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: Harry Potter...
Summary: 5 Stars
Heya mateys! = ) Er, a little down there are some spoilers on the book, so...I read a lot, and I mean a LOT! I read the Hobbit along with the Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion when I was in second grade, along with a ton of other fantasy books after that - including Brian Jaques's Redwall series, the Enchanted Forest series, Dragonlane, the Icewind Dale and Dark Elf trilogies, other Forgotten Realms books, most of the King Arthur tales, the Taran series (don't remember the real name of it... I just know it includes The Book of Three, the Castle of Lyr, the Cauldron of something, Taran Wanderer, etc...), the Earthsea series, and a bunch of other books lying around... Most of them have been more medieval fantasy books, so I was kinda reluctant to read Harry Potter cause it seemed a little childish in some ways...
But my dad convinced me to read the first chapter, and then I was hooked, I let him read it to me (er, mentioning that I usually read it on my own secretly...) and we pre-ordered the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ones! It has great characters, great descriptions and it was a perfect combination of mystery and comedy, with great suspense... The 4th one I have to admit was different, having a little more terror in it than usual. I wasn't surprised at all when she did the usual looks-like-it's-one-person-but-is-someone-totally-different - and should I mention that it was usually someone Harry trusted?
I have to say that the 4th one was kinda, er, *looking for right words*, different... And dissapointing, considering that there's no quidditch *gasp!* This book seemed to, well, go on slowly.. I mean, she usually does have 2-3 different stories and then brings them together in a perfect ending, but this one, well, didn't seem to have a perfect ending. It was nice at the beggining, but just began to drag on in the middle (nearing the end), and you kinda just needed her to get on with it, and then you kinda feel like she just left the ending hanging. LOL, I dunnno how to explain it, but it seemed rather an abrubt ending, considering that the rest (including the Triwizard Tournament) just dragged along slowly...
Otherwise it (and the other three) were great books! They're some of the best I've read! I didn't know HP was that popular when I moved here (to Venezuela), yet I found banners of it hanging around the school - and I can't even start to count the number of people asking me to borrow the 3 books (I had them early) *grin* And now instead of endlessly re-reading the Bellmaker, the Long Patrol, Marlfox, Flint the King, Brothers Majere and those others I usually spend the two months before the next book comes out re-reading the others for clues and hints to make sure I don't miss a thing!
OK, I guess I've wrote enough... Hehe... All I can say is that I can't wait for the next... 3... I'm still shocked when I hear that there are only 3 more coming, they shoulda make her a longer contract... = (
Mallory Law
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Summary: 5 Stars
I opened the cover of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire a bit fearfully. Although my nine-year-old was simply vibrating with excitement, I was worried. What if this one wasn't as good as the first three? What if J.K. Rowling was now simply writing a book because she had to for contract reasons, not because she had a story that had to be told? Happily that is not the case at all, and this latest installment in the Harry Potter saga is fresh, often exhilarating and sure to please anyone who has come to love the magic of Harry, Hogwarts and all things that are not of the Mugglekind. That being said, even those with no experience of the first three books will find it readable because Ms. Rowling offers up enough background to make it understandable yet without disclosing too many of the secrets of the first stories. It almost literally starts with a bang as Harry's friends the Weasly's blast through a wall in the suburban house where Harry lives with his hopelessly muggle (non-magical) aunt, uncle and cousin. From that point on having to put this book down can be like having to jump from a moving car; you just want to hold on until the ride is over! There are lots of interesting and funny details about the differences between the lifestyles of the muggle and magical kind. From camping in a pup tent that on the inside actually is a one bedroom apartment complete with mismatched chairs and smelling of cats to practical jokes that involve cream tarts that temporarily turns the eater of one into a giant yellow canary! There is also Voldemort, the Dark Lord. He who was so powerful in the dark arts and so evil that wizards and witches refer to him fearfully as You-Know-Who, even years after he had lost all his power in an attempt to murder one year old Harry. Harry has had to do battle with the Dark Lord and his minions a number of times since that first attack that left a lightening shaped scare on his forehead and his parents dead. In The Goblet of Fire, the Dark Lord is back and he is stronger and more dangerous than ever. Harry is older and wiser at fourteen but also prone to the trials and tribulations of that age. A time fraught with misunderstandings, a first crush, self doubts mistakes, and betrayals. This is reflected in the darker tone of the story, there are great victories but there is also great loss. Ms. Rowling successfully carries off this darker nature with respect and care for both her characters and her readers. This is a fantasy but it is also a mystery, to respect that, there is much that should not be said it. What can be said, is that it will not disappoint. There are all the necessary elements of wonder and close calls and plenty of humour and excitement, and it leaves the reader with a promise of the adventures to come. It is a good book for older kids, eight or nine and up and for adults too. It is an especially good book for a child and adult to share.Book Review: The best Harry Potter book so far!
