I could go on and on about how talented Rowling is; she does an amazing job in developing her characters, plot, and setting. She has moments of humor, warmth and depth. And I LOVE how she developed Snape's character and answered all the questions about this enigmatic character in this final volume. A superb ending to an excellent series!

This is by far my favorite Harry Potter book so far. The writing has gotten so much better over the past 2 books, (which I did also love)... The character development has been amazing. The story is interesting as usual. The continuation of past events would be very easy for a newcomer to follow. I find it strange that anyone would start reading in the middle of the series, but I honestly think it wouldn't be that difficult with the way that Rowling integrates everything.

I've been reading these books with my 5 year old daughter and she absolutely loves them. She has no problem following along. And the subject matter is understandable and appropriate. I've heard that the next book may be a bit darker, but so far, we are having a great time reading them together.

It's hard to write a review for a book in a series that you've read more times than you can remember, and seen the movie more times than you could count. From that statement alone it should be obvious that I'm a big fan of the Harry Potter series. Do I write my review based upon my first time reading it, or the everlasting impression this book has left me with? I think that fact that this book has made me think and ponder certain ideas over the years, I think the everlasting impression should be the topic of my review.

After encountering Dolores Umbridge, I was left pondering the question "What is evil?" Voldemort is obviously the Villian of the series, however I feel Umbridge is a much more sinister and evil Villian than even Voldemort. Voldemort's actions and evil deeds are really very simple to understand. What motivates him is power and greed and he is willing to go to any lengths to achieve those goals. While evil in itself, his motives and actions are very straight forward and easy to understand. It is easy to see Voldemort for the evil that he is, which therefore keeps him in hiding only surrounded by his Death Eaters. Dolores Umbridge is a very different type of evil. Dolores Umbridge is the type of evil that we, the muggles that we are, encounter on a daily basis. They are the people who enjoy the hurt, pain, chaos and distrust they cause through their manipulations and lies. The enjoy the devastation they cause in their wake. The fact that she can create the heartache she relishes so much with a false smile, sweet sanguine falsetto, and splashes of whimsy to give the impression of naïveté and an innocent childlike behavior which puts one off initially of comprehending the true evil she inflicts to hide the monster she is, and the fact that through these false tactics she has risen to a position of power to inflict heartache unto others, shows she is a master at hiding her true psychopathic personality. This sick personality trait is shown most clearly when she makes Harry write lines in detention. She knows Harry is telling the truth, yet she lies and manipulates him until she is in a position of power directly over him in detention at which point she not only continues her lies causing mental anguish to Harry, she continues her evil machinations by causing him physical pain by forcing him to use her quill which scratches and ultimately scars Harry for the rest of his life. Umbridge enjoys Harry's suffering. She even inspects his hand at the end of each detention to make sure he is being cut and that his hand is bleeding and then in a well satisfied way compliments Harry on completing his detention. Her only praise is when Harry does something to cause hurt and pain and twists what he knows is the truth into something false. This is standard textbook psychopathic behavior in domestic abusers.

The fact that Doloros Umbridge can navigate society in such a way as to gain a position if importance in the Minisrptry of Magic and flourish in normal wizarding society while hiding her insidious psychopathic tendencies leaves her in an excellent position of power to inflict hurt to others. Her brand if evil is subtle and is not so obvious at a first glance which gives her the ability to "blend in" with others and yet she victimizes many in her wake, as she navigates through life. In Voldemort's case, his brand of evil is so obvious to everyone that he is an outcast of the wizarding community, which ultimately lessens the number of his potential victims to those simply standing in his way of power, while in Umbridge's case her victim pool is limitless die to her access to the community and all those she comes across.

So here is the moral question I have pondered for many years since reading this book for the first time. "Which Behavior Is More Evil?" Personally, I feel Dolores Umbridge is the much more evil of the two characters based upon the reasons given in the prior paragraph. Whether you agree or disagree with me is not the point. The point is to make you think and ponder for yourself. The fact that this book makes you think long after you've turned the last page, is a mark of literacy success. Whiter you've read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix once, or a hundred times, it is always a great novel to read again and again, and question what constitutes as evil.

I've read it before, before the movie even came out in my teens.
I loved it then, I love it now. As always amazing character descriptions that pull you in, as she guides you through twists and turns I had forgotten about so I could be emerged in the magic once more.
I can't wait to read the series to my daughter when she is a little bit older

I have to give Rowling credit: she really understands how to structure the books so you can't put them down. Just as you reach the end of a chapter (and, therefore, a logical breakpoint), she sucks you right into the next one.

I re-read the series to compare the books to the movies. I think I like the books better than the movies, especially this one. She did an excellent job of tying up the loose ends. The movie had a lot of questionable subjects: like when Harry is using the Resurrection Stone, why weren't Tonks and Fred present, since Lupin was (answer: they weren't germain to telling the tale.)

The only problem I have with the series is that the first book needs to have a stronger binding. Each time a new book came out, I went back and re-read all the books. So I've read Sorcerer's Stone over 10 times now, and the binding has split. The other books are still intact. I tend to treat my books very gently, so it isn't a matter of abuse, it's a matter of overuse. But they are very enjoyable.

I am rereading the Harry Potter series, and once again experiencing the fun of visiting Hogwarts as well as all the characters in the wizarding world. Order of the Phoenix follows in the footsteps of Goblet of Fire, where the series took a sharp turn and headed down a darker path. As Harry ages, the overall theme of each book keeps pace. Thus, Book 5 finds Harry dealing with many adult issues while struggling with teenage angst.

Ms. Rohlwing continues to add to her large cast of characters, perhaps introducing one of the most evil villains of the entire series in Dolores Umbridge. This is saying a lot, as there are plenty of fiends and devils willing to serve the Dark Lord. Perhaps it is because many of us can remember that one teacher in our own life who seemed to do everything in his or her power to inject misery into our lives. Those teachers (wrongly accused or not) live on in Umbridge.

Like all of Ms. Rohlwing’s books, this one is captivating, exciting, and almost impossible to set down. Five stars.