Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Review
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireby J.K. Rowling, Illustrated by Mary Grandpre
Arthur Levine Books, July 2000.
Hardcover, 734 pages
ISBN: 0439139597.
Ages 9 to Adult
Boy wizard Harry Potter heads off to his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, never anticipating what a pivotal year this will be for him. Although the quidditch matches have been cancelled (Harry is a star player), there is more than enough excitement after the replacement has been announced. The infamous Triwizard Tournament will be held at Hogwarts. The best Hogwarts students will compete with students from two other wizardry schools: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Someone enters Harry into the tournament, although he is technically under age. The tournament involves three tests of skill, each one more dangerous than the last. Nervous about the upcoming tournament, Harry also has to deal with his first crush and the reappearance of the evil Lord Voldemort, who wants Harry dead -- at any cost.
The much-anticipated fourth installment of the phenomenally popular Harry Potter books is every bit as good as the first three entries in the series. Rowling, who has stated that she feels immense pressure after all the publicity surrounding the books, has gone all out for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. For one thing, the book weighs in at a hefty 734 pages. Rowling has warned that this book would be a bit darker than the others, and it is. The plotting ties up many loose ends, and creates more than enough new threads to carry the story into the next installment. Harry and the diverse cast of characters are immensely entertaining, the writing is crisp and funny, and the world as imagined by J.K. Rowling is still as fascinating as ever. Highly recommended.
--Claire E. White
Ordering information: Amazon.com.
Return to the September 2000 issue of The IWJ.