Society for Aesthetic Deletions

Hi I would like to say that I am 33 years old and I love the Harry Potter books and movies. I am on chapter 18 and I have been reading it slowly. I had some jerk e-mail me and told me who dies. I will not do that to anyone because I don't want to ruin it for them. The only thing I will say is you won't be disappointed when you read it. It is action packed from the start.

I am a 49 year old American man. I became interested the these books when my son, age 7, saw the movies and his mother started reading the books to him.

I was very underwhelmed by Order of the Phoenix. I do not think it is up to JKRs usually standards.

It seems to me that her work was "hurried" and "forced." It lacked the vitality of her previous works. I think she just didn't have her heart and mind in this one - just was writing on pure momentum.

The first half of the book is, with few exception, pretty monotonus and boring. The book doesn't start to really pick up speed and life until the second half. By then, this reader was already bored and couldn't quited enjoy the latter half. This book is entirely too long. To long on words and lacking in content.

What I find most appealing in JKR's previous works are the clever banter between the main characters of Harry, Ron, & Hermione. Considering the size of this book, there wasn't nearly enough of this banter and play.

The ending of the book was a major non-event. The revelation of Dumbledore to Harry was not news to anyone who has read the previous books. Everyone has known since the first book that either Harry or Vodimort must prevail and survive.

Long is OK as long as it is meaningful. I believe JKR is using space to make up for a lack of creativity found in the other books.

I agree with Mr. Feero on some points, but I am quite a bit less critical with JK's writing in this book. Knowing something of what she's gone through in the past five or so years, it seems that her mood is reflected in OOTP's pages. At first, her writing seemed strained and lacked her usual charm and enthusiasm. Story line alone seemed to carry it over (which is not like JK's writing at all) It wasn't until about half way through the book that it really picked up. It seemed as though she had caught a second wind, and she was her usual witty, imaginative self again.

I can't be too critical with her, because she is human, after all. Although an exceptional, succesful writer, she still has feelings and problems like the rest of us, but it seemed as though she overcame them to deliver another masterpiece of writing.

My overall review? Slow to start out, though I believe some shocking and troubling events took place in the first half that were important to spuring the reader onward. Regaining her momentum, JK sweeps the reader onward into an even stranger and more magical world.

I do think that JK underestimated her readers, though. We had pretty much figured out what's going to happen between Harry & Voldemort, so Dumbledor's revilations were'nt that great. But a lot of things were revealed throughout the book that shed more light on the past and people in Harry's life.

Once again I felt for Harry's struggles. JK really seems to be able to get into the mind of characters, especially Harry. She's got teenagers down.

Hello, I am a sixteen year old who has become very fond of the Harry Potter books and movies.

I would have to say that I thought the 5th book was excellent. It showed that Harry does in fact have a mean side to him. It makes him seem more human, not just someone who can fight and defeat anything or anyone.

I was rather disappointed in the death of ******. The fact that he is so important to Harry now, and to the readers makes it heart-breaking. There was a small ray of hope that Harry would be ok, be loved by someone, and be happy, now it is uncertain.

I also enjoyed the politics of the book. The revolt of the students by forming the D.A. is brilliant, upstaged only by Fred and George.

Overall rating is 4 stars