Order of the Phoenix gets a lot of flack for being bogged down with Harry angst, but let's be honest - our hero deserves a chance to be a little moody and angry after what he has been through. In fact, I think he handles himself pretty well, all things considered. He's been through a lot in his short life, but the events of Goblet of Fire were enough to drive anyone mad - he was entered into a dangerous tournament against his will, he had to battle dragons and lake creatures and giant spiders, he witnessed the murder of his friend (and was almost killed himself), and he watched Lord Voldemort assume bodily form once again. All teens have their angst phase and Harry has gone through far more than most, so let him have his meltdowns! 
 That being said...Order of the Phoenix does move a little slower than the rest of the books in the series. Considering it is also the longest book, this makes it the most daunting one. Do I think Rowling could have cut it down a little? Sure. But wishing a Harry Potter book would be shorter is absolute blasphemy. I would've loved if each book was 1000 pages, so I'm not going to complain about the excessive scenes focused on teenage angst or OWL studying if it means more time in the HP universe. While these parts were a little repetitive, they also revealed smaller things about the Trio. For instance, you read about the constant bickering of Ron and Hermione (which was often hilarious bits of dialogue) but also see hints of their future connection. These seemingly unnecessary scenes do develop the characters more, which is Rowling's biggest strength as a writer, in my opinion. 
 This book is beyond frustrating. Following along with Harry as members of the Ministry and the wizarding world make fun of him and call him crazy for believing Voldemort returned is painful. Add in the absolutely HORRIBLE Dolores Umbridge and you may find yourself literally pulling your hair out in frustration as she blatantly tries to ruin Harry's life. While Rita Skeeter is delectably horrible but fun to read, Umbridge is just the worst. I despised her. Which I'm sure is what Rowling was going for, but ugh. 
 Making your way through all of the temper tantrums and study sessions and "I hate Umbridge" moments pays off, though. It all leads to one of my favorite scenes of the series, when Harry and co fly to the Ministry and go through the many doors of the Department of Mysteries to rescue Sirius. SO INTENSE. I already loved Neville, but my love for him, Ginny, and Luna drastically increases after this event. The whole time you're reading about the group fumbling through the maze of doors, taking on Death Eaters, you're just waiting for someone to die and you're terrified. Then the scene with the veil and Sirius and the epic meeting of the two greatest wizards in the world and Dumbledore's bombshell revelation about the prophecy...my head was definitely spinning after reading this one. We are given so many answers, but new questions are introduced that I'm sure left me dying for the 6th book to arrive already. 
 Other thoughts: 
 I love Professor McGonagall. Her visible disdain for anything Umbridge was the best. She may be strict and cold but she's beyond wonderful. Her unwavering loyalty to Dumbledore, and therefore Harry, makes her one of my favorite characters in the series. 
 I do not love Cho. So glad that fizzled out. The scene in the restaurant in Hogsmeade on Valentine's Day really showed her true colors. Harry can do much better. 
 Arthur Weasley's run-in with the snake = NOOOO!!! 
 Loved getting a view of Harry's parents at Hogwarts. As much as James comes off as a bully, it was so cool to see him, Sirius, and Lupin as students, as well as Lily. 
 Also loved Dumbledore's Army. So many of my favorite characters in one place! 
 The Weasley twin's grand exit = one of the most memorable scenes in the series. "Give her hell from us, Peeves" is such a classic quote. 
 Ginny starts coming into her own in this one. She's still mostly in the background but is establishing herself as a fiesty, talented witch (way more worthy for Harry than Cho). 
 I am still loving the audiobooks, but I had a slight problem with this one - Bellatrix Lestrange's voice. It wasn't horrible, it just didn't mesh with how I envisioned her. Helena Bonham Carter's version in the movies was more what I pictured.