Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) by J.K. Rowling
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Book Reviews of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Book Review: Why couldn't I wait until all seven were out?
Summary: 5 Stars
Given Rowling's past track record, it wasn't too surprising to open this novel to find over 700 pages of text; each Harry book, up to now, has been successively longer, bigger in scope, and arguably better. Who knows, maybe by the time that we arrive at the seventh and final novel, we'll have something twice as grand as Victor Hugo's masterpiece on redemption--at least in size. Harry Potter is, first and foremost, a children's story, and as a result it's highly unlikely that we'll see its author using it as a platform on which to discuss her view on the vice and folly of the world, as much as we may like to think that she's beginning to cater to her adult audience with each passing novel. Everything here, in short, is still as it always was, but just in bigger doses.The front flap of the novel does good on calling this a pivotal installment in the Harry Potter universe, however. Our young
adventurers are now beginning to get a taste of the growing pains associated with adolescence, so much of the innocence of the
12-year-olds that we've been subjected to up to now begins to gradually abrade as the pages draw by. The older
audience--and, presumably, the -growing- audience--will probably find that this makes it easier to relate to the characters; thus, the immersion factor of the story is turned up several very, very forceful notches.
Strangely enough, I was left flabbergasted near the final pages of the novel, when the more "pivotal" element of this book actually made its presence felt. Had this never taken place, I would have been more than satisfied, happy to look forward to the next installment.
But this isn't to say that the novel is entirely perfect, like the last two installments. The main mystery of this story is largely unfulfilling, probably because we don't learn what Rowling is even trying to get at until full disclosure comes near the end of the book. In hindsight, the situations now all seem very erratically nerve-wrecking; but the first time through it felt as though everybody was simply running around in the dark with some secret agenda, and since none of these characters were fleshed out enough for me to care, I found myself paying more attention to the puerile, deliciously adolescent woes of Harry and his friends.
There's also two notes of interest that should probably be brought up. One is that the book apparently must have missed the editor's desk, for there was not a single sentence in which the word "oh" was followed by a comma (some of the other errors are passable, but the "Oh I didn't know"'s and "Oh I guess"'s get particularly tiring since Rowling seems to have developed a strong penchant for that two-letter word--it's used about three times per page). Second is that the book begins with some very crass, adolescent humor--the narrative avoids this as the characters begin to grow more serious, but I'd advise care while parents read about breezes in private areas and "Uranus" to their children in bed.
I surmise that "The Goblet of Fire" will probably come to be looked upon as the changing point in the chronicle of Harry Potter's life; all indications point toward a new, improved formula. Without a doubt, the fork that is so eloquently woven into the final chapters bellows that now is the time to get ready for the real adventure to begin, and since Rowling hasn't disappointed in any of her three follow-ups, I find no reason to fear the future. If anything, we'll probably be treated to more of what we've been nibbling on until now, and if that turns out to be the case, I certainly won't be one to complain--these books are more enrapturing than veelas themselves.
Book Review: The best in the series so far!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read all the Harry Potter books in order and I have to say that "The Goblet of Fire" is probably the best by far. I'm sure books five, six, and seven will be even better than this one...but out of all the books that are available right now, this one is it. "The Goblet of Fire" has a very dark twist to it, and it's about 734 pages long! But it only took me about three days to read it...THAT'S how good it was! In "Goblet of Fire", our boy wizard hero, Harry Potter, is 14 years old. Not only is he going through puberty, but he's also discovering that maybe girls aren't as bad as he thought they were...and has got his eyes on one particular Hogwarts student known as Cho Chang. Before going back to Hogwarts though, Harry is invited to go to the Quidditch World Cup game with Ron Weasley and his family. Since Harry's never had the chance to go to one, he manages to get his Uncle Vernon, to let him go...this means that his uncle, aunt, and cousin won't have to deal with him for the rest of the summer. After some strange encounters at the Quidditch World Cup camp site where Harry and the Weasleys are staying at, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny all go back to Hogwarts for another school year. The new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher is a mysterious, grouchy wizard called "Mad-Eye" Moody, who seems to have a likeing in Harry since he's always trying to protect him and help him out. On the first day back at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore makes an announcement that the Quidditch games will be canceled this year because of the Triwizard Tournament. There are three competiters, called champions, in the tournament, and they all have to be at least seventeen years old to compete. In this compilcated competition, the champions have to use their skills and strengths and wands to defeat really dangerous tasks...the winner earns a huge trophy and 1,000 Galleons. For some reason, when it is time to choose the three champions from each of the three schools, a fourth name--Harry Potter's--is picked from the Goblet of fire! Harry knows that he did not put his name in the Goblet, but since his name was chosen, he has to compete. Now it's up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, to find out who put Harry's name in the Goblet...and also to help him to get through the competition. Also, there is a Yule Ball taken place at Hogwarts for all three schools to attend. Harry tries asking Cho to the dance, but she is already going with Cedric Diggory, the other Hogwarts champion who is seventeen, handsome, smart, and popular. So Harry gets really crushed, but ends up going with someone else because all the champions have to find dance partners to start off the ball.
