Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

I have to say - I took a bit more time to get into this book than I did with the others, not sure why. The Triwizard Tournament is the biggest reason for my deep liking of the movie adaption of The Goblet of Fire, but for some reason I just couldn't enjoy the start of the book much. Of course, that's not to say it's not an amazing book already, because it is and I do love it. 

260 pages in, I became utterly rapt. The closer we get to the start of the tasks, the more exhilarating it is. It's the depiction of some of the characters that made me a little "disgusted" (for lack of a more toned down word), if I may say so. For instance, I actually liked Snape in the movies despite him being so mean to them. But in the books, damn, he's nastier than I could ever have imagined him to be. I guess it kind of makes me sad, because ugh why you be like dis when it ain't really you (or is it), and mad because of how unjust he is. I'm hoping it all gets wrapped up with an explanation on why later on. I know he's a Death Eater and all that and has really got to show his loyalty to Voldemort, but still. I want it to be addressed. Fix this, Jo.

I also intensely loathe Rita Skeeter, as I'm sure (and hope), everyone else does. I don't particularly like journalists in general, for most of them are just lying, inconsiderate idiots thriving on people's pain and sadness for a bit of sensation and their own gain. And the satire of Rita Skeeter is such a damn good portrayal of that. Actually, I wouldn't even call it a satire - it's not an exaggeration. She's the epitome of the wretchedness of journalists, and I love how Rowling talks about it so well.

I really thought that this book would be my favourite in the series, because the tournament is one of my favourite things in the movies (like I said), but the third book is still the best so far. I love the depiction of the tournament in the book though. And oh my gosh, I am so bloody thrilled that I finally got to know about what stunts the other champions pulled to get their golden eggs. I had always been curious about it and now I know. The other little things that weren't shown in the movies, like Hermione's S.P.E.W movement to save the elves and Dobby working at Hogwarts were also so heartwarming to read; it honestly feels like I am finally in on the little secrets and intricacies of the Harry Potter world and that's just an unsurpassed feeling. AND I HAD ALWAYS WONDERED WHERE THE FOOD CAME FROM!!! Everything makes so much sense now, I could cry.

I'm taking so long with this book though. It's been well over a week and I'm about halfway through. I thought that slowing down would make me enjoy it more, but it's not the case. Ngl though, I made a whole mess with Book 4 (aka The Goblet of Fire) in reading it, and my copy got thrashed a bit (it hurt me too); it fell a few times, some of the pages got dog-eared and I'm afraid for the life of its spine. But one of my favourite high school teachers of all time once told us that books are meant to be read, and read well. And it's not a bad thing when your favourite book is all battered and scrawled in and looks like it's been through the hands and lives of many. That's actually a beautiful thing. It still hurts though. And although I was the kind of person who used to keep books like they have lived, I actually get heart attacks when people touch and open my books now. 

Anyway, as usual, I digress.

Oh but hang on. I don't know how I missed this before, but I love Professor Dumbledore. The wisdom and calm that emanates from his very being is incredible. I think in the first three books, I was trying so hard to find a favourite character that I missed the very obvious ones - and all my favourite quotes are his sayings! How did I miss this. His humility is humbling. Is there a catch? I am slightly suspicious of it, but that might just be my trust issues. 

Also, only Jo can surprise her readers and make their hearts jump even though they already know the entire story. When she said that Harry didn't recognise the pretty girl Krum took to the Yule Ball, I almost choked on my spit. Like, bruh! Had they changed the movie? What is this? But nooo, it was Hermy-own-ninny, but my jaw still dropped at the same time at Harry's. And I can't believe they also never mentioned Hagrid's woes and his story of being a half-giant. We missed so much lore in the movies!!

Crushes this season: Cedric. Although I'm not sure whether that's because I've always had a massive crush on Edward Cullen since I was 10, or if it's because he's so polite and considerate. Perhaps both. More because of the Cullen face though. I cried when they paid homage to him at the Leaving Feast. I also cried when Harry gave the twins his winnings. Yes, this is probably the first book that made me cry. Even A Little Life didn’t have me.

I'm not sure how I feel about the version where Cedric is the one who saved Harry. Thinking about it, it doesn't really make that much of a difference, except to portray Harry as more "noble" and less untouchable, as he is most of the time in the movies. The maze was also so much more interesting with all the additional details, it makes reading the books such a constant thrill. 

Overall, though thrilling, I found some parts of the books a tad slow-paced (although that's probably through all faults of my own), like the Pensieve scene where Harry had to go through three different memories before finding out about Crouch's son; but was that a snippet of Bellatrix that we got? This book was so funny, thrilling and real. The wisdom in the Harry Potter books just keeps growing and I'm living for it - never would I ever have thought that a fantasy "children's" book (I seriously doubt this is a children's book at this point; the movie certainly took a drastic non-child-safe turn with the Killing Curse beginning at this stage) would hold such sagacity. Malgré the slow start, I loved the book, and so far I think my liking is still on a steady rise with each book; I'm loving each next one even more than the one preceding it, and I seriously don't know if I'll ever be able to pick a single favourite.

I also really wanted to kick Fudge in the shin. Politicians amiright

By the end of the book, and this may have been a result of reading in cyclonic weather and pulling all-nighters, I felt like I had finally marked the Harry Potter era in my life. The ones who get it, get it.

Things I found funny:

'Why do they have to move in packs?' Harry asked Ron, as a dozen or so girls walked past them, sniggering and staring at Harry.'

'Could he perhaps ambush her as she was going into a bathroom? But no - she even seemed to go there with an escort of four or five girls.'

'Wangoballwime' (I cracked up so hard at this lmfao)

Favourite quotes:

'Really, Hagrid, if you are holding out for universal popularity, I'm afraid you will be in this cabin for a very long time,' said Dumbledore, now peering sternly over his half-moon spectacles. 'Not a week has passed, since I became Headmaster, when I haven't had at least one owl complaining about the way I run it. But what should I do? Barricade myself in my study and refuse to talk to anybody?'

'...Knows people can turn out OK even if their families weren'...well...all tha' respectable. But some don' understand that. There's some who'd always hold it against yeh...'

"there's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth botherin' with." 
                                                                                                            - Hagrid's Dad

'If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.'

                                                                                                                  - Sirius Black

'Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.'

                                                                                                           - Albus Dumbledore

'...time will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead.'

Toodles xo