Harry Faces His Greatest Challenge in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author's Rating:

Pros: Exciting story. Returning characters.

Cons: Another snake turns up in a few scenes.

The Bottom Line: 
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a wonderful book by J.K. Rowling. It is a must read for fans of the Harry Potter series.

Author's Review
I’ve been on a Harry Potter binge recently. I’m really looking forward to getting the newest book in the series on June 21, 2003. I’ve had a copy reserved for months. I decided to read the first books again while waiting for the new book. I recently finished reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was first published in 2000. The book is available as a paper back, hard back, and an audio book. I have the hard back. There were some illustrations by Mary Grandpere throughout the book.

I will be sharing some information of things that happened in the first Harry Potter books. Some of those things will be spoilers for people who haven’t read those books yet, especially concerning a few things from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. If you don’t want to know about things from the first books, proceed with caution. You have been warned.

Harry Potter is a young wizard. His parents were killed by a very powerful dark wizard named Voldemort. Harry was raised by his muggle - non magical people - relatives. The Dursleys treated harry horribly and spoiled their son Dudley. Harry found out the truth about his parents on his eleventh birthday when Hagrid showed up. Hagrid was delivering a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry happily headed off to Hogwarts where he started to learn magic. Students at Hogwarts belong to one of four houses. The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Harry made friends with Ron, Fred, George, Hermione, and Neville. Harry became the seeker on Gryffindor’s quidditch team. Harry faced many dangerous things in his first three years at Hogwarts. During his third year, Harry learned a bit more about his father and discovered that he had a godfather, Sirius Black. Sirius had escaped from Azkaban prison. People had thought that Sirius had betrayed the Potters which lead to their murder. He hadn’t. He was able to prove his innocense to Harry and his friends. The person that had really betrayed the Potters escaped. Sirius was still wanted, so he was in hiding, but he kept in contact with Harry.

Harry was back with the Dursleys for the summer again. They allowed Harry to have his school things in his room because they were afraid of Sirius. Harry let enough information about Sirius slip to them. Harry was hoping he would be able to go to the quidditch world cup with Ron and his family before returning to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley sent a letter to the Dursleys about taking Harry to the quidditch world cup. Vernon agreed after Harry mentioned writing to Sirius. Arthur, Fred, George, and Ron arrived by floo powder to pick up Harry. Hermione was going to the quidditch game too, and was already at the Weasley’s when Harry arrived. Harry finally got to meet Bill and Charlie, Ron’s older brothers who’d already left Hogwarts. They were also going to the match. Percy was grumbling at everyone to be quiet because he had work to do. He had gotten a job at the Ministry of Magic working for Mr. Crunch.

Everyone going to the match was staying at a near by campground in tents. They looked normal on the outside - except for some who went over board - but they were very roomy on the inside. Harry saw another house elf, Winky, in the stands of the match. She was saving a seat for her master, Mr. Crunch. Draco and his parents were sitting in the same box. Lucius took the opportunity to make some cracks to Arthur. Ron and Harry really enjoyed the game. Krum, one of the seekers, was very good and only eighteen. Ron and Harry really liked him. That night at the campgrounds, several people were dressed as Death Eaters and doing things to muggles. Death Eaters were what Voldemort’s supporters were called. Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and Percy went to try to help, while everyone else ran into the woods. They saw Draco there who seemed to be enjoying what was going on. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine heard something in the bushes near them, and then an image appeared in the sky. It was Voldemort’s dark mark that he and the Death Eaters would set off when they were killing. The mark hadn’t been seen in thirteen years.

Harry and his friends headed back to Hogwarts. Charlie and Bill were dropping hints about something big happening that year. That night Dumbledore made an announcement about what was going to happen at Hogwarts that year. There would be no quidditch cup. Instead a special tournament, the Triwizard Tournament, was going to be held at Hogwarts for the first time in over 100 years. One student would be picked to represent Hogwarts in the competition against one student each from two other magical schools, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The students would compete in three magical tests. When the tournament was being set up again, it was decided that students had to be seventeen to compete as an extra safety precaution. Students could enter their names into consideration and an impartial party would pick who would represent each school. The students from the other schools would arrive at Halloween. When the names were picked, the goblet spit out a fourth name. It was Harry. Even Ron didn’t believe that Harry hadn’t somehow found a way to submit his own name. Many other students were upset with Harry.

Mad Eye Mooney was the new defense against the dark arts teacher. He started to teach them counter curses. Some strange things were happening at Hogwarts. Harry had to figure out how to make it through the tournament. Harry had a crush on another student, but he didn’t know how to deal with it. A reporter, Rita Seeker, was noising around and writing nasty stories about Harry and his friends. Harry was worried that Voldemort was coming back. Harry learned about why Neville was staying with his grandmother.

