A review by lastingliterature
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 Mooooore audio re-reads! 
 
At last we made it to Order of the Phoenix! This audiobook is 26 HOURS LONG. But I made it. 
 
For many, many years, this has been my favorite. It probably still is, but I’ll have to wait to say that until I finish the next two books. 
 
I think I like this book so much because Harry seems so real in this one. While some may be annoyed at all of his angst, I feel like it’s what I’ve been waiting for! I love to see Harry have a little sass to the people who are so rude to him...especially Umbridge... 
 
I have to say, I love having Umbridge in this one. She is the absolute worst, no debate there, but that is why I love it. I think most people would agree that she is more hated than Voldemort. Every time she talks in her little girlish voice 🤢, I want to throw the book (or in this case, my phone) across the room. Props to the writing for making me hate a character this much. 
 
There are definitely still some things in this one I don’t *love.* For example: 
-Still hate Snape. His behavior towards a student is absolutely not okay—I don’t care what his background is or how he’s “justified.” Harry is a child!! Snape is an educator and is constantly verbally and even physically abusive to Harry (and poor Neville) 
-Dumbledore. Sigh. I love him but this one definitely makes it hard to remember that. 
-Harry’s refusal to practice Occlumency. Like c’mon!! 
-Less action. After the last book that had crazy things happening every 50 pages or so, this one definitely slows down. Not that much really happens until the end. 
-No fun world-y things like Hogsmeade, Quidditch, etc. 
 
I also somehow forgot Sirius dies in this book?! Not sure how that happened but I didn’t think of it until Harry was in the Dept. of Mysteries. He’s never been my favorite of Harry’s surrogate fathers (I’m a Lupin girl), but this was heart-wrenching. I will always remember this scene in the movie when Harry silently screams in agony and Lupin has to tear him away. Utter heartbreak.
 
This book holds so much magic for me, and like the last book, I like seeing the “real” emotions from Harry. The grief, the loss, the anger, the guilt. I definitely *feel* these later books much more than the early ones. 
 
Maybe a 4.75/5⭐️ for this one?! (I can’t choose 4.5 or 5 ugh) 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings