Nice review, Erin! I'll pass it along.

In Order of the Phoenix news, I have realized that this book does not have a plot. Seriously, there is no plot. Things are just going on in an order, but there's no structure to the story. On a re-read, I appreciated how the Triwizard Tournament really helped structure GoF, so it's more obvious that there isn't necessarily any driving narrative momentum in this book. Yes, Voldie's out and he's looking for something, but...what is Harry trying to accomplish? What are his goals?

I am enjoying the book more than I think I may have originally because of the characters (although Umbridge is still THE WORST), and I think Hermione is particularly awesome in this one, but it's just...so weird. This book has no plot.

True, Ginger. Ah, well, I got a zillion things to do, so Ima chain the Inner Virgo and move on to the resume writing and editing work I have.

Thanks for the feedback, Ginger and P-C!

This book has no plot.

Well, I wouldn't say that, so much; I think the plot is the growing power of the Umbridge/Fudge faction at the Ministry, while ignoring the also-growing power of Voldemort. The problem, though, is that Harry has no plot--he's not trying to solve anything or save anything or win anything--he's just trying to get through the year without exploding in frustrated rage.

It does suck some of the narrative drive out of the book, granted, but I did like the slow realization by the kids that the folks in authority were Really Not Their Friends. They've finally gotten to the point that they are politically-aware, and they can see how badly the adult institutions are failing them, hence Harry's rage and the institution of the DA.

In many ways, OOTP is a transitional book: other than the big battle at the Department of Mysteries, it's all setup for the war.

OK, I haven't read the Harry Potter books, but I've seen the movies. In GoF it really bugged me when the other schools came in and they were doing the hyper-feminine/hyper-masculine entrance. One school, all girls, came wafting in, graceful arm gestures, some kind of gentle pastel effect. Another, all boys, marched in, did some kind of thudding their ... staffs? ... down. It's been a while since I saw it, but it hit me so that I still remember it. Did it hit anyone else that way?

The problem, though, is that Harry has no plot--he's not trying to solve anything or save anything or win anything--he's just trying to get through the year without exploding in frustrated rage.

Yep, exactly. I agree with everything else you said, too.

In many ways, OOTP is a transitional book: other than the big battle at the Department of Mysteries, it's all setup for the war.

When you put it that way, you're totally right. I never thought about it that way, but yes, if you were to try to read OotP on its own, it would be a huge disappointment. Whereas you could read the first few books as stand-alones and still read a great story.

One school, all girls, came wafting in, graceful arm gestures, some kind of gentle pastel effect. Another, all boys, marched in, did some kind of thudding their ... staffs? ... down. It's been a while since I saw it, but it hit me so that I still remember it. Did it hit anyone else that way?

It hit me that way, too. In the books, I think the pastelly school was co-ed, but there wasn't much mention of the boys, since the only character from that school who really mattered for the plot was Fleur. But I do remember some boys being mentioned once or twice, just in a general sort of "the boys and girls entered" thing.

Toddson, it bugged me, too.

Oh, that's not the least of the subtexty text in GoF.

Oh, so glad it wasn't just me.