I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The book was exciting and entertaining. It was very well written and descriptive. The characters came to life when I was reading. I didn’t think that any part of the book was boring. I was hooked on the book from the first page and couldn’t put it down. I never knew what was going to happen next. This book was not predictable at all. There was a lot going on in the book because it was so long. It has over 700 pages, so there was time for a lot to happen. I didn’t even mention most of what happened in the book. I was never confused by what was going on in the book. This book, like the first ones, are considered children’s books, but adults can enjoy them as well.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the longest book in the series so far with 734 pages. Some people may be put off by the length, but they shouldn’t be. I remember when this book was first published and how children were lining up in bookstores to get the book. The plot of this book is also the most complicated in the series so far. There were different things going on in the book. The Triwizard Tournament was the main focus of the book, but other things did happen. The students were learning new things in defense against the dark arts. Harry and Ron seemed to be struggling with feelings for girls. Hermione was trying to fight for the rights of house elves and discover how Rita Skeeter was getting information for her stories. Hermione also dealt with some issues related to her self confidence. The book did show that even though Harry and his friends are at a magical school and have different lives, they are still growing up and becoming teenagers. They have typical teenager things to deal with.

Magic is very important to the plot of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire like it was in the first books of the series. The fourth year students learned many new spells and some counter curses. Students from two other magical schools arrived at Hogwarts to compete in a special tournament. Hagrid had some new magical creatures for his class. Dragons turned up again. I thought that magical elements of the book were fascinating. I’ve always found those things interesting and have enjoyed books and movies that deal with those things. People who are offended by magic or just don’t like it shouldn’t read this book, or any of the other Harry Potter books.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was rather dark and scary at times. I think it is the darkest of the first four books. There was more talk about Voldemort through the book. His followers, the Death Eaters, turned up at the quidditch world cup and tormented some muggles. They were creepy and reminded me a bit of the Ringwraiths in Fellowship of the Ring. Harry had to deal with some dangerous tasks for the tournament. There were more things in the book that were scary. There was a snake around in different scenes, and those always freak me out. There was violence in this book. Some characters were killed. One of the deaths took place at the beginning of the book. That was a character that hadn’t been in any of the other books, and that scene wasn’t too descriptive. Near the end of the book, someone else was killed. That death was described in more detail, so it could be upsetting to some children. There were some other violent things that happened in the book that could be upsetting to children. Parents really need to read this one first to tell if it is something their child could handle. Events in this book have set up for some dark times to come in the future books.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in a planned seven book series about Harry Potter and his time at Hogwarts. I have read the first four books in the series. So far, each book has had a different main plot, but there were some continuing subplots that connected all the books. There hasn’t been much recap of the previous books in each new one. Some things from the earlier books were mentioned, but there wasn’t a summary of them or anything like that. I do think that the books should be read in order. That way the reader can see the characters as they grow and change over the course of the books. If they are read out of order, some things in the later books will reveal things that happened in the earlier books. Since there isn’t an in depth recap of previous events, readers could be confused about some things that are mentioned. I read the books in order.

Movies have been made that are based on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The movies followed the books fairly close, though some things were changed or left out. I think a movie version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is currently shooting. As far as I know, there are plans to make a movie version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I hope what I read was right about that. This book could make a wonderful movie. There are so many things I’d love to see in a movie, especially the events from the tournament. Mad Eye Mooney is a very unique and interesting character. I am very curious to see who will play him. Snape played a little bigger role in this book, so hopefully that will carry over to the movie version. I love Alan Rickman as Snape. I could do without seeing the snake that turned up in some scenes, but somehow I don’t think that will be something that is left out. I really liked the first two movies and I hope the movies continue be as good.

Most of the characters in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were returning from the earlier books. Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue to be the main characters. The Dursleys only turned up at the beginning of the book, but that was enough since they are such nasty characters. The returning characters continued to grow and become more developed in this book. Harry and his friends are growing up and facing some typical teenager worries, including their first formal dance. Some more about Professor Snape’s past was revealed. Some more about the Malfoy family was also shared. Dumbledore has always been described as a very powerful wizard and the only wizard that Voldemort was afraid of, but he was shown as a kind older man. Dumbledore finally showed how powerful he can be. I liked seeing that.

There were some new characters in the book as well. Mad Eye Mooney was a new professor for Hogwarts. He ended up being very important to the book. He seemed to take a special interest in Harry. Mad Eye Mooney was a unique character. The students from the other two schools turned up at different times throughout the book, but they weren’t in too much of the book. They mainly showed up during the tournament events. Rita Skeeter, the reporter, was another new character. She was only in a few scenes, but her actions caused a lot of problems for Harry and his friends.

CHARACTERS

Harry Potter - He is a teenager who is attending Hogwarts school to learn to become a wizard. He lives with his non magical family during the summer. Harry has to compete in a special tournament with three other students. Harry also has to try to figure out how to deal with the feelings of attraction he has for a fellow student. Harry was kind and loyal to his friends. He did get angry at times.

