Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review / The definitive rise of Voldemort?

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The fifth book in the Harry Potter saga

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix introduction

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth novel in the high fantasy saga Harry Potter, written by J. K. Rowling and set mainly in the fictional Wizarding World during the nineties of the 20th century. A few weeks after Voldemort’s rebirth, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione enter 5th year Hogwarts, increasingly controlled by the Ministry who refuse to believe in the Dark Lord’s return and make sure to discredit Albus Dumbledore.

Dolores Ombrage, assistant secretary to the minister and new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, establishes a form of dictatorial government at Hogwarts by forbidding students to practice defense spells, as well as spreading the idea of the return of the Death Flight. Hermione then creates “Dumbledore’s Army”, an underground student association to prepare for external dangers. Members of the Order of the Phoenix for their part, under the leadership of Dumbledore, meet regularly in London from Sirius Black, to organize the defense of the country and the awakening of consciences, opposing the measures instituted by the ministry.

Voldemort’s evil plan begins

This book begins with an isolated Harry being tormented by his cousin Dudley. It doesn’t take long for things to go awry when the Dementors show up and give chase. In self-defense, Harry protects himself and his cousin from Dementors using magic. This leads to him being deported and having to attend a hearing to stand trial for his crimes. This book introduces a split between loyalty to the idea of Voldemort’s return and denial of his return. Harry deals with this mainly because all the evidence of what happened comes from his word and from Dumbledore’s word that he believed him. Friends at school are reluctant to follow in Harry’s footsteps as the Ministry begins to make Harry a villain.

The idea conveyed is that Harry and Dumbledore are using history has a scare tactic to create change in the ministry. Harry and his connection to Voldemort, now that he’s fully returned, seems to cause him more pain as their connection has never been stronger. Harry begins to dream what he believes is what Voldemort sees and what he is doing. This creates connections for the future and pays off for past books on the importance of the connection Harry has with the Dark Lord.

In fact now Voldemort can very well take advantage of this opportunity to set up and activate his plan, in such a way as to take over the ministry of magic and the rest of the Wizarding World. Plan that will put Harry in the dark and Voldemort in a dark light that will reveal the advance of the dark figure of him in the rest of the wizarding world but also the Muggle one.

The characters and the plot growing together

As the feelings of the characters grow along with the storyline, such as Ron and Hermione increasingly understanding their relationship and even Harry starting to have his first love experiences, here the characters grow along with the storyline. Dumbledore becomes much more merciful and taciturn, he doesn’t show himself very few times but simply because he hides within himself a valid motivation for these actions. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix contained some interesting grown-up food for thought in the question of what role government should play in education and a number of other areas.

The main antagonist in this book (aside from Voldemort, of course) was Professor Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who is little more than a mole working for the Ministry of Magic. She constantly has her eye on Harry and his friends, ready to dole out punishment for the smallest infraction, and is equally ready to start handing out pink slips to any teacher who is a little outside the norm.

The way the Ministry was overstepping their bounds and trying to control everything, from what could be taught in school, to who gets hired and fired, to spying on its citizens, controlling the main newspaper and banning other publications, and simply trying to silence Harry and the others from speaking the truth was treading in some dangerous territory. This emphasizes the air of change that takes place in the book, a change that develops the plot and, through the conception of growth of the characters, the plot that develops will lead to breaking a gear that can no longer be changed.

Description of this book edition

The fifth book in the Harry Potter series, fully illustrated by award-winning artist Jim Kay. J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books will be presented in richly illustrated color editions. Rowling herself selected artist Jim Kay, whose over 100 illustrations make this deluxe format a perfect gift for the child being introduced to the series as well as the devoted fan.

Whether they’re committed Potterheads who grew up reading the world-changing fantasy series or children just old enough to enjoy the stories for the very first time, readers will want to pore over this stunning illustrated edition, which features the full and unabridged text. From the dark and stormy endpapers to the ink-sploshed pages to Kay’s expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations adorning almost every page.

Final report

I really liked this book even if I don’t personally consider it my absolute favorite, I was very intrigued by Dumbledore’s actions but also by Snape’s which will be fully understood later in the rest of the books. Snape’s behaviors when they are revealed are certainly one of the most beautiful moments of all the Harry Potter novels. Surely a sore point of the book is Umbridge herself, certainly idealized to hinder Harry and his friends, however she always remains the most hated character of the entire Harry Potter series, moreover an antagonist who can’t wait to be removed between the words of the work. For the rest, the book represents a not indifferent growth of the plot and of the characters, a bridge between what was and what will be the adventures of Harry and his friends.

Final Score

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