Books I read in Lockdown: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (SPOILERS)

“Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort."

(Page 608-9)

FIRST THINGS FIRST...
CONSIDER CHECKING OUT MY PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

Hello again! I hope everyone has been having a good month, and I especially hope everyone has been enjoying their Harry Potter re-read - I have lost track of the amount of bloggers and bookstagrammers who are re-living this incredible series right now. I certainly am, so without further ado, here I am with review number 4! 

Praises

My favourite thing about this book is that it marks a significant point in the series in which the plots and characters begin to mature with their readers. The humour matures and the characters begin to explore romantic relationships (Hermione and Krum, Harry's attraction to Cho Chang), as well as the dark tone of the books continuing to increase; climaxing in the graveyard scene. Some of the humour is witty, some plain immature - "can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?" (page 170)- but at the perfect level for people who would be getting to this book for the first time as a young adult. My favourite quote from the whole book in this regard is during an exchange between the Weasley family..

Molly: "Your father thinks very highly of Mad-eye Moody"Fred: "Yeah, well, Dad collects plugs, doesn't he!" (page 137)

I also love all of the strange ad wonderful magical creatures that are featured and introduced in this book. Lots of dragons of course, but also Hagrid's hilarious 'Blast-ended Skrewts' and the merpeople in the second task are haunting but fascinating; "Their eyes were yellow, as were their broken teeth, and they wore thick ropes of pebbles around their necks." (page 420)

I also enjoy the hatred that Rowling is able to make me feel for Rita Skeeter.. she is WORSE than Snape in my eyes!! I hate everything from her hair, to her glasses, to the way she pops up anywhere and everywhere. I enjoy Harry's lack of patience with her and his increasing sarcasm; "Yeah, you can have a word." said Harry savagely,"Goodbye!" (page 306)

It was at this point in the writing process that I began to procrastinate and see if I could balance the book on my head... this was probably attempt 19 or something...

Criticisms

My one issue with this book is purely that some of the tasks seem a bit ludicrous! None of the students are ever taught anything about Gillyweed and clearly Harry would not have found it on his own. Also, how on earth did Krum and Fleur figure out the contents of the Golden egg? Surely, Cedric Diggory didn't tell them too? I just want to know, out of curiosity! 

Also, I want Winky to be more prevalent in later books... she's the funniest house elf! 

For me, the Goblet of Fire is one of the most exciting books; I love the characters and I love the Triwizard Tournament and the Quidditch Cup, however, I don't find it the most important or relevant overall plot wise. Nevertheless, it is one of my favourites. 

4 and a half stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ + 1/2

I am hoping to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in June, so hold fire for a while, I promise the next installment of Potter reviews will come (after a short break). It's a long book and will be tricky to read and consolidate into a review so bare with me on that one. Hope to see you there!

Bye for now x


** all quotes and page numbers mentioned in this post are in reference to J.K. Rowling, 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' (Bloomsbury Publishing, London, 2014) ISBN 978-1-4088-5568-3