Ron Weasley - Harry’s best friend. Ron was upset about Harry being in the tournament and he refused to believe for a long time that Harry had nothing to do with it. Ron was tired of his family not having a lot of money and having to settle for second hand items. He was very embarrassed by the dress robe his mother got him. Ron had to deal with jealousy he felt toward Harry and some changing feelings he seemed to have for Hermiine.

Hermione Granger - Another one of Harry’s friends. She is the smartest in their class, and is considered a know it all by many. Her parents are non magical, but they don’t have a problem with her going to Hogwarts. She could be stubborn at times. She was doing what she could to help Harry. She and Ron had some disagreements, especially after she agreed to go to the dance with someone else.

The Weasleys - Ron’s family. Mrs. Weasley is very fond of Harry and has become rather protective of him, sort of like a mother. Mr. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic. He is fascinated with muggles and the things they use. Bill and Charlie are Ron’s older brothers that have already left Hogwarts. They each had jobs. Ginny was the youngest Weasley and only girl. She still had a bit of a crush on Harry, but she wasn’t as shy around him anymore. Percy just finished up at Hogwarts and started a job at the Ministry of Magic.

Fred and George - Ron’s older twin brothers. They were plotting about something. They didn’t want to be prefects or work for the Ministry of Magic like their mom wanted them to. They were always playing jokes on people. They started to invent their own joke items and were starting to plan to go into business after they left Hogwarts.

Professor Dumbledore - Headmaster of Hogwarts. He was considered to be a very powerful wizard. He’d turned down a job with the Ministry of Magic. He didn’t always do things like the Ministry of Magic wanted him to do. He had a soft spot for Harry and was protective of him.

Professor Snape - Head of Slytherin house and teacher of the potions class. Snape seemed to have it in for students from Gryffindor, especially Harry. Snape was nasty at times, but he seemed to have great respect for Dumbledore.

Sirius Black - Harry’s godfather. Sirius was hiding out because the dementors were still looking for him. He’d been sent to Azkaban prison for something he hadn’t done. He’d been close to proving his innocense, but the person who really had committed the crime he was accused of got away. Sirius watches over Harry as much as he can and is in frequent contact with him. Sirius was worried that Harry was in danger from Voldemort.

Mad Eye Mooney - He was the new defense against the dark arts teacher. He started to instruct the fourth year students in how to perform counter courses. He was eccentric and very paranoid. He use to work tracking down and capturing supporters of Voldemort. Mooney seemed to take an interest in Harry.

Hagrid - Groundskeeper of Hogwarts and teacher of the care of magical creatures class. He is a very kind man and wants to do a good job teaching. He is friends with Harry, Ron and Hermoine.

Professor McGonagall - She is head of Gryffindor house and the teacher of the transfiguration class. She is strict but kind.

Cedric - He is the other student from Hogwarts who is competing in the competition. He is very well liked by almost everyone at school. He didn’t seem to be upset with Harry.

Neville Longbottom - A fourth year student who is in Gryffindor. He has trouble with a lot of his classes. He is forgetful at times. He lives with his grandmother. The reason why is explained in the book.

Fleur and Krum - The two students from the other two magical schools who are competing. Fleur was very beautiful and Ron was drawn to her. She was upset about Harry being in the competition. Krum seemed to enjoy being at Hogwarts. He played quidditch and was in the world cup game. He seemed to be very nice, though shy. He spent a lot of time in the library at Hogwarts and seemed to like Hermione.

Madame Maxine and Professor Karkaroff - The headmasters of the two other magical schools taking part in the tournament. They were both upset about Harry being in the tournament. Karkaroff and Snape knew each other from somewhere. Karkaroff was desperate to talk to Snape about something in private. Karkaroff had some secrets. Maxine and Hagrid become friends. She was very upset with Hagrid for a while.

Draco Malfoy - A fourth year student in Slytherin house. He hates Harry and enjoys causing trouble whenever he can. He seems to hope that Voldemort will return.

The Dursleys - Harry’s only living relatives. They don’t like him too much. They hate anything to do with magic.

Rita Skeeter - She was a reporter for a magical newspaper. She was covering the tournament and was obsessed with getting an interview with Harry. She had a magical way of taking notes during interviews that didn’t result in the truth ending up in her stories. Rita had no problem inventing things for her stories. She would twist things around to suit her purpose. She even went after Hermione in a story. She wasn’t supposed to be on Hogwarts grounds, but she was somehow still getting information for her stories.

I really loved Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Each book has gotten better than the one before. I hope that continues with the fifth book. I did just find out that something happens in the fifth book that I’m almost positive is going to upset me though. All of the books would be wonderful for parents to read with their children.

Harry Potter Books
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ~ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ The Tales of Beedle the Bard ~ Harry Potter Film Wizardry ~ Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey ~

Harry Potter Movies
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ~ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ~ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ~ Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter ~

Other Harry Potter Related Reviews
Scene It? Harry Potter 2nd Edition (Trivia Game) ~ Hallmark 2010 A Gift for Doby Ornament ~ 2011 Harry Potter Golden Snitch Ornament ~ Harry Potter Uno ~