Rating: 
Summary: Worth the wait!
Review: I started reading this book on Saturday and came in to work bleary-eyed on Monday because I just couldn't put it down---and I'm already anxious to get to number 5. The story is both engrossing and amusing. This book is more complex and suspenseful than the earlier ones; the author seems to trust that her child readers are maturing along with Harry and his friends. She introduces some entertaining new characters, such as the delightfully detestable Rita Skeeter and the wizard Mad-Eye, while continuing to develop Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the rest of the familiar cast. I consider these books to be the equivalent of the Oz series or the Chronicles of Narnia. I highly recommend this title not only to the children for whom it's written but to adults like me as well!
Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait!
Review: I've been counting down the days till July 8, rereading the first three books, and hoping the fourth would live up to all the anticipation. Well, it does - it's the best in the series so far. There's much more depth to the supporting characters - I especially like the subplots for Ron and Hermione - and the villains are even more menacing. It's more frightening than the earlier books, but then, even "Sorcerer's Stone" had some truly chilling moments. "Goblet of Fire" simply has more frequent and more extended passages revealing the treachery of Voldemort and his followers. It makes you realize how important it is for Harry and his friends to fight the dark powers and master their own power so they can, hopefully, finally triumph in Book 7. I really like how Rowling is beginning to tie the book together in the series - characters and themes from earlier books reappear, making it clear how well-thought-out the series is, and the ending leaves you eagerly awaiting Book 5, wanting to see how the plot strands will continue to evolve. The ending is satisfying in its own right - Rowling doesn't leave you hanging, just lets you know that, just as in real life, everything doesn't get wrapped up all at once. This may be a children's fantasy novel, but it's as well written, as thought-provoking, and, oddly enough, as realistic as anything I've ever read. (I'm 25 and have an English degree and I'm not embarassed to say the Harry Potter books are among my favorite works, certainly in English in this century.) While there's magic aplenty, the emotions of the characters as they face their problems are almost painfully real. Rowling's evocations of the trials of early adolescences - first crushes, bullies, awkward growth spurts, school dances - are remarkably true to life, and made me care even more for the characters as they fought their magical problems as well. This is a wonderful book for anyone 10 and up; it might be too complex and sometimes too frightening for younger children. Sure, it's long; sure, it's got many interweaving plot strands; but I think that only makes it better for children and teens. It's refreshing to see a book that doesn't underestimate the intelligence and reading ability of young people. And any adult who dismisses the series because it's written for children is missing some wonderful writing; any adult who dismisses this book, in particular, is missing some of the finest plotting and characterization I've seen, as well as a truly exciting adventure. Well, now I'm going to go re-read the entire series so far, and start counting down till Book 5. Rowling is remarkable and I know the next book, like this one, will be well worth the wait.
Rating:
Summary: This book could not have been any better!
Review: After about 2 days of nonstop reading, I finally finished what will most defintely be a children's classic in the future. And I can easily say that it is the best book in the entire series. When I first picked up the book, and realized how heavy and long it was, I was scared that the book would tend to just in some places, but to my surprise, the excitement only keeps building, and makes you feel like you can't put the book down until you've finished it. The main characters are much more devolped in this book, and are starting to grow up, especially Ron- we start to see him openly jealous of Harry's constant spotlight, and openly shameful of being poor. And Harry, Ron, and Hermione all start to see the opposite sex as more as just friends (especially Ron and Harry). The book is darker and more adult then the previous three, and I have a feeling that there will be some controversy about these books being too scary for younger kids (which I can assure, there will be scared stiff. I love how the book does not really end in a happy note, like the past 3 have, it is sad and depressing, and I CAN'T WAIT to read what J.K. Rowling has in store for us next- please, keep writing the coming books just like this one!
