Hello everyone!

So……. I noticed this review in the “Notes” section of my iPhone and realized that I haven’t posted it yet, though I read this book about 2 months ago. I think it is because I was afraid of tomatoes thrown in my face, LOL. Anyway, today I am feeling particularly brave.

As you may have figured out by now, book 5 was not my favourite book in the HP series. I was frustrated by the pacing and the angst in this book, and it took me much longer to read this than it should’ve. So… you might find that I am a bit harsh in this post. *Shields self from thrown tomatoes* 

That being said, I know of at least a few people who enjoyed this book, and that is perfectly fine! We all have things that we like or dislike. For example, I like faster pacing which keeps me engaged while others enjoy a slower paced book with more time for character development. Whether you feel similarly or differently about this book, please let me know!

What it’s about

Harry Potter and the Order follows Harry’s struggles through his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the surreptitious return of the antagonist Lord Voldemort, O.W.L. exams, and an obstructive Ministry of Magic.

What I liked

• The story has a more serious tone, reflecting a major turning point in the story. Before, the world was on Harry’s side, but in the Order of the Phoenix the tables turned. It was interesting to read about how the characters react to this conflict.
• We got to meet Luna Lovegood! Who was such an adorable oddball!
• We learn more about Neville Longbottom, who officially became my favourite HP character.
• Fred and George were super awesome.
• Umbridge was such a terrible villain and I hated her and I just wanted her to pay for the things that she had done and at the same time I wanted to see what horrendous ploy she’d come up with next. Hey, my hate for Umbridge kept me reading.

What I didn’t like

• The snail-like pacing.
• The Order of the Phoenix felt like a drawn-out interlude between two major plot points. It kind of had that second-book syndrome (or, erh… the fifth book syndrome.)
• Harry was way too angsty. I get it. He had been through a lot, he had to deal with it. Still, maybe it could be toned down? Just a little bit?
• Without spoiling things… To be honest I think the major conflict of the novel could have been avoided if people just talked to each other. I was frustrated about the sequence of events towards the end of this book. People did not have to die here.

The bottom line*

I loved the world of Harry Potter and the characters, though the angst and the pacing in the Order of the Phoenix wore me down.

What do you think about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? Am I too harsh? Do you like slow or fast pacing when it comes to books? Are you nervous about posting “negative” reviews?

*You guys might have noticed that I haven’t been giving the Harry Potter books a rating. I  don’t know… I just feel weird about rating this series since it was a part of my childhood.