I finished Harry Potter Five, The Order of the Phoenix on Friday night. Having had a few days to think it over and to get into some preliminary discussions with some other people, I’d like to start a conversation hear about the story, what people thought, how it relates to the other books, and where Rowling will go from here.
Careful, though: there will most likely be spoilers ahead…
First off, I'd like to start with a quote from Todd Leopold at CNN:
"Phoenix" does have its problems. The book starts running out of steam before the climactic battle, and that battle itself -- full of noise, flashing spells and wand-handling straight out of a grade-B Western as produced by Jerry Bruckheimer -- is the most poorly constructed scene in the book.
Now I don't know if I'd go that far, however some of my fellow Potter fans agreed with Leopold. Personally, I thought the lack of a main plot goal (the quiditch tournaments or tri-wizard event in the other books) made the story seem a little aimless at points. Overall, though, I have to admit I was extremely pleased. I still think I liked the fourth book the best.
I'm just scratching the surface here, hoping others will join in. What were your thoughts?
I finished reading the OOP on Sunday the week after the book came out. About the quote, I don't know what's wrong with "full of noise, flashing spells", because they made the story much more lively and realistic.
I do, anyway, agree with the "aimless plot" of the story. Rowling seemed to put too much of extra things in the story which was intended to make the story more rich, however, that made the story somehow too broad with the topic.
Everytime I read each book of Harry Potter, there comes at least one scene in every book which i favors the most and can be used as a representing plot of the book. For example, in Harry Potter 1, the sorcerer's stone is the representing symbol, the second book, the snake (forgot the name), the third book is the dementors, and the forth book, ofcourse, is the triwizard tournament. But in this 5th one, there were in fact TOO MANY thing going on, so it's hard to say that this book actually caught the reader's attention.
Hagrid and the Giant, the Order of the Phoenix, the Umbridge, "Mind spell (forgot the name) ", Sirius, the Ministry of Mystery... I mean, there were too many symbols.
Oh yeah, and one more thing, what happened to Harry's Firebolt? is it still locked in the dungeon?
And one more thing, I think Sirius will actually comeback, because his death was described much too "not-as-important-and-lively-and-realisic"ally. I'm just wondering what Rowling will write about in the next harry potter book. She seemed to use pretty much every ideas other people can think of...
I liked the 3rd book best.
What do you think?
haryy potter five rocks. main plot is how stupid ministry are. not to much info. loads of clues, and answers to clues and hints. eg. tonks father ted is the weather man from stone(first or second chapter)read it carefully. he smirks in a knowing way. what about nevilles wand, it was not his it was his dads. remember what mr olivander said instone you'll never get such good results with another wizards wand, so more to come from neville,though he will not be the one to defeat vdmt. what about the other prophecy that smashed in ootp you only hear some of it a man and a woman speaking page692(uk version( chapter- beyond the vail "at the solstice....new"
"AND NONE WILL COME AFTER" COULD THIS BE IMPORTANT FOR THE OTHER 2 BOOKS .SO READ THE BOOK MORE CAREFULLY AND YOU SHOULD PICK UP MORE ANSWERS, HINTS, AND CLUES. STOP MOANING ABOUT IT BEING TOO LONG
back again. Sirus wil come back, but he is deffinetly dead. j.k asaid so herself. don't know how he will come back, but think he will. proof ootp page717(uk version) chapter-the only on he ever fearedbella says to vdmt "master he is here he is below "(talking about Sirius)
another thing inoticed. in GOF WHEN HARRY'S BLOOD IS PUT INTO THE POTIION TO BRING VDMT BACK, VDMT GETS LILY'S PROTECTION, SO WHEN PETERS FLESH AND THEREFORE SOME OF HIS BLOOD GOES INT0 THE POTION WOULD THAT NOT MEAN THAT VDMT ALSO GOT THE BOND BETWEEN HARRY AND PETER. REMEMBER PETER OWES HIS LIFE TO HARRY, SO DOES VDMT? ALSO THE GLEAM IN DD'SS EYES IS BECAUSE HARRY'S BLOOD WILL MAKE VDMT MORE HUMAN AND MAYBE BECAUSE HE KNOWSW VDMT WILL HAVE THE BOND BETWEEN HARRY AND PETER
hello going to correct myself here TED TONKS is the newsman not the weatherman (maybe i should read carefully to).
While the cat's away, the mice will play, eh? I'm sorry my comment window doesn't always refresh, Jane, but over fifty of the same comments? I don't think that was an accident. I've cleaned up the mess and I'll make sure to try and respond to some of your comments.
Jane:
First, I didn't hear anyone say the book was too long. I heard them say it seemed to amble along in places. This isn't like the others where there was a clear main plot driving the story.
As for the quote about the solstice, I looked it up in my copy (785, US). That was a random prophecy ball, not neccessarily one that had anything to do with our characters. It served as a way to show Harry and his friends what the prophecy balls actually were, not as a piece of the story.