Rating:
Summary: Young Wizards In Love
Review: After a lot of hype, the latest Harry Potter novel does not disappoint. The young wizards are now in their fourth year at Hogwarts, and in addition to an as always delightful new set of courses, are starting to experience the first stirrings of teen sexuality. Watching them deal with relationships as well as wizardry is a treat. All of our favorite characters are back, and though one dies, it is not one to which many readers will have grown especially attached to. Parents purchasing this book for younger children my want to read it first, as this book does explore darker themes than the previous novels. But, to paraphrase one of the characters, "how can you defend yourself against something which you have never seen?" Rowlings books harken back to the days when fairy tales were far from the light, syrupy tidbits we have become used to today. I have come to expect surprising plot twists in the Harry Potter series, but once again, Rowling came up with a twist that kept me guessing at the end. At 734 pages, the book is rather long, but Rowling has a light touch which keeps the pages turning. This book should please both faithful fans and those who have not read the series from the beginning. Background is provided for the newbies, while the faithful get a foreshadowing of a deeper, darker conflict to come.
Rating:
Summary: Even more thrilling than the first three!
Review: Just like the first three books, this installment of the Harry Potter series reached right out, grabbed me, and would not let go until I had read the entire thing. I finished it the evening it was released. Once again, Rowling has created a plot containing twists and turns that outstrip most adult-targeted books I've ever read. The clues, as always, were right there in black and white, yet I did not see them on the first read through. And just like before, she has included hundreds of the little details that make the world of Harry Potter come alive. Goblet of Fire definitely takes a turn for the darker, though. It is not as whimisical as earlier books in the series, offering many points in the plot that are far 'scarier' and tinged with the evilness of Lord Voldemort. There *are* more deaths in this book than we've seen before, and while they are not graphically described, no punches are pulled in making it clear that the characters are indeed dead by evil's hand. For me as an adult, of course, this was a high point of this book--not the killings per se, of course, but I enjoyed seeing the series really get down to business, so to speak. To see the battle lines being drawn and the war you know is coming take shape. But for perhaps extremely young readers or listeners, it's something to be aware of nonetheless. Much like the entire series, I can't recommned Goblet of Fire highly enough--this imaginative world, and the fight between good and evil that it portrays, is worthy of every ounce of praise it has ever received. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent book
Review: Harry Potter and the Goglet of Fire is as good as any of the other books in this series. I very much enjoyed this book althought it differs in many ways from years 1-3, year 4 is somewhat more dark and serious, it is twice as long (700 some pages), and seems to have been written with an older reader in mind. I loved this book and stayed up till three in the morning to finish it. I hope that year 5 comes out soon.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm just wild about Harry
Review: THE GOBLET OF FIRE is wonderful, and worth the wait. I loved the fact that Harry and friends are bona fide teenagers now, showing interest in dating and getting a bit cheeky with adults (especially the Dursleys!) The book is lovingly crammed with details of wizard life, and might be the wittiest of the titles to date. As the author promised, it's also a little darker, and the ending twist heralds higher stakes and more intense conflict for Book V.
Rating:
Summary: deeper and better than the other books, must re
Review: its cool how the potter books keep on gettin better and better huh? IM not going to give u the plot because its better to find it out yourself, trust me on this one! so i will overview the book generally. this novel is more chilling then the rest and might be a little scary for younger readers, maybe not. Yes someone does die, quite a few in fact. The only part of this book i thought was a little screwy was the ending when u find out who the imposter is, but very exiting and a terrific ending nevertheless! BUY THE BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Rowling does it again
Review: This book was very good - right from the get go. The first chapter had me thinking why was the family name familiar. The Quidditch world cup was a lot of fun and it kept getting better. Towards the middle with the great ball - it got a little slow but it picked - the tournament was interesting - especially since cheating was part of it. And the last contest had me reading non stop till the end. Voldemort is back and I cant wait to see what happens next - sigh have to wait a year. Little frustated that people dont listen to Harry and dont belive that you-know-who is back but will see what happens next.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Review: 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' takes a while to get going, but once it does, you can't put it down. The fact is that the book may sag occasionally, but most of the time the book is witty, smart, exciting, and exotic. When I finished the book, I found I needed the fifth.A Must-Read.
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