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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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.




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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

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter #4
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 19 April - 4 May 2017
Length: 636 pages

After the Quidditch World Cup final, Harry returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year. Things will be slightly different this year, as his name is drawn from the Goblet of Fire, which means he must compete in the Triwizard Tournament. Can he finish the tasks, and come out the other end alive?


Back at Hogwarts we are treated with yet another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher: Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. He's a retired Auror doing a favour for Dumbledore. 

This book definitely takes a turn to the darker side, as you learn more about the true power of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. Harry spends so much time preparing for the Triwizard Tournament tasks that you kind of forget Lord Voldemort is trying to make a comeback.

It's nice to meet other students from other wizarding schools. Although why some feel the need to keep their location a secret is strange. Fair enough keeping it secret from Muggles, but from each other?

Hermione becomes obsessed with house elves' rights, and creates a group called Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare aka SPEW. Needless to say it's not a hit.


The Dark Lord has risen once more! Things are going to get very bad...




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Voice of the Gods (Age of the Five #3) by Trudi Canavan

Voice of the Gods 
Age of the Five #3
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 3 - 18 April 2017
Length: 622 pages

No longer a Priestess of the White, Auraya remains with the Siyee. After their capture, she sets off to free them after learning a few tricks from Emerahl. Emerahl is looking for a scroll to learn the secrets of the Gods, and the Wilds band together to end this impending war. Can the Gods be stopped?


I like the variety of characters in this trilogy, but Emerahl is probably my favourite. She's mysterious, funny, kind hearted (to people she likes), and very loyal. I wouldn't mind having her on my side, and definitely not an enemy I'd want to have!

Although this is the end of the trilogy, I kind of feel like there could have been more. The books in themselves are really detailed but I felt like it wasn't quite finished, like there was more to be told. I wouldn't be surprised if there was another one.

I liked this trilogy, and although I gave each of them 3 stars, I liked the second one (Last of the Wilds) the best. It concentrated more on characters rather than war. I like stories about people. Everyday people and their lives, rather than war and politics. You got to see the plot from the "other" side which was interesting.

Quite a good trilogy. My flatmate is now reading them!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care
Jodi Picoult

Front cover

Date read: 20 March - 2 April 2017
Length: 551 pages

Willow is a young girl with a disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. She had seven broken bones before she was even born. Her mother, Charlotte, goes to court to sue her doctor in a wrongful birth case, in order to be able to afford the care Willow needs. Her doctor just happens to be her best friend. The court case is splitting her family apart, but will they win in the end?


There's so much going on with all the characters in this book that you feel it's not just the one story. For me I think that's a good thing. You really get to know the other characters in the novel, rather than just focusing on the main plot. I liked the lawyer, Marin. She had an interesting story, and it shows development we might have otherwise not seen.

I'm not a huge fan of the fact that Picoult's books often have lawyers and courts in them, but I did like this one. Sometimes I don't think it really fits with the plot, but I think it worked here. A desperate mother did what she thought was right to help her disabled child.

While reading this book I had it in my mind it was getting 3 stars. But the ending was so abrupt and surprising, it changed suddenly.  I just did not see it coming!


One of Picoult's better books.

Jodi Picoult 

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter #3
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 12 - 19 March 2017
Length: 317 pages

Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year with new subjects and a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. The school is being guarded by Dementors from Azkaban prison, as an inmate has escaped. But Sirius Black is not all he seems. Will the truth be revealed?


It's nice for Harry to learn a bit more about his family, even if it's not all good. It's a shame he was brought up the way he was, and to learn he does have other family out there must be a bit of a relief.

Fred and George give Harry something called a Marauder's Map. This map allows anyone in the vicinity of Hogwarts to be seen. Harry uses it to sneak to Hogsmeade, but it also comes in handy to save the day.

It is because of the Marauder's Map that we learn Ron's faithful pet rat Scabbers is not just a rat... a whole series of events unfold, teaching us more about what really happened in the lead up to Harry's parents death.

I am very much looking forward to The Goblet of Fire. This series is very captivating so far, and I believe it only gets better!




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The Wee Librocubicularist