Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #4
Genre: Middle Grade, fantasy
Published on July 8, 2000
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books
Pages: 734
Read From: 2.14.15 - 4.15.15












SYNOPSIS

You have in your hands the pivotal fourth novel in the seven-part tale of Harry Potter's training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. 

And in his case, different can be deadly.

Review

Dear Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,

Your movie adaptation is probably the hardest one for me to remember, even though you were actually the beginning Big Events. But I looked forward to reading you, in the hopes that I would have forgot a lot of stuff and things would be a surprise. And for the most part, you were!

You chronicle young wizard Harry Potter's fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry has recently been having concerning dreams about Lord Voldemort, in which wakes up with his scar hurting. But all such worries are put aside when the Triwizard Tournament comes to Hogwarts. Three students from three different magic schools compete in three mysterious - and often dangerous - contests the claim the Triwzard Cup and fame for their school. Harry is too young to compete - but then someone puts his name in the Goblet of Fire. And once the Goblet has chosen you, you must compete.

Despite the premise, you aren't all nonstop action. J. K. Rowling spends even more time on world building, enriching the magical world with details like a nosy journalist - Rita Skeeter - and her outrageous articles; Fred and George's quest to patent their practical jokes; Hermione's campaign to win house-elves equal employment opportunities; more Hogwarts traditions like the Yuletide ball - just to name a few.

And of course, there's a slew of new characters - and further development with old ones. Dumbledore continues to be a figure of endless history - and mystery - though we do get a further glimpse into his role during Voldemort's reign. We still don't know if Snape is trustworthy. And prominent side characters - like Hagrid and Neville Longbottom - get a bit more revealed about them.

With so much fun detail, it's hard to feel like you're a dull book. Even the daily escapades at Hogwarts are interesting. And of course, the Triwizard Tournament is a blast.

But. There's Voldemort. We finally "officially" meet him. I thought he was pretty pathetic in the movies. He's not much better in writing. Voldemort's scary factor comes from his past, and that was mostly the doing of his zealous followers. Because Voldemort himself. . . .The dude seriously needs a lesson on monologuing. Don't do it. And definitely don't make your monologue sound like a personal pity party. He needs some violins; I wanted to hand him some tissues and an ice cream. Poor, lonely Voldemort. Neglected by his most faithful. . . .no friends. . . .only the snakes to listen to your woes. . . .And stop with the caressing. That's creepy in the wrong way.

But quite honestly, Goblet of Fire, I didn't read you for the villain, as they have always been obvious and not very bright. Your world is fun and there's no shortage of characters to like and hate. For all of his backstory, Harry is actually the least interesting. And he's still pretty interesting.

I overall enjoyed you. There's the usual fun and humor, but you take a rather dark, disturbing turn that indicates future maturity in the series. Stories can't stay light and you've definitely got dark days ahead.

Feeling intrigued,

~ Mara ~

Others in the Harry Potter Series:

1)Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2)Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

3)Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

4)Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

5)Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

6)Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince

7)Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows