Harry Potter is one of, if not the, most successful book series that’s ever existed. Commercially it is one of the biggest IPs (independent properties) on the planet. But of all of the seven books, there has to be one that many consider the best in the series right? Well, The Goblet of Fire is considered by many to be their favourite at least, if not the best. Here are my thoughts…
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the series – it’s the fourth year in our heroic trio’s time at Hogwarts and is arguably the first year when things really start to get dark and mysterious.
The Goblet of Fire plot – 5/5
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has one of the best starts to all of the Harry Potter books. Rather than taking us on a slightly obscure journey before he heads to Hogwarts, we start the book in the summer prior to Hogwarts with Harry going to his first Quidditch World Cup. This opening scene is one of the most immersive fantasy settings I’ve ever read. Nothing feels obscene about the situation from an initial viewpoint but when you realise the tent looks small but is actually enormous and that fireworks and such are being set off with wands, it all starts to feel far more magical. If you’ve seen the movie, that’s a fair representation of the book and the feeling and expanse you get of the whole tournament.
This opening scene also introduces us to the set up for the theme that the “Death eaters” may be back – Voldemort’s army that followed him many years ago. This essentially sets us up for the rest of the series.
After this tournament, we are introduced to the absolute highlight of the book – The Triwizard tournament. Here, once again is a chance for J.k. Rowling to introduce us to much wider lore within the wizarding world with new foreign schools from where foreign witches and wizards come. We’re also introduced to our main characters’ first love interests and their awkwardness of growing up and older.
It’s a story that has you riding every emotional plotline and growing ever more in love with these three characters and their continuously growing accompaniment of friends and people who want to help them.
Without spoiling anything, the Triwizard Tournament and the ending which comes about from it may be one of the most enjoyable things to read in any fantasy book ever. Rowling adds just enough ruling, danger and intrigue into the whole tournament that you forget this has been done many times before at many schools before with far less trouble. Also, alongside all of this going on, there’s a huge twist at the end that if you’ve never seen the films or books you’ll be amazed by. How Rowling had the brain capacity to introduce all of this new lore so well, include a twist and have such a good ending will always amaze me and have me coming back to read it.
The Goblet of Fire characters – 4/5
Reviewing the characters in the Harry Potter books is difficult because no matter who you speak to, one of the highlights of this whole series for many is the comradery that the trio have; the fights, arguments, jokes and laughs they share alongside their incredible journeys is why so many people love this series.
This is evident in The Goblet of Fire but we also explore them growing up. In the last book, we began to explore some of the aspects of the three of them growing up, however in this book we actively see them engage in relationships too. This causes obvious rifts between the three of them as their opinions on different people are brought up, conflicting with other opinions.
The introduction of new characters such as Cedric Digory, Alastor Moody, Fleur Delacour and others really adds to the depth of this world. Each of them introduces their own challenges to the team including a new paternal figure for Harry.
Ron is arguably everybody’s favourite as he’s the joker of the group whilst also expressing honest opinions, throwing child-like grumps and forever offering his thoughts on every situation.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling overall rating – 5/5
For me, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is by far the best book in the Harry Potter series. I love the Quidditch World Cup, I love the Triwizard Tournament, I love the twist and I love the ending. Parallel to this, we see our favourite three grow up furthermore and we see the storyline grow darker and continue the inevitable transition into the later books where things really start heating up.
