and remains horrible. Professor Umbridge takes away his 'firebolt' broom and kicks him off the Quidditch team. He has to do horrible detentions where he is tortured by Professor Umbridge. He is haunted by Voldemort's thoughts as Voldemort is constantly trying to take over Harry's thoughts. It is very depressing.

Needless to say, everything comes to a head toward the end. Harry, Ron and Hermione meet up with the Order of the Phoenix for a brawl with Voldemort. The outcome is not good, and Harry suffers some more.

My Thoughts

This book is over 850 pages long. I could barely keep reading on because of how depressing it was. I wonder how kids do it, especially with all the distractions they face in today's world.

I don't like books that make me feel bad when reading them. Rowlings is showing a sick, twisted side in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It's like she takes pleasure in making Harry miserable. I don't understand her method in this novel.

I hear that the next book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is completely dark as well. I also hear that Rowlings is actually planning to kill Harry Potter in her next novel. I think Order of the Phoenix foreshadows her ability to crush her readers' hopes.

The bottom line: I really didn't enjoy this book at all.

2 stars. Beware of depression.

Recommended: No