Rating: 
Summary: Better and Better
Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was great. It was as good as the previous three, and even better. Author J.K. Rowling has an incredible imagination that makes her books entertaining, moving, and witty. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: A startling but welcome addition to the series.
Review: First of all ... if you've never read any of the other Harry Potter books, go back and start reading from the beginning. This book depends upon the reader being at least moderately familiar with Harry Potter and Hogwarts. "Goblet of Fire" is a larger book than the first three...for a good reason. This book substantially develops ongoing plot threads from prior books and creates new twists and turns to delight, puzzle, and amaze the reader. Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts expecting a "typical" fourth-year school experience. Even before he reaches school, he finds that his fourth year at Hogwarts is to be anything but typical. Harry is mistakenly thrust into an inter-school competition between Hogwarts and its French and German counterparts (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang). What starts out as a seemingly innocent contest soon takes on a more sinister tone, leading to a shattering climax that soon proves to be the beginning of yet another saga in Harry Potter's life. This volume really starts to "flesh out" the Harry Potter Universe's history. We learn more about Sirius Black, Headmaster Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Lord Voldemort. Romance touches Harry's life, although this is only one aspect of an incredibly complex novel. Several new characters are introduced, and I look forward to seeing how they develop in future installments. Without giving away any of the plot secrets, it's safe to say that this, the fourth (and middle) book of the seven-book series, sets up the reader for an incredible series of events to be revealed in remaining volumes. The most difficult thing about this book (other than my hands getting tired - it's HEAVY) was trying to put it down. One minor note of caution to parents and teachers: this is the most serious book in the series so far. The story's tone is much darker and scarier than I had expected. This isn't a reason to avoid the book ... just be aware that parts may not be suitable for late-night reading to very young children. I would have no problem reading any part of this book to young children during daylight hours, however. This book will require multiple readings and re-readings to fully appreciate the depth of the characters and universe that J. K. Rowling has created. I predict that kids (and adults) will re-read this book more than the first three volumes put together. I am amazed and thrilled at the latest Harry Potter adventure, and am only upset that it's going to take another year (or more?) before the next volume is released!
Rating:
Summary: Book 4 is the BEST!
Review: The 4th book in the Harry Potter series is brilliant! It keeps you guessing right to the end. A must for all Harry Potter fans.
Rating:
Summary: New characters, new situations, new fears, but still magical
Review: When I finally had book four in my hands, I felt exhilarated--this Ulysses of a novel should keep me enthralled for a few days. But when I put down the book for the night, I turned my light on ten minutes later because I HAD to finish the book. From the first page, this volume of Harry's life possesses a different tone, but soon we are "apparated" back into the "normal" life of Harry Potter--the life of the Dursleys, quidditch, and Ron and Hermione. But not without so many questions: why does Harry's scar hurt? what should the students of Hogwarts be excited about the upcoming term? why so many thoughts about death? The readers of the previous three volumes will be surprised with all the new characters, including the Defense Against Dark Arts professor who is as mysterious as his predecessors. We also meet wizards and soon-to-be-wizards from lands far away when they all arrive to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. As well as meeting these characters, we learn more about the characters we thought we knew so intimately--including Hagrid, Neville, and Dumbledore. Rowling continues to surprise her readers with plot-twists and revelations. I form my own opinions and predictions about how the novel will end, and I'm never right! Like a great horror/who-dunnit movie, she keeps you guessing, and when you think you have it all figured out, she reveals the truth--all of which she has been alluding to and dropping hints, but done so in such a clever manner. This novel isn't as psychological as the others in the series, but it is just as wonderful. Rowling, as well as describing the magical so beautifully, also shows how confused fourteen-year-olds can be when our favorite triumvirate attends the Yule Ball. Harry defeated He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named, but can he ask a girl out? J.K. Rowling created a portkey when she wrote her Harry Potter novels. All I can say is when will the fifth volume be published?
Rating:
Summary: Book 4 is the BEST
Review: The 4th Harry Potter book is definately the best one. This book keeps you guessing right to the end. A must for all Harry Potter fans.
Rating:
Summary: Am I the first?
Review: I got Harry Potter 4 on Saturday afternoon and read it through at once. Somehow, part 4 feels more 'grown-up' than the others. Tempers are rising as puberty is getting nearer - and also, how long can you take being poor and less famous than your friend? And yes, it's getting darker, as Rowling said herself. Someone got killed, which made me cry, but that is not all. The bad guys are still 100% bad, but the good guys are getting gray rather than staying all-white. And who of the good guys will remain loyal? I put the book down feeling sadder, wiser and more grown up than after, say, Vol.1 or 2.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Yet!
Review: This book is both the longest and best yet in the series. I read it twice in three days. It is very intense, and do pay attention to Ron and Harry faking their homework for divination, because they actually come off quite well. :-) The ending is quite intense and if your little one wants to read it, you read the last 50 pages first.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: ...but I had to prop it up! :-) I'm not 9 to 12 years old, so the 752pp didn't faze me a bit; but I doubt that the Harry Potter juggernaut will be the least bit slowed by the lengthy challenge of Book Four: The Goblet of Fire. What an epic! Book Four of Seven is the middle of Harry's adventures, and it did not disappoint. The development of the long-term characters, including deeper exploration of the dynamics between Harry, Ron and Hermione, was fabulous. The dual approach to the threat of Lord Voldemort - his current activities, and the historical revelations dating to Harry's infancy - were well entwined. But the hero himself, Harry Potter, age 14, remains the piece de resistance of the series. He continues to be an affable, frustrated, complex and complicated teenager - in short, a normal one, for all his possession of Invisibility Cloaks and Magic Wands. J.K. Rowlings, don't make me wait too long for Book Five - or Six or Seven for that matter! (And amazon.com, thanks for upgrading the shipping so I could read it without delay!)
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is brilliant !
Review: Harry is back! This book is all that J.K. Rowling promised it would be. Another funny look at our favorite Muggles,the Dursleys, ( Dudley just might lose a few pounds) and insights into why Harry is forced to stay with them every summer. Expect a lot of laugh-out-loud funny stuff and a page-turning great adventure. The book gets very intense near the end, so parents might want to decide if their own children are ready for it. You will learn more about the past of Tom Riddle and watch Harry cope with the forces of good and evil in the world of wizards. The quality of this book is at least as good as the other three. It is my favorite of the first 4. I highly recommend it. Enjoy !
Rating:
Summary: The best Harry Potter yet.........
Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens with Harry in the midst of a frightening dream. Upon awakening he discovers the scar on his forehead is burning...the last time this happened Voldemort was nearby. The book is filled with mystery and even a bit of romance between him and his "crush", ChoChang. I finished this book in one day, I couldn't put it down! I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all Harry Potter lovers, the best yet!
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