A review by ootess
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

5.0

This has to be my favourite Harry Potter book, so far! I loved how we are introduced to a few new and different characters, such as Tonks (whose hilarious), Luna Lovegood who I really enjoyed as an addition and various others. Obviously, we also meet Dolores Umbridge who is the most unlikeable of the book. As much as I despised Umbridge, she brought out solidarity between the teachers and students, particularly Mcgonagall and Professor Flitwick who subtly (or in Mcgonagalls case, unsubtly) defy Umbridge.

A character I'm starting to actually like a great deal is Snape. Throughout this book he's been reliable and I'm starting to trust him. Finally we see the trauma he went through at home as a child and also in the school grounds. Snape may be awful towards Harry but I personally think it's understandable, he was traumatised by James! Also, Snape has to pretend (although he probably genuinely doesn't 'love' but tolerates Potter) to like Harry so he can continue to be a Spy and protect Harry and help the Order.

I loved the Occlumency classes with Harry! Snape protected his memory of his trauma with James and Sirius in the Pensive, which shows how embarrassed he must feel by his childhood. I empathised with Snape incredibly. Snape also was fairly nicer than usual during these classes (until Harry disrespected him), and I was endeared to finding more out about Snape. Which we saw seldom glimpses of, yet I still want to see why Snape is the way he is. Honestly, I think he's slowly becoming one of my favourite characters.

Speaking of favourite characters, Neville is so amazing and determined and I loved his growth in this book! In the DA meetings he tries his absolute best and improves such a great deal. He finally confronts what happened to his parents (although he wouldn't have if he didn't see Ron, Hermione and Harry at St Mungos). After this, Neville is such a strong willed character, and definitely attempts to avenge his parents and protect his friends. We see he really could've been the boy who could kill Voldemort in the prophecy, he has such great potential. He's always been so loyal and caring for his friends, and he risked his life for them, which warmed my heart.