Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

Author: J.K. Rowling

Published in: 2000

Date read: 13th October 2004

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Childrens' fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling is the fourth book in the series, significantly expanding the wizarding world and marking a crucial turning point as Lord Voldemort's return becomes undeniable.

The story begins with Harry Potter suffering another difficult summer with the Dursleys, but things take an exciting turn when he's invited by the Weasleys to attend the Quidditch World Cup, an exhilarating spectacle of the wizarding sport. The event, however, is marred by the terrifying appearance of Death Eaters, Lord Voldemort's followers, who wreak havoc and conjure the Dark Mark in the sky, signaling Voldemort's growing power.

Upon returning to Hogwarts for his fourth year, Harry learns that the school will host the Triwizard Tournament, a legendary and dangerous competition between three major European wizarding schools: Hogwarts, Durmstrang Institute, and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Only students aged seventeen or older are permitted to enter, chosen by the magical Goblet of Fire. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is the eccentric and gruff Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, a renowned Auror (dark wizard catcher).

To everyone's shock, especially Harry's, the Goblet of Fire mysteriously selects not three, but four champions:
• Cedric Diggory for Hogwarts
• Viktor Krum for Durmstrang
• Fleur Delacour for Beauxbatons
• And inexplicably, Harry Potter himself, despite being underage.

This immediately thrusts Harry into unwanted fame and renewed suspicion, straining his friendship with Ron, who believes Harry intentionally entered his his name. Harry is forced to compete in three incredibly dangerous tasks: retrieving a golden egg from a dragon, rescuing something valuable from the merpeople in the Black Lake, and navigating a perilous maze. Throughout the tournament, Harry receives help from various sources, including his friends Hermione and Ron (who eventually reconciles with Harry), and even from "Mad-Eye" Moody, who offers surprisingly specific and effective advice.

As the tournament progresses, strange occurrences plague Hogwarts. Harry is plagued by nightmares and a persistent scar pain. He also notices Moody's peculiar behavior, which raises his suspicions. Hermione, meanwhile, champions the rights of house-elves, initiating her S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) campaign.

The climax of the novel occurs during the final Triwizard task, the maze. Harry and Cedric Diggory reach the Triwizard Cup simultaneously and, in a moment of sportsmanship, decide to touch it together. However, the Cup turns out to be a Portkey, transporting them not to Hogwarts, but to a graveyard where Lord Voldemort and his loyal servant, Peter Pettigrew (Wormtail), are waiting.

In a terrifying ritual, Pettigrew uses Harry's blood to resurrect Voldemort, restoring him to a full physical body. Voldemort then reveals his plan to kill Harry and regain his power. Cedric Diggory is brutally murdered by Wormtail on Voldemort's command. Voldemort then engages Harry in a duel, where their wands, sharing a core from the same phoenix, create a rare magical effect called "Priori Incantatem," causing echoes of Voldemort's past victims (including Harry's parents and Cedric) to emerge and aid Harry's escape.

Harry manages to grab Cedric's body and the Portkey, returning to Hogwarts, where he delivers the horrifying news of Voldemort's return and Cedric's death. The wizarding world is thrown into chaos and denial, with the Ministry of Magic refusing to believe Harry and Dumbledore. The book ends on a somber note, with Harry and his friends facing the grim reality that Voldemort is back and a war is coming.

Comments:
Now the books change and I was in two minds as to whether or not it is "children's fiction". Well, you can't let them read the first 3 then stop until you're older. This book is excellent and I have to mention the films (which I have thoroughly enjoyed), as these books have grown so much in their length, it is impossible to fit them into a single film. The answer is, make sure that you read to book first!

Books that we've read by J.K. Rowling (7):
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) (1997), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) (1998), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) (1999), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) (2000), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) (2003), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) (2005), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) (2007)