Hello! My name is Chie. I am likely to be the girl you'll see whose eyes would bulge out of their sockets at the sight of a book store and be seized by waves of epileptic shock whenever there is a book bargain. I'll probably be the one pushing you out of my way to get through the book bargain bins and tediously combing through the pile. (I forget my manners when it comes to books). I am tone deaf and have two left feet. But I would endure the embarrassment of a performance in exchange for books (terms and conditions apply). I have created this blog in order to find kindred souls. Those who would gladly share the same passion for books and reading because although reading is solitary task most of the time, it's no fun having no one to ramble to after..
Synopsis: Voldemort is back, but Harry has been shunted to Privet Drive all summer with no information. What is Dumbledore's plan? Will the Ministry of Magic ever acknowledge what's happening? Ministry is interfering with their education at Hogwarts. Is it possible for him to worry about impending war whilst also going on dates?
Review: So today we're talking The Order of the Phoenix, which is 100% the most underrated book in the entire series. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you.
Alot of people write this book off because it's a little... cerebral... compared to the others in the story. There's doesn't always seem to be action or adventure, despite containing one of the biggest fight scenes in the entire series. The cause for this is that too many people write off what they deem Harry's "grumpiness" in the book and get mad it's so central to the story. His grumpiness, which is probably more accurately described as depression is SO unbelievably important. The boy has just gone through an incredible trauma, and yet he still tries to figure out a way to help his cause throughout the story. Despite never getting answers, he wants to help. He also continuously hides his feelings, or at least he tried to. Alot of people can relate to Harry's struggle in this book. His sadness and anger shouldn't be pushed aside and labeled as grumpy or emotional.
The Order of the Phoenix is more cerebral; so much of it takes place within the mind - Harry's mind, Voldemort's mind, even the Longbottoms' minds. Being in the "mind" doesn't mean there's no action, there certainly is. And we shouldn't hate on a book simply because it's not a 500-page battle sequence.
People write it off but I am going to talk about why I didn't. I am all about being in the heads of characters. And I think this book provides that in so many different ways. Obviously, we're in Harry's head all the time. It's important that we see him struggle in the death of Cedric and Voldemort's return. How could he NOT struggle? I love as well that we get to see more of his classmates' family lives. Seamus' mother doesn't approve of Harry whilst Neville's grandmother does. Speaking of the Longbottoms', that scene, where Harry, Ron and Hermione saw Neville at St. Mungo's is such a poignant and important scene. It truly highlights that Harry's not the only one that lost a family the last time Voldemort was around. I think it's great that Rowling goes further into relationships in this one. They're 15 now and they're curious. Harry has liked Cho for two years. I also love that we get see some Harry's true, innate abilities in this book as well. With everything he went through in The Goblet of Fire where he wasn't really prepared at all, it's nice to see him excel. Hermione is the best sure, but Harry being a teacher was such a brilliant idea. I so enjoyed seeing all of those different characters come together to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts stuff. With that in mind, I love Rowling's decision to make Fudge paranoid and have him inserted Umbridge. She's honestly one of the top two vile people in this entire series. And that's why I love the decision. Her evilness is what truly makes Harry the leader he's meant to be; he earns it from his skills, rather than his circumstances. And that is so important. Then there's the battle. What a brilliant battle! Highlighting that Harry is an incredible teacher, along with the courage of those students, just brings a smile to my face. Then adding the Order of the Phoenix members who mean so much to them all, just wonderful. I love the way that we see the evil surrounding them. Dumbledore versus Voldemort is perfect. I just thought it was a brilliant bit of writing for Rowling. I thought she did so right by her characters. Finally, I love that we finally get explanations for why things have happened the way they have. Dumbledore's answers are finally sufficient.
Even though I rated this review perfect 5, but I think everyone is really shitty to Harry in this book. How is it that no one except for Hermione one time asks Harry how he feels, and how's he's doing and how he's coping? It's completely ridiculous. The kid WITNESSED A MURDER. I can't grapple with the fact that Dumbledore is not aware enough to realise that having Snape do the Occlumency is a terrible idea. Whilst Dumbledore may have forgotten how youth feels. I really do find it inexcusable. It makes no sense. Almost every decision Rowling made usually I can find understanding in it. I cannot find understanding in the Occlumency decision. I've read the book a dozen of times. And I can't. I understand that Snape is an accomplished Occlumens and that he is an Order of the Phoenix member at the school. I get all of that. I am sorry I know Dumbledore is the most brilliant wizard ever, and even if he was trying to stay away from Harry, he should've been smarter than that. Also, obviously, I hate Sirius's decision, but I understand it - it just makes me sad.
Synopsis: Voldemort is back, but Harry has been shunted to Privet Drive all summer with no information. What is Dumbledore's plan? Will the Ministry of Magic ever acknowledge what's happening? Ministry is interfering with their education at Hogwarts. Is it possible for him to worry about impending war whilst also going on dates?
Review: So today we're talking The Order of the Phoenix, which is 100% the most underrated book in the entire series. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you.
Alot of people write this book off because it's a little... cerebral... compared to the others in the story. There's doesn't always seem to be action or adventure, despite containing one of the biggest fight scenes in the entire series. The cause for this is that too many people write off what they deem Harry's "grumpiness" in the book and get mad it's so central to the story. His grumpiness, which is probably more accurately described as depression is SO unbelievably important. The boy has just gone through an incredible trauma, and yet he still tries to figure out a way to help his cause throughout the story. Despite never getting answers, he wants to help. He also continuously hides his feelings, or at least he tried to. Alot of people can relate to Harry's struggle in this book. His sadness and anger shouldn't be pushed aside and labeled as grumpy or emotional.
The Order of the Phoenix is more cerebral; so much of it takes place within the mind - Harry's mind, Voldemort's mind, even the Longbottoms' minds. Being in the "mind" doesn't mean there's no action, there certainly is. And we shouldn't hate on a book simply because it's not a 500-page battle sequence.
People write it off but I am going to talk about why I didn't. I am all about being in the heads of characters. And I think this book provides that in so many different ways. Obviously, we're in Harry's head all the time. It's important that we see him struggle in the death of Cedric and Voldemort's return. How could he NOT struggle? I love as well that we get to see more of his classmates' family lives. Seamus' mother doesn't approve of Harry whilst Neville's grandmother does. Speaking of the Longbottoms', that scene, where Harry, Ron and Hermione saw Neville at St. Mungo's is such a poignant and important scene. It truly highlights that Harry's not the only one that lost a family the last time Voldemort was around. I think it's great that Rowling goes further into relationships in this one. They're 15 now and they're curious. Harry has liked Cho for two years. I also love that we get see some Harry's true, innate abilities in this book as well. With everything he went through in The Goblet of Fire where he wasn't really prepared at all, it's nice to see him excel. Hermione is the best sure, but Harry being a teacher was such a brilliant idea. I so enjoyed seeing all of those different characters come together to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts stuff. With that in mind, I love Rowling's decision to make Fudge paranoid and have him inserted Umbridge. She's honestly one of the top two vile people in this entire series. And that's why I love the decision. Her evilness is what truly makes Harry the leader he's meant to be; he earns it from his skills, rather than his circumstances. And that is so important. Then there's the battle. What a brilliant battle! Highlighting that Harry is an incredible teacher, along with the courage of those students, just brings a smile to my face. Then adding the Order of the Phoenix members who mean so much to them all, just wonderful. I love the way that we see the evil surrounding them. Dumbledore versus Voldemort is perfect. I just thought it was a brilliant bit of writing for Rowling. I thought she did so right by her characters. Finally, I love that we finally get explanations for why things have happened the way they have. Dumbledore's answers are finally sufficient.
Even though I rated this review perfect 5, but I think everyone is really shitty to Harry in this book. How is it that no one except for Hermione one time asks Harry how he feels, and how's he's doing and how he's coping? It's completely ridiculous. The kid WITNESSED A MURDER. I can't grapple with the fact that Dumbledore is not aware enough to realise that having Snape do the Occlumency is a terrible idea. Whilst Dumbledore may have forgotten how youth feels. I really do find it inexcusable. It makes no sense. Almost every decision Rowling made usually I can find understanding in it. I cannot find understanding in the Occlumency decision. I've read the book a dozen of times. And I can't. I understand that Snape is an accomplished Occlumens and that he is an Order of the Phoenix member at the school. I get all of that. I am sorry I know Dumbledore is the most brilliant wizard ever, and even if he was trying to stay away from Harry, he should've been smarter than that. Also, obviously, I hate Sirius's decision, but I understand it - it just makes me sad.
