Fourth book in the Harry Potter series
ALL THE STARS
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire follows Harry returning to Hogwarts for his fourth year of schooling and he finds himself entered into a dangerous competition that will not only test his skills magically, mentally, and physically, but may just get him killed. That’s the simple version of this novel, but it is so much more than that. This is a novel that presents death to young children when other young people die. This is a book that forces friends to look at their dynamic and decide whether to stick together or go their separate ways (spoiler: friends until the end). This is a novel that forces Harry to see evil reincarnated in a graveyard. This is a novel where a young boy witnesses a Dementor’s Kiss. This is a novel where the light starts to fade in the Wizarding World, but still somehow retains its hilarity and whimsy. This is novel that starts with laughter and the Quidditch World Cup, which is full of veelas, leprechaun, the Weasley twins outsmarting and winning all the bets, and Harry and his best friends going back for another year at Hogwarts. The end of this novel ends in death, resurrection of something that should have stayed dead, but refuses to die, a horrifying revelation, and a shocking disposal of villain. This novel is what I consider to be the bridge of the Harry Potter series. If you look at Rowling’s writing approach each book mirrors another:
Sorcerer’s Stone-Deathly Hallows (beginning and end)
Chamber of Secrets-Half-Blood Prince (introduction of evil and uncovering the truth of this evil)
Prisoner of Azkaban- Order of the Phoenix (the introduction of Sirius Black- the end of…well… it’s depressing)
However, The Goblet of Fire stands out to me because it mirrors itself. It’s the first HP novel to be over 400 pages. It broke the mold for children’s novels and offers a very dark narrative that shocks and amazes the reader. This is my personal favorite Harry Potter novel mainly for this reason alone. It is brilliant and a true testament to the level of genius and planning that Rowling took when creating this world.
Whimsical Writing Scale: A MASTERPIECE
We continue to follow the same beloved characters in this series. I adore Harry, Hermione, and Ron can be a jerk, especially in this one, but he has moments (even if they are rare for me, personally). The Weasley brood continues to be a wonderful surrogate family to Harry and it was so much fun to see the dynamic of Harry being rescued from the Dursleys and taken to the Quidditch World Cup. Dobby is prevalent in this novel and I’m salty about him being cut from the films. The introduction of Winky, a free house elf who struggles to cope with being free. Also, we learn that house elves work in the Hogwarts kitchens and it adds a new layer to a school that readers thought they already knew. Fred and George rock and that ending with them warms my heart and soul.
Character Scale: OBSESSED
The Villain- I consider this villain to be one of the most well-thought aspects of the whole HP universe. Of course, Voldemort was behind the plotting for the most part, but a lot of it was by a father who loved his son and wanted him to be free. This plot was so brilliant that it is my number #1 reason as to why I love this novel so much. Yea, Voldemort is scary, but this sub-antagonist was so bad it was good.
Villain Scale: EVIL DONE RIGHT
As you can see, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is my favorite of the seven novels. I know some agree and others don’t, but to me this is a wonderful novel that showcases the bridge between light and dark, life and death, retaining youth and being forced to grow up. It’s a well-thought out novel. I find it truly magnificent and captivating.
Plotastic Scale: BROKE MY SCALE
Cover Thoughts: One of my favorite illustrations of the Hogwarts box set. It is so stunning and the color scheme is magnificent.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. RowlingFifth book in the Harry Potter series
5 stars
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the longest book in this series. It clocks in at 870 pages and while it is definitely huge, Rowling’s writing style is swift, funny, light, and to the point. While Rowling writes lightly, she is also the master of tackling dark subjects and presenting them with a seriousness that all ages can grasp and reflect upon. This is where the HP books become dark, angsty, and slightly frustrating. I’m not going to lie, there were times when I read this that I felt that this book was very long and I read this book in a relatively fast amount of time, but I still felt that this was a little too much. There is a lot going on in this novel. Looking at the movie and comparing it to the book whole sections and plots are cut. The biggest section that I’m mad about is Neville and his parents because that is a very powerful scene and it really cements the importance of Dumbledore’s Army for Neville. This is a great novel, fantastic even, but it is overwhelming. Most good novels, especially long novels, are overwhelming. That’s what makes them so good. This novel has its faults and it isn’t my favorite, but it has a lot of powerful memorable and remarkable moments.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 5
The characters in this novel are full of teenage angst. I actually really liked Harry for the most part. Everyone complains about his angst, but I was fifteen when I read this same age as Harry and I related to that angst (WOW, that was five years ago). I actually loved Ron in this one and didn’t annoy me as much as he usually did, but Hermione was starting to get on my nerves for a little bit and I wanted to slap her. I don’t know it was a weird time for these characters and for me reading wise. I loved the introduction of Luna and the foundation that forms between the Trio, Luna, Neville, and Jenny. It’s a strong group and it is really heartwarming. This is a really Sirius heavy novel which is great and it made me happy, but also destroyed me because Rowling did that. She went there. I still feel a lot of sympathy for Snape and he’s a self-righteous child abuser, but I really felt for him in this novel. Sad times.
Character Scale: 5
The Villain- Voldemort is still doing his Voldy thing, but he isn’t the central villain here. The true villain in OotP is Dolores Umbridge, Satan’s spawn. That bitch had me raging when she expelled Harry, Fred, and George from playing Quidditch. How dare she do that to my children? She is truly evil and I have no time for these types of bigoted, self-serving, child-hating/abusing monsters. Plus, she wears too much pink and is obsessed with cats. The mark of a truly evil woman masquerading as cute and cuddly. Also props to Hermione for taking down Rita Skeeter and her annoying-self down several pegs.
Villain Scale: EVIL
The Order of the Phoenix has its faults, but overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a wonderful addition to the Harry Potter series and it is emotionally taxing in all the best ways.
Plotastic Scale: 5
Cover Thoughts: I love the illustration, but it isn’t my favorite of the bunch.
Are you a fan of the Harry Potter series or have you read them more recently? Let me know down below in the comments!
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