As for your comment about Sirius coming back because Voldemory feared him, you're incorrect there. The only wizard Vold. feared was Dumbledore (pg 679, ch:Veritaserum, US), who at that point was below (Neville tells Harry this a few pages before that). Sirius will return, I think, I'm just not sure how. In a world full of magic mirrors, prophecy globes, and ghosts who wander the halls who know what form Sirius will take in future books.
Finally, I don't believe that the gleam in Dumbledore's eye is because of the mess with Peter. Again, in suh a magical world, it is hard to guess what will happen for sure.
Thanks for your comments Jane. It's nice speaking to someone who is so familiar with the books. Feel free to respond or add something new.
i never said vdmt was scared of sirius. if u read carefully what i said, i said it was in the chapter entitled the only one he ever feared so there u go, read what i said about sirius again. it was Bella ( in u.k version) that said Sirius was below, and she said it to vdmt. i know vDD was the only one vdmt feared that is why the chapter is cxcalled the only one he ever feared. fair point about the other prophecy but i think it might be used for something later.
i never said vdmt was scared of sirius. if u read carefully what i said, i said it was in the chapter entitled the only one he ever feared so there u go, read what i said about sirius again. it was Bella ( in u.k version) that said Sirius was below, and she said it to vdmt. i know vDD was the only one vdmt feared that is why the chapter is cxcalled the only one he ever feared. fair point about the other prophecy but i think it might be used for something later.
hi again. got something else for all of u. u knoe the bar man of the hog's head, well i (actually it was my brother)think he could be DD'S BROTHER proof: The bar smells of goats and DDs brother was proscuted for practising charms on goats (book 4). Also when Harry was asking for the butterbeers he vaguely remebered seeing the man before (he did in Moody's photo of the original OOTP). hey what does anyone think will happen to DA?who do u think Harry will go out with? (not cho ,not cho, for the love of hogwarts NOT CHO). Who do u thimk the new DADA teacher will be ? my money's on Snape, because no one else will want it and will be to busy with fighting against vdmt, whereas Snape can do it while at Hod#gwarts cause he did that in five. Itwould also mean that Harry would be able to take potions. My "second" (hehehe)is Dumbledore cause he would be great at teaching them DADA. Does anyone think Harry will die? (hope he doesn't)Does anyone agree with what i said about Neville (or not) in my posts above? come on people post reply start new discussions. the last person to post before me was july 9. oh and thanks to j. fournier for replying ( forgot to put in my last post, Umbridge is having an effect on me , i am forgetting my manners). going to look for more things in books, if u find anything post it please.
Me again. In book five Chapter one there is a mention of a kid called Mark Evans. It is only his name mentioned, but J.K rarely put things in for nothing. Could he be related to Harry, because as we find out in this book DD has been keeping things from Harry, and Petunia definetley knows more than she lets on, or is this mark havng the same last name as Harry's mother (her maiden name) a coincedence. Maybe he is related to the Wesley's, think about it, in STONE Ron says his mum has a second cousin somewhere who is an accountant, but they never talk about him, this could be Mark Evans father. But if not then what will become of him, because J.K does not put anything in for no reason. oh and about the Malfoys, Lucius may be the man, but his wife wears the trousers, he may be the active deatheater but she is the boss, proof: In book four chapter entitled ABOARD THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS Draco says "Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts. But mother didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away". Kreacher went to her not Lucius (in five) and it is her who is actually related to Bella, she is probably as mad as her sister. oh and another thing about Ted Tonks he smiled when talking about OWLS being seen in daylight, not shooting stars (my apologies, i know how i get when people get things wrong about the books, which is why i will try and correct myself when possible).
I know fan sites can exagerate, but have any of u heard the rumour about Snape, that his name is actually Peserus evans (at first i though this was completely imposssible) because lily was a muggleborn and he is pureblooded, but then i remembered that it has never said he is in the book, we just take it for granted he is because he was a Slytherin. He could be a half blood (vdmt got into Slytherin and he is a half blood) maybe him and Lily have the same father if so there dad was quite busy cause they were in the same year. people will say he called lily a mudblood so therefore he is pure, wrong vdmt is not pure and talks about mudbloods (and killing them). do you agrre or not, lets get thoughts and opinions going. it does seem a bit far fetched, but the more i think about it the more i think it could be, u just never know with ROWLING.
After I finished reading the Order of the Phoenix for the first time I was greatly dissapointed of the death of Sirius, not just because he was one of my favorite characters but also because his death leaves a significant mark on Harry cosidering he was the closest thing Harry had to a father. I agree with those of you that say he's bound to return in book six because the whole falling through the veil thing was just unclear and confusing. I think I might try reading the UK version of Order of the Phoenix considering it gives more info on certain scenes in chapters like when Bella tells Voldemort that Sirious is still downstairs.