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the most eagerly awaited book in history, by both children and adults alike, and it did not disappoint. Like the previous three, from the start it had me hooked, and I finished it the day I got it. The Goblet of Fire is far longer than the other books, being twice the size of The Prisoner of Azkaban, which is great because it allows for a more complex plot and greater detail. It follows the trend set by `Azkaban' in being slightly darker than the previous two, and we see less of that fairy tale magic, although there is still enough there to make this book as enchanting as the others.
I think of all the Harry Potter books, this is my favourite so far. Being slightly older than the target reading audience (10/11 year olds), I preferred the darker side to the plot and the amount of suspense and the way the author manages to have you fearing for Harry's life. It is also good to see Harry, Ron and Hermione beginning to grow up, and we see the three go on their first dates.
Unfortunately, apart from the World Cup match between Ireland and Bulgaria at the start of the book, there are no Quidditch matches between the four houses. The annual Quidditch cup is replaced by a triwizard tournament, where Hogwarts competes with two other wizarding schools, which fills a large part of the book and adds some exciting twists and turns to the book.
All the usual characters are involved, as well as some new ones including Rita Skeeter, a reporter for the Daily Prophet who plagues Harry throughout the book, and Mad-Eye Moody, the latest in a long line of Defence against the Dark Arts teachers.
As usual, JK Rowling writes a magnificent story with a complicated plot, some how managing to weave all the tiny details together. The book has a spectacular finish, perhaps her best yet, and leaves several un-answered questions ready for book 5. The book gives the impression of being a turning point in the series, and several big events happen which seem certain to have a big impact on the remaining books. In books one and two, we were introduced to the characters, and book three a lot of the background was filled in. In book 4 the action really begins, and rather than being a complete story the way the other three were, this seems to serve as the beginning to a much bigger story, one that will continue through all the books in the series.
Like all the others, Goblet of Fire manages to successfully blend humour, supense and mystery, and keeps the reader guessing to the end. Not many children between the ages of 7 and 12 could fail to be impressed by this, and the Harry Potter books are rare in the way that they manage to enchant both adults and children alike. In short: this book is fantastic; my favourite of the series so far, but whether it will stay that way depends on book 5.
This book was brilliant and I can't wait to read what happens next! :)
Book Review: Longer, but stronger!
Summary: 5 Stars
(Actual rating: 4.5 stars...see below) The sheer size of the book may be daunting at first look (600+ for the British and Canadian versions, 700+ for the US versions). But that shouldn't stop most Potter fans from trying to read it in one sitting! If you're new to the series, this is not a good book to begin with, as explanations for characters, motivations and events that are key to the series are scattered throughout the text, and the book will be much more appreciated (and understood!) if you are already familiar with the series.Rowling's writing has, I feel, improved as the series has continued. Her handling of the trials and problems of the teenaged Harry and his friends is excellent, adding weight and meaning to the action and the whimsy. Her writing style is just right for her audience, but even adults will find places where her writing is quite funny. Rowling's works have moved away from being just fantasy for the sake of fantasy: the characters (main and supporting both) feel, grow and change, existing in more than just a cardboard fantasy set. Her characters are well fleshed out, realistically motivated, and are firmly placed in a solidly-plotted and complicated world. There is real-world relevance here for the reader, an examination and confrontation of philosophical issues such as good and evil, maturity, jealously, and friendship, and other(dare we say it?) adult themes. The fact that these are essential problems in the story set it apart from much lighter, escape-oriented fiction.
