Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - spoilery

Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: 5+ Stars

I loved this book! I know I've mentioned it before, but I love the fact that as Harry gets older his issues get harder.

This book has a darker quality to it than the others do. Not overly dark, but its there, especially at the end. I think I enjoyed reading this book more than the others because there is no movie. I had no way of knowing the outcome aside from reading it. Don't get me wrong, I love the other books too, I just enjoyed reading this one the most because I didn't know how it ended. Well, I knew one thing, but not how it happened. And when it did happen, knowing it was going to didn't ruin it for me.

In this book, Harry is dealing with feelings of anger and what he feels is betrayal. In the beginning chapters, you can't help but feel bad for Harry. He's stuck with the Dursleys not knowing when he's going to be busted out, the only messages he gets don't tell him much, he's attacked by a dementor, and still he's told nothing, and to top it all of, he's nearly expelled. When he's finally picked up and taken to where everyone else is, he's still mad because even Ron and Hermione seem to know more than he does, and he's got a trial coming up. Of course, he's not expelled because Dumbledore comes to his rescue, and instead of being completely thrilled, Harry wonders why Dumbledore won't even look at him. He dwells on this subject on and off throughout the book as different things happen. And sometimes, I just wanted to go through the pages and shake Dumbledore to find out what his problem is. But, it's a book, and I didn't really want to rip it, and I knew there was a reason and we'd all (Harry and me) would find out in due time what was going on.

Hopefully those reading this aren'e expecting a good summary here because that's not what's gonna happen. These books are probably the most widely read series across many countries, believe me you'll want to read them if you haven't. And, if you're reading this and you haven't read the books, I really wouldn't continue, I'd hit the library or bookstore and then come back and let me know what you thought of these books. :)

Anyway, back to Harry. Once Harry is back at school, things aren't much better. Sure, he's where he wants to be. But at what cost? The Ministry of Magic is trying to make Harry look like a liar, and make Dumbledore look like he's lost his mind. And then, wanting to get involved in every aspect of the school where they have never had reign before. All this to cover up the fact they know that Harry and Dumbledore are telling the truth? Wouldn't someone become suspicious? If in all the years of Hogwarts, the Ministry has kept it's distance, and then all of a sudden they are becoming involved (and trying to take over). That Umbridge lady was REALLY annoying me. I am so glad she got what she deserved!

By now, I'm sure you can tell that I get really involved in the books I read. To me, it's a sign of a really good writer if the reader can be drawn into a character so much that they start to feel a certain amount of like or dislike toward them. If a character draws no emotion from the reader, the character hasn't been developed enough. With the characters in the HP series, I feel like I know them. Which makes me believe that the author knows them, which J.K. Rowling did mention in an interview. That characters in a book should come across as if the author truely knows them. The fact that she's got pages written on each character that will never see the pages of a published book shows that she's put effort into developing and getting to know each character she uses.

And let me tell ya, I was really not liking the ministry people for quite a while in this book, actually, I still don't think I like them much. I was starting to not feel so good toward Dumbledore for a while, but at the same time, a little worried for Harry at the fact there were times that he felt he wanted to attack Dumbledore. I figured that Dumbledore may know what's going on inside Harry's head and we'd all find out in due time. Cho was really pissing me off. Yes, I'd like Harry to have a girlfriend (or boyfriend, whichever), BUT.. Cho was really irking me. Yes, she was dating Cedric. Did she really think Harry would want to talk about him after seeing him die? Especially with her? I can understand if she truely liked Harry, why she'd want to talk to him, but how about telling the poor guy you like him first? Of course Harry would have confided to Ron and Hermione, the first person he'd go to wouldn't be the girl he had a crush on, would it? Especially if he'd just seen her boyfriend murdered?

The last 100 pages or so really had me glued to the book. I hated to put it down even to go to the bathroom. I had to finish it tonight, no matter how long it took. The entire scene in the department of mysteries with the 5 D.A members and the Death Eaters, and then the Order showing up. The death of Sirius, although I knew about it, didn't make it any less saddening. One second he's battling and laughing, the next he's hit with a curse and he falls behind the veil. All this infront of Harry's eyes. Then, Dumbledore and Voldemort dueling, I could practically see that playing out in my head.

My absolute favorite part of the book is when Dumbledore finally sits down with Harry and talks to him, and explains everything. I could just see Harry tossing things around the office while Dumbledore just watches him. But, when he finally sat down and listened, he got the answers he's wanted for 5 years. Why does he have the scar? What does it mean? Why did Voldemort want to kill him? Why didn't he succeed? Why does he have to go back to the Durselys every summer? And now that he's been told the prophecy, what does it all mean? You'd think that with all these questions answered there would be nothing left of the story to tell, right? Nope! It leave us knowing enough that this - whatever you want to call it - has only just begun. We know that Harry and Voldemort cannot each exist while the other lives. But Harry doesn't believe he can kill, but he's got to if he doesn't want to die.

