Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

This is the book that had most recently been published when I started reading the series. In its fourth year, the novels are getting thicker and more complex! This is the first one that doesn't begin immediately in Privet Drive, but instead we start with Lord Voldermort and his servant Wormtail.

I find that Goblet of Fire really serves as a "middle" for the series. Until now, Voldermort has always been a dormant threat, specifically since Prisoner of Azkaban's "baddie" was Sirius Black, not Lord Thingy himself. Harry is leaving childhood behind; he's interested in girls (specifically Cho Chang, to which: bah! Everyone knows Harry's true soulmate should've been Hermione.) Hermione herself is becoming more aware of things outside their little life, since she starts her work with S.P.E.W. after realizing the way most House Elf's are treated. Several concepts are introduced, such as the Pensieve and O.W.L.'s and the unforgivable curses... this book really serves to lay the foundation for the next three books, as well as tying together and sort of putting aside the first three. I like the fight between Ron and Harry - it separates Ron, and builds on the little clues that have been going on. Most importantly, Harry gets to once more learn the lesson that it doesn't matter who your parents are, it's what you make of yourself that matters. Then there are the heartbreaking things introduced: Harry's relationship with Sirius as his godfather and figure that will help him. Cedric Diggory as the first loss. And of course, the return of You-Know-Who.

This book follows the same formula's as the other. From chapter one we know something's up, but aren't too sure of what it is, or rather, we think it's something else. The school year goes by and Harry, Hermione and Ron are busy, but fight against the bad as well. Finally, the climax arrives, thankfully just after exams are over. Lord Voldermort returns and his attempt to kill Harry is thwarted thanks to the otherworldly help of Lord Thingy's last victims. But in all of this Harry learns, that although he's lucky, he's also able to look after himself. At one point he thinks that he'll die "like his father, face on and standing up." And so we see that he is in Griffindor not just because he chose to be, but because he is courageous. Courage that he'll need for what's coming ahead. I do like Goblet of Fire, though it's not my favorite one. I think it does a great job at getting you excited for 'what's next.'