Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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138 of 152 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last, July 8, 2000
What can I say about such an overly hyped book as this? Only that is was well worth the wait! For all of you who have never read any of the Potter books (could there really be people who haven't read at least one?) think of these books as a series of magical mysteries.It's life as usual for Harry at the beginning of the book, which has him spending yet another dreadful summer with his hateful guardians, the Dursleys. (Imagine Dudley Dursley on a diet! Try saying that 3 times fast...) Things pick up when Harry goes to the Quiddich World Cup with the Weasleys. And life at Hogwarts is as interesting (and occasionally dangerous) as always with it's oddball assortment of students and professors. Naturally, there is a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (my but they do keep going through them, don't they?) Along the way, we will learn about other schools like Hogwarts (it's about time!) And a new villain - or should I say villainess - is introduced. Someone who definately keeps Harry on his toes. All the while Harry and his 2 best friends, Ron and Hermione, become entangled with the mystery of The Goblet of Fire.... With characteristic abandon, Rowling creates familiar busy backdrop for Harry and friends as she pushes him through a series of terrifying encounters, the usual mischief and mayhem, new revelations (and, of course, rousing games of Quidditch) It's delightful to see how Rowling can stay true to the feel of the previous books, and yet allow Harry and friends to mature (ex: As the kids are officially teenagers now, hormones will kick in for Harry, Ron and Hermione... but they all fall in love with the wrong people! Harry especially has some difficulties in this area.) Be prepared: this is a darker book than the first 3. Some well known characters die -- one of whom is well liked by readers. The ending of the book is frightening compaired to the previos books but is a necessary evil for Harry as the older he gets, the more he learns about his past. JK Rowling has stated that each new book gets progressively darker so as to tie in with the overall plot. As always she writes with a deft touch. This deliciously suspenseful novel is every bit as gripping and imaginative as the previous books -- full of unexpected twists and turns. A delight to be savored, especially you are, like me, already awaiting the next one.
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79 of 86 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENTUS WONDIFERUS! Harry Potter Has Us Under His Spell!, July 12, 2000
By A Customer
Many stories have striven to catch the minds of its readers, or its listeners for that matter. From the beginning of time people have made daring attempts at concocting amusing and diverting tales, but J.K. Rowling has spun a most convincing story. Since the introduction of Harry Potter to the public, thousands upon thousands, undoubtedly millions, of every race, age, and religion, have fallen under his spell. After reading the fourth, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Finished it in less than three days; I couldn't put it down!), I have to let it be know that Ms. Rowling does not disappoint. As every preceding Potter book starts off, the newest is no different: Harry is staying with his insufferable relatives, the Dursleys. And as always, he has found a new, more creative and exciting means of shortening his summer stay with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousin. Trouble invariably manages to find Harry, even at his seemingly secure refuge. Lord Volde-- oh, goodness, excuse me!-- he-who-must-not-be-named is at his strongest, and Harry is facing greater risk than ever before. This is Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, and he is now fourteen years old. So along with life-threatening situations, almost losing a best friend, meeting new foes, dealing with old ones- namely Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy, and managing to get most of his homework done, Potter must also deal with the anguish and misery of being a teenager. Take it from me, I'm seventeen years old, and it's hard for me to believe that J.K. Rowling hasn't just experienced the cruelty of peers and at the same time, the exciting prospects that come with the whole "Being a Teen" package. Fearing that I might give too much away, I'll leave you with this tidbit: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll learn how to pronounce Hermione, but most importantly, you'll want to read more, and become a better person because of it.
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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How can I wait for the next one!, July 10, 2000
Well, I must start this review by saying that I am not 9 or even 12. I am a twenty-seven year old who recently returned to grad school.I started Year 4 on Saturday morning. I read, almost non-stop, all day long literally glued to the book (resenting any of the banal trivialities of life--i.e. food, commitments, etc. that took me away from it) until at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night I reached the riveting last page. In my opinion, this is the best book of the series (I recently re-read books 1-3 to regain a sense of continuity). Rowling continues to grow and develop the characters--Hermione becomes an object of desire for both new and old characters; Harry and Ron struggle with the awkwardness of growing boys to develop new relationships with girls and to deal with the expression of their feelings for the girls around them. Fred and George begin to prepare for life after Hogwarts in a way which provides a lot of fun and amusement. Draco Malfoy gets a come-uppance in one of the funniest ways impossible (I laughed out loud delightedly). In this book, Harry Potter struggles with his fame--he almost loses friendships because of it, and he has to deal with the vicious press. He encounters an unscrupulous reporter who attempts to destroy both his reputation and the reputations of others close to him. Of course, Voldemort is again back trying to regain power. The whole book has a sinister undertone because of the question about who in Hogwarts in helping him. The clues are sparse so the reader is left with a sense of dread. This book does contain death, but the impact of the death is mitigated by Harry's nobleness in dealing with it. The best part of this book is that it leaves me hungering for another. Late developments in the book with Cornelius Fudge and Severus Snape leave plenty of chaos to be mopped in the next book. In fact, at the end of book four, the future looks very bleak for good wizards and witches. Like the others, the rich description and humor of the book as well as the real-life parallels make the place and time come alive. Hagrid, Dumbledore, the Weasleys, Sirius Black, and all our other favorites are back, better than ever.
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