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

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Summary: A darker, more mature novel for older readers
Review: The newest installment to the Potter institution is a much more serious and adult venture than any of the previous novels, as may be immediately evident by its greater length. The protagonist's adventures have a much less trivial tone, as he is forced to confront issues far too difficult for many juvenile readers to comprehend without assistance. This is not, however, detrimental to the series, as it appears to be taking a turn in a more epic dimension which will be greatly appreciated by an older audience. Rowlings demomstrates a much more polished technical skill, here, too, employing a vocabulary that will seem in some places impossible to young readers but beneficial to a complicated plot. Rowling herself cannot help poking fun at some of the attention her book has received, (i.e., an annoying newsreporter named Rita Skeeter with a habit of twisting words to suit her own purpose), but the effect is a book with many more dimensions and fully formed characters. In essence, this book appears to be a watershed, for the series is now diverging from its original audience, and hints at an even darker sequal. My one complaint would be the rather slow beginning, which seems to serve very little purpose in terms of the general plot, save to fulfill the necessary Quiddich quota for the novel.

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Summary: A Darker Chapter
Review: As J.K. Rowlings has said in interviews, the Harry Potter books are ultimately about the struggle of good vs. evil. In this 4th book, the battle truly begins between these forces represented by Harry and Lord Voldemort. Over time, Voldemort has slowly gained strength and is now poised to begin his dark fight for power once more. Battle lines are drawn and, in numerous plot twists, the author makes it truly difficult to know whether a character is friend or foe. This is a very exciting, but more frightening and complex book than the others. Emotions are strong and the ultimate consequences of battling evil become evident to all. Parts of this book may be too frightening for young children. Although the first three books are recommended for those 9-11 years of age, this one is more appropriate for those 12 and up.

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Summary: Best of the Four!
Review: I thought this was a great book in the Harry Potter series. I was so excited about that I finished it the day I got it! I couldn't put it down. It is true that a person does die, which is sad, but I'm not going to give it away! Harry competes in a Triwizard contest between two other schools, even though he is under-aged. The goblet of fire picks his name to be in the event. And, yes, Voldemort DOES reappear in this along with Sirius black and Wormtail. Overall it is an excellent book and was worth the wait!

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Summary: Wow!
Review: Wow! I can't believe that I'm the first person to review this book. Do I ever feel special! Anyway, I absolutely loved this book. It was far, far better than any of the previous Harry Potter books -- which were wonderful in their own right. I think that I can relate better to the characters because they're closer to my own age now. This book seemed to break from the formula set up in the previous three. It is a bit darker than the others, and a tad confusing too. It was also much longer than the previous Harry Potter books, and full of details. I'm dying to know what will happen between Hermione and Ron in the future! And was dissappointed that my favourite minor character, Penelope Clearwater (Percy's girlfriend) was absent. Well, it was a very enjoyable book, and I would reccomend it to Harry Potter fans, and fans of fantasy of all ages.

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Summary: Worth The Wait
Review: Beware. The book is charmed! Obviously covered in an ENTHRALL spell. Wonderful 700+ pages. JK Rowling's best yet!

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Summary: The Fourth Harry Potter is a Masterpiece
Review: This installment in Rawling's prized book series outshines other children's books in creativity and contintuity. This book reads so smoothly it is captivating. The characters reach a new depth in the Goblet of Fire that they never did in the previous books in the series. Not to say that the other books were not excellent. I was worried whether the fourth book would live up to the hype surrounding it and I found that it excelled expectations. This book sends Harry Potter on more adventures than any other before it and leaves the reader clueless as to what twist in the plot will happen next. The ending is a complete and shocking suprise. The characters seem more in depth because readers that read the first three books in the series are watching the students at Hogwarts grow-up. I recommend the entire series to anyone that enjoys superbly imaginative books.

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Summary: WONDERFUL! Even better than the first 3!
Review: This book is really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really GOOD! I got this book the day it was published, and didn't put it down until I finished it. If you ask me, this book should get about 300 stars. I recommend this book to everyone! I especially like the character "Mad-Eye" Moody. If you're looking for some good summer reading, read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!

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Summary: 'Goblet of Fire' more than lives up to anticipation
Review: With "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" out for only two days, at least one rather Squibbish review has emerged calling this fourth installment 'dark and drawn-out.' This is nothing short of wildly inaccurate. "Goblet of Fire" is indeed over seven hundred pages long, but it never drags or loses either its intensity or sense of fun. I for one had finished it within twenty-four hours having purchased it, and the only slow moments I experienced were when I was forcibly kept away from reading it. Rumors of both romance and death were way overblown, and no nine-year-old boy need worry that Harry is going to be tainting himself with a girlfriend any time soon. :-) The focus remains exactly where it should, on the building mystery and suspense raised at the beginning of the book, with plenty of forays into the Hogwarts experience for laughs. "Goblet of Fire" is indeed somewhat darker than any of the previous three, but it's nothing that a ten-year-old won't be able to handle. I found it delightfully creepy, and even the most dire scenes at the climax of the book still remained more fun, albeit in a creepy sort of way, than frightening. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is a more-than-worthy successor to the first three in the series, easily as funny, smart, and exciting as its predecessors.

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Summary: Rowling has done it again!
Review: What can I say...This book is good! As soon as I got my copy on Saturday, I couldn't put it down. Stopping only to eat and sleep, I was unable to quit reading until I finished on Sunday night. The fourth installment of this magical series stays true to the previous books by combining some of the best fantasy ever written with a touch of humor to create a fantastic story. As it is similar to the previous three, the Goblet of Fire is also very different. This novel introduces new, colorful characters, spells, creatures, and insights to Harry Potter's wizarding world. Rowling's supernatural skills as a storyteller and storyweaver are well displayed in the many surprizes and unexpected twists that will keep you on your toes. She also expertly tied up some loose ends from the first three books, while creating new ones that will leave us wanting more. I raise my goblet and salute J.K. Rowling, one of the greatest authors to pick up a quill, and The Goblet of Fire, the latest of her magical masterpieces.

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Summary: Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire
Review: This is a must read for Harry Potter fans. Even though this book is longer then the last one, it is an interesting read and kept me on the edge of my seat. J.K.Rowling has once again proved to be very imaginitive, creative and funny. There is lot more happening in this book then the previous ones. It is more dangerous, much darker and full of spells, curses, hexes, dragons, and you-know-who. Harry is growing up to be a brave and considerate wizard taking on tasks fit for older wizards. In Dumbledore's words "You have shouldered a grown wizard's burden and found yourself equal to it--". Ron and Hermoine are also facing some changes in their lives. I can't say more then that. Goblet of Fire leaves you wanting more and I completely agree with others that this book is for every one. J.K.Rowling has done a wonderful job and I can't wait until the next one comes out.