Like I said before, this book is probably the darkest one of them all. Also, trying not to spoil anything, one of the champions dies while competiting in the tournament...I'm not gonna tell you who or how it happens! And Harry has another encounter with Lord Voldemort--this time it's more deadly. Plus, Sirius Black (if you don't remember from "Prisoner of Azkaban", Black is Harry's godfather and his father's best friend) returns! I'd have to say that so far, the "Sorcerer's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets" are the two lightest stories. "Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Goblet of Fire" are the darkest ones. If you like fantasy novels with dark twists, then I highly recomment "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"...but make sure you read the other Harry Potter books first so you know what's going on. I'm just dying to read "Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix"...another job well done, J.K. Rowling! And please try to hurry it up with the fifth novel!
Final Grade: A+
Book Review: Keep on reading. It's getting better and better!
Summary: 5 Stars
It doesn't take too long to read this 734 page long book. It proves that the Harry Potter series is getting better and better. The book starts eerie and tense, showing Voldemort from the muggle's point of view. Voldemort makes very evil plans. The story then moves on to the International Quidditch World Cup, which includes funny moments with the Weasleys. Then the mystery begins when Voldemort's supporters and powers are on the loose. At Hogwarts, there is the Triwizard Tournament, which involves an important character first introduced in Book 3. There is excitement in each of the tasks. The storyline and plot of the book is incredibly mysterious and gripping. All of the books are full of great mystery, but this is the greatest mystery of all. What is the deal with Mr. Crouch? Who got Harry into this mess? Who's the bad guy? The answers in the end of the book will surprise you.The whole nature and portrayal of the book is what helps it become great literature. This book prooves that all of the censorship against the books are not true. The book never teaches black magic, but teaches AIGNST THE DARK ARTS. The evil dark lord Voldemort, who murdered the parents of our hero, has destroyed the lives and families of many. All lot of history on Voldemort is given in this book. He and his servents casted curses that caused pain and death, harming very good people. In the end, the evil dark lord destroys a very good person who you will love, and other good people. The overall meesage is much similar to the message in "Star Wars". The tragic ending brings tears to the eyes, but helps teach the overall message of seeing what the evil easy way does to what is good.
While the book contains serious parts, there are many fun, exciting, and entertaining moments. Harry fights against dragons, merpeople, and monsters(along with his worst enemy). Hermione battles against servitude, which in a way gives a satiracal portrayal of activism. Rita Skeeter damages reputations, which gives a satiracal portroyal of the news media(I love the way Hermione gets back at Skeeter!). Fred and George make their plots, which gives another important message in the end: DON'T GAMBLE BEFORE YOU ARE 21 YEARS OLD! You'll also grow very attached to the characters Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. You also will get really mad at Cornelius Fudge in the ending of the book, because after all of the cool, exciting, and sometimes scary parts in the story, Cornelius Fudge ruined the whole ending, and everyone got mad at him. Harry, Dumbledore, Profesor McGonnagal, and even Snape get mad at Fudge. Still, brings much mysterious pensiveness as we wonder what awaits Harry in the next book. Believe me, if you have never been excited for the next Harry Potter book, this book will make you really really really excited for the fifth book.
The only complaint that I have is that the title didn't fit the book that well. The Goblet of Fire made it's big appearance in chapter 16, but from then on it was only metioned. Parents should not be worried about their kids reading this book. Though it does contain more tense and scary scenes than the other books, children who have read the other three books will definately be able to handle this book. Besides, two important lessons tought in these books are maturity and how to face your fears. Never be afraid of anything, for Harry is never afraid of Voldemort. With all of the mystery, climax, and excitement, this is a book that no adult, teenager, or child will want to miss out on. This is a one of a kind novel. Get it while it lasts!
Book Review: Absolutely Spiffing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was about the 180,000'th customer to pre-order "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" on Amazon.com. On Saturday, July 8th, I went out--but at the stroke of midnight, I dragged my friend to the nearest bookstore to witness possibly the biggest publishing event of my lifetime. As a Harry Potter fan I have grown very fond of Harry and take people's appreciation for him quite personally--I know I'm not J.K. Rowling, but my heart beat quite fast when I saw long lines looping around the shelves of books in both of the biggest bookstores in my town! Children, parents, adults, all waiting to get a dose of their magic in the middle of the night! Although I wasn't purchasing the book I still got my share of Potter magic early on (I also managed to snatch a pair of HP glasses and a lightening bolt tattoo:)).Saturday dawned into day and I found myself not sleeping well, and finally dragging myself downstairs to await the FedEx delivery man lest I wouldn't hear the doorbell from upstairs. I was a bit disappointed to find out that he wasn't showing up any time soon, and went out to lunch. I am not a bit ashamed to admit it, I found myself dragging a friend (another one this time) yet again to the same bookstores to inquire about Harry Potter events going on. Well, well, they were OUT of the book! Now Amazon was back in my graces, since I preferred having the book delivered in the peace of my home rather than having to wait in lines for hours or risking the book being--<gasp>--sold out within 8 hours! I once again felt my heart full as I congratulated Harry Potter (under my breath) of his spectacular success.
