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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4 Audio CD)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4 Audio CD)

List Price: $69.95
Your Price: $44.07
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Speechless!
Review: I started reading the Harry Potter series after my nine year old son, who read the three book series five times, said he was "simply addicted." I soon too became addicted to these books and "Goblet of Fire" has just fueled the addiction! This book is superb! I read the book straight through for ten hours and did not want it to end. The plot twists and character development are phenomenal! You will cry as you reflect upon the inherent goodness in Harry and his friends as they battle evil. Rowling's images are rich and powerful and quickly draw the reader into an absolutely stunning world. Buy this book and then share it with the children you love--you will give them an unforgettable gift! If you can, buy additional copies and donate them to a deserving school library or children's literacy program--there is no better way to encourage a love of reading! Now I ask can we survive waiting 365 for Book Five? :)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: not quite perfect...
Review: Firstly, as an adult reviewing Harry Potter, I must say that any book which gets children to read over 600 pages with such excitement and joy is a wonderful thing and must be applauded.

The reason for the success of the Harry Potter series is very simple - these are great books, and Goblet Of Fire is no exception. A thrilling read with lots of plot twists and moments of great joy as well great anguish.

J K Rowling has made it quite clear that this fourth book is vital in terms of the overall themes and plot of the Potter saga - one of the reasons for its great length. It certainly does develop the story but this is also the weakness of the book. You get the feeling that Rowling is focussing on the bigger picture here and I think the central story in this book suffers (albeit only slightly) as a result.

There are too many loose ends and unresolved issues for this to be a truly rewarding read but that is a small gripe. It is still an excellent story and it sets the next three books up wonderfully. It isn't in any way a disappointment and is a worthy instalment in the series.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I loved this book but preferred the others in the series.

She is still a wonder and this book is a marvel!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WOW!!!
Review: I thought this was one of the best books I have ever read and I thought it was very exciting and suspenceful. My favorite part was the part with the Yule Ball and Hermione is my favorite character in the series. She is just like me smart and friendly. I am reading the 5th Harry Potter book and I still think the 4th one is the best. So you should go and read the book. Trust me you will enjoy it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WOW! --the best yet!
Review: This 47-year-old kid has been swept up in the Harry Potter craze--and with good reason. Rowling's books are imaginative, humorous, full of well-developed, off-beat, memorable characters (my favorite is Hagrid), that grab you and a plot that leaves you wanting to know what happens and keeps you reading until the very end. Goblet of Fire is no exception. A wonderfully imaginative plot, full of humor, mystery, suspense, that never lags. I couldn't put it down--a great tale, and a fitting lead-in to the remaining 3. Parents are cautioned though--as Rowling promised, the story starts to take on dark undertones--some elements of this book may not be suitable for the pre-pubescents. And, as with her other books, Rowling rushes to the conclusion, tying up a lot of loose ends and bringing some connection to events in the book that, while an amusing read, seemingly had no connection with the action at hand. I didn't mind the 720+ pages, I almost wish she had used some more to round out to give some more depth to some of the characters and greater connection to some of the sidebars of the plot.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Portrait of the Wizard as a Young Man
Review: This is by far the best Harry Potter book. As an adult, I've enjoyed reading these as much as any child. Filled with imagination, insight, and yes, riveting plot twists, the Harry Potter series is destined to be a classic. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry begins to mature into adulthood and learn the true meanings of magic, friendship, and fear. In his fourth year, Harry encounters characters whose actions in the past have affected him, his friends, and his future. In this book, Rowling deepens Harry's story revealing poignant and sometimes tragic aspects of minor characters in a way that humanizes what until now have been relatively flat characters. Without spoiling the read, it is safe to say that Harry is selected to test his mettle as a wizard in a unique and challenging contest. Behind the scenes, however, lurks an all too familiar evil that is out to kill Harry and do much worse. Parents will be pleased that this book treats the horrific and tragic happenings in a way that is sensitive and thought provoking. As Rowling's child audience matures, so Harry has grown and experienced life in such a way as to fulfill one of the goals of all literature--to inform and entertain.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dragons, Dark Marks, Death Eaters...and Girls
Review: The fourth book in the "Harry Potter" series, "The Goblet of Fire" was first published in 2000 and deals largely with Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. As the book begins, Harry is spending his holidays at Privet Drive. Although things have improved for him there since he started attending Hogwarts, the holidays are still far from enjoyable. He is thankfully rescued with an invitation to spend the last few weeks with the Weasley family at the Burrow. Better yet, the Quidditch World Cup Final - between Ireland and Bulgaria - is being played in England, and Harry, Hermione and most of the Weasley clan will be going to it. Mr Weasley, who works at the Ministry of Magic, had used some contacts at work to get the tickets. Some of his colleagues are at the match as well - for example, Barty Crouch (who is also Percy's new boss at the Ministry) and Ludo Bagman (a former professional Quidditch player). While Harry finds the event hugely enjoyable, it all goes pear-shaped : the celebrations are ruined by the appearance of a group of Death Eaters (supporters of Voldemort) torturing some Muggles and the appearance of the Dark Mark (Voldemort's symbol) in the sky.

