Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling (2000, Hardcover)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth installment in the popular book series. And what a surprise to see how large it is, compared to the first 3 books! They averaged 300 pages and this one tops in at over 600!

Harry and his friends are beginning their 4th year of magical instruction at Hogwarts school. Although the school year starts with an ominous sign (a terrorist attack by Death Eaters at a huge international sporting event), Harry is sure that this year will be a good one for him. He is starting this year on a "high note"...after discovering who ther real snitch was who "ratted" on his parents to Lord Voldemort (which led to their deaths), and saving his godfather from being wrongfully re-imprisoned. Even school seems really neat this year, as they have a new Professor who is teaching them some amazing stuff in Harry's favorite class (Defence Against the Dark Arts).

But alas for poor Harry, a happy and carefree school year is not in the cards. Under very unusual circumstances, his name is drawn to compete in a magical tournament...one that he is underage, underskilled and underprepared to compete in. Everyone is mad at Harry for "cheating" to get his name in the competition...even his best friend Ron. Like in his second year, (when many Hogwarts students feared harry was the Heir of Slytherin) Harry faces months of being shunned, rejected, friendless and alone. Luckily things pick up for Harry when he starts winning in the competitions and at least most people are not mad at him anymore...but he has other problems...such as the very awkward position of having to ask the girl he has a crush on, to the school dance.

Even though Harry is in the middle of a literally life-and-death competition, the book still takes time-out from the action to include humor, and bits of teenage experiences to be thrown in for greater realism and empathy. We may not be able to relate to the experience of dragon-battling, but we all know the sting of rejection from a teenage crush, or worries about not being able to dance.

I found this book to be easy reading, and generally, not "scary" until the end...when Voldemort returns. The end of this book marks the 'end of innocence' in Harry's world...the war that was brewing has begun and the series takes a darker turn from here as the main characters find themselves growing up in a ever more dangerous world.

Please do yourselves a favor and read this series from the beginning, and also be sure to READ the book, not just see the movie. The movies are fine, but the books are spectacular.