When I arrived home around 7 o'clock, my book was resting safely on my doorstep. Letting out a squeal, completely unabashed for a twenty-year old, I grabbed the box and made a run for kitchen scissors! Starting from 8:00 PM (after all I had to see my friend off politely) to the early dawn of 4 o'clock the next morning, I was happily lost in the wonderful, magical world of Harry Potter.
Now, I am sure there will be sniggering critics (who will remind me strongly of Draco Malfoy) complaining about the chaotic plot line, unfocused episodes (such as Hermione's gallant efforts to start the S.P.E.W, which seem to fade away from the story unresolved), and as Rowling has told us before, increasingly dark tone of the book that may scare our young muggles. HOWEVER, let me say this in defense: Harry Potter lives as vividly and as truly as any one of us in J.K. Rowling's world--and in mine and in many of yours--and so, as unfocused and complicated and dark as this book may be, it is Harry Potter's world and he lives it wonderfully, and we love him for it. Through the chaos of the Qudditch World Cup, conflicts with his friends and enemies, and the Three Tasks he must overcome, he becomes more and more dear in our hearts. In my eyes, the complexity of the plot and detailed accounts of his adventures at Hogwarts make him all the more real and wonderful, now more than ever.
Excellent adventures, involuntary gasps (esp. if you are reading this in your commuting subway), laughters that will bring tear into your eyes, and the remarkable Rowling-esque twists and turns in the plot await you. Be ready to welcome Harry Potter into your world. This is history in the making!
PS: do not worry too much about the forewarned death in this book--it is certainly sad but the character had not been developed by Rowling enough for us to break our hearts over--that would have been too cruel!
Book Review: Very Surprising
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book!... This series was just what I needed! J.K.Rowling introduses new things in the wizarding world(snufflers and tents that have many rooms in it). The book keeps popping up with hints of something important but it is impossible to pay attion to every detail. The defence against the dark arts teacher is very interesting and weird,(how long can J.K.Rowling keep making up new and interesting people)? I spent a waste of time reading one star reviews. Not one of them said something that is relistic or supportive of what they try to say.1. Harry potter is sudenly intersested in girls. That is not entirely correct. Harry has a crush on a Cho Chang. Part of that could be dew to puberty. 2. Harry has no depth(as well as other charaters). I will have to admit that I don't connect with the charaters but thay are very rich in persanalty. Snape flexing his hands every time he looks at harry as if wanting to strangle him, is an example. 3. It is boring and predicatble. WARNING DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK Can these people honestly say they knew or suspected Crouch's son was alive??? Of course not! He died ater being in prison for a year.Can people say they knew Snape and Karkarof are death eaters??? Of course not! By the way I don't think Karkarof is going to live to see 2 more christmass.
I enjoyed this book and hope I can meet someone who does not like this book so I can see if they can support themselves.Harry touching the right thing only at the grandiose climax of the final task of the triwizard tournament was kind of having the bad guys unnecesarily putting all odds against themselves for such a long period of time. Though they eventually succeeded these supossedly cunning dark minds would get quite low scores in low-risk planning.
This said, well this 4th book has definitely many things that deserve the greatest compliments as you can surely see in probably all reviews. The most intelligent scenario Rowling has conceived so far in these 4 books in my opinion is when Harry is under his invisibility cloak trapped in the stairs in front of Snape and Filch and Moody helps him and finds out about the marauders map. Only close to the end of the book you realize why this moment when Moody is looking at the map in front of Harry was such a critical one, what was at stake, what was really going on there. Really amazingly clever. By the way I would bet this map idea of Rowling was probably indirectly inspired by certain computer games, and I also think the magic diary in the second book was probably indirectly inspired by palm computers. Just guesses anyway.
A final comment about the alleged discrepancy in the order in which Harry's parents died. That could be explained quite reasonably well, though in a tricky way. We all know Harry survived the killing curse all together. The "Aveda Kedavra" curse can therefore be beaten. Now, what happens when it is not beaten? It seems reasonable to think it may not cause technically instantaneous death. Voldemort reportedly attacked Harry's father first and then Harry's mother. It's plausible to think Harry's father may have survived a few seconds after receiving the fatal curse. (Who knows, before actually dying because of the Voldemort's curse he probably even witnessed Voldemort's downfall when attempting to kill his son after having killed his wife).
Well, no doubt fascinating imagination and lessons Rowling has displayed and shared in these Harry Potter books. Thanks for that.