I also liked the part with Luna and Harry in the hall. Although he's sad and angry about Sirius dying, he feels a little better (hopeful?) knowing he may be just on the other side of that veil. Luna Lovegood may have been seen as "Looney", but she seems perfectly happy with that. And Harry, when he finally talks to her, realizes she's really not that crazy. She even gives him hope.

Even better, the story leaves Harry happy to know he's got his friends and the Order - and Dumbledore - on his side. It gives you a sense that something is going to happen in the next book, and it's not going to be good, but Harry along with the Order (and Ron and Hermione) will do what ever they can to prevent Voldemort from coming to power again. Harry knows he's got to.

Another thing I really enjoyed in this book was the Weasley twins' exit. Nothing less could be expected of them. I enjoyed their pranks in the other books, this last prank was the best they could have done, and to fly out the doors on their brooms - just wonderful. :)

******

Now, nothing at all to do with the plot, just some side thinking since I do read a bit of fanfiction. I know that a lot of fan out there would like to see Hermione with Ron, and although I think that would be cute. I think I'd like to see Hermione with Harry. Of course, I think its an interesting love triangle - and it would be even more interesting to see who would really win her heart. I've read fics on both sides of the fence, and many other Harry pairings.. I still think Harry and Hermione would be the best one. :)

Next Up: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Note: If you'll remember from my first post, I hoped to have this series done by Christmas. I've got 5 days, I'm going to try to make it happen. I know that even if I don't finish by Christmas night, I won't have any problems having it done long before new years day. January 1st I will start the first book of my 52 book challange. Of course, I haven't picked said book yet, but I've got time.

Goblet of Fire - spoilery

Title: Goblet of Fire
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: 5 Stars

I loved this book. I'd have to say its really up there as my favorite of the series. I should really wait till I finish reading the series to pick a favorite, but this one seems like it will be up there. I like the dark feel of the story, you can tell that Harry and his riends are growing up, and their life challengers are getting harder. When the Triwizard Tournament is first mentioned, you know somehow Harry is going to be involved, but how and why are cleverly kept until the very end. I was trying to look for any clues that may have been dropped as to who put his name in the cup (I did see the movie first, which is why I was reading even more closely. But I think the movie had it slightly different, I don't remember), but I didn't catch on until the end - when it was revealed.

Introducing other magical schools was a great idea. It shows that, like people, wizards aren't alone - they are all over the world. The Triwizard Tournament bringing them together is something like the Olympics.. sorta. The sportsmanship between Harry and Cedric during all 3 tasks was good to see. The poor beauxbatons girl didn't really get anywhere in the tournament, except past the first task. I know she had 'help' not getting far in the maze. When Krum attacked Cedric in the maze, for a second I wondered if he had something to do with Harry's name getting in the cup - or at least had some part in a bigger plan that involved the cup, because the Durmstrang headmaster was a former death eater. But I knew that wasn't right, considering what happened in the forrest when Crouch showed up out of his mind. Having Harry and Cedric fighting off the big spider at the center of the maze, with the cup in view, was a great visual. We did see something like it in the movie, but the way it was written out in the book was much better. And then each insisting the other take the cup, and then doing it together. It would have been one of those picture-perfect happy endings that only happens in fairy tales. You know, Harry and Cedric portkey outside the maze - 2 champions for Hogwarts, loved by all (well, most). Even without seeing the movie, I would have known that it wasn't going to end all perfect like that.

Poor Cedric. He was all ready to fight by Harry's side as if this place they had been portkey'd to was part of the tournament. And then *zap* dead, gone, poor Cedric. Harry sees the re-birth of Voldemort, and the death eaters.. The duel, another great visual that was given somewhat justice in the movie. The wands connecting, the spirits coming out, telling Harry what to do. And then making sure he is able to get it done. Cedric asking Harry to take his body back *sniff* so sad.. (I don't know why I'm stuck on Cedric, I guess becase he's dead.. I dunno).

After the tournament, and after we find out the truth about Crouch jr. and the polyjuice, the story truly unfolds. Voldemort is back, and the ministry and Dumbledore have a plan. You can tell that this is really just the turning point in a much longer story. Everything leading up to this point was an explaination of sorts. Harry and his friends have had 4 years to learn all they could, faced challenges and beaten them, and the ministry has had 14 years to think about what they'd have to do if Voldemort would ever return. Now that he's back, you know there is much more to the story.