There are some minor problems with the work, but nothing that will distract most readers who get caught up in the action, the danger, and the sheer pleasure of watching these characters interact in their imaginative world.
This book is not exactly slow in starting, but it is long in starting (due to the episode of the Quidditch World Cup, which is nearly a book in itself). But the opening still leads well into the rest of the book, and becomes an essential part of the narrative. I rate this book 4.5 stars simply because of the problem of the length of the pre-Hogwarts section of the book--it's almost like reading a short story or novella inserted before the novel. Readers who are used to the opening to the books so far(i.e. escape from the Dursleys leading quickly to the train to Hogwarts) may find this a difficult lump of text to get over. Quidditch fans, of course, will love it!
Having read Canadian versions of all the books, I am displeased by the decision of the USA publishers to "Americanize" certain terms--I believe that they are not giving children credit for their intelligence in dealing with new terma and vocabulary.
This book contains more of the same things that Harry Potter fans are looking for, along with a slightly greater depth and sophistication that are a welcome addition to the series. I look forward to reading these with my future children.
Book Review: Worth all the wait (and hype)
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought pre-publicity this thick was reserved for rock bands and Star Wars movies. But for the first time, stores opened at 12:01 and people lined up for...a book.More to the point, a CHILDREN's book.
But then again, I shouldn't be surprised about that, this series has broken the rules all along:
-At the time I write this review, there are already 2410 of them on this website,
-It is so successful that the other publishing companies have successfully forced the New York Times to create a separate children's bestseller list, so the "real" books will have a shot at the number one spot. (In three years, that list will feature all seven Harry books, and they'll just pick three others to fill in spots 8,9 and 10.)
So while my family waited to go out on July 8, my silence and immovability made clear that we were waiting for my friendly local fedex man to deliver my copy from a certain online bookseller whose name shall go unsaid (but just look at the top of your screen). It arrived, and three days and change later (with forced but tasteful breaks for work, food, and personal hygiene, not neccessarily in that order) I had torn through all 734 pages.
With each book I become more amazed with Jo Rowling's writing ability. The most throwaway details in earlier books reapparate later to become important plot points. I find myself wondering if she had it planned all along, or does she simply scour the books for something to use?
The characters are growing and changing. The opposite genders makes themselves known to our heroes. The world is opened up a bit-we learn there are OTHER schools of magic. Secrets of Hagrid's past are revealed. Dumbledore is once again shown to be a powerful force to be reckoned with, and much like the author herself, I look at Albus and ask "How much of what going to happen does he already have planned? Exactly how much is he controlling and helping what's happening in his world?"
There's humor, there's adventure, and there's not a single moment that I was reading this wondering when something was going to happen. It's going to be a long year waiting for the next one. Judging from the ending of this one, it looks like book five is going to be quite serious indeed-no less than preparation for war.
I think before the series is over (and almost certainly after) we'll start seeing short story collections by Jo and possibly other authors, illuminating all the details and throwaway bits of the series that ravenous fans would love to hear more about. For example...exactly how does Mr. Ollivander get his unicorn hairs and phoenix feathers? I can't imagine all of them are supplied willingly.
J.K. Rowling is making millions of dollars off the series, you can't open a magazine without seeing a mention of her, and I couldn't be happier for her.
-Vinnie Griffyndor by example, Slytherin by nature