“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (Book 5) by J.K. Rowling
This is the first in the series that felt a bit indulgent. At 896 pages (hardcover edition), it would have benefited from some heavy-handed editing. There are entire chapters early on detailing Harry and his friends cleaning out rooms in the headquarters of the Order.
Once it gets going though, it really gets going. The appearance of Umbridge, the private lessons from Snape, and all the smaller battles leading up to the group’s trip into the Department of Mysteries and the final battle against the Death Eaters, where Harry’s friends finally come into their own, are handled just beautifully.
Again, the length is my only complaint. I think up to a third of it could have been cut out without impacting the plot. I think even Rowling herself regretted this later on. Otherwise, just a top-notch book as usual.
