Rating: 
Summary: 4 *'s instead of 5 because of the lazy trick at the end.
Review: For the most part, this was a great book. It reinforced the main characters connection to one another, while it also brought Harry and company along in their development as individuals who are getting older. I think the dark nature of the threat and the resultant consequences is appropriate to what's going on in Harry's life. He and his friends are getting older and will naturally be more ready to handle more mature things. My only complaint is that J. K. Rowling fell back on a rather lazy trick at the end, the old switcheroo, but otherwise I feel this book is as good as the others.What I have read in review after review is what "great books" these are, and the reviewers are right, they are great books. But I wonder if anyone is as worried as I am about Ms. Rowling's agreeing to allow the book/s to be made into a film? These books are great because they encourage readers of every age to want to READ, not watch a movie. In fact, Ms. Rowling has been hailed all over the globe as the author who made children want to read again. She's given us all a wonderful world that we have brought to life in our own minds, and that's her gift. But what happens when the film is made? What happens to all those imaginary Potter worlds then? They get snuffed out and replaced by someone else's vision, and some day I suspect, like other great children's stories, no one will even remember that the Harry Potter stories were once a really great books. Not every book needs to become a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Only slightly disappointed
Review: I enjoyed the book immensely but I have to agree with one of the other reviewers and say the it could have been done in a lot less pages and it was predictable. Don't get me wrong - I'm an adult who loves Harry Potter. I waited for this one to come out along with everyone else but I didn't get that same feeling that I couldn't wait for the next one after finishing it. And I can't help but think that if I were 8 years old I'd have a hard time just lifting this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Pivotal 4th book lives up to expectations
Review: Having just finished this fourth book (it took approximately three days to do so), my first reaction was to wonder how the young readers the Harry Potter series is intended for would react. I'm pleased to see that they appear to be handling the end of the novel well. As with the first three books, I enjoyed the little details of wizarding life thrown in (particularly the Weasleys' clock, showing where they all are at any given point). However, the turn for the darker at the end of the novel disturbed me--and if it disturbed me (a 21-year old), how would it affect younger readers? I was happy to see how well they seem to be handling it. Some people may criticize Rowling for taking this turn with the series, but it's a necessary one. Growing up isn't easy for anyone, and we all have to deal with painful choices and loss. Harry's plight is one we can all deal with, and hopefully it will create conversation between children and their parents. As ever, I enjoyed this book immensely and am intrigued to see where the series will go from here.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for Kids!
Review: J.K. Rowling knows how to capture the interest of any age. Look at me, 41 and I absolutely enjoy all 4 of the Harry Potter books and can't wait for the next one. This is a great read for any age male or female!
Rating:
Summary: A fun read.
Review: The book is a fun read, and will not disappoint anyone who hasread the earlier books in the series. The story is fairly tight,entertaining, surprising. There are a couple of forgiveable plot flaws. My only real criticism at the moment is that the book is unecessarily long. I suspect that the relationship between Ms. Rowling and her editor has changed.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter Rocks!
Review: Go get the book! It is a roller coaster ride of adventure,sadness, joy, and laughter! Need I say more! It is better than #'s1-3so go ge it!
Rating:
Summary: SPECTACULAR!
Review: This summer I discovered magic! I was extremely bored one day when I picked up the sorcerer's stone. I read it in one day. Over the next few days I knocked off chamber of secrets and prisoner of azkaban. I was breathless and amazed. They were the most incredible books I have ever read. I immediately hurried to the bookstore to get goblet of fire. They were all out. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! After a little patience I got the book and dug in. A superb addition to the series once again left me stunned. I want more! This next year will be a long wait. Thanks to JK for making my summer a most enjoyable one.
Rating:
Summary: I'm ready for the 5th book!
Review: Wow! It was simply great. With 734 pages in the book you probably would think there would be atleast one, just one boring spot in the book. Well guess again. This book kept me reading every chance I got. I read this book in about a week (which is really fast for me. It would usually take me about 3-4 weeks to read a 734 page book.) Although I thought the ending of the third book was better, I thought that the 4th book in general was definetely the best. So now that I have read all of the Harry Potter books, I am going to be going through Harry Potter withdrawl until the 5th comes out. Hurry J.K. Rowling!
Rating:
Summary: The whole family loves Harry
Review: I had to wait for my 18 yo, who devoured the newest Harry Potter in one night, and my 11 yo to have first shots -- both loved it. And I did as well. For someone who cut their teeth on sci fi/fantasy, JK Rowlings is a taste of coming home. It's delightful watching her characters grow up, see their relationships change and grow, and watch Harry's story unfold. If you haven't picked up the series yet, you should and see what all the buzz is about!
Rating: 
Summary: Darker Than You Think
Review: When J.K. Rowling told us her fourth book would be darker, Iwonder if parents understood what that meant. While I enjoyed herstorytelling immensely once again, especially the Quidditch World Cup and the dragon challenge, and I found it easy to forgive a few sensless plot inventions, many elements of her story make me happy I do not have to wrestle with the pressure to keep it from or share this book with an adolescent. I knew this book was different from the first three early on when adults, students and Harry himself started using "damn" and "dammit" quite casually. The students' humor and practical jokes became more bawdy and crude, yet seemingly well-suited for kids just turning 14 (by the way, is Harry the only one of his friends to ever have a birthday?). I thought the darker elements would be along the lines of the activities at the World Cup when innocent people were tortured for sport and a scull with a snake slithering from its mouth was projected in the sky. But the light fun and seeminly low body count do not prepare the reader for the last few chapters...Such violence would not be as troubling if it was not later dignified and explained by the kindly Dumbledore as a noble sacrifice to the cause and as an example to the other Hogwarts students that their fellow students' death could easily be their own if they do not know the truth about the evil lurking out there. I found these were not just scary images flashed briefly on a screen that produce only enough harm to conjure a few nightmares, but ideas that add to adolescents' glamorization of violence and trajedy. Many high school freshman of Harry's age read "Romeo and Juliet" in literature classes and then glorify suicide as a romantic and plausible end to a troubled love affair. I certainly would not hold Ms. Rowling's books accountable for any bad behavior of her readers, but rather hope parents' consider these elements before putting the book in the hands of young children without at least discussing some of its elements with them.
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