Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter, #5)

"There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!"

[Click here to see my reviews of book 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and book 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling is yet another testament to her profound skill with a pen. She has manage to weave yet another story that draws the reader in and holds their attention throughout. It seems as though the reader finishes each new book of hers thinking, "This is her best yet!" only to be presently surprised as they tear into its sequel.

Opening one month into the summer preceding his sixth year at Hogwarts, we find Harry having quite a miserable time. As per usual, the Dursleys are treating him like filth and all too ready to get him out from under their roof. But when Harry and his cousin, Dudley, are attacked by Dementors (foul creatures that Harry has faced before) in the middle of a Muggle (non-magic folk) neighborhood- they nearly get their wish.

Now Harry has to be tried in court for underage use of magic outside the school and is facing expulsion from the very school that has made him happier than anything in his life; the school that has been more of a home to him than anything he's ever experienced before. His only solace is that he is moved from the Dursleys' care for the rest of summer break and able to live with his friends and the members of the Order of the Phoenix.

With the Dark Lord having returned and all the world denying it, Harry has more than enough on his plate. New foes will be faced and new battles will be fought; Harry won't come away unscathed.

Order of the Phoenix was one of my favorite movies in the series (challenged only by Deathly Hallows 2), so I assumed I would enjoy this book more than it's predecessors. What I didn't realize was how correct that assumption was. Everything about this book shined. The story leapt from the pages and sucked me into a world even better than I could ever have expected.

I cannot wait to dive headfirst into its sequel, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Rating: ~★★★★★~

[Click here to see my reviews of book 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince & book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]

"Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness."