Harry Potter keeps the magic

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth installment in the popular Harry Potter book series, is guaranteed to entertain fans of the pint-sized wizard. With entertaining adventures, intrigue with the Dark Arts, house rivalry and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a 870-page long trip into the magical world author J.K. Rowling has created.\nWith the hoopla that surrounded the release of "Order of the Phoenix," I was a bit skeptical of the book. Expectations were high for the follow up of "The Goblet of Fire" because it was released nearly three years after its predecessor. Worldwide Harry Potter fans anxiously awaited the fifth volume; the manuscript was the target of thieves and intrigue. The precautions surrounding the contents of the book were astounding, with security for the books seeming tighter than that for world leaders. While the hubbub around the release was at times a tad ridiculous, "The Order of the Phoenix" is a solid entry into the Harry Potter lore. \n"The Order of the Phoenix" has a decidedly darker tone than its predecessors. While maintaining the tradition of beginning at Number Four Privet Drive, this time we begin to see a more rebellious Harry bucking the poor treatment he receives at the hands of his aunt, uncle and cousin. When Harry and Dudley are attacked by Dementors in the alley, Harry violates wizard laws of secrecy. The Ministry of Magic tries Harry for crimes, but Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster at Hogwarts, manages to vindicate Harry.\nThe Hogwarts sorting hat warns the students against dividing the houses against each other; in the time of the return Lord Voldemort -- the most evil Dark wizard to ever live -- the students must reunite. However, many in the wizarding world don't believe that Voldemort has returned and Harry, who dueled with the Dark wizard at the end of "The Goblet of Fire," is one brick short of a load. \nI promise I won't give away any more of the book, but there are plenty of surprises in store for the reader. The new Professor of Dark Arts is a real piece of work and makes Harry's least favorite teacher, Severus Snape, seem like an absolute angel. The enmity between Harry Potter and his arch-nemesis Draco Malfoy escalates further this year, with the two attempting to curse each other at every turn. The end of the book has an intense battle in the very heart of the wizarding world.\nOh yes, and to confirm some rumors, a major character does die. I'll give you a hint: it's not Harry.\n"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is a great continuation of the Harry Potter series. While a bit on the hefty side, it does maintain the magical world Rowling created very well. While I would not recommend reading "Order of the Phoenix" before reading any other Harry Potter books, it is a great investment for the dedicated fan.\n"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is available at several local retailers. It lists at $29.99 but is discounted at many locations.