Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter #5
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 23 May - 10 June 2017
Length: 766 pages

Fifth year at Hogwarts sees Dolores Umbridge as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and even Headmistress at one point. Lord Voldemort returned last year and Harry and his gang effectively join the Order of the Phoenix to help in any way they can. Harry sets up a secret group at Hogwarts called Dumbledore's Army to teach his peers defence spells. But Voldemort is on the rise; is harry safe?


Umbridge. What a vile, despicable woman. This woman is on a power trip and enjoying every second. She has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I hate, Hate, HATE her with a fiery passion. Luckily she's a DADA teacher and they only ever last a year.

We get to learn more about our beloved characters though. Small details which make a big difference to the story. You learn about Neville's parents, and Harry learns more about his father - not all of it good.

Sirius. This once actually took me by surprise. This is my first time reading the book, but I had seen the film many years ago. I don't remember this! I was unprepared and left a bit shocked. He was pretty much the only real family Harry had, and I can only imagine how he feels.


Great book in the series. Can't wait to read more.




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Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently #1) by Douglas Adams

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Dirk Gently #1
Douglas Adams

Front cover

Date read: 16 - 22 May 2017
Length: 279 pages

When Richard's boss is mysteriously murdered (although Richard doesn't actually know he's dead), he seeks the help of Holistic Detective Dirk Gently (his current trading name). Through the interconnectedness if all things they aim to find out what is really going on. Cue a horse in a college bathroom, a 4000 year old ghost, and an electric monk. What?


Okay, so, that is my best attempt at a synopsis. This is rather a strange book, with a lot going on so it's quite hard to pinpoint the plot. It seriously is one of those books you just have to read yourself. Oh, and it's a trilogy.

Despite it being a Dirk Gently series and it's his Holistic Detective Agency, Dirk is not actually the protagonist, at least not here. The story follows a few characters, but mainly a man called Richard. I find it quite bizarre that Dirk is not the protagonist, so it will be interesting to see if he is in any of the other novels.

Now, I could be wrong about this as the book is so strange, but I felt Richard and Dirk didn't actually solve the murder of Richard's boss; Gordon Way. It was more discovered when reading through another character's perspective. I was kind of disappointed by this, as you would have thought it should be uncovered by the detective.

All in all, an interesting read to say the least.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn

The Ivy Chronicles
Karen Quinn

Front cover

Date read: 5 - 15 May 2017
Length: 435 pages

Ivy Ames is used to the high life, but after she is let go from get job and finds her husband with another woman on the same day, she suddenly has no money, no home or husband, and 2 daughters to raise. So she sets up a business to help rich families get their children into private schools. But is this viable? Will she climb her way back to the top?


I don't particularly like the subject matter of this book, but I actually quite like Ivy. She wasn't quite as despicable as I'd anticipated. There's obviously some elements of snobbery and oh-woe-is-me, but not too much.

I think the characters were believable and for the most part seemed quite down to earth, with the exception of a couple. Although highly strung rich parents were never going to be a favorite.

A nice light read.

Karen Quinn

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist