Hey, Book Lovers of Hive,
Today's review features a classic fantasy novel by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. An oldie but a goodie. A reread for me as I have always been a Potter fan, but I have watched the movies a lot more than read the books. I have decided to check if the kid likes it too. We started reading them at bedtime and have now finished the 4th Novel. Generally, she falls asleep, and I keep reading, but I'm enjoying it non the less. The last time I read this book was in high school.
Ebook Cover from Original source, Pottermore.com (now wizardingworld.com)
First published in 2000, The Goblet of Fire is the 4th Installment of the Harry Potter Series and is the book when it all starts to get a bit spicy. Although Rowlings writing in this series starts off clearly targeted at younger readers, in this one, we see it changing a bit to include an older audience. When we get to the final instalment, it's a full-blown fantasy novel. But I digress. Let's get to dissecting the goblet of fire.
As with the 3 other books, this one starts with Harry summering at 4 Privet Drive, the residence of the Dursleys, his Muggle (non-magic folk) family's house. He loathes it here, as his aunt, uncle and cousin Dudley are the worst kind of muggles and hate everything about magic, including Harry. He has no choice but to stay here until he comes of age because
These are his only surviving relatives, and
While he stays here, he is under magical protection and hidden from the dark wizards, a form of old magic invoked after his parents were killed.
But this year, he hopes to spend the last few weeks of the summer at his best friends Ron Weasley's house and watch the Quidditch World Cup live with Wesley.
The World Cup was the highlight of these wizards' lives until the bad guys showed up. A group called the Death Eaters. They start attacking random wizards and muggles, and everyone runs for their lives.
Harry returns to school, and unexpectedly the principal announces that this year they will be hosting the Triwizard cup, a magical competition for students to prove their capabilities. 2 other schools will also be partaking, with one contestant from each school. Harry and his friends are underage, so they don't even bother to enter. But somehow, Harry's name gets chosen along with 3 other contestants. Someone sneaked his name in the cup, and they have no clue.
The rest of the school year centres around the tournament and its tasks, and Harry and his two best friends, Ron and Hermione, try to figure out the clues and help him prepare for the challenges. The story also features a grand ball for the students, which unfolds the story of the main character's love interests. Still being young kids, these escapades are pretty innocent. Finding dates to the ball, being nervous, etc. Quite cute. Harry is sweet on a girl called Cho Chang. While Ron is keen on the other member of the Trio, Hermione, everybody but himself picks up on it as he is simply acting out because she has another love interest. Both boys don't get to go with the girl of their choice and are pretty much broody.
Meanwhile, Harry is always suspicious as there has to be a reason why someone wanted him to participate, and after the third and final task, he finds out who is behind it all. After helping each other throughout the tournament, Harry and the other Hogwarts champion, Cedric, agree to take the cup together. Something goes wrong, and the pair are whisked away to an old graveyard.
Cedric and Harry need to find out where they are and what happens. Almost immediately, Cedric is killed by one of Voldemort's followers. The original bad guy, who killed his parents, Voldemort, a.k.a. the Dark lord, has been plotting to make a comeback and return to human form. A ritual needs to be performed which requires the blood of his enemy, a.k.a harry potter. Harry is tied up, and the ceremony takes place; Voldemort is restored to human form. All his followers return, and he starts to toy with Harry to kill him. Potter gets a burst of courage and refuses to die by obeying Voldermort's command. He fights back, and their wands connect strangely. Next thing you know, he meets the ghosts of the last few people Voldermort kills, which includes his parents. They distract Voldermort, and harry gets away, safely back to Hogwarts.
Safely, so he thinks. This guy can literally never be safe. Turns out one of his teachers is a Death Eater in disguise and has been getting him to the graveyard all year. Said the teacher tries to kill harry, but Dumbledore bursts in at the last second and saves the Day. He gets a confession from the Death Eater and calls upon the Minster of Magic (for England). Turns out this guy Refuses to believe Voldermort is back and takes precautions to fight against him. But this is a story which unfolds further in the next book.
Behind all the drama, there are a lot of laughs and extraordinary magical moments. The language still needs to be better and has a bit of a kiddy vibe to it, but much better than the first 3 books. It's also fitting for the audience I'm reading to - and I'm enjoying rereading one of my favourite childhood book series.
I totally nerded out with this review, but I hope you enjoyed reading it. I'm keen to start the next book, but I think I'll choose something else first. Always good to mix things up.
Till next time!
Much Love From Sunny Cape Town,
@Mimismartypants