Author: J.K. Rowling
Released: July 2000
When the Quidditch World Cup is disrupted by Voldemort's rampaging supporters and the terrifying Dark Mark is resurrected, it is obvious to Harry that, far from failing, Voldemort is getting stronger. The ultimate symbol to the magic world of the evil Lord's return would be if the one and only survivor of his death curse, Harry Potter, could finally be beaten. So when Harry is entered for the Triwizard Tournament - a competition between three wizarding schools to find the ultimate magician - he knows that rather than win it, he just has to get through the trials alive.
Rating: 5 Stars
Positives: Holy Gryffindor! J.K. Rowling has done it again. As we join Harry for his fourth year at Hogwarts we find ourselves facing new and deadlier foes than ever before, and having help from some old friends such as Dobby.
So my first positive has to be that although this is a much darker novel than its predecessors, we need to bear in mind that the original readers have aged, and will be able to handle darker themes. Plus as Harry's character is aging we see him face new challenges that a teenager would face, including his growing attraction for Cho. So let me take off my hat, or should I say raise my wand to the fabulous Rowling for understanding that her key audience will have aged, and for also remembering to change the trials that Harry faces accordingly.
Secondly the Death Eaters are an amazing concept. We always knew that Voldemort had power, and for that he would need his loyal band of followers, and now we finally get to meet them. Something that I think makes them more threatening and scary, especially where younger readers are involved, is their anonymity. Because they are masked and hooded figures you have no idea of their true identities, and that only makes them something more dangerous, which only brings home the point of how dangerous it really is and how you really can't trust anyone.
Another beautiful plot twist was finally finding out what happened to Neville's parents. I had always assumed that perhaps, with the Longbottoms being purebloods, that they had disowned Neville for not being magical enough, and that that was the reason he was raised by his grandmother. The truth though is so much more heartbreaking and it goes to show what a fantastic woman Augusta Longbottom is.
And speaking of plot twists, those last few chapters. Holy Hippogriffs, they were amazing. So many characters now have extra depths to them, and just wow. I really can't say anything more without giving away major spoilers.
Finally the magic. Okay yes we're at a school for wizardry and I should be used to magic by now. But the charms and hexes used in this book are just so much more advanced than anything we've seen previously (with the exception of the Patronus Charm).
Negatives: Okay I can come up with some actual negatives this time. I loved this book dearly don't get me wrong, but having scenes where various characters are tortured and having that pain described with how the character is twitching and writhing is not okay! This is still classed as a children's book, but that's not something I'd want my child reading in all honesty.
Would I recommend this book? Hell yes, but I'm actually going to say that because of the aforementioned torture scenes parents may want to check the book first before giving it to a child. I know its not like me to give a parental advisory warning but I think this book merits it.
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