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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
By J. K. Rowling

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Book 4 - Large Print Edition
By J. K. Rowling
Thorndike Press, (2000)
ISBN: 0-7862-2927-6
Genre: Children's - Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy
Available Editions: Large Print (Hardcover) | Braille (Paperback) | Audio Cassette (Unabridged) | Audio CD (Unabridged) | Standard Print (Hardcover)
Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness - June 22, 2001

If you have never read any of the J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, you may be under the mistaken impression that they are merely children's books. While these novels are technically, written for children, they have a universal appeal will enthrall readers of all ages. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series, and it is by far the best.

Harry is older, and more mature, and this is reflected in Rowling's writing style. In addition, the storyline is more complicated than the previous books, yet is written in such an easy flowing style that even the youngest reader will be able to follow the story without difficulty.

Once again, Harry is beset by his arch nemesis, Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard that murdered his parents. Voldemort just cannot forgive Harry for not dying with them, and so he keeps on trying to 'finish the job', without successes. And as with the previous books, this one follows Harry through an entire school year, his fourth at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

In the previous books, Harry's main extracurricular activity, in addition to undergoing daring adventures, was playing Quidditch, a ball game in which the players ride broomsticks. In the very first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry was given a prized position on his house's Quidditch team. (Hogwarts is divided into four 'houses', and the students in each house compete against each other throughout the school year.) This year, however, the interschool Quidditch championship has been called off. In its place, Hogwarts is to host the Triwizard Tournament. An event in which Wizard schools from various countries send their best students to compete to win the prestigious Triwizard Cup. To win, the contestants must complete a series of tasks, as well as a few death defying feats, feats which in the past have lead to more than one death. As can be expected, Harry ends up as one of the contestants.

In the midst of the Tournament, Hermione Granger, one of Harry's dearest friends, embarks upon a crusade to free the house-elves. She wants them to have the right to change employers at will, and to be payed for their labors - freedoms that they are not very eager to have. This story also shows us that Harry is quickly growing up. He has a major crush on Cho Chang, one of his classmates. He is also showing a more mature understanding of the world around him, and proves that he is, at his core, altruistic, kindhearted, and a wonderful role model for readers of all ages.

This novel is a bit darker, and more sinister, than the previous novels. Consequently, younger readers may find some parts disturbing. For instance, at one point, one of Harry's friends is killed, in front of Harry, by Voldemort. However, for most readers this will seem rather tame - especially if they have ever watch anything on TV, besides Sesame Street.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in seven book Harry Potter series. Unfortunately, for Harry Potter fans, as of this date, the fifth book has yet to be published. Hopefully, the wait for the next book will not be long, as Rowling left many questions unanswered, and she left Voldemort still at large. However, if Rowling continues to mature as a writer, and to give her imagination full liberties, the wait for the next book will be well rewarded.

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