Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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

Fifth book in the Harry Potter series.

I enjoyed this book as much as have enjoyed all the rest of the Harry Potter books. Harry Potter just turned fifteen is now multitasking at school. Revising and doing homework before exams and mentally fighting his new defence against the dark arts teacher, 'Professor Umbridge,' who works for the Ministry of Magic. To top this all off, Dumbledore is ignoring him. Eventually 'Umbridge' becomes so powerful in the school that she and the Minister of Magic attempt to arrest Dumbledore. They fail miserably. Dumbledore flees leaving Hogwarts in the hands of Umbridge. Harry then goes to the Ministry of Magic to attempt to rescue his Godfather, Sirius Black. He then realises Voldermort has tricked him into getting caught in the Ministry of Magic. I found this book funny and kept me on the edge of my seat although the writing was very small and there were 766 pages. Overall, I give it 9/10.

MB


I did enjoy this story. J K Rowling is not known for her literary genius however the story she weaves leads you through so many mixed emotions. The books in the series continue to get thicker and thicker and this is a large book and quite daunting. Since reading the book I have seen the film which again was enjoyable. I have to admit though I do find the books far more satisfying and the descriptions are good and the emotion that comes across on the page gets you fully involved in the story. It is also interesting that JK manages to get the fact that Harry is growing up across and we have a more mature Harry battling he who must not be mentioned. I recommend this book and the series. I give this a 7/10

JB

Overall 8/10

Point Blanc

Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz

Second book in the Alex Rider Series.

This book is one that keeps you on your toes. I wouldn't say that it was better than the last one but it was still good. It is about this spy Alex Rider who is sent on a mission to Point Blanc Acadamy up in the Alps. First though they have to make him look rich and misbehaving for them to take him in. Once in, he finds more things there than there are meant to be in an Acadamy and how do the bad boys become good over night? Alex has to find all this out and stay alive. I am giving this a 6/10.

MB

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. This is the second in the series by Anthony Horowitz. Alex Rider the tenage spy used by MI6 is again in hot water or should I say in a school high in the Alps. Again he is pitted against a villain straight out of the 1970's James Bond era who has a streak of insanity in him. This story also raises contemporary issues around the ethics of cloning and how it could be used with criminal intent. The story focuses around the beahviour of children who live spoilt lives and how this is used to the advantage of the villain. I recomend this book highly and I think that the writer has grown in confidence with the character and the plots. I thought it was a far better book than the first in the series which I know Matt diasagrees with. the plot and the story were more closely intertwinned and I felt it was a more complete story. It was interesting though that the last Charlie Higgson Young James Bond story also was based in the alps. Perhaps both authors are influencing each other. I give this an 8/10

JB

Overall 7/10

Three of Diamonds

Three of Diamonds by Anthony Horowitz - (Three Books in One)

This book stares the Diamond Brothers who are a private detective agency.

In the first book, The French confection, the Diamond Brothers are are crime solving on holiday after the steward that was on their train was murdered. They have to solve why and how he was murdered before they are. At one time they are captured and almost killed but they are let go onto the streets of Paris where they are found by Police and taken to the hospital. But do they know where they were captured and how to get back there? Only time will tell.

In the second book, The Blurred Man, the brothers are payed to work out how a man has not turned up to meet a multi-millionaire at the airport. They look into it and find out that he was run over by a steamroller with his friends the night before trying to cross the road. With the driver of the steamroller in a mental hospital and school nearing the Brothers have to find out everything that has happened without getting hurt themselves.

In the third book, I Know What You Did Last Wednesday, one of the brothers is invited to a school reunion on an island. They both go on a private boat sail over to the island. Everything seems good at first but then it makes a turn for the worst. A murderer is on the island and is killing of his friends one by one each in a more grusome way. They are close to being the last people on the island whene they are very close to being killed. They have to find the murderer before their luck runs out.

I enjoyed these books a lot and I am giving them an average of 7/10.

MB

I quite enjoyed these short stories which are quite punchy and move at a good pace. However I must admit I did find them to be predictable and aimed at a younger reader. I would not go out of my way to read any more of these stories. As described by Matt the three stories in this small compendium are interesting and deal with different situations. The relationship between the brothers creates some interest with the older one appearing to be a few sandwiches short of a picnic while the younger brother who narrates the stories is a bit too clever for his own good. I give these stories a 4 out of 10

Over all 5.5 out of 10

JB