sweet-indigo's Full Review: J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fir...
I am quite surprised to have just read a review of this book that referred to it as following 'the same basic plot' - I'd definitely not say so, although I suppose it is a matter of opinion!
Harry's in his fourth year, and Voldemort is of course moving closer... I am proud to say I'm the only person I know who read this in one sitting - although you could call the massive length a con rather than a pro. I read right until the nail-biting end (more knuckle chewing for me, but it's really a matter of personal taste) and found myself, as usual, enthralled.
In terms of 'the basic plot' that I suppose that non-enthusiastic reviewer was talking about, yes, Harry does have a miserable time at the Dursleys, he does spend some time with the Weasleys, Quidditch does come in at some point (although not where you'd think), Hagrid does get himself into trouble for a while again, there are hints of a plot to kill Harry, and there is a big confrontation at the end. I like that about those books - and the difference in this book is the way that plot is done.
The plot really is full of intrigue. In the earlier three books, hints of the outcome were in the form of suspicious events (close your eyes if you haven't read the others!) - the dying unicorn, the strange behavior of the teachers in the first book, the various victims of a mysterious beast in Chamber of Secrets, and not to mention the rather dramatic behavior of Sirius Black in Prisoner of Azkaban, up to slashing at Ron whilst sleeping. They were experienced by the characters. However, in Goblet of Fire we are given a more direct approach as well as this, as the novel describes vividly some of the movements of You-Know-Who, as well as some other non-Hogwarts based parts of the plot. Maybe we still know only as much as Harry by the final confrontation, but we've been there and seen it. And I must say, the final revelation surprised me very much indeed.
There are quite a few subplots - and they're better than ever. For one thing, there's a pesky reporter who knows that the pen is mightier than the sword. And let's not forget that our stars are fourteen now, and finding some romantic interest in their lives. For Harry, it's his continuing affections for Quidditch player Cho Chang. For Ron, a girl even more out of his league! And as for Hermione - let's just say that Hermione finds a romantic interest! (Although anyone ever noticed that how Ron and Hermione behave toward each other stinks of repressed attraction? Or is that just my warped mind?). There is, of course, a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and I can guarantee that you'll like this one. He's the kookiest! Percy is has a job and is more insufferable than ever, as well as lots more cool characters coming along to spice up the book. Yeah - lots of stuff happens. This book is out of the ordinary.
Finally - yes, it is very scary. Best not to expose to little children! And another annoying thing for dedicated fans is the way Rowling makes sure of restating past events so that newcomers understand. It's quite irritating, but not terribly so.
The textbook, Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire, by J. K. Rowling, available in Hardback. Published by: HarperCollins Publishers. Edition: . ISBN10...More at Textbooks.com
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