Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Review: J.K. Rowling has done it again! The Goblet of Fire had me spellbound, I couldn't put it down until I had finished reading every page. I was laughing so had that my sides hurt with Fred and George's inventions; scared to turn out the lights because of "You-Know-Who"s reeappearance and crying my heart out along with Harry as he mourns. Who needs a rollercoaster ride when Harry Potter is here?
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter Continues
Review: After the second Harry Potter book, people were sure the third would be a let down. After the third was great, people thought it would be the fourth that was bad. Fortunetely, for Potter fans everywhere, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is anything but a let down.The pattern is continued from the other books, but with changes. For the first time, the book begins with the first chapter not with Harry. But it does get to him, having a bit more trouble than he might like. He does go back to the Burrow, with Ron, and has a good time at the Quidethch World Cup, but, once again, other mysterious things happen there. When Harry Returns to Hogwarts, people are not quite as friendly as he had hoped. What about this mystery going on? Will Harry's love Cho Chang ever notice him? And what about Professor Trewlany's Prediction? Read to find out!
Rating:
Summary: If you have kids, buy two copies
Review: I wish I had given in to temptation and bought a second copy of Goblet of Fire, to avoid the embarrassing tug of war I had with my 9 year old over whose turn it was to read. I won't spoil the story, but it's every bit as every bit as wonderful as the last three books, and twice as long. Plenty of laughs, and middle school insights (like bubtubers and the Yule Ball) that will have adults flashing back to 14. A warning: don't try to read the last 150 pages as a bedtime story. It's too scary for kids and the next good place to stop reading and go to sleep is the end of the book. Thank you, Ms. Rowling, for a wonderful weekend!
Rating:
Summary: Rowling does it again!
Review: Once again, Rowling had my eyes watering halfway through the book, my heart pounding by the time I reached page 500, and a headache from the intensity of the book by the time I was done. It was emotionally draining! Although Harry definitely gets a bit older in this story (there is a bit of teen-talk, a few "minor" swears, etc.), I would (and I am a children's librarian) still recommend the book for children. I know that some people were concerned about it being too scary and old, but Rowling handles the adjustment well. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Bigger but not necessarily better
Review: Bigger, yes, but better? Madame Rowling has told another riveting installment of the young wizard's tale in a whopping 734 pages which all the diehards will buy. My 13-year-old son and I had a ritual whereby as the books came out I read them aloud to him over the space of a few days, but this time I ended up synopsising the book and only reading the last four chapters aloud. His assessment was "Wow, Mom, the little kids are going to have nightmares," with which I agree. I understand that Ms. Rowling is upping the ante as her perceived audience grows up along with Harry; Little Orphan Annie this is not. But she continues to gather 7 and 8-year-old fans as well. Perhaps a warning on the book: "Caution; content not necessarily suitable for young children"? Don't get me wrong; it's a great book, and the teen market is an abyss except for this series. As a mother of two teens who adore Harry, I'm grateful for this fourth book, and we're all on line for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific new installment!
Review: I read this book cover to cover quickly. It is long, but worthit. J. K. Rowling does not isult anyone's intelligence. As for thestory, it is packed with twists and chills. All in all a fine new addition.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets and Sadness for Scarred Star
Review: Stupendous. That's the only word for it. The long awaited sequel to the first three Harry Potter books has at last arrived, and it was well worth the hype. 37 chapters long, there is a furious pace throughtout, with clues and red herrings everywhere, as Harry is drawn closer into a web of intrigue and evil. Harry's scar is playing him up as he is plagued by strange dreams - or are they dreams? Fred and George are up to something, and Hermione has started a campaign. Professor Trelawney is predicting death left right and centre, Malfoy is being horrible; in fact, things seem pretty normal at Hogwarts. But away from school, a series of bizarre events and unexplained disappearances are leading danger closer to Hogwarts, and to Harry. The atmosphere is one of unease - despite the humour, this is a dark story, but in a league above even the first three books. There are many new characters, and the length allows the existing characters to be better developed. The plot is complicated and always unexpected. The book reaches a chilling climax, as Harry faces the greatest ordeal of his life - and a tragedy occurs that will leave the stoniest hearted of readers in tears. But be warned - just when you think the excitement is over, the worst is still to come. The ending is not a satisfactory one - so much is yet to come! Roll on book 5!
Rating:
Summary: J.K. Rowling Still Has Yet to Fail...
Review: ...Simply, J.K. Rowling has successfully brought Harry Potterto the page, without leaving any doubt that the series will continueon with further success to come. ... She's great. There's a certain simplicity she writes with that doesn't talk below or above the level of any reader; and the stories she tells are top-notch. This latest installment of Harry Potter is no exception. The plot works slowly through the book--she doesn't rush, and at the same time, doesn't tell the story at a drudging pace. What's more, she's allowing her characters--Harry, Ron, and Hermione, especially--to grow up, and it's interesting to look back at the previous books and think of how they've changed. Because they have. There are moments in this book (as well as in all the series) that make you want to break into a cheer; and others that make you want to tell Harry and Co. that everything's going to be okay. The emotional draw to these people is amazing, and she writes them with great clarity and vision. In closing...She's done it again.
Rating:
Summary: Four's a charm...
Review: The fourth (and extremely hefty) Harry Potter adventure is, ina word...magical! The intricately plotted story sparkles with charm,humor, and alternating danger and delight. With her usual light, witty style, Rowling brings her lovable characters into a very eventful fourth year at Hogwarts, complete with colorful new spells and experiments, crackling House rivalries, exotic foreign magic students and professors, a somewhat-paranoid new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the glitter and danger of a prestigious old tournament - not to mention discoveries of the existence of the opposite sex! Filled with plenty of sly humor, emotion, and brilliant magic (both literal and literary), 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' tops even the superb first three installments in the series....It's a book to devour in two days, to savor over two weeks, and to cherish forever...
Rating:
Summary: Book IV May Be Too Involved For Children
Review: While I was excited with the arrival of release IV, I was alarmed at the depth and seriousness of the fourth book as the hours slipped by. I am impressed with JK Rowling's new release and I dare say that it is her best of the four, but the amount of borderline vulgar language, especially the one spoken by Ron; and the amount of deaths that happened or were spoken of in the book might make the young reader afraid. I, myself, felt a sort of haunting in the air as I read and was almost reduced to tears near the end. Don't get me wrong, this books plays with your emotions and is still one of the best reads ever, but parents beware, this time (unlike the Goosebumps series) you really are in for a scare!
|
