Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...Review

About the book:
...the pivotal fourth novel in the seven-part tale of Harry Potter's training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal--even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.

I think this is the funnest Harry Potter book. Even with the tragic end to the Triwizard Tournament, and the difficulties Harry faces, this is the most entertaining of the series.

Fred and George Weasley are terrific. I wish the early scene of Dudley and the Ton-Tongue Toffee had been included in the film, because it's absolutely hysterical.

In the Goblet of Fire we have the Quidditch World Cup, Death-Eaters, the Triwizard Tournament, port keys and more Polyjuice Potion shenanigans. We learn about house elves and Hermione's quest to liberate them all. The Yule Ball is delightful as we see the boys struggle to ask girls to the dance. And we see Ron and Hermione dancing around the issues of attraction, when he fails to properly ask her to the dance and she, instead, goes with Viktor Krum.

Harry's story really begins to come together. The themes are more complex and, in many ways, more adult-like. Harry and the others are forced to grow up a little bit. Harry faces some serious trials as a reluctant Triwizard Champion. Ron struggles with jealousy and always being the best friend while Harry gets the fame and glory. Fame and glory he doesn't want. One of their own will die and Voldemort will return.

And, when Harry gives his Triwizard winnings to Fred and George at the end, you know that hi-jinks and mayhem will follow, even as the future of the magical world is uncertain.

I read my personal copy, but you can purchase your own copy here.

Last read 7/08

* * * * *
5/5 Stars