One more thing I like about this series overall is that the author re-visits things from the other books. For instance, the use of polyjuice. But, what sticks out more is Fawkes. Fawkes has been there since book 1, and he's had a part in each book (I think, I can't recall specifically anything from book 3), and it's in book 4 that we learn the exact pheonix feather in Harry's wand (and Voldemort's) is a feather from Fawkes. And for the second time, Fawkes heals Harry's injury.

I have no book-to-movie comments yet. I have to see the movie again, to make sure of some things. I think I spotted where they may have changed the book a little to fit the movie, but I'm not sure I remember correctly.

Next up: Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix..

Harry Potter Books 1-3

The books I am reading now are not part of any 52 book challenge, they are part of my current goal, all 6 Harry Potter books read by Christmas. This is a quick, combined post, about my thoughts for the first 3. Since it's been a couple weeks since I've read them, this probably won't be as in depth as future posts will be.

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: 5 Stars

Having started reading this series long after seeing the movies (and, as it stands, I've seen the 4th movie and I'm currently reading the 4th book), it makes me appreciate the books even more. I usually read the book first, and then see the movies, but I don't know if I would have picked these books up if I hadn't seen the movies, at least the first one. As a side note, it was weird seeing the movie play in my head as I read, and the parts that weren't in the movie, just fell into place as if they were. Having said that, onto the book.

I really enjoyed this book. It's so much more than just a story about witches and wizards, granted that is probably what draws the younger readers to it, but what they probably don't realize is that they are getting a good lesson while enjoying a story. I don't understand why people want to ban these books from schools and libraries. It's not the 'witchcraft' that is the center of the story, it's the triumph of good over bad, and the friendships and teamwork it takes to overcome obsticles. If I had children, and they were old enough to understand the words, I would definitely allow them to read this book, I'd probably buy it for them myself. The story of a boy who grows up not knowing his parents, or the truth about how he died, or the truth about himself for that matter until he is 11. The description of the Dursleys isn't the kind-hearted family type you see on tv and it other lighter fiction, it's that of the other side of the fence. Unfortunately some children face family like that every day, knowing they aren't wanted there and neglected. But that doesn't hold Harry down, he doesn't want to be like the Dursleys. He finds out about himself, and Hogwarts, and his fame - which sometimes he wishes he didn't have. This is where the fiction part comes in, the magical world. He goes to this school, which keeps him away from the people who don't like him or want him. He makes friends (and of course, meets people who aren't so nice, but haven't we all??). He learns about his parent's death, learns why there are people out to kill him, why people know his name, what makes him special. And, in between his classes, he gets to battle a troll and with the help of his friends go through obsticles to find the sorcerer's stone so that it isn't used to something bad. In the course of the "school year" he learns alot about himself inside, like his strengths, and he realizes that not everyone is going to be like the Dursleys, and he certainly doesn't have to be.

One more thing about the book-to-movie translation. The movie was pretty close to the book, I would have liked to see all of the obsticles at the end though. How each head of house, and hagrid, had a special charm, and how the three of them worked together to get through them all.

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: 4 Stars

I liked this book, and the corresponding movie. All characters involved are a year older, and the issues they face get a little tougher. How many teenagers think about running away? How many do it? How many do it in a flying car? Ok, so the answer to the last one is none, but still. The real life situation is there, with the fictional sollution. The majority of Hogwarts believes Harry is the heir of Slytherin and he's going around petrifing people and talking to snakes and setting them against his classmates. People in general like to cast blame on the easy target, any way to push the blame away from themselves. Harry finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time a couple times throughout this book. But, he and his friends do what they have to do to make sure that no one dies. And once again, the good come out on top.

The book-to-movie transaltion - no complaints. As much as I'd like to see all the little details put into a movie, I know that can't happen.

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: 5 Stars

I love this book! And it's corresponding movie! It's my favorite of the series so far (well, the book, it's really close about the movie. I need to see Goblet of Fire again to decide). Again, another year older, and increasingly harder things to deal with. Introducing the element of fear, and how fear can effect a person, and how in turn people can confront thier fears and overcome them. Or at the very least, ward them off. Granted, I'm not going to stand at the bottom of a roller coaster and shout "Expecto Patronum" and expect to ride the damn thing fearless. Since I have no patronus, if I want to conquer that fear, I'd have to put myself in line for a coaster, get on the ride, and just do it. And pray to the gods that I live to tell about it. Harry has things in his past he doesn't know about, rather he can't explain them because he truly doesn't remember what happened, but its enough to overcome him. Dementors feed off of your bad memories and try to steal your good ones. The point of the patronus charm is to use a strong good memory to overcome the bad ones the dementor is trying to push to the forefront.

