Fan-Lit: Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

While making my way through the Harry Potter books, I've been surprised by how much I've enjoyed them. Up until now, the third book was my favorite book. Unlike the first four books, I've only seen the movie version of The Order of the Phoenix a few times and don't remember what happened. So I was excited to find out how much I loved this book. Unfortunately, the movie had to cut out most of the book because it's so long. This book adds new and enjoyable characters, like Tonks and Luna. The fifth book delves into Harry's internal struggle and psychology more than the other books. It goes into Harry's mind through the introduction of occlumeny.

The book even goes into Snape's mind, and the reader gets a glimpse into how Snape was treated by Harry's dad James when they were in school together. It turns out Harry's dad was kind of a jerk, and when Harry confronts Sirius Black, all Sirius says is, 'oh well, we were teenagers, and Snape is weird,' which doesn't make Sirius look good. I love that Harry knows better and tells Sirius it was wrong. He even asks why his mom, Lily, would marry his dad. That's a valid question that doesn't get much of an answer. Basically, James wore her down until she agreed to go on a date with him. I wish somehow we could get more characterization of Harry's parents throughout the series.

Like the other books, this one opens with Harry and the Dursleys, but uncle Vernon wants to throw Harry out for good when a dementor attacks Dudley. I like this scene because aunt Petunia recognizes them as guards for Azkaban at the mention of dementors. It's the first time she acknowledges what she knows about the wizarding world, and after a letter from Dumbledore, she allows Harry to stay.

Even though Sirius is introduced in the third book, he gets more time with Harry in this book. While he claims to have survived Azkaban, it's clear that it took its toll on him. Molly Weasley calls him out by stating that he sees his best friend, James Potter, in Harry. While a tragic ending, it feels suitable for his character that he (like Harry's parents) dies protecting Harry.

This book is so long, it has so many subplots and side quests, but one of them is Harry, Ron, and Hermione running into Gilderoy Lockehart at the hospital. While it's a bit sad, I'm glad we learned what happened to him. We also find out what happened to Neville's parents at the hospital, another tragic moment.

I love that the books continue to build on the relationships between the main characters. The creation of Dumbledor's Army was a great way to have the main characters and side characters that we've come to love all interact with each other and learn magic. I also like that the book deals with the death of Cedric Diggory. However, I was not too fond of Cho crying all the time around Harry. I liked that the central trio is older now and thinking more about romantic partners and things that teenagers do. Even though Luna Lovegood comes off a bit weird and is made fun of by others, she's shown to be a skilled witch and brave enough to go to the ministry of magic to join the fight. Neville is a more prominent character in this book because there is a prophecy about Harry that could have been about Neville because their birthdays are close together. It's great to learn more about Neville, and he starts to show why he belongs in Gryffindor.

Professor Dolores Umbridge is a perfect villain for this book and a foil to Harry and the whole school. I love her for being so terrible and unapologetic about it. However, I'm surprised that she gets away with torturing students by making them use a quill that carves into their hands. That was truly terrible. The whole subplot with Hagrid's half-brother, the giant named Grawp, didn't make sense in the movies. He just came out of nowhere. While it makes sense in the book Hagrid is sent to recruit the giants and finds his half-brother, it still feels like an unnecessary plot that doesn't have anything to do with the story being told. We get the return of the centaurs and Frienze. While this is not the end for Umbridge in the series, it's a great ending for her in this book.

I love Ron struggling on the quidditch team, Harry trying to ask out Cho, and Hermione getting swept up in Dumbledore's Army. This is the longest book of the series, but you never feel the length because the pacing is well done. The narrative plot flows well, and Rowling sprinkles just enough subplots throughout to keep the story flowing. There is no part of the book that drags on for too long. While I was skeptical going into this book, I think it might be my favorite book in the series so far. It might be the book that turned me into a true Potterhead.

Thank you for reading, and be sure to check back every week as I continue to dive into the wizarding world. Next up is “Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies.” So stay tuned to the blog for new posts every week until Christmas! Be sure to leave a comment or feedback to help improve the blog. Thanks for reading, and be sure to follow the blog on social media for all the updates.