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

Product Description

There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?

Here are just a few things on Harry's mind:

• A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey.

• A venomous, disgruntled house-elf

• Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team

• The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams

. . . and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew, boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot, listeners will race through these tapes and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #2570 in Books
Published on: 2003-06
Released on: 2003-06-21
Format: Unabridged
Number of items: 23
Binding: Audio CD
Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it?

The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal
Grade 4 Up-Harry has just returned to Hogwarts after a lonely summer. Dumbledore is uncommunicative and most of the students seem to think Harry is either conceited or crazy for insisting that Voldemort is back and as evil as ever. Angry, scared, and unable to confide in his godfather, Sirius, the teen wizard lashes out at his friends and enemies alike. The head of the Ministry of Magic is determined to discredit Dumbledore and undermine his leadership of Hogwarts, and he appoints nasty, pink-cardigan-clad Professor Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and High Inquisitor of the school, bringing misery upon staff and students alike. This bureaucratic nightmare, added to Harry's certain knowledge that Voldemort is becoming more powerful, creates a desperate, Kafkaesque feeling during Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. The adults all seem evil, misguided, or simply powerless, so the students must take matters into their own hands. Harry's confusion about his godfather and father, and his apparent rejection by Dumbledore make him question his own motives and the condition of his soul. Also, Harry is now 15, and the hormones are beginning to kick in. There are a lot of secret doings, a little romance, and very little Quidditch or Hagrid (more reasons for Harry's gloom), but the power of this book comes from the young magician's struggles with his emotions and identity. Particularly moving is the unveiling, after a final devastating tragedy, of Dumbledore's very strong feelings of attachment and responsibility toward Harry. Children will enjoy the magic and the Hogwarts mystique, and young adult readers will find a rich and compelling coming-of-age story as well.
Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Harry is 15, angry and alienated. Gone is the eager, wet-behind-the-ears boy wizard. He's morphed into a surly teenager. The story is slow to start, but a peerless performance by Jim Dale spins even long passages of exposition into gold. Once Harry reaches Hogwarts, the pace accelerates and the fun begins. Voldemort is secretly marshalling the dark wizards for war, the new Dark Arts teacher runs Hogwarts like a fascist state, and Harry learns of an ancient prophecy explaining his psychic connection to Voldemort. More thoughtful, missing the playfulness of earlier adventures, this artful coming-of-age story provides the perfect backdrop for Harry's adolescent angst and awakening consciousness. Dale's wizardry transports listeners to places Muggle and magical, and Rowling's inventive plot shifts and fresh characters make this "must listening" for older Potter fans. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Customer Reviews

Coming of Age
The darkest Harry Potter so far, The Order of the Phoenix does not disappoint. Harry is 15 years old and goes through everything that the age involves - both good and bad. Rowling does a fantastic job of transitioning Harry into an adult, remembering all the intricacies of that strange and conflicting age we all go through.

Harry is faced with being discredited on the account of the Lord Voldemort sighting, as well as by using magic in the muggle world. Harry is perplexed by the lack of support from Dumbledore, and is full of anger as he traipses through the unfortunate events that are unfolding. Things are not helped by the appearance of Dolores Umbridge, new teacher at Hogwarts, whose sole mission in life seems to be pacifying and subduing anyone who might be a threat to the Minister of Magic, no matter how ill-perceived. And the biggest threats seem to be Harry and Dumbledore.

Another fantastic feat from Rowling, the fifth Harry Potter is a great read requiring full concentration. Instead of making the interest for the topic wane, Rowling whets our appetites even further, and makes us want for more of Harry and Hogwarts. The darkness of the book only exemplifies Rowling's growth. Highly recommended!

Another Fanastic HP Book!!!
The 5th installment of the Harry Potter series is just as great as the other books. Yes it does take a bit of a darker turn but the characters are getting older and discovering how not all adults are good as they appear.
The cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts post is filled by Dolores Jane Umbridge. She is a pink wearing, half-breed hating, minister loving, witch! J.K. Rowling creates a character who everyone will learn to hate almost as much as the students Professor Umbridge teaches.
As if having one of the evilest teachers ever isn't bad enough for Harry; almost all of the wizarding world thinks he and Dumbledore are both nutters. The Daily Prophet and the minister himself are determined to believe that Voldemort is not back; but anyone with a brain knows he is back and proof is all around.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione become rebelious and fight for what's right, and take down everything that stands in their way. It is a wonderfully written book that will appeal to many people.

Good product and value.
This product was a good value, and even though it was used it was in great condition. Would do business with seller again. Quick and easy transaction.