I’ve finally finished this book! I always think it is hard to review a Harry Potter book because there are just so many details that you loved and want to fit in there…but not give too much away!
Harry returns to Howarts yet again for his 5th year of wizarding school and is now 15 years old (I have to agree with this review of the 5th book on the inside cover of the sixth one:

“Rowling has not lost her flair as a story teller or her ability to keep coming up with new gimcracks to astound her readers. But her true skill lie in the way she ages Harry…”)

Due to Voldemort’s return, which the rest of the wizarding community refuses to believe, Dumbledore re-activates the Order of the Phoenix. Upon Harry’s arrival at school the new defense against the dark arts is from the ministry of magic. No teacher has ever been from the Ministry so this is a shock for Harry. During the Climax of this book, someone very dear to Harry dies, but of course you have to read the book to find out who!
I give this book a 4.9 out of 5. Why not make it a five? I’ll explain. It isn’t my FAVORITE book but it is definitely one of the best in the series. My favorite book would be book four, which I also have a review on. It isn’t my favorite because the new professor makes Harry miserable at Hogwarts. I loved: The story line, the characters, how well it is written, and the excitement! You never know what is going to happen!

” ‘Sirius!’ Harry said loudly, but Sirius appeared not to hear him. ‘I’ve warned you Sivellus,’ said Sirius, his face barely a foot from Snape’s, ‘I don’t care if Dumbledore thinks you’ve reformed, I know better…”

Page 520, The Order of the Phoenix