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A review by mynameismarines
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
5.0
[December 31, 2016] - Marking for rearead
[December 14, 2015] - Marking for reread. I was amazed that on this, my third time reading this book, I was still biting my nails just as soon as Harry entered the maze at the end. I knew what was coming and it really gave me deep sads to think about where it all would lead.
I said in my last update that it was wonderful to watch the kids growing up and I'll only add to that that it comes together with the series growing up as well. We see it take a turn for the dark here. I know people give Harry a lot of flack for being angsty, but can you just imagine? I get so frustrated for him and how no one ever believes him, starting with not putting his name into the Goblet of Fire and ending with Voldemort's return. Plus, he now feels directly responsible for the return of Voldemort and the death of Cedric Diggory.
I have bad associations with Cedric and Robert Pattison, and that's unfortunate, because Cedric is a great character. When Dumbledore gives his "Remember Cedric" speech, there were definitely sniffles happening.
I LOVED Hermione in this book. In a lot of ways, she's super self-confident. She tends to be so above the teasing and prickling of the other students. When she gets it in for Rita Skeeter, she is just CONFIDENT that she's going to stop her and show her. And she does because Hermione is the best forever. Yes, she can be a bit rigid, but Harry and Ron are so lucky to have her as a friend. So much gets done because Hermione gets it done.
It's interesting, though, that it's in this same book that we get the scene with Hermione's teeth growing. This is a good a time as any to mention how much I HATE Snape. He made fun of a 14-year-old girl's appearance so much, it pushes her to permanently change her appearance. WHO DEFENDS THIS CREATURE? PLEASE STOP HE'S AWFUL. He also reads one of Rita's columns out loud in class so all the other students can laugh at Harry and Hermione. Also, when Harry goes running to fetch Dumbledore because Barty Crouch appeared from the forest, Snape just stops him because it pleases him to be mean to Harry. I hate him so much.
Whenever I think of Sirius, I think of how hard I fell in love with him in what seems a short amount of time. I saw a little more clearly why in this book, where his presence is pretty constant throughout. Sirius really cares for Harry and it's so nice that Harry has that. There is this whole scene at the beginning where Harry needs to tell someone about his scar and he can't think of who, but then it dawns on him that he has Sirius now. He's never had that kind of person to turn to and it's just... gah. Feelings. Feelings right up until Sirius has to leave at the end and Harry's like "WAIT! NO!" No, please Sirius. Don't leave.
Dear goodness, THE WEASLEYS. They are warmth and love and humor and caring and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. From Mr. Weasley at the beginning, running off with his older sons to see about the dark mark, to Mrs. Weasley and Bill coming as Harry's family before the last task. I forgot they showed up and when Harry walks into that room and Mrs. Weasley is there and he just lights up... So good. And then at the end when Molly gives Harry a hug and it's the first time he can feel his feelings about everything that's happened. He says that no one has ever hugged him this way, like a mother. I might cry right now just typing this.
Finally, J.K. Rowling is so very specific about every element she introduces into the world. Every once in a while, it comes off a little convenient, but for the most part, I appreciate how intentional and connected and foreshadowed everything is. At the beginning of the story, she tells us about port keys for the first time as they are whisked away to the Quidditch World Cup. At the end of the story, it's a port key that takes Harry to face Voldemort. A couple of books ago, Dumbledore straight up told Harry that it's possible that some part of Voldemort is in Harry and this book, Voldemort talks about the measures he took to evade death. There are so many other things like this and I love it.
I'm hesitant to go on. Bad things happen, guys. Very bad things.
[December 25, 2013] - Marking for reread. I remember that the first time through, I marveled at how Rowling was growing these characters up before our eyes. Their first dance and the changing dynamics of their relationships. Bigger challenges and very real danger. Death. This time, I suffered for Harry more, knowing what is still ahead of him, and resenting Ron even while understanding him. Sirius, though. God I love that man.
[December 14, 2015] - Marking for reread. I was amazed that on this, my third time reading this book, I was still biting my nails just as soon as Harry entered the maze at the end. I knew what was coming and it really gave me deep sads to think about where it all would lead.
I said in my last update that it was wonderful to watch the kids growing up and I'll only add to that that it comes together with the series growing up as well. We see it take a turn for the dark here. I know people give Harry a lot of flack for being angsty, but can you just imagine? I get so frustrated for him and how no one ever believes him, starting with not putting his name into the Goblet of Fire and ending with Voldemort's return. Plus, he now feels directly responsible for the return of Voldemort and the death of Cedric Diggory.
I have bad associations with Cedric and Robert Pattison, and that's unfortunate, because Cedric is a great character. When Dumbledore gives his "Remember Cedric" speech, there were definitely sniffles happening.
I LOVED Hermione in this book. In a lot of ways, she's super self-confident. She tends to be so above the teasing and prickling of the other students. When she gets it in for Rita Skeeter, she is just CONFIDENT that she's going to stop her and show her. And she does because Hermione is the best forever. Yes, she can be a bit rigid, but Harry and Ron are so lucky to have her as a friend. So much gets done because Hermione gets it done.
It's interesting, though, that it's in this same book that we get the scene with Hermione's teeth growing. This is a good a time as any to mention how much I HATE Snape. He made fun of a 14-year-old girl's appearance so much, it pushes her to permanently change her appearance. WHO DEFENDS THIS CREATURE? PLEASE STOP HE'S AWFUL. He also reads one of Rita's columns out loud in class so all the other students can laugh at Harry and Hermione. Also, when Harry goes running to fetch Dumbledore because Barty Crouch appeared from the forest, Snape just stops him because it pleases him to be mean to Harry. I hate him so much.
Whenever I think of Sirius, I think of how hard I fell in love with him in what seems a short amount of time. I saw a little more clearly why in this book, where his presence is pretty constant throughout. Sirius really cares for Harry and it's so nice that Harry has that. There is this whole scene at the beginning where Harry needs to tell someone about his scar and he can't think of who, but then it dawns on him that he has Sirius now. He's never had that kind of person to turn to and it's just... gah. Feelings. Feelings right up until Sirius has to leave at the end and Harry's like "WAIT! NO!" No, please Sirius. Don't leave.
Dear goodness, THE WEASLEYS. They are warmth and love and humor and caring and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. From Mr. Weasley at the beginning, running off with his older sons to see about the dark mark, to Mrs. Weasley and Bill coming as Harry's family before the last task. I forgot they showed up and when Harry walks into that room and Mrs. Weasley is there and he just lights up... So good. And then at the end when Molly gives Harry a hug and it's the first time he can feel his feelings about everything that's happened. He says that no one has ever hugged him this way, like a mother. I might cry right now just typing this.
Finally, J.K. Rowling is so very specific about every element she introduces into the world. Every once in a while, it comes off a little convenient, but for the most part, I appreciate how intentional and connected and foreshadowed everything is. At the beginning of the story, she tells us about port keys for the first time as they are whisked away to the Quidditch World Cup. At the end of the story, it's a port key that takes Harry to face Voldemort. A couple of books ago, Dumbledore straight up told Harry that it's possible that some part of Voldemort is in Harry and this book, Voldemort talks about the measures he took to evade death. There are so many other things like this and I love it.
I'm hesitant to go on. Bad things happen, guys. Very bad things.
[December 25, 2013] - Marking for reread. I remember that the first time through, I marveled at how Rowling was growing these characters up before our eyes. Their first dance and the changing dynamics of their relationships. Bigger challenges and very real danger. Death. This time, I suffered for Harry more, knowing what is still ahead of him, and resenting Ron even while understanding him. Sirius, though. God I love that man.