Alongside confronting fear, he's lead to believe, that he's got a murderer after him. Later in the story he learns that this person is the reason his parents are dead, because he betrayed their trust and sold them out to Voldemort. And that this person is also his godfather. Even worse, he's got to find this out while hiding under his invisibility cloak because no one will sit him down and tell him the truth to his face. The thing about our elders is they think that by keeping things from us, it'll keep us from getting hurt. That's not always true. But, I digress. How would you feel if you found out that the person your late parents trusted most with their lives, enough to be named godfather of their child, was the very reason that they were killed? I think Harry's reaction was realistic, I'd want the person dead too. But, he's a fair enough person to at least hear things out. And, when the truth is told in the end. When Scabbers is un-animagi'd (I know that isn't a word, but I think it makes sense), and showed for the wizard he truly is - Peter Pettigrew, and the whole story about how it was Peter - not Sirius - that sold out Harry's parents, he listened. And was rational, for a boy of 13, to give Peter the chance to clear Sirius's name. And then, the worst possible fate, let the dementors have him. It's a fate worse than letting Sirius and Lupin kill him. It's true what Harry says, allowing them to kill Peter, the truth dies with him. But while he's alive, the truth can be told and Sirius is free. Of course, everything in theory sounds perfect, and we all know life isn't perfect. And while the full moon distracts Lupin and Sirius, and Harry isn't quick enough (although he tries) Peter gets ahold of a wand, puts himself back into rat-form, and gets away. And here come the dementors, to add insult to injury. And Harry uses all that he's learned and casts the patronus to ward them off.. but it's too much? Or is it? Harry wakes up in the hospital wing, and Sirius was captured and faces the dementors kiss - which isn't the way things were supposed to work. But this isn't the real word, it's the magical world, and with things such as a time turner Harry and Hermione can go back a few hours and make sure things happen the right way. And save 2 lives by setting Buckbeak free. The time-turned Harry and Hermione were there all along, helping themselves out, only this time some small things done differently changes the outcome for the better. Proof that sometimes we know what we're doing, and other times we need help, and sometimes we realize that if we had made one extra (or different) decision, the outcome could turn out drastically different. But, as human beings we have no time turner, we just have to trust ourselves to make the right decisions and live with the outcomes. Buckbeak and Sirius fly off into the night, and Harry and Hermione put themselves back into time where they should be, and no one is the wiser. Ron is thoroughly confused, but we like him that way. :)

**

Overall - of the 3 books I've read so far (I'm keeping my comments on Goblet of Fire out of this post because even though I've seen the movie, I haven't finished the book) I'd give J.K. Rowling a huge thumbs up and WAY TO GO and BRAVO for creating a magical world that people of all ages (well, mostly all ages) can read about and enjoy, and even relate to. Because really, if you take away the magic, what are you left with? The story of a boy who lost his parents at the age of one. He's raised by his aunt and uncle who mistreat him because of strong dislike for his parents, although they are relatives. Said boy grows up, goes to school, makes friends, and faces the challenges that everyday children deal with and their troubles become more difficult as they get older. He deals with his troubles with the help of his closest friends. These are good people who do what they can to make sure than the bad people don't win. And isn't that what we all do? Try to be good to others, because we want them to be good to us, and so we can show those that aren't so nice that we don't want them to ruin things for the other nice people?

In the magical world that Harry lives in, Harry is made out to be the hero in all of the stories. But, he doesn't ask to be, sometimes mentions he doesn't want to be, and in not being afraid to ask his friends for help, knows that he may not be without them. I think we can take the magic away from that too, and say that some people always tend to come out on top of their situations. And others may look at them and see that they always overcome their obsticles and may think they want the attention. Most people don't ask for obsticles to come their way, and if they happen to overcome what ever is thrown at them, chances are they have had help along the way - and will admit to it. I know that some of the challenges I've faced, I wouldn't have overcome without some help. And know that if it hadn't been for certain people I wouldn't be where I am today, nor would I be the person I am today. And I fully admit it.

Harry may be a young wizard, and a hero, but Harry is everyman, everyboy, everyperson. Don't we all have a little "Harry" in us?

BRAVO! Once more to J.K. Rowling

First Entry - Intro

Welcome to my blog! I figured I'd create this and get it started prior to January. As the description says, this will be my reading journal. I'll talk about whatever book I'm reading (or just finished reading), and books I want to read in the future.

Starting January 2006 I will be doing the 52 book challenge. That means reading at least 1 book per week throughout the year. If I manage to read more than 52 books, great, my main goal is the 52. A couple yahoo groups I've joined are doing this as well (namely 52books and WeeklyReads), meaning I will have to keep the groups updated on my progress as well. I'll be using this journal to do that, as an easy way to keep track of books I've read, and let others see, in depth, what I thought about each book. And, I don't have to re-type for each group. I'll just post the link.