Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
After the tragedy of the previous book, and as Harry and his friends are all growing older, it’s understandable for the teenagers you’ve read about since they were children would experience a bit of teenaged angst. It was Ron’s turn during the earlier books to become jealous, moody, and irritable; Harry takes up the mantle in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He screams at everyone, friend and foe, at the drop of a hat. No one is safe from his teenaged moods and angry outbursts, not his closest pals Hermione and Ron, nor his beloved headmaster Professor Dumbledore. It’s understandable that he wants some explanations for all the trauma he’s endured, but if you haven’t experienced your teenaged angst yet, you might not identify with these sections. You might see Harry as a kid with a problem holding in his temper tantrums, since throughout the entire book, he doesn’t manage to get a grip on his emotions.
Many new characters are introduced in this book, and the main characters as well as the readers start getting treated like grown-ups. Where else but Hogwarts would fifteen-year-olds be expected to rebel against evil authorities and assist the adults in magical battles? You can sense the darker shift in the books, despite the brief comic reliefs, as there are more and more enemy forces against the kids than when the series started. Now, even when a woman wears pink, has a collection of cats, and smiles incessantly, she’s not a good guy!
Those of you who are partial to Professor Snape and enjoy the “is he or isn’t he” running question will really like reading this book. He gives Harry some special lessons, and the readers are treated to some flashbacks about the pain in his childhood. It’s rather sad, but since readers are probably very curious to learn more about him at this point, it’s also fun to read.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2007's film adaptation here!
More Harry Potter book reviews here on Hot Toasty Rag!
Many new characters are introduced in this book, and the main characters as well as the readers start getting treated like grown-ups. Where else but Hogwarts would fifteen-year-olds be expected to rebel against evil authorities and assist the adults in magical battles? You can sense the darker shift in the books, despite the brief comic reliefs, as there are more and more enemy forces against the kids than when the series started. Now, even when a woman wears pink, has a collection of cats, and smiles incessantly, she’s not a good guy!
Those of you who are partial to Professor Snape and enjoy the “is he or isn’t he” running question will really like reading this book. He gives Harry some special lessons, and the readers are treated to some flashbacks about the pain in his childhood. It’s rather sad, but since readers are probably very curious to learn more about him at this point, it’s also fun to read.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2007's film adaptation here!
More Harry Potter book reviews here on Hot Toasty Rag!