Now about Harry's love life, in my opinion, he's decided that Cho Chang isn't all she cracked up to be, considering she continually bothers him about be more attached to other girls like Hermione who is just one of his best friends. Actually, I think within his last two years at Hogwarts he'll find that Ginny Weasly is the girl he'll find real love with for several reasons. One is that Ginny is going through this phase of liking other boys temporarily first with the Ravenclaw Michael Corner and then at the end of the book with fellow Gryfindor Dean Thomas who she'll probably leave for some reason in book six and eventually start to fancy Harry like she did in the begining of the series.Two is that Ron has always thrown a tantrum every time Ginny starts seeing other boys besides Harry and even in the last chapter hints that maybe his sister will choose someone better next time and throws Harry a "furtive" glance. This in my opinion points out that deep down inside Ron feels that it would be great for his younger sister to marry his best friend and become his brother in law. Third and finally is that Ginny and Harry have alot in common for instance both have once been taken possesion of by Voldemort and both are great seekers for Gryfindor.
I found the book to be crammed with details and extra information that she should have saved. She just put things in it because she promised the public. She should have done things how she wanted them, not how the public wanted them
she did not put in what the publlic wanted she has plans for the book she known since about after she finished the first book or even bfore how book7 would end and she has had the last chapter written for ages.
she just could put in what the public wanted it is 2004 so she has noew officialy been writing hp for 14 years i doubt she'd change her plan and hard work to put in whta public want.
she did put in what she needed to.
if u found it crammed fine but dont say she changed her book to suit the public cause she didnt.
ootp gives lots of clues and i didnt find it crammed at all.
I think this is the best one in the series so far I didnt really understand how sirius died even though i have read it 4 times. I think the 3rd movie will be really good.I think Harry might actually end up dieing in the book 7 because him or voldemort has to kill the other one.I hope he doesnt though.I think harry might get hooked up with Cho chang again.She would be a nice girlfriend if she wasnt still stuck up about cedric, and if she would just realize that Harry does not fancy hermione and they are just friends.By the way does anyone know when the 6th book is coming out. I really love the harry potter series!!!!!!
i think book 3 was the best of the books so far and the movie will rock i am almost done with the 5th book and its just getting better so can anyone tell me when the climax of the book it?
*is
Wow, fun reading into all the details about what is/isn't a coincidence, etc. I agree that the book was missing an active central plot with to many little sub plots but now that Voldemort is definetely outside of Hogwarts, you can't expect it to be so consuming as before. But, the thing I liked best about this book is that Harry GROWS UP. He is no longer the unbelievably precocious ten year old that defies all logic and miraculously saves the day without a hitch. This is the first time something has gone horribly wrong because of Harry, even if Sirius will come back somehow. So Harry is finally acting like a real person, with teenage problems. So, for that at least it should be given credit
I think the book was a great book. There was story lines in the book I believe were draging on to long. I wasn't to keen on the whole love story between Cho Chang. I mean sure he loves he and everything but what was the point. That dragged on for far to long. And u r right about the firebolt. But I believe he got it back, but we don't even know that he will be playing Quittich (spelled it wrong). I would like to more about the twins shop though. You are right about him being more grown up, and finally screwing up on something instead of saving the day every time like Herminoe said. I don't think Siris will come back. I believe that we will find out more about he veil though cause I didn't really understand the point of the veil. Cause remember when Harry was back at the castle and he ask the ghost Siruis will be a ghost then. and he said no he not everyone choose that path. I think Peter will played a big role in the next to books. Since the bond between Harry and him now is there I think he heart might change.. but that is just a gut feeling. Percy will turn I think. I think he might still go against he family but not knowing it. The ministry of Magic will use him in someone how. The only way I think he will go back to his family is if one of them gets killed. I would really like to know you comments. PLZ send me an email thanks.
Bellatrix Lestrange is telling Voldemort(in OotP)that DUMBLEDORE is here... is downstairs... because she knows that DUMBLEDORE is the only one Voldemort is afraid of
I really hope Sirius comes back.I don't hear many people talking abiut that. I don't believe that he has truly died, since Harry and Luna hear the voices behind the veil. What spell did Bellatrix hit him with? It never said that she hit him with AK, did she? So might not truly be dead? I also don't understand the mystery of the veil. I wish J.K. Rowling would explain some of that to us. *sigh* Can't WAIT!
WHO DIED IN THIS BOOK????
OMG! How did sirus die? I didn't believe it when My friend told me. But it';s true?? I haven't finished the book yet...not even close! OMG! I AM SO GONNA CRY WHEN IT GETS TO THAT PART!!!!!
OMG! How did sirus die? I didn't believe it when My friend told me. But it';s true?? I haven't finished the book yet...not even close! OMG! I AM SO GONNA CRY WHEN IT GETS TO THAT PART!!!!!