Full Cast Audio Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Jul 15
4 min read
Harry is almost expelled after a dementor attacks him and his cousin, Dudley. Back at Hogwarts, many deny Voldemort’s return and the credibility of Harry and Professor Dumbledore. Meanwhile, Harry works alongside a secret order that has gathered to fight against Dark Forces and is forced to work with Professor Snape before he runs out of time to protect himself from Voldemort’s assault on his mind.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter, # 5
Publisher: Pottermore Publishing
Published Date: March 10, 2026
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Children's
26 Hours 39 Minutes
Date Read: May 4-June 29, 2026
Format: 🎧
Source: Audible Exclusive
Keep in mind this is a continuation of a series and by discussing this, you may encounter spoilers if you have not read the previous book. As always, if you prefer a spoiler free review please read my quick review instead of the in depth review below.
Quick Review (Spoiler Free)
This has always been my favorite book of the series but listening to the full cast version made it so much better. I forgot a lot of the smaller details in this book and forgot how Harry’s emotions were so strong through this whole book. And I love the amount of character growth seen in all these characters at this point. The humor pointed towards Umbridge from many of the characters is the only thing that keeps me from stroking out when she speaks. LOL.
Now, let's get into the details!!
(Note: Some text may appear to be blocked out, just highlight that text to read it.)
Even after listening to these, this is my favorite book in the series. I love that Harry finally gets his moment to feel like everyone's excuses suck and that he defends Sirius for feeling how he felt for being trapped in isolation.
The subtle humor throughout the terrible events reminded me why I love the writing in these books. For example, Ron yelling "Accio, brain!" in the middle of the Ministry of Magic. Hahaha.
Also, I loved how McGonagall was very much against Umbridge and did not hide her snarkiness the whole book!!
Now let's recap the differences I found notable between the movie and the book:
The howler from Dumbledore to Aunt Petunia was left out of the movie.
Harry's anger towards Ron and Hermione when reunited in Grimmauld Place was very toned down in the movie compared to the book. Hermione even mentions several times in the book that she wishes he'd be nicer.
The whole bit with the portrait of Sirius's mother screaming madly was omitted from the movie.
In the book, Ron and Hermione become prefects. Ron gets a new broom as a reward for this.
Molly Weasley sees all of her family dying over and over when she tries to face a boggart in the house.
Percy Weasley disowns his family and sides with the ministry which causes a huge wedge in the family and relates to several subplots through the book.
Neville can also see the Thestrals.
Hermione's continued efforts to free the elves by making hats, scarves, etc. got omitted from the movies.
The entire plot of Dumbledore's Army is handled on a much smaller scale and a shortened timeframe in the movie than in the book.
The movie makes much more drama of the educational decrees and the Inquisitorial Squad.
Dobby is the one to tell Harry about the Room of Requirement, not Neville.
Dobby's part in the story was definitely cut waaaaay down. This book really shows how much he was cut out of the movies.
"Weasley is Our King" is omitted from the movie.
Angelina Johnson is captain of the Quidditch team, not Harry. Harry, Fred, and George get banned for life from playing Quidditch. Ginny becomes Seeker in Harry's place and Ron becomes Keeper in this book. This helps drive Fred and George leaving Hogwarts.
Hagrid's story of his absence and his brother are very heavily shortened in the movie.
Gilderoy Lockhart's St. Mungo's story was omitted from the movie.
Harry and his friends seeing Neville at St. Mungo's never happens in the movie.
Harry's date with Cho never happens in the movie. Cho's emotional relationship with Harry is toned down quite a bit in the movie.
Firenze the Centaur takes over Divination while Umbridge tries to remove Trelawney from Hogwarts.
Dobby warns Harry that Umbridge is coming. It wasn't Cho that was interrogated, but instead, her friend. Hermione hexed anyone who told on them so the friend was unable to finish telling Umbridge what happened.
Dumbledore duels with the Aurors in the book before disappearing from Hogwarts.
Snape's memory of James, Sirius, Lupin, and Lily is much shorter and leaves out parts that drive Harry's perception of his father.
Harry's career advice meeting with McGonagall never happens.
The O.W.L. exams are much shorter and we do not get to see the Wizards that come in to perform them.
Umbridge tries to capture Sirius in the Gryffindor fireplace when he speaking with Harry.
Hermione blackmails an interview with Rita Skeeter where Harry gets to tell his side of the story. Luna's dad later sells this to the Daily Prophet.
Several areas of the Dept. of Mysteries got omitted from the movie, including the brain tank. Ron also is not jinxed and the "Accio, brain" scenario never happens in the movie.
The prophecy in the book gets destroyed after Neville drops it and no one hears what it says. Dumbledore later tells Harry the prophecy as he was the one that Trelawney spoke it originally.
Voldemort possesses Harry and tries to get Dumbledore to kill him as a sacrifice.
Harry destroys Dumbledore's office and throws a tantrum when Dumbledore is going over everything that happened and why he made the choices he did.
The Dementors are noted to have sided with Voldemort.
Peeves chases Umbridge away from Hogwarts.
Harry and Nearly-Headless Nick have a conversation about Sirius dying.
Several of the Order members threaten the Dursleys when they drop Harry off with them at the station.
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