The international theme is kept up throughout the book - on reaching Hogwarts, the pupils find out that a Tri-Wizard Tournament will be held during the school year. This is a very famous competition between the three largest European Schools of Wizardry and Witchcraft - Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. One champion is selected to represent each school and - due to the difficulty and danger of the tasks involved - only students of 17 and over will be allowed to enter. Naturally, this means that - if the rules are adhered to - Harry won't be allowed to enter. Among the visiting students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are Victor Krum - who played Seeker for Bulgaria in the World Cup Final - and the highly attractive Fleur Delacour. Naturally, they don't arrive unsupervised - the Headmistress from Beauxbatons is Madame Maxime (who, incredibly, is around the same height is Hagrid) and Professor Karkaroff, from Durmstrang (where, they say, pupils actually study the Dark Arts).

Inevitably, there's another new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. This year, it's an ex-Auror by the name of Mad-Eye Mooney. An Auror is a Dark Wizard Catcher, and Mooney is widely regarded as one of the best ever. He is now, however, considered a little paranoid - for example, he drinks only out of his own hip flask. 'Mad Eye' is a pretty apt description - he has one 'normal' eye and one magical eye, which can see through doors, walls, invisibility cloaks and even through the back of his own head. There's more to be coped with than new teachers though - teenage hormones are now starting to affect our hero and his friends. Harry has taken a shine to Cho Chang (Ravenclaw's very pretty Seeker), while Ron - FINALLY - notices that Hermione is actually a girl.

"The Goblet of Fire" is comfortably the longest one to date - at no point, however, does the story drag or feel 'stretched'. J.K Rowling has written another excellent book, and has given Harry and his friends another very enjoyable mystery to solve. Like all the other books in the series to date, it's very easily read and will be enjoyed by both children and adults. It probably would be better reading the series in order - certain things about the wizard's way of life and other characters are covered fully in the previous instalments. However, that shouldn't be too much of a burden, as the previous books are also very enjoyable !

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent literature for children and adults alike
Review: J.K. Rowling has done it again with HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE. I have enjoyed every book in the series and Book 4 is no exception. One could compare Rowling's work favorably with C.S. Lewis' NARNIA CHRONICLES and Susan Cooper's under-appreciated series THE DARK IS RISING. This is fiction for children which is engaging and enjoyable for adults as well.

One of the things I appreciate most about Harry Potter is that he is growing up in these novels, and like many of us, his coming of age will not be entirely pleasant or successful. Granted, occasionally things are slanted a bit in his favor, and it would perhaps be more honest if the evil characters in Rowling's books were evil due to outside influences rather than their own personal wickedness, but I rarely find myself thinking about such matters when I'm actually reading the books. Harry Potter's struggles and discoveries are what make these books magnificent; the wizardry element is just a bit of fantasy that spices things up at times. After all, what child (or adult) wouldn't want a broomstick that could make you fly?

THE GOBLET OF FIRE dragged out a bit at times, which is why it doesn't get five stars, but make no mistake, the Harry Potter series books are definitely worth reading, whether you're 12 or 92 years old.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Expectations Fulfilled!
Review: This book actually lived up to all of my expectations, despite the amazing amount of hype! I usually flee from bestsellers, and from fan clubs, but I find myself picking up these books again and again. What is it about these books that makes them so appealing? The ideas in them are not new. In fact, since I discovered these books last year, I have been puzzling about what makes them so good. I have read better contemporary children's fantasy by Diana Wynne Jones and Eva Ibbotson (and I highly recommend Potter fans to check out titles by these excellent British authors, both of whom are also consummate storytellers!). What makes the Harry Potter books so good is that they are a brilliant mix of wild fantasy and sympathetic school stories. Rowling's use of imaginative details fires the readers' imagination and makes them want to read more (who doesn't love the Sorting Hat, and the Marauder's Map?). And between Harry, Ron, and Hermione almost anyone can find a bit of the child she or he was (or is!) in school, and relate to the anxieties, accomplishments, and disappointments that occur as a backdrop to the more dramatic, magical plot.

So, if you are a Harry Potter fan, you will probably love this book. Despite its length, the book reads as compellingly as the others. It is wonderful to find out about the other wizard schools, and meet a host of new and interesting characters, some of whom I hope we meet again! If you have not read the Harry Potter books yet because you think that anything this best-seller can't be good (and I am addressing several of my family and friends here!) you should read them anyway, because you will love them, despite all of the hype!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the best potter yet
Review: Rowling's longest thus far in the series is the best so far. It is the most fleshed out and has the most detailed and intricate plot.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Drags on to long but still entertaing at times
Review: The worst so fare out of the Harry pooter series.It drags on till about half way throught he book and then it gets interasting.I was disaponted in this novel becouse it dint have the magic of the other novels.


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