Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Every time I've tried to read this I have never been able to make it through this book. I think that the length was scary to me as a child and that, along with how Harry acts in the first half of the books, always deterred me from getting anywhere past the half-way point. Now, as an adult, I was determined to get through this book.

1. It's not as long as it looks. Once I picked up this book it didn't take all that long to finish. Reading it on my Kindle definitely helped with that - I could pick it up whenever I had some spare time.

2. Teenager problems. The fact that Harry is fifteen in this book is extremely hard to miss.

He is moody, acting out, and being overly dramatic at every available opportunity.

When I was reading this book around the same age, I found Harry's attitude to be a bit grating. Now, I find it to be petty and unnecessary. I gave the same complaint with this book as I did with the last one:

the trio argue way too often. I feel like it's a bit better in this book because there aren't as many overlapping plot points, but it still got to the point where I was questioning the point of it all. I also, once again, find Harry's lack of communication to be a bit infuriating. We've been through this for five books at this point, just talk to your friends!

3. The Marauders.

I love the look at Hogwarts-aged Marauders and Snape that we get towards the end of the book. The conflict Harry feels about his father and Sirius was really well done, even if it was resolved a bit too quickly (in my opinion).

4. A bit of political intrigue, as a treat. I love the small glimpses of the Ministry of Magic that are scattered throughout the book. One of my favorite things about the HP series is how rich the world feels and how easy it is to be sucked into it.

Seeing Fudge turn against Harry and show his true, paranoid, control-hungry nature was super interesting to me. Watching the power he gave Umbridge over the school, all in the name of ridding Dumbledore of his status was a wild twist that I wasn't expecting but really really enjoyed. </spoilers> I really hope that type of political side drama continues in the next books.

Overall, I had a great time reading the last 50% of this book. It gets off to a slow start but, in the end, it feels like it was a worthwhile read. I'm excited to continue the series!

Content Warnings

jelliestars's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Content Warnings

moony__3's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

loved it so much! probably my favourite harry potter book so far. just a bit long

Content Warnings

johannarose's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

emabooks's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

trintrin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

okay 800 pages long, we got a lot to unpack here.

- First off, I will defend CapsLock!Harry with my life. The boy just saw his worst enemy brought back to life only for the public to label him a liar?? while he also has to remain in the dark about everything?? while also living with his vile aunt and uncle?? He deserves to scream and let everything out
- 'Listening to the news! Again?' 'Well, it changes everyday, you see' I live for badass Harry
- Sirius being both a parental figure and a brotherly figure to Harry
- Mother-hen-Molly mode activated
- 'I... must... not... look... like... a baboon's... backside' when I tell you I completely LOST IT 😭
- Umbridge, man. I hate her so much, I love her
- Fred and George pulling the most insane pranks to annoy her lmaoooo
- The teachers going with it?? 😭
- Prof. Sprout awarding 20 points when Harry passed the watering can? Prof. Flitwick giving Harry a box of sweets? love it
- 'It unscrews the other way' and 'Have a biscuit, Potter' STAN MINERVA MCGONAGALL
- Peeves saluting the Weasley twins
- The DA making Harry realise his calling as a DADA teacher (too bad he had to be an Auror in the end)
- The entire St. Mungo's scene
- Arthur Weasley is the GOAT, man
- Harry absolutely LOSING IT in Dumbledore's office after the battle at the Ministry was just plain DEVASTATING. My heart shattered just like all those trinkets on Dumbledore's shelves </3
- That was also the first time I ever cried while rereading a book, so yeah
- This used to be my least favourite book as a child, but growing up I realised how much I love this book, the way it deals with Harry's trauma, it's just perfect. Also, I can't say no to more Wizarding World content. They could literally just be sitting in a class, bored out of their minds